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Sputnik 1 orbits Earth in this artist’s rendition by Gregory Todd. (Creative Commons)

Alaska Science Forum: The first satellite’s Alaska connection

The first satellite’s Alaska connection On any clear, dark night you can see them, gliding through the sky and reflecting sunlight from the other side… Continue reading

Sputnik 1 orbits Earth in this artist’s rendition by Gregory Todd. (Creative Commons)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Logan Carriker (24) scores on a free throw against Ketchikan earlier this season in the George Houston Gymnasium. Carriker was noted for his play at Colony on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

Colony topples JDHS boys in tourney opener

Knights of the round ball drain threes, control battle of the boards.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Logan Carriker (24) scores on a free throw against Ketchikan earlier this season in the George Houston Gymnasium. Carriker was noted for his play at Colony on Thursday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

Opinion: Karen Pence’s silent act of conscience

Last week at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama were seated next to each other and appeared to engage in… Continue reading

Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Destination angling often creates an unhealthy feeling of incompleteness and desperation. Fishing goals I knew what it was going to be, but I clicked anyway. “What are your fishing goals for 2025” was an advertisement for a lodge in an area I have longed to fish but I’m priced out, have priced myself out or however you write “it’s expensive and probably won’t happen.” (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Angling for goals to appreciate in 2025

This is somewhat devastating because saying you might not do something at 23-years old is just youth speaking. Saying it at 43-year old means not… Continue reading

Destination angling often creates an unhealthy feeling of incompleteness and desperation. Fishing goals I knew what it was going to be, but I clicked anyway. “What are your fishing goals for 2025” was an advertisement for a lodge in an area I have longed to fish but I’m priced out, have priced myself out or however you write “it’s expensive and probably won’t happen.” (Photo by Jeff Lund)
(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Free will

Genesis 1: 26 -28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
Women from Juneau Women Running group pose on a Jan. 1 run to mark the start of January Streak month. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: A mile a day

Sigh. January. The hangover of the holidays. The pumpkin, turkey and presents have passed, and you know you should have had one serving less of… Continue reading

Women from Juneau Women Running group pose on a Jan. 1 run to mark the start of January Streak month. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
A female acorn woodpecker. (Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0)

On the Trails: Making hay and storing food

Many animals store food in preparation for winter or just to be eaten later. Bears and wolves are among those that stash prey remains, with… Continue reading

A female acorn woodpecker. (Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc hatchery. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Fisheries Proposal 156 jeopardizes Juneau sport fishing and salmon

The Board of Fisheries will meet in Ketchikan Jan. 28–Feb. 9 to consider Southeast proposals, including Proposal 156 which calls for a 25% reduction in… Continue reading

The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc hatchery. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Becky Corson is a member of Shepherd Of The Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo provided by Becky Corson)

Living and Growing: ‘Secondhand’ can be a wonderful way to go

These clothing sales are ruining my life. Maybe that’s an overstatement. It’s more that the guilt I’m experiencing is ruining my life. It’s the guilt… Continue reading

Becky Corson is a member of Shepherd Of The Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo provided by Becky Corson)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion: Attacking Biden is not the answer for Alaska — leadership is

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s transition report to the Trump administration accuses the Biden administration of carrying out a four-year assault on Alaska’s economy and that the… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Boaters paddle Kenai Fjords National Park in summer 2024. The park was created in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Jimmy Carter, the man who preserved Alaska

Right about now, within a shrub in southern Texas, a ruby-crowned kinglet twitches to face northward. In a few months, guided by forces neither the… Continue reading

Boaters paddle Kenai Fjords National Park in summer 2024. The park was created in 1980 as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Congress holds a joint session to certify the election results of 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump has waffled on his preferences for how his party tackles his agenda, adding to the uncertainty for Republicans. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

Opinion: The moral imperative of our time

Last week, the Washington Post, censored a political cartoon by Pulitzer Prize winner Ann Telnaes. It depicted Jeff Bezos, the Amazon billionaire and owner of… Continue reading

Congress holds a joint session to certify the election results of 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump has waffled on his preferences for how his party tackles his agenda, adding to the uncertainty for Republicans. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
A view from the mountainside at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Opinion: New report demonstrates how Eaglecrest Ski Area can be self-supporting

A recently released report by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) provides insight into efforts to increase summertime revenues at Juneau’s city-owned ski area… Continue reading

A view from the mountainside at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Resolution or resolute

Ahem, a report from my daily morning constitutional, Jan. 1, 2025. There is a lot of weight in a resolution. If publicly announced, you have… Continue reading

The author during his morning constitutional on Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo provided by Klas Stolpe)
Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Licorice ferns

The understory of our forests is graced with lots of ferns in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ferns (along with trees and wildflowers) are… Continue reading

Licorice ferns often grow on tree trunks and branches. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses the Alaska State Legislature in February of 2023 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Alaska delegation deserves kudos for new Social Security law

The Social Security legislation just now signed into law brings a significant economic benefit to Alaska. Our Alaska delegation to Congress deserves recognition for it.… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses the Alaska State Legislature in February of 2023 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)

My Turn: Efforts to protect salmon, environment are to benefit a wide spectrum of interests

Tom Conner’s recent My Turn criticizing SalmonState was a messy mashup of insults and misinformation that read suspiciously like talking points whipped up by a… Continue reading

A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)
The headwaters of the Ambler River in the Noatak National Preserve of Alaska, near where a proposed access road would end, are seen in an undated photo. (Ken Hill/National Park Service)

My Turn: Alaska’s responsible resource development is under threat

By Tom Conner Oil, mining, and fisheries have long been the bedrock of our state’s economy, bringing not only thousands of in-state jobs and billions… Continue reading

The headwaters of the Ambler River in the Noatak National Preserve of Alaska, near where a proposed access road would end, are seen in an undated photo. (Ken Hill/National Park Service)
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)

My Turn: Alaska fisheries management is on an historical threshold

Alaska has a governor who habitually makes appointments to governing boards of individuals who have what should be disqualifying conflicts of interest. For fisheries, this… Continue reading

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo)
Rep.-elect Nick Begich III of Alaska is scheduled to be sworn in Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Lip service to the Constitution

On Monday, Nick Begich III will be sworn in as Alaska’s congressman at large. But the oath he takes won’t mean much unless he’s willing… Continue reading

Rep.-elect Nick Begich III of Alaska is scheduled to be sworn in Monday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)