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In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: An opportunity to vote yes on something – Ballot Measure 2

Every few years, moderate and conservative voters seem to find themselves in the position of voting against propositions generated by left-of-center entities. We haven’t yet… Continue reading

In this sample primary ballot released by the state, fictional candidates compete in a primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)
Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.

Pure Sole: Powerless and powerful

So all my columns will not be rainbows and unicorns. This one, for instance, involves a recent incident and me trying to understand the different… Continue reading

Harold Axel Stolpe and Patricia Anne Cox Stolpe on their wedding day in 1959.
A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place during the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Nick Begich shares our realistic vision for Alaska

I watched all the debates. Mary Peltola has never done anything foolish, but neither has she ever said anything wise. She trades for her own… Continue reading

A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place during the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A crow pulls mussels from a dock piling. (Photo by Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: Crows and their relatives

Crows, jays, ravens, magpies and their various other relatives (nutcrackers, choughs, jackdaws, etc.) belong to the taxonomic family Corvidae. It’s a sizeable family of about… Continue reading

A crow pulls mussels from a dock piling. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Hiding behind the Electoral College

I have no doubt that Rep. Mary Peltola is the best candidate to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the way in… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18 at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Roger Jaramillo walks on crampons while roped to a sled and his partner Matthew Crisafi-Lurtsema. The pair climbed Denali and sampled microplastics along their route in June of 2024. (Photo by Roger Jaramillo)

Alaska Science Forum: Denali climbed, its snow sampled for plastics

Two mountaineers who are also University of Alaska Fairbanks students were successful in their attempt to reach the top of North America’s highest peak in… Continue reading

Roger Jaramillo walks on crampons while roped to a sled and his partner Matthew Crisafi-Lurtsema. The pair climbed Denali and sampled microplastics along their route in June of 2024. (Photo by Roger Jaramillo)
Cookie jars in the shape of a house and a mouse are among the more than 100 vintage jars being being sold as a benefit on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. (Photos by Bill Andrews)

Neighbors events, announcements and awards for the week of Oct. 20

More than 100 vintage cookie jars on sale during Oct. 26 benefit for church More than 100 vintage ceramic cookie jars are being sold as… Continue reading

Cookie jars in the shape of a house and a mouse are among the more than 100 vintage jars being being sold as a benefit on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. (Photos by Bill Andrews)
Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)

Living and Growing: Joy after sorrow during celebration of Sukkot

As you read this column Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, or Booths. It is the Jewish equivalent of… Continue reading

Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Revisiting the fascist movement in U.S. history that remains a threat today

We are rapidly approaching a national election which on its surface is a choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for the office of president… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place during the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: A candidate in the November election who reaches across the aisle

Alaska has a rich history of political coalitions, but one congressional candidate on November’s ballot shows no inclination to reach across the aisle. Although his… Continue reading

A sign inside the Mendenhall Mall Annex points toward a polling place during the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Southeast Alaska cyclist Tom Thompson raises his arms after crossing the Canadian border from British Columbia into the Yukon Territories on the Haines Road from Haines, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Sept. 4, 2024. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Famous in Whitehorse

So, I’m famous in Whitehorse. I know, I’m as shocked as you are. You would think I would know about this, not just hear it… Continue reading

Southeast Alaska cyclist Tom Thompson raises his arms after crossing the Canadian border from British Columbia into the Yukon Territories on the Haines Road from Haines, Alaska, to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on Sept. 4, 2024. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
At the end of the season, eyebright flowers (left) adorn the top of the flowering stem. At right, yellow rattle (or rattle pod) has a long flowering season. (Left photo by KM Hocker, right photo by Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: Parasitic and hemiparasitic plants

In our region there are a few fully parasitic plants, totally dependent on other plants for carbon, water, and nutrients. Some of them are not… Continue reading

At the end of the season, eyebright flowers (left) adorn the top of the flowering stem. At right, yellow rattle (or rattle pod) has a long flowering season. (Left photo by KM Hocker, right photo by Deana Barajas)
The author with a brown trout caught on the Frying Pan river in Colorado, a favorite river of writer John Gierach who passed away Oct. 3. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A tribute to The Trout Bum

I never met John Gierach, but I feel like I know him as well as you can know anyone from their books and he had… Continue reading

The author with a brown trout caught on the Frying Pan river in Colorado, a favorite river of writer John Gierach who passed away Oct. 3. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Nine-hour pork roast ready for serving. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Nine-hour pork roast with crackling

For a few months now I have been craving an old-fashioned pork roast, one with the skin on that gets real crispy, sort of like… Continue reading

Nine-hour pork roast ready for serving. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the media during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s failure by design

Failure. That’s the only word to describe the six years of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s tenure. He not only promised a lot and delivered almost nothing.… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy addresses the media during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Laura Rorem. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: The power of real hope

Highly compatible, Larry and my strength was in our ability to merge our individual gifts into one, which enhanced our ability to discern God’s will… Continue reading

Laura Rorem. (Courtesy photo)
A Mendenhall Valley neighborhood during record flooding on Aug. 6. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: The campaigns are over, but the flood threat continues

With the municipal election in the rearview mirror city leaders can now direct their time and energy to the threat Mendenhall Valley homeowners are facing… Continue reading

A Mendenhall Valley neighborhood during record flooding on Aug. 6. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Vomit, REI and a Diet Coke with a splash of lime

Only one time in my life have I run so hard that I had to vomit when I crossed that particular “glory days” event. It… Continue reading

Exhausted at the finish Colony senior third-place race finisher Ella Hopkins, JDHS senior second-place finisher Ida Meyer, and Anchorage junior fourth-place finisher Mia Stiassny hug as Wasilla sophomore race winner Hailee Giacobbe approaches to congratulate them at the Division I girls 2024 ASAA cross-country running state championships Saturday on the Bartlett High School Trails in Anchorage. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

My Turn: Time to revisit long-ago captain’s vision of ferry system with smaller, affordable day vessels

In the early 1950s, renowned Captain GD Gitkov commanded Alaska’s ferry system, serving as both skipper and operator. As traffic and demand increased, Gitkov offered… Continue reading

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)

On the Trails: Woolly bears and spider webs

It’s early fall and we sometimes enjoy seeing fuzzy orange and black caterpillars trekking over the trails on their way to better foraging or a… Continue reading

Spotted tussock moth caterpillars are the local version of woolly bears. (Photo by Bob Armstong)