A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Vote no on Ballot Measure 2

A yes vote would return Alaska to party controlled closed primaries and general elections in which the candidate need not win an outright majority to be elected.

A sign directing voters to the Alaska Division of Elections polling place is seen in Kenai, Alaska, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Begich’s business shows commitment to Alaska

Headquarters in Alaska creates local jobs

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Carpenter has a much better fiscal plan

The sales tax is only one component included in a larger package of bills

Alaska State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman (R-Nikiski), left, and Alaska House Rep. Ben Carpenter (R-Nikiski) participate in the Senate District D candidate forum hosted by the Peninsula Clarion and KDLL 91.9 FM on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
"Miss Rosey," a pink fire engine dedicated to raising awareness about cancer prevention and screening, is seen after her unveiling at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: The lifesaving power of early detection

A call to action during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

"Miss Rosey," a pink fire engine dedicated to raising awareness about cancer prevention and screening, is seen after her unveiling at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion: Do we really need to be re-educated to vote?

Our party primaries were meant to bring the top two (or three) people to the final election for the final vote

Pins supporting the repeal of ranked choice voting are seen on April 20, 2024, at the Republican state convention in Anchorage. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, special general election. The election was the debut of ranked choice voting in Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Keep officials accountable to Alaskans, not party insiders, by voting no on Ballot Measure 2

Alaska’s nonpartisan election system protects every Alaskan’s right to vote for their chosen candidate at every election, regardless of party affiliation

This photo shows a sample ballot for the Aug. 16, 2022, special general election. The election was the debut of ranked choice voting in Alaska. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)

Opinion: Seeking justice for our son

These state troopers need to be held accountable for their actions, and never let this happen again

Kenai Courthouse is photographed on Feb. 26, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska. (Clarion file)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.

Opinion: Murkowski must get off the ‘none of the above’ fence

She needs to follow Cheney’s lead and endorse Harris

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks to supporters during a campaign event at Louie’s Douglas Inn on Oct. 12, 2022.
The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, is among those in Alaska scheduled to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merges with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Alaska’s attorney general flunks math test

One supermarket owner is less competitive than two, and more competition is good for shoppers

The Safeway supermarket in Juneau, seen here Oct. 4, 2023, is among those in Alaska scheduled to be sold if its parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., merges with Kroger Co., the parent company of Fred Meyer. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Library of Congress image
A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran.

Opinion: Washington’s selfless example is lost on too many public servants

Biden isn’t the only national politician who struggled emotionally against the currents of aging.

Library of Congress image
A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran.
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Opinion: The open primary reflects the voting preferences of Alaska Native communities

We set out to analyze the results of that first open primary election in 2022, to let the facts speak for themselves

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An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The case for keeping the parties from controlling our elections

Neither party is about to admit that the primary system they control serves the country poorly

An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)

Opinion: Speak up on net metering program

The program allows members to install and use certain types of renewable generation to offset monthly electric usage and sell excess power to HEA

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska, on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs bills for the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget during a private ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, June 25, 2024. (Official photo from The Office of the Governor)

Alaska’s ‘say yes to everything’ governor is saying ‘no’ to a lot of things

For the governor’s purposes, “everything” can pretty much be defined as all industrial development

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs bills for the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget during a private ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, June 25, 2024. (Official photo from The Office of the Governor)
Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members, staff and advisors meet Oct. 30, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The concerns of reasonable Alaskans isn’t ‘noise’

During a legislative hearing on Monday, CEO Deven Mitchell referred to controversy it’s created as “noise.”

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board members, staff and advisors meet Oct. 30, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Crime pays a lot better than newspapers

I used to think that publishing a quality paper, full of accurate, informative and entertaining news would produce enough revenue to pay the bills

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom addresses the crowd during an inaugural celebration for her and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Jan. 20, 2023.

Opinion: The many truths Dahlstrom will deny

Real conservatives wouldn’t be trashing the rule of law

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom addresses the crowd during an inaugural celebration for her and Gov. Mike Dunleavy at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Jan. 20, 2023.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Governor, please pay more attention to Alaskans

Our governor has been a busy guy on big issues.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after he was found guilty of all counts in his criminal trial in New York on May 30.

Opinion: Trump’s new fixers

Fixers from Alaska and elsewhere step in after guilty verdict

Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times
Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower after he was found guilty of all counts in his criminal trial in New York on May 30.
Apayauq Reitan, the first transgender woman to participate in the Iditarod, tells the House Education Committee on March 30, 2023, why she opposes a bill restricting transgender rights. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The imaginary transgender sports crisis

House Bill 183 is a right-wing solution to a problem that doesn’t exist now and never will.

Apayauq Reitan, the first transgender woman to participate in the Iditarod, tells the House Education Committee on March 30, 2023, why she opposes a bill restricting transgender rights. (Mark Sabbatini/Juneau Empire file photo)