Opinion

In this June 17, 2019 file photo, The Supreme Court is seen in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)

Opinion: 10-year-old court case still mars Alaska’s campaign finance laws

The results of the Citizens United decision were immediate, spectacular and damaging.

In this June 17, 2019 file photo, The Supreme Court is seen in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When seeking more translates to less

There’s never been a time when anything was “as it used to be.”

  • Jan 19, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The American Dream with an Alaskan twist

The Permanent Fund is being mismanaged.

  • Jan 17, 2020
  • By Jim Crawford
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Rezone Basin Road to lessen tourist traffic

Locals can be free of the crush of cruise ship tourism.

  • Jan 15, 2020
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
  • tourism
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Our industry is facing financial pressure, and the Juneau Empire is not immune.

  • Jan 14, 2020
  • By Robert Monteith General Manager, Juneau Empire
Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Tourism is a local’s business

The community discussion around tourism seems to become more and more divisive.

  • Jan 14, 2020
  • By Laura Martinson
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s a climate emergency!

It’s not just the climate that’s changing.

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

We ought to examine how and why.

  • Jan 12, 2020
Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer
Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system
Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system
In this Empire file photo, a cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor on August 29, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: There are positives to tourism

We are privileged to live in a beautiful area.

  • Jan 9, 2020
  • By Liz Perry
In this Empire file photo, a cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor on August 29, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Some truths about the Tongass

Logging has had nothing to do with hurting the fish industry.

  • Jan 8, 2020
  • By William Tonsgard Jr.
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: United Way needs your help

Opinion: United Way needs your help

Volunteer or donate today.

  • Jan 8, 2020
  • By Jennifer Treadway
Opinion: United Way needs your help
Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Think about what kind of society you want to live in.

  • Jan 7, 2020
  • By Steve Ricci
Opinion: Take stock in the New Year
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Pebble misrepresents tribes

I just hope it’s not too late.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Vicki Duggin
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When tourism becomes overtourism

At times we have upwards of 15,000 tourists a day. That’s a lot.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Ray Preston
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How does Murkowski want to be remembered?

It’s the vote of her lifetime.

  • Jan 1, 2020
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

We should also explore ways to gather more revenue from this industry.

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau should join the Zero-Waste movement

The landfill stinks!

  • Dec 31, 2019
  • By Lisa Daugherty
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Signing a petition is really an extension of our voting rights.

  • Dec 29, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Communitywide New Year’s resolutions – why not?

Make a resolution for the community.

  • Dec 27, 2019
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)