Wire Service

Congress holds a joint session to certify the election results of 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump has waffled on his preferences for how his party tackles his agenda, adding to the uncertainty for Republicans. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

Opinion: The moral imperative of our time

Trump has made it very clear that he wants to control what the news media publishes.

Congress holds a joint session to certify the election results of 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump has waffled on his preferences for how his party tackles his agenda, adding to the uncertainty for Republicans. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
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Minister’s Message: Being a person of integrity and truth

Integrity and truth telling are at the core of Christian living.

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Gov. Mike Dunleavy is photographed during a visit to Juneau, Alaska, in November 2022 . (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Alaska’s charter schools are leading the nation — It’s time to expand their reach

Expanding charter schools isn’t just about offering alternatives; it’s about giving every child the chance to succeed.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is photographed during a visit to Juneau, Alaska, in November 2022 . (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Photo by Christina Whiting
Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.

A new Lit Lineup

Homer Public Library’s annual Lit Lineup encourages year-round reading.

Photo by Christina Whiting
Selections from the 2025 Lit Lineup are lined up on a shelf at the Homer Public Library on Friday, Jan. 3.
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Everyone pays the price of online shopping returns

Online shoppers in 2023 returned almost a quarter-trillion dollars in merchandise

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Cars drive past the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau on Thursday. This year’s Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,312, the state Department of Revenue announced. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The wisdom of late bloomers in education

In Alaska, the state’s 529 education savings plan isn’t just for children

Cars drive past the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau on Thursday. This year’s Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,312, the state Department of Revenue announced. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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Minister’s Message: The song of the season

There is another song of the season that the Gospel writer Luke records in the first chapter of his book

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U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, addresses a crowd with President-elect Donald Trump present. (Photo from U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan’s Orwellian style of transparency

But even if he thinks it’s wrong, his commitment to self-censoring all criticism of Trump will prevent him from telling us

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, addresses a crowd with President-elect Donald Trump present. (Photo from U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan’s office)
Rep. Sarah Vance, candidate for State House District 6, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Point of View: Vance out of touch in plea to ‘make more babies’

In order to, as she states, “make more babies,” women have to be healthy and supported.

Rep. Sarah Vance, candidate for State House District 6, participates in a candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KBBI 890 AM at the Homer Public Library in Homer, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Dec. 12, 2014, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor fails at leadership in his proposed budget

It looks like he is sticking with the irresponsible approach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy explains details of his proposed state budget for next year during a press conference Dec. 12, 2014, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: A budget that chooses the right policies and priorities

Alaska is a land of unmatched potential and opportunity. It always has been, and it always will be if we choose the right policies and… Continue reading

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: A viable option: A railroad extension from the North Slope

It is very difficult for this former banker to contemplate amortizing an $11 billion project with over less than half a million Alaska ratepayers

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska internet service provider SPITwSPOTS is committed to fostering a stronger, more connected Alaska. Courtesy SPITwSPOTS

SPITwSPOTS commits to better connectivity and community impact across the Kenai Peninsula

SPITwSPOTS, Inc., a leading internet service provider on the Kenai Peninsula, is proud to announce a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing broadband access, upgrading… Continue reading

Alaska internet service provider SPITwSPOTS is committed to fostering a stronger, more connected Alaska. Courtesy SPITwSPOTS
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Minister’s Message: The opportunity to trust

It was a Friday night when I received a disturbing text from my son that every parent dreads — especially when you’re 4,000 miles away.… Continue reading

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Minister’s Message: Living out the incarnate love of Christ

Jesus showed the compassionate love of God to all He met

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Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)

Point of View: Inflation, hmmm

Before it’s too late and our history gets taken away from us, everyone should start studying it

Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)
A state plow truck clears snow from the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Use of the brine shows disregard for our community

It is very frustrating that the salt brine is used on the Kenai Peninsula often when it is not needed

A state plow truck clears snow from the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A butterfly rests on a hand in this undated photo. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)

Minister’s Message: Whispering our dreams into the world

Maybe that’s precisely what we need — to place our hope, our wish, our dreams — in something altogether impossible

A butterfly rests on a hand in this undated photo. (Photo by Meredith Harber/courtesy)
Families enjoyed exploring the sensory spider bin. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Nature is for everyone

Our Sensory Friendly program featured several modifications to make it more inclusive and enjoyable for visitors

Families enjoyed exploring the sensory spider bin. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
A cherished "jolly Santa head" ornament from the Baisden Christmas tree. (Photo provided)

Opinion: Reflections of holidays past

Our family tradition has been to put up our Christmas tree post-Thanksgiving giving a clear separation of the holidays

A cherished "jolly Santa head" ornament from the Baisden Christmas tree. (Photo provided)