Opinion

Murkowski misinformed on Obamacare’s individual mandate

It is with profound disappointment that I write this response to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s op-ed on Nov. 21 in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. I… Continue reading

  • Nov 24, 2017
  • By JENNIFER MEYER

GCI addresses FOX programming blackout in Southeast Alaska

As you’ve undoubtedly heard, FOX programming unexpectedly went dark for GCI customers in Southeast Alaska earlier this month. This is causing our valued customers to… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2017
  • By Warren Russell

The internet is about to get much worse

You’re probably familiar with your electric bill. You get charged for what you use, not how you use it. Alaska Electric Light and Power doesn’t… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD

Governor’s new climate committee is political cover for his inaction

An age-old trick in government is that if you want to avoid or delay a politically difficult decision, simply appoint a committee to study the… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2017
  • By RICK STEINER

Congress, take a cue from Anchorage and pass the Dream Act

As a former state senator and Chair of the International Trade and Tourism Committee, I have met Alaskans from all walks of life who continue… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2017
  • By LESIL MCGUIRE

Correctional ombudsmen essential to fair prisons

The phrases “power differential” and “harassment” enter headlines every day now. We’ve become acquainted with the plight of someone who’s groped, harassed, and humiliated, with… Continue reading

  • Nov 20, 2017
  • By Chandra Bozelko

More oil is the answer to Alaska’s fiscal gap

There’s new math, old math and just plain crazy math, which best describes the latest formula from Sens. Berta Gardner and Tom Begich to close… Continue reading

  • Nov 20, 2017
  • By Gail Philips

Please support the Glory Hole’s mission of compassion

When most people think of The Glory Hole, they think of the food and shelter that are provided there, 365 days a year, to Juneau’s… Continue reading

  • Nov 20, 2017
  • By Patrick Minick
In this file photo from May 2015, Tsimshian carver David A. Boxley, fourth from right in line of drummers, drums and sings in front of the clan house screen he created for the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau during the screen’s dedication ceremony. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Juneau as the Northwest Coast Art Capital: Why it should matter to you

Nearly 100 years ago, the small town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, held its first Santa Fe Indian Market. The market, though humble at first,… Continue reading

  • Nov 19, 2017
  • By ROSITA WORL
In this file photo from May 2015, Tsimshian carver David A. Boxley, fourth from right in line of drummers, drums and sings in front of the clan house screen he created for the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau during the screen’s dedication ceremony. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Chenault’s disingenous awakening

Chenault’s disingenous awakening

Note: This opinion piece is in response to the Nov. 13 My Turn called “Choose Respect,” written by Rep. Mike Chenault. The week after the… Continue reading

  • Nov 19, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak
Chenault’s disingenous awakening
Gov. Bill Walker is among a crowd shaking hands on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 in Beijing, as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping look on. (Office of the Governor photo)

Gas pipeline deal is a rope of hope

When Gov. Bill Walker announced a gas pipeline deal last week, we felt something we haven’t experienced in a long while: Hope. The $43 billion… Continue reading

  • Nov 19, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD
Gov. Bill Walker is among a crowd shaking hands on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 in Beijing, as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping look on. (Office of the Governor photo)
Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski. (Contributed photo)

Choose respect

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein revelation, it has been a painful time for all, especially for the many, many women harassed, abused and… Continue reading

  • Nov 17, 2017
  • By REP. MIKE CHENAULT
Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski. (Contributed photo)
Goriune Dudukgian (contributed photo)

Sens. Murkowski, Sullivan can still get it right on forced arbitration

Last month, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, cast the final vote on a resolution to kill a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule backed by… Continue reading

  • Nov 17, 2017
  • By Goriune Dudukgian
Goriune Dudukgian (contributed photo)

What history teaches us

“Today is a day for his family, his friends and his nation to remember President Nixon’s life in totality. To them, let us say, may… Continue reading

  • Nov 17, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING

Warming shelter brings much-needed relief to the homeless

It’s not easy being homeless, and it’s certainly not easy being homeless in Alaska. Temperatures dropped to the low 20s in the capital city last… Continue reading

  • Nov 16, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD

Tax reform? Give me a break

This is a late response to Anselm Staack’s My Turn on the Empire’s editorial page of Sept. 27. Anselm’s comments made my day. His comments… Continue reading

  • Nov 15, 2017
  • By JERRY SMETZER

TMHS and JDHS football team consolidation

As a student at Thunder Mountain High School, I am here to tell you that I strongly disagree with the reasons that the school board… Continue reading

  • Nov 14, 2017
  • By Laurine Araneta
Jackie Qatalina Schaeffer (contributed photo)

Keep the EPA fully funded

Here is something Alaska is not known for: polluted air. Yet nationally, the Fairbanks metro area is the fifth most ozone-polluted city in the United… Continue reading

  • Nov 13, 2017
  • By Jackie Qatalina Schaeffer
Jackie Qatalina Schaeffer (contributed photo)
Rick Shattuck

Your community, your foundation

The week of Nov. 12-18 is Community Foundation Week and Nov. 15 is National Philanthropy Day. These events celebrate the value of charitable giving, and… Continue reading

  • Nov 13, 2017
  • By Rick Shattuck
Rick Shattuck
This aerial photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a herd of caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says her legislation to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling would generate $2 billion in royalties over the next decade — with half the money going to her home state. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)

The long and short worlds of ANWR oil

“I walk in two worlds,” Sam Alexander said at the start of his testimony before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Your world… Continue reading

  • Nov 10, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak
This aerial photo provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a herd of caribou on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, says her legislation to open Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling would generate $2 billion in royalties over the next decade — with half the money going to her home state. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP)