Opinion

Opinion: The future of the Arctic has immense potential

Opinion: The future of the Arctic has immense potential

The opportunity for Arctic residents is immense.

  • Sep 15, 2019
  • By Hugh S. Short
Opinion: The future of the Arctic has immense potential
The Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: New JACC would benefit entire community

It’s a community investment worth making.

  • Sep 13, 2019
  • By Peter Freer
The Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Young Fishermen’s Development Act needs support

Opinion: Young Fishermen’s Development Act needs support

Young people in Alaska face mounting challenges to entering commercial fisheries.

  • Sep 13, 2019
  • By Linda Behnken and Tara Racine
Opinion: Young Fishermen’s Development Act needs support
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Ferry system being decimated piece by piece

The idea of “dynamic pricing” is only the latest assault.

  • Sep 10, 2019
  • By Bridget Smith
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)
Centennial Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Centennial Hall needs to shine

After 35 years, it needs major renovations.

  • Sep 9, 2019
  • By Liz Perry
Centennial Hall. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
The late Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, offers an amendment for a $900 dividend during debate in the Senate in June 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The flaw in how Alaska fills legislative vacancies

Dunleavy is putting his PFD agenda ahead of the voters’ concerns.

  • Sep 6, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
The late Sen. Chris Birch, R-Anchorage, offers an amendment for a $900 dividend during debate in the Senate in June 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: An Immodest Proposal: Why I’m voting ‘no’ on Proposition 3

Perhaps we’re not that creative after all.

  • Sep 6, 2019
  • By Paulette Simpson
The Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: More state budget cuts are coming next year — will Alaskans be ready?
Opinion: More state budget cuts are coming next year — will Alaskans be ready?
In this October 2015 file photo, maple leaves fall on Seward Street as a pedestrian ducks rain in front of City Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: City’s budget is unsustainable

“What were they thinking?”

  • Sep 3, 2019
  • By Mike Clemens
In this October 2015 file photo, maple leaves fall on Seward Street as a pedestrian ducks rain in front of City Hall. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Politics is not war

Opinion: Politics is not war

To Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, David Koch’s wealth and influence were emblematic of everything wrong with America. But when his supporters cheered the mention of… Continue reading

  • Sep 3, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: Politics is not war
Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line

Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line

Salmon are Alaska’s original Permanent Fund.

  • Sep 2, 2019
  • By Kate Troll
Opinion: Divesting from fossil fuels is the right move for Alaska salmon and the bottom-line
Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense

Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense

So I’m confused. Why would a Princess cruise ship have a “standard” route that takes the 1,000-feet-long ship, traveling at 20 mph through a narrow… Continue reading

  • Sep 1, 2019
Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense
Opinion: We need a true home for the arts

Opinion: We need a true home for the arts

It’s time for a New Juneau Arts & Culture Center.

  • Aug 31, 2019
Opinion: We need a true home for the arts
A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time to get it right with Tongass, timber, carbon and climate change

A perfect storm is brewing in Southeast Alaska and all weather vanes are pointing to the Tongass National Forest — the “Amazon” of America that… Continue reading

  • Aug 29, 2019
  • By Catherine M. Mater and Dominick A. DellaSala
A downed spruce tree sits near the East Glacier Trail at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in this June 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Glory Hole homeless shelter pictured in July 2017 is a downtown Juneau homeless shelter and soup kitchen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for a Homeless Bill of Rights

We have a moral imperative to protect the civil and human rights of every American.

  • Aug 29, 2019
The Glory Hole homeless shelter pictured in July 2017 is a downtown Juneau homeless shelter and soup kitchen. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Angela Rodell, CEO and executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives an overview of the fund to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for the Permanent Fund to divest from fossil fuels

Alaskans are beginning to take the climate crisis seriously.

  • Aug 23, 2019
  • By Mike Tobin
Angela Rodell, CEO and executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., gives an overview of the fund to the House Finance Committee at the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Dunleavy is still the ‘odd man out’

The budget can’t be balanced by cuts alone.

  • Aug 23, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to members of the media before welcoming Juneau residents to the Governor’s Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Kensington Mine cares about community, environment

Coeur Alaska cares deeply about protecting our people and the environment.

  • Aug 22, 2019
  • By Mark Kiessling
Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement

Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement

K-12 state funding may not be so fortunate next year.

Opinion: Changes in education will only happen through local involvement
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on August 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Listening beyond echo chamber

Who finally got Dunleavy to listen?

  • Aug 18, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 2002 at the Alaska Association of General Contractors in Anchorage on August 8, 2019. (Courtesy photo)