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

 

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: North to a Brighter Future

The policies championed by the Biden/Harris Administration and their allies in Congress have made it harder for us to live the Alaskan way of life

 

Shrubs grow outside of the Kenai Courthouse on Monday, July 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Vote yes to retain Judge Zeman and all judges on your ballot

Alaska’s state judges should never be chosen or rejected based on partisan political agendas

  • Nov 1, 2024
  • By Donna Goldsmith, Tom Amodio, Bruce Botelho, Michael Geraghty, Joelle Hall, Barbara Hood, Erin Jackson-Hill, Debra Dzijuksuk O’Gara and Paul Seaton
  • ElectionsPoint of view

 

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)

Point of View: District 6 needs to return to representation before Vance

Since Vance’s election she has closely aligned herself with the far-right representatives from Mat-Su and Gov. Mike Dunleavy

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)
The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Opinion: Help ensure Alaskans have rights to use, enjoy and care for rivers

It is discouraging to see the Department of Natural Resources seemingly on track to erode the public’s ability to protect vital water interests.

  • Oct 28, 2024
  • By Dave Atcheson
The Anchor River flows in the Anchor Point State Recreation Area on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
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)
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)
A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Could an unnecessary gold mine drive Cook Inlet belugas extinct?

An industrial port for the proposed Johnson Tract gold mine could decimate the bay

A sign warns of the presence of endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales at the Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)

Point of View: Voters — Be intrigued, be educated

Don’t just say no

Therese Lewandowski. (Photo provided)
Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Unaffordable promises are a dishonest way to campaign

When it comes to government spending — or lack of government revenue, it all adds up the same

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)

Point of View: Ranked choice gives voters more voice

The major political parties are not in touch with all Alaskans

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)
Cassie Lawver. Photo provided by Cassie Lawver

Point of View: A clear choice

Sarah Vance has consistently stood up for policies that reflect the needs of our district

Cassie Lawver. Photo provided by Cassie Lawver
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

  • Oct 11, 2024
  • By Thomas R. Daly
  • Opinion
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

  • Oct 10, 2024
  • By Dr. William Magnuson
  • Opinion
"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

  • Oct 10, 2024
  • By Valerie Nurr’araluk Davidson
  • Opinion
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)
Baisden family dog, Tug, is photographed in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Baisden)

Opinion: Ode to a good boy

The reality of saying goodbye hit us like a freight train

Baisden family dog, Tug, is photographed in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Rhonda Baisden)
Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)

Opinion: Why we’re not ranking Vance on the ballot

We will rank the other two candidates

Alex Koplin. (courtesy photo)