Jim Cockrell, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, is seen in this undated photo. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion: Historic investment in public safety will save lives

Officials have provided the Alaska Department of Public Safety with historic funding to combat crime and protect victims

  • Jul 18, 2022
  • By James Cockrell
Jim Cockrell, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, is seen in this undated photo. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: Charity starts at home

America has responsible solutions to our energy crisis and inflation rate here in the U.S. generally — and in Alaska in particular

  • Jul 18, 2022
  • By Frank H. Murkowski
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire on Thursday, May 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The 2023 budget represents bipartisan wins for Alaskans

“I’m a small government guy, but that means I believe government should stick to its core responsibilities … “

  • Jul 15, 2022
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Andy Haas

Point of View: Fight to keep right to privacy intact

What does Dobbs v. Jackson mean in terms of our right to privacy?

Andy Haas
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Point of View: The challenges of education in Alaska

The children of Alaska deserve a better education and a future, writes Charlie Pierce

Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Charlie Pierce stands in his home on Thursday, March 11, 2022 in Sterling, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
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)

Opinion: Nothing to lose?

Please consider your options

  • Jul 12, 2022
  • By Dr. carolyn V. Brown
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)
Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Alaska can’t afford to tread water on bycatch

Our administration will appoint and hire officials who are well-versed in and committed to aggressive bycatch solutions

  • Jul 8, 2022
  • By Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas
Former Gov. Bill Walker, right, and his running mate former commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Heidi Drygas, speak to Juneauites gathered for a fundraiser at a private home in Juneau on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
File

Opinion: America’s mentally unhealthy gun culture

Recent bill missed the collective mental deficiency of a culture which worships the power of guns…

  • Jul 8, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
File
Community members gather in Soldotna on Friday, June 17, 2022 to celebrate Pride month. People marched from the Soldotna Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park donned in rainbow-colored attire and wielding flags and signs supporting the LGBTQI+ cause. Waiting at the park were people with different advocacy and resource agencies, as well as entertainment and refreshments. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Grow up and leave your prejudices behind

We do not have to agree — but we do have to raise the next generation of children to love, honor, and get along with one another

  • Jul 7, 2022
  • By Elizabeth McDonald
Community members gather in Soldotna on Friday, June 17, 2022 to celebrate Pride month. People marched from the Soldotna Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park donned in rainbow-colored attire and wielding flags and signs supporting the LGBTQI+ cause. Waiting at the park were people with different advocacy and resource agencies, as well as entertainment and refreshments. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Community members gather in Soldotna on Friday, June 17, 2022 to celebrate Pride month. People marched from the Soldotna Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park donned in rainbow-colored attire and wielding flags and signs supporting the LGBTQI+ cause. Waiting at the park were people with different advocacy and resource agencies, as well as entertainment and refreshments. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Do better, for the LGBTQIA+ community and for all of us

Apparently, when it comes to being Queer, some conditions may apply

  • Jul 7, 2022
  • By Mairiah McDonald
Community members gather in Soldotna on Friday, June 17, 2022 to celebrate Pride month. People marched from the Soldotna Sports Complex to Soldotna Creek Park donned in rainbow-colored attire and wielding flags and signs supporting the LGBTQI+ cause. Waiting at the park were people with different advocacy and resource agencies, as well as entertainment and refreshments. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Opinion: COVID-19 is different in 2022. Here’s how we move forward

This pandemic has been long, hard, and at times confusing

In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Voters: Here’s your next to-do

Aug. 16 is the next very important date to put on your calendar. And it’s a two-fer.

  • Jul 4, 2022
  • By Therese Lewandowski
A resident casts their vote in the regular municipal election Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
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. Opposition to a constitutional convention, which could alter the Alaska State Constitution to allow for banning abortions was a frequent topic during the protest. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Voices: A constitutional convention would be doomed to fail

Principled compromise has given way to the unyielding demands of performative politicians

  • Jul 1, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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. Opposition to a constitutional convention, which could alter the Alaska State Constitution to allow for banning abortions was a frequent topic during the protest. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Christina Whiting.

Point of View: Thanks to the Homer community for efforts to find and honor Duffy Murnane

The Duffy Memorial Bench Dedication was moving and healing.

Christina Whiting.
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We’re at risk of losing our well-crafted constitution

Vote no for a constitutional convention in November.

  • Jun 29, 2022
  • By Meilani Schijvens
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Sticky notes filled out in response to the question “Why does Democracy and voting matter?” are photographed on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Koplin)

6 words to define democracy

What words would you use?

  • Jun 28, 2022
  • By Alex Koplin
Sticky notes filled out in response to the question “Why does Democracy and voting matter?” are photographed on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alex Koplin)
File

Opinion: The latest gun regulation bill is nothing to cheer about

The legislation resembles the timid movements of a couple of 6-month old children…

  • Jun 28, 2022
  • By Rodger Painter
File
The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington, D.C. in this file photo. (File)

Opinion: The Alaskans with the power to defend America’s democracy

It’s well past time to publicly refute Trump’s lie

  • Jun 27, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington, D.C. in this file photo. (File)
Alaska Community Action on Toxins

Alaska Voices: Stand up for air quality in your community

There is still time for change

  • Jun 27, 2022
  • By Lauren A. Estrella
Alaska Community Action on Toxins
File

Opinion: Here’s what I expect of lawmakers in a post-Roe America

I urge lawmakers to codify abortion rights at the state and federal levels.

  • Jun 24, 2022
  • By Katie Miller
File