Opinion

In defense of Juneau’s free press

On Monday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to allocate $361,000 for additional ambulance crew. But the Juneau Best Starts child care funding… Continue reading

Clean up that damn mine

The Tulsequah Chief mine has been polluting the Taku Watershed with acid mine drainage (AMD) for over 60 years now. This pollution is in violation… Continue reading

Opinion: Dunleavy supports Alaska’s fisheries

As a lifelong Alaskan, commercial and subsistence fisherman, I support Mike Dunleavy as our next governor. Recent statements from critics that Dunleavy is not supportive… Continue reading

Countdown to Election 2018: It’s complicated

Editor’s Note: The Empire will be publishing a weekly column from the nonpartisan League of Women Voters leading up to this year’s elections, in the… Continue reading

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Crime rates can’t be linked to SB 91

On July 31, the Juneau Empire posted an opinion piece by Dan Carothers criticizing Alaska’s justice reforms. First off, I want to thank Mr. Carothers… Continue reading

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Opinion: Let’s give our children the best start possible

Whenever there has been a crisis in Juneau, the community has generously stepped in to help, especially when it involves children. The current lack of… Continue reading

Opinion: Fighting for a healthier, safer Alaska

Addiction is a disease that has plagued our state for decades and ranked us at the top for too many undesirable statistics including domestic violence,… Continue reading

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Misrepresentations about Alaska’s SB 91

“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” That old adage has been quoted by everyone from war generals to philosophy… Continue reading

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Keep Juneau unique and sustainable

Rich Moniak’s column in Sunday’s paper, called “The problem with resurrecting the great road debate,” was spot on. The Road debate sage is on simmer… Continue reading

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Pebble Mine’s application should not advance

Since the threat of Pebble mine would risk my basic life necessities — food through subsistence harvesting with my family, and the way I get… Continue reading

A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau residents and visitors crowd into the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff building housing the State Library, State Archives and State Museum during the Grand Opening in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Demographics show Alaska’s destiny

Alaska’s population fell by about 2,700 people in 2017. It’s not nearly as noticeable as the post-pipeline-construction crash in 1977 or the 1980s recession, but… Continue reading

Juneau residents and visitors crowd into the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff building housing the State Library, State Archives and State Museum during the Grand Opening in 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
Kate Troll

Instead of a gas pipeline, why not a power line?

Observers of history and current events like to say nothing is more powerful that an idea that’s time has come.

Kate Troll
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Let’s focus on internet issues Alaska policymakers can fix

Every Alaskan deserves access to a free and open internet. Gov. Bill Walker and the administration passionately agree with this commonly held belief and have… Continue reading

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U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

The MSA and Don Young’s partisan dilemma

Like the breakup of a marriage, there are two sides to this story.

U.S. Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
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Stop child detention immediately

I remember the first day I dropped off my daughter Jaime at day care, in the home of a work colleague on the Navajo reservation.… Continue reading

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Alaska Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Partisanship shouldn’t undermine our fisheries

We must remain committed to the bipartisan, bicameral tradition of fisheries management and my legislation accomplishes just that.

Alaska Rep. Don Young speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Feb. 21. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Partisanship shouldn’t undermine our fisheries

Partisan rancor may be standard operating procedure for most of Washington, but let’s not allow it to unravel the progress we’ve made for our country’s… Continue reading