Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, and Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, listen during the Senate’s floor session Saturday, July 20, 2019.

Opinion: Help Alaskan grandparents be with their grandkids!

As Alaskans struggle to fully recover from COVID, now is not the time to take more resources from our elders

  • Feb 2, 2024
  • Sen. Scott Kawasaki
Sen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks, and Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, listen during the Senate’s floor session Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Efficient administration in governance according to Dunleavy

There’s been a lot of taxpayer money wasted chasing the canard of inefficient government

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to a joint meeting of the Juneau and Alaska chambers of commerce Thursday at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D. (Image via Alaska Department of Education and Early Development/education.alaska.gov)

Opinion: Where I stand: A strategic investment approach to education

I believe that we can improve student learning with strategic funding that supports teachers and high-quality instruction

  • Jan 22, 2024
  • By Deena M. Bishop
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena M. Bishop, Ed.D. (Image via Alaska Department of Education and Early Development/education.alaska.gov)
The former Lighthouse Village property, now owned by Doyon Inc. and the proposed site for the construction of a large hotel complex, is photographed on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Point of View: Thoughts on the Doyon Lighthouse Village complex plans

My comments only address the potential impact that this project might have on local bird populations and habitat as well as opportunity for birding

The former Lighthouse Village property, now owned by Doyon Inc. and the proposed site for the construction of a large hotel complex, is photographed on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Clean up the Tulsequah Chief mine before considering more mining in the Taku Watershed

The Taku River deserves more respect than it is receiving from the governments of Canada and British Columbia

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)

My Turn: Two visions of Alaska’s future

As the world experiences this unparalleled moment of ecological crises, two competing visions are playing out in public discourse

Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)
Letter to editor

Letter to editor: Homer Spit should be developed with birding in mind

We are Kenai Peninsula residents who reside outside of Homer but would still like to weigh in on the proposed Doyon development plan at the… Continue reading

Letter to editor
Letter to editor

Letter to editor: Do what’s right for Alaska’s families — Support WIC funding

Alaska stands at a critical juncture as Congress debates the future funding of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. This isn’t just a matter… Continue reading

Letter to editor

Legislature should vote to override governor’s education funding veto

This past session (2023), the Alaska Legislature approved a one-time funding boost to K-12 public schools for $175 million. The last time the state added… Continue reading

Letter to editor

Letter to the editor: Gov. Dunleavy fails state in key areas

I’m so disappointed in Governor Dunleavy and his actions in governing our state. He has slashed education funding and ignored the base student allocation (bsa)… Continue reading

Letter to editor
The Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding area is seen under an overcast sky on May 12, 2023. A federal order bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land surrounding the glacier for the next 20 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

As ecosystems change, so must environmental laws

Climate change is melting glaciers and creating new salmon habitat in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers — but being staked for gold mining

  • Dec 27, 2023
  • By Mary Catharine Martin The Salmon State
The Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding area is seen under an overcast sky on May 12, 2023. A federal order bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land surrounding the glacier for the next 20 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: FY25 budget reflects a policy of priorities over oil prices

As governor, it’s my responsibility to ensure that our finite resources are invested in accordance with the constitutional requirement to maximize the benefits to Alaskans

  • Dec 26, 2023
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
File

Opinion: Is there a Santa Claus who can deliver education funding?

Santa could you please include something in your pack to raise the Base Student Allocation?

File
Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Banning Russian seafood imports is good for Alaska

Alaska has been under attack for almost a decade by Russia’s lack of sustainable fishing practices and artificially low prices

  • Dec 26, 2023
  • By Julie Sande and Doug Vincent-Lang
  • Fishing
Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: 3 reasons to contact your legislator for education funding today

Can we find 45 legislators who will vote to override?

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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: Service to the country

Is there a means by which we can bring about common sense and stability through a shared experience?

  • Dec 23, 2023
  • By Frank Murkowski
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)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)

Point of View: Permanent fund management should be improved

We need a bigger board, with longer terms, made up from a field of highly respected investment experts

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)
A sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Opinion: Bad time for a bed tax

Our community is being burdened with an economy that has prices increasing all around us

  • Dec 12, 2023
  • By Lela and Scott Rosin
  • Soldotna
A sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The LeConte ferry coated with cold-season ice. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

Opinion: How not to build a lasting legacy of failure

Last week the Federal Transit Administration announced it was awarding $131 million in grants for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). That’s in addition to… Continue reading

The LeConte ferry coated with cold-season ice. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)

Opinion: More action must be taken on PFAS

Toxic forever chemicals present in high concentrations in Nikishka Bay Utility Water Supply

  • Nov 30, 2023
  • By Dylan Jones and Pamela Miller
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)