Opinion

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Snowstorms a teachable moment for helping each other out

The recent snow created an amazing opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors. Last week our Juneau AARP Community Action Team (CAT) members identified neighbors in… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Dunleavy should respect majority of Alaskans, take down ‘pro-life’ flag from governor’s mansion

When Gov. Dunleavy hung a so-called “pro-life” flag at the governor’s house — the people’s house in Alaska’s capital city — he thumbed his nose… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Efficient administration in governance according to Dunleavy

Don’t be fooled by the “efficient administration” justification for the decision by Gov. Mike Dunleavy to assume total control of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska students hold up numbers representing the amount of an educator award presented in 2022. (Alaska Department of Education and Early Development photo)

My Turn: Double dippers — snatched education with a bonus, too

In a time of fiscal turbulence, why are we allowing Alaska’s children to exploit our budget through no fault of their own? K-12 education is… Continue reading

Alaska students hold up numbers representing the amount of an educator award presented in 2022. (Alaska Department of Education and Early Development photo)
Gaza resident Haytham Mohanna accepts first prize during the State Department’s International Education Week in November of 2013 for a presentation he gave in Haines. (Photo by Tom Morphet)

Opinion: Israel, Gaza and a future of student diplomacy

I spent eight years as the community representative for several exchange students from Gaza. Haytham Mohanna was one of them. He attended school in Haines.… Continue reading

Gaza resident Haytham Mohanna accepts first prize during the State Department’s International Education Week in November of 2013 for a presentation he gave in Haines. (Photo by Tom Morphet)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Clean up the Tulsequah Chief mine before considering more mining in the Taku Watershed

The international Taku River is more than a source of clean water and salmon. It is the source of life. Because so many people on… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Israel/Gaza war would end if Hamas surrender and return hostages. Why don’t they?

It is imperative to clarify some facts in Craig Wilson’s letter to the editor entitled “Israel violating international law with its response in Gaza” published… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)

My Turn: Two visions of Alaska’s future

After two weeks of harrowing negotiations at the COP28 summit in Dubai, world leaders and oil giants decamped after agreeing to transition away from fossil… Continue reading

Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Dunleavy shows cruelty in turning down federal food funds for children

Cold. Unfeeling. Cruel. How else to describe Gov. Dunleavy’s decision to turn down federal funds for food for children this summer? Half of Alaska’s children… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
A worker with the Pebble Mine project digs in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska near the village of Iliamma, Alaska, July 13, 2007. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Opinion: The Alaska voices Dunleavy refuses to hear

“The Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the State’s case directly is disappointing,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy wrote in a social media post last week. He… Continue reading

A worker with the Pebble Mine project digs in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska near the village of Iliamma, Alaska, July 13, 2007. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Israel violating international humanitarian law with its response in Gaza

Gaza is roughly twice the size of Douglas Island, with over three times the population of Alaska living there. That’s a lot of people packed… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: When chickens come home to roost at the Juneau School District

On Tuesday I zoomed in to the Juneau School Board work session about our local school district’s recently announced $10 million budget shortfall. The explanation… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Workers plug a cable into a Princess Cruises ship in Juneau on June 26, 2016. (Photo by John Neary)

My Turn: Marine Passenger Fee proposal for electrifying docks

Here’s a great way to clean up the air in downtown Juneau during the busy cruise ship season. The tourism manager for the City and… Continue reading

Workers plug a cable into a Princess Cruises ship in Juneau on June 26, 2016. (Photo by John Neary)
Juneau School District leaders learned during the past few days they are facing a $9.5 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Why the Juneau School District has an unexpected $9.5M deficit and what comes next

The Juneau School District’s FY24 Budget Reconciliation document came as a shock to the school board, district personnel and our community. Since we have been… Continue reading

Juneau School District leaders learned during the past few days they are facing a $9.5 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Two visitors walk on the Photo Point Trail footbridge at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Aug. 27, 2023. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

My Turn: Final Mendenhall Glacier redevelopment plan shows together we can create better outcomes

The Final Record of Decision announced on Dec. 14, 2023, by the U.S. Forest Service regarding changes at Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA) illustrates something… Continue reading

Two visitors walk on the Photo Point Trail footbridge at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Aug. 27, 2023. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
The result of the Wrangell landslide is seen on Nov. 20. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

An Alaska climate expert reviews 2023’s weather and climate highlights

While Alaska didn’t have an ex-typhoon Merbok style widespread high impact event in 2023, there was still lots to contend with. Here’s a selection, in… Continue reading

The result of the Wrangell landslide is seen on Nov. 20. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A page from the appeal by former President Donald Trump asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Colorado Supreme Court’s finding that an insurrection clause in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment renders Trump ineligible to be on the state’s ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, is photographed Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Opinion: The question of disqualifying Trump

In last week’s column about the insurrection-related cases heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, I only briefly mentioned the dozens of 14th Amendment lawsuits. Now… Continue reading

A page from the appeal by former President Donald Trump asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Colorado Supreme Court’s finding that an insurrection clause in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment renders Trump ineligible to be on the state’s ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, is photographed Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Opinion: A Constitution 101 lesson for Sen. Sullivan

Four constitutional questions related to Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election are likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of… Continue reading

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
A protester holds a sign advocating for an increase in the state’s Base Student Allocation during a rally at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Is there a Santa Claus that can deliver education funding?

As a kid growing up in rural Alaska, Christmas was special. We’d hunt for the perfect Christmas tree and write up our wish list for… Continue reading

A protester holds a sign advocating for an increase in the state’s Base Student Allocation during a rally at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: A plea for peace on Earth — among all involved in indiscriminate killing

This is a season in which many find joy, comfort and hope by celebrating a variety of rich traditions. Unfortunately, a number of wars fester… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)