Opinion

(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Getting federal flood help is not waste or fraud

Has Trump, Elon Musk, or any of the DOGE boys ever seen the word jökulhlaup? Are they even aware of the 2024 glacial outburst that… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Jonathan Swinton, executive director of Gastineau Human Services, presides over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a remodeled behavioral health clinic at the nonprofit organization’s Lemon Creek campus on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Three affordable housing solutions for Juneau

Homelessness and affordable housing continue to plague far too many in our community. Over the last five years homelessness in Alaska has increased by 10.3%.… Continue reading

Jonathan Swinton, executive director of Gastineau Human Services, presides over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a remodeled behavioral health clinic at the nonprofit organization’s Lemon Creek campus on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

My Turn: Important questions for Dan Sullivan and Nick Begich

Dan Sullivan and Nick Begich, what are you going to do to stop the irresponsible destruction of our country and our world? Your silence is… Continue reading

The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Volunteer for the right cause

Recently I was asked by a friend to volunteer at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to help keep the doors open and the outdoors safe… Continue reading

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Feb. 22, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sen. Dan Sullivan, (R-Alaska) questions Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, during the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

Opinion: Trickle-down lawlessness

Last weekend, I signed a petition calling on Sen. Dan Sullivan to honor his oath of office. It specifically addressed Congress’s constitutional “power to determine… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan, (R-Alaska) questions Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency, during the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
The University of Alaska Southeast campus on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: University of Alaska’s canceled culture

As an alumnus of UAS I am disgusted at how fast the University of Alaska Board of Regents, threw all but the white, straight people… Continue reading

The University of Alaska Southeast campus on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file photo)
Twin rainbows are seen from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

My Turn: Fired Forest Service park rangers need to return to Mendenhall Glacier before tourists do

I was a U.S. Forest Service park ranger at Mendenhall Glacier for 14 years until I retired in 2018. Having lived in Juneau since 1969,… Continue reading

Twin rainbows are seen from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gaveling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Support for public schools

There is a perception that all public schools in Alaska are failing to effectively educate students because average test scores show Alaska students rank among… Continue reading

Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, confers with other senators and legislative staff moments before gaveling in the start of this year’s legislative session at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The peril of reintroducing defined benefit pensions in Alaska

As Alaska faces one of its most difficult fiscal challenges in decades, a bill to radically expand Alaska’s retirement plan for government workers is winding… Continue reading

Members of the Alaska State Employees Association and AFSCME Local 52 holds a protest at the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Elon Musk walks with senior staff after arriving with President Donald Trump on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Feb. 19, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

My Turn: The end point of delusion

There are times when delusion becomes the organizing principle of entire countries. The Nazis borrowed a Russian conspiracy theory around Jews taking over the world… Continue reading

Elon Musk walks with senior staff after arriving with President Donald Trump on Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Feb. 19, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) points to a map of Alaska and Russia during the confirmation hearing for John Phelan, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Navy, before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan’s bow to power obscures the truth — again

Sen. Lisa Murkowski understands the imperative of speaking truth to power right now. “I am sick to my stomach as the administration appears to be… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) points to a map of Alaska and Russia during the confirmation hearing for John Phelan, President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Navy, before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A U.S. Forest Service office sign in Juneau on Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Firing the hosts of our public lands is not in the public interest

On a sunny summer day in the early 1990’s, a young woman in a wide brim hat presented our young children with a gift from… Continue reading

A U.S. Forest Service office sign in Juneau on Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s time to eliminate the Permanent Fund dividend

It is time now for the Legislature to seriously consider eliminating the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and to establish a mechanism to provide a replacement… Continue reading

Uhtred Permanentfundsen, the “defender of the Permanent Fund,” occupies a shelf near the head of the table in the Senate Finance Committee room at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A spawning chum salmon looks to return to the waters of Salmon Creek on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Put our local crews back to work restoring salmon streams

The ongoing federal funding freeze is having an immediate negative impact on my organization and 26 people in Southeast Alaska that earn a living through… Continue reading

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

Letter: Sen. Sullivan’s silence for Trump’s actions is shameful

Trump is moving our country towards Russia and away from our NATO allies in Europe. He is dismantling our government and has claimed himself a… Continue reading

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

Letter: Tell lawmakers to preserve Essential Air Service

Essential Air Service is a U.S. DOT program serving 65 rural communities in Alaska, and over 100 communities in the Lower 48, Hawaii and Puerto… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The evidence free impressions of Rep. Nick Begich

The one thing we can count on from Rep. Nick Begich III is he’ll be a loyal cheerleader for whatever Donald Trump says or does.… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, address a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: There’s a right way and a wrong way — guess which the governor is choosing

There’s been much talk in the Alaska State Capitol about the United States being “a republic, not a democracy” among the MAGA extremist right. It’s… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State speech at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, with Senate President Gary Stevens, at left, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, at right, in the background. (Klas Stolpe/Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: University’s removal of all DEI references is shameful

The University of Alaska Board of Regents has voted to prohibit any mention at the university of diversity, equity and Inclusion, and “related terms.” I… Continue reading

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

Letter: Apologies and sympathies to fired federal workers

I’m writing to let my friends and neighbors know, those in federal and nonprofit jobs, who have lost jobs or are under threat of losing… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)