A map of Alaska depicts location names provided in Donald Orth’s Dictionary of Alaska Place Names. Photo provided by Ned Rozell

What’s in an Alaska name?

I once asked a snowmachiner heading out on a trail from Nome where he was going. “Boston,” he said before speeding off. Not knowing of… Continue reading

 

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Letter to the editor: An ode to public workers

I recently attended a local event in which we had some state representatives present a bill that was aimed at securing pension for public workers.… Continue reading

 

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Candidates should pay a penalty for false promises

A lot of time, energy and legal fees have been spent on political and court fights to limit donations to political campaigns. Supporters of campaign… Continue reading

 

Quinhagak resident Sarah Brown holds a mask attachment she found on the beach on Oct. 24, 2025. This item might represent a hand or fin of an animal or spirit being. Photo courtesy Alice Bailey

Faces on a beach in Southwest Alaska

Walking a storm-scoured Alaska beach, archaeologist Rick Knecht knelt to pick up a wooden figurine the size of his palm. He squinted at it and… Continue reading

Quinhagak resident Sarah Brown holds a mask attachment she found on the beach on Oct. 24, 2025. This item might represent a hand or fin of an animal or spirit being. Photo courtesy Alice Bailey
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: It’s my own fault, but that doesn’t make it easier

I use a tablet to read newspapers. It started maybe a decade ago, when an increasing number of national newspapers stopped shipping their print editions… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Protecting the value of citizenship in Alaska’s elections

As Alaskans who care deeply about the future of our state and the integrity of our democracy, we feel compelled to speak out in support… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2025
  • By John Coghill, Mike Chenault and Josh Revak
  • Opinionvoting
A voter fills out their ballot at the Kenai No. 2 Precinct in the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Hair ice” grows from the forest floor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Ned Rozell

‘Hair ice’ enlivens an extended fall in Interior Alaska

Just when you thought you’d seen everything in the boreal forest, a reader points out white whiskers sprouting from the ground. Chris Greenfield-Pastro of Fairbanks… Continue reading

“Hair ice” grows from the forest floor in Fairbanks, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Ned Rozell
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor’s early Christmas spirit is misplaced

“I told the president, it’s like Christmas every morning,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy said at last week’s staged event in Washington, D.C., where the Department of… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Logo for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development

Opinion: Nurse licensure compact can strengthen Alaska’s health care workforce

Alaskans value resilience. We know what it means to work together in tough times, and we require solutions that meet the unique challenges of our… Continue reading

Logo for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Photo courtesy of the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Opinion: A place government doesn’t need to stick its nose

I’ve spent much of my career advocating on behalf of Alaska’s small and independent business owners at all levels of government. While this sometimes meant… Continue reading

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Crime deserves punishment, not well wishes

Years ago, while Juneau friends were house hunting in Washington state, they left their middle school son with me for the weekend. The instructions were… Continue reading

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Dr. Edson Knapp is a radiologist from Homer.

Breast cancer screening: What Alaskan women need to know

Approximately 550 women were diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Alaska

  • Oct 15, 2025
  • By Edson Knapp, M.D.
Dr. Edson Knapp is a radiologist from Homer.

Statement on Peninsula Clarion and Homer News

Carpenter Media Group is committed to strong local journalism

  • Oct 1, 2025
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Scoring political points from murder is killing the country

Far too many are eager to turn murder into a motivating sound bite for their own purposes.

  • Sep 19, 2025
  • By Larry Persily
(Juneau Empire file photo)
Items at a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week, on the campus at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 16, 2025. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times)

Opinion: Criticizing Kirk doesn’t mean you condone his murder

We will not be denied our First Amendment rights under the guise of false moral superiority.

  • Sep 18, 2025
  • By Andrew Kline
Items at a makeshift memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week, on the campus at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Sept. 16, 2025. (Loren Elliott/The New York Times)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Dunleavy: A tribute to Charlie Kirk and the First Amendment

Today, I write this as not only your governor, but as a citizen of our great country who is mourning the passing of Charlie Kirk.

  • Sep 12, 2025
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
  • Opinion
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference on Monday, May 19, 2025, to discuss his decision to veto an education bill. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College listen to speakers during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Point of View: University of Alaska Anchorage: A foundation for success

UAA provided me with more than just a degree.

  • Sep 12, 2025
  • By Shareen Crosby
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College listen to speakers during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Alaska needs to be a smart shopper for taxes

One of the easiest taxes to fill the cart is more money from the oil industry.

  • Sep 12, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Life would be better if AI knew the difference between good and evil

Whereas HAL’s crimes were movie make-believe, real technology today is helping crooks really steal from a growing number of people.

  • Sep 5, 2025
  • By Larry Persily
(Juneau Empire file photo)
Image courtesy Alaska News Coalition

Opinion: Stand with local journalism

Alaska’s print and digital newsrooms, particularly in small communities and regional hubs, are under unprecedented strain

  • Sep 4, 2025
  • By the board of the Alaska News Coalition
Image courtesy Alaska News Coalition