Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Capitol Corner: Town halls and transportation issues on the agenda

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, delivers a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell speaks at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: KPC offers opportunities and transforms lives

For over 60 years, KPC has created career pathways and served as a trusted community partner.

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Sean Parnell speaks at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s hard enough to be a trans kid in the US without Trump trying to erase them

Trans folks have always been and will always be here.

Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Capitol Corner: Education looms large in fast-paced start to session

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman reports back from Juneau.

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in favor of overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building is photographed in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: State cannot afford better schools and also big PFDs

Most legislators believe more state money for local school districts should be on the list of essential services.

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building is photographed in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I suspect McConnell regrets his acquittal vote.

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: U.S. should treat tariffs with a cold shoulder

The problem is that the U.S. imposes tariffs on what we buy.

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated file photo. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Our north star aligns with values Alaskans hold dear

We have vision and practical solutions.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated file photo. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Screenshot. (https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/vpso/home)

Opinion: Strengthening Alaska’s public safety: Recent growth in the VPSO program

The number of VPSOs working in our remote communities has grown to 79

Screenshot. (https://dps.alaska.gov/ast/vpso/home)
Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: I’m a Soldotna Republican and will vote No on 2

Open primaries and ranked choice voting offer a way to put power back into the hands of voters, where it belongs

Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings participates in the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL candidate forum series, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The offical ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
The offical ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, Special General Election features ranked choice voting. (State of Alaska Divison of Elections)
Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 will help businesses and communities thrive

It would not be good for the health and safety of my staff, my customers, or my family if workers are too worried about missing pay to stay home when they are sick.

Derrick Green (Courtesy photo)