Opinion

The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The rising purple tide in the state Senate

A purple tide threatens to inundate the uncompromising wing of the state Republican Party.

  • Dec 2, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
The Alaska State Capitol awaits a legislators forming new majority coalitions and the return of Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the winners of the general election were announced Wednesday. The Senate will have a 17-member bipartisan ruling coalition, while the House arrangement remains uncertain due to at least one likely recount and questions about partisan alignments. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Giving is for everyone – and the time to act is now

You don’t have to be rich, or prominent, or famous to care about your community…

  • Dec 1, 2022
  • By Andy Kline
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Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Patient treatment and outcomes should be at the center of psychiatric legislation

When House Bill 172 was signed into law on July 15, it set in motion a requirement that the Department of Health and others for… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2022
  • By Faith Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
A roll of “I Voted” stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Election winners, losers and poor losers

Tshibaka and Palin misread Alaskans by thinking Trump’s endorsement all but guaranteed they’d win.

  • Nov 25, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
A roll of “I Voted” stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Norwegian Cruise Lines announced in late August that it would donate a 2.9 acre plot of land owned by the cruise line since 2019 on Juneau's waterfront to Huna Totem Corporation to develop. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Aak’w Landing is Juneau’s most promising new project

Now, more than ever, our community needs the jobs, tax revenue, and stability…

  • Nov 23, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
Norwegian Cruise Lines announced in late August that it would donate a 2.9 acre plot of land owned by the cruise line since 2019 on Juneau's waterfront to Huna Totem Corporation to develop. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Freedom in the classroom sets precedence for the future

We advocate for the adoption of legislation to protect students’ First Amendment rights…

  • Nov 22, 2022
  • Joseph Barranco, Lucas Wright, Riley Baird and Amy Bioff
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This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a kelp forest. (Camille Pagniello)

Opinion: Indigenous-led mariculture and traditional economies set an example for our future

November is Native American Heritage Month, and traditional Indigenous knowledge is essential to shaping a just transition for Alaska’s economy. The problems we face are… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2022
  • By Dune Lankard and Skye Steritz
This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a kelp forest. (Camille Pagniello)
Exhibit curator Ron Carver designed “Mỹ Lai – A Massacre Took 504 Souls, and Shook the World"  to progress from gruesome images to the soldiers who courageously intervened. And to those who made sure America and the world learned the truth. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: The power in attempting to memorialize the truth

Real heroes emerge from horrific events.

  • Nov 21, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Exhibit curator Ron Carver designed “Mỹ Lai – A Massacre Took 504 Souls, and Shook the World"  to progress from gruesome images to the soldiers who courageously intervened. And to those who made sure America and the world learned the truth. (Courtesy Photo)
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Opinion: My Turn was right on the money

While I’ve never met Mr. Adler I share his concerns.

  • Nov 17, 2022
  • By Bruce Abel
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(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Mayor and assembly must rein in the assessor’s office

The unconscionable way the assessor’s office is treating commercial property owners must end.

  • Nov 15, 2022
  • By Greg Adler
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Diane Kaplan at Silver Salmon Camp. (Courtesy Photo / Sven Haakanson)

Opinion: Exciting new beginnings — they always come with sad farewells

Perhaps now is the right time to hand off our creation to the next generation.

  • Nov 14, 2022
  • By Diane Kaplan
This photo shows Diane Kaplan at Silver Salmon Camp. (Courtesy Photo / Sven Haakanson)

Opinion: The gaslighting politics of ‘Unlock Alaska’

Here’s the real gaslighting.

  • Nov 11, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Judging judges — balancing the judicial selection process

Alaska’s method of selecting judges can be and should be improved.

  • Nov 10, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
FID, the most influential underground GI newspaper in Alaska, was published by Navy and Coast Guard personnel in Kodiak in 1971. (Courtesy Image)

Opinion: On Veterans Day, let’s thank GIs in Alaska for their dissent

The University of Alaska Southeast and Veterans For Peace chapter 100 will host the Waging Peace in Vietnam exhibit Nov. 11-Dec. 15, 2022. As a… Continue reading

  • Nov 9, 2022
  • By John Kent
FID, the most influential underground GI newspaper in Alaska, was published by Navy and Coast Guard personnel in Kodiak in 1971. (Courtesy Image)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Referendum on the Assembly

People voted against a new City Hall as an expression of displeasure…

  • Nov 8, 2022
  • By Ray Preston
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Let’s protect Alaska’s constitution, vote no on Prop 1

A constitutional convention would encourage horse-trading with Alaska’s foundation and futur

  • Nov 7, 2022
  • By Mike Hostina
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: A vote for a constitutional convention is a vote for justice

In 1956, Alaska’s Founders expected that subsequent constitutional conventions would be necessary. Fairbanks delegate Warren Taylor said, “I think the next constitutional convention will possibly… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2022
  • By David Ignell
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The realities of Palin’s political demise

If Rep. Mary Peltola holds onto the congressional seat she won in August, I expect Sarah Palin to accept the outcome. But publicly she’ll blame… Continue reading

  • Nov 4, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a recent rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What can a liberal and conservative agree on? Voting against a constitutional convention

“We disagree on many issues. But we… urge Alaskans to vote against Proposition 1.”

  • Nov 4, 2022
  • By Beth Kerttula and Jeffery Troutt
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a recent rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: World at War —a lesson from the Siberian Yupik tale

The world’s political leaders, including main actors such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, European Union, United Kingdom, United States and Canada, failed a trust giving to… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2022
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky