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Sen. Mike Shower (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Ballot Measure 1 — Why I am a ‘no’ vote

Alaskans are voting on important issues to determine our next steps in dealing with the budget, resource allocation, taxes, and citizens’ general welfare. I know… Continue reading

  • Nov 1, 2020
  • By state Sen. Mike Shower
Sen. Mike Shower (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: The race is on

Here we are 33 weeks later wondering how we are going to celebrate the grandest time of the year.

  • Nov 1, 2020
  • Virginia Walters Life in the Pedestrian Lane
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Robin Brena (courtesy)

Opinion: Existing production tax system hopelessly flawed

Vote “yes” on Ballot Measure 1

  • Nov 1, 2020
Robin Brena (courtesy)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

Keeping myself in stitches

The pandemic hit, and we all brushed off some skills we hadn’t thought about in a while.

  • Nov 1, 2020
Will Morrow (courtesy)
Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Reclaiming Alaska, our political process, and our souls

Alaska needs leaders to show up for their communities, put forward real solutions, and work with anyone who shares those same values and a commitment to a better future

  • Nov 1, 2020
  • Rep. Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage)
Rep. Chuck Kopp, R-Anchorage. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Eivin Kilcher with his children and their flotsam treasures on Ushagat Island in August 2020. (Photo by Eve Kilcher)

Refuge Notebook: Flotsam ‘treasure’ harbors wealth of wildlife knowledge

This August, Eivin Kilcher was beachcombing on Ushagat Island when he saw something unusual. “I was thinking, whoa, that looks like a massive-something-important.” He and… Continue reading

Eivin Kilcher with his children and their flotsam treasures on Ushagat Island in August 2020. (Photo by Eve Kilcher)
The author and her voting sticker. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)

Tangled Up in Blue: I voted

I feel like I’ve been talking about voting for weeks, months … maybe more like 1,451 days, but I can’t stop talking about voting. I… Continue reading

The author and her voting sticker. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)
Bob Shavelson (courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: It’s time for Alaskans to stop playing the oil industry’s games

The big oil companies keep moving the ball, because they don’t want us to know the truth.

  • Oct 27, 2020
Bob Shavelson (courtesy photo)
This undated file photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)FILE - This undated file photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The future of Alaska’s unique program of paying residents an annual check is in question, with oil prices low and an economy struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Alaska Voices: Meet the people behind Ballot Measure 1

I simply want you to understand the kind of Alaskans we are.

  • Oct 26, 2020
  • • By Merrick Peirce
This undated file photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)FILE - This undated file photo shows the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The future of Alaska’s unique program of paying residents an annual check is in question, with oil prices low and an economy struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)
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Opinion: Alaskans should choose Alaska’s future

Ballot Measure 2 helps open up the primaries so that we can vote for people — not parties.

  • Oct 26, 2020
  • By Ben Kellie
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Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: A tale of 4 rankings

If I can’t have my first choice, I’d at least like input on my second, or even third choice.

  • Oct 26, 2020
  • By Pamela Parker, local business owner and Soldotna resident
Pamela Parker (courtesy photo)
Nick VarneyNick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: 2020 — The Halloween Year

2020 has nixed Oct. 31 as the official observance of Halloween and hijacked the mantle as its own.

Nick VarneyNick Varney
Social distancing measures to address the coronavirus pandemic, such as marked spots for jurors, are photographed inside a courtroom at the Kenai Courthouse in this October 2020 photo. (Photo courtesy Judge Jennifer Wells)

Voices of the Peninsula: How the Kenai Court continues to serve

The court system has not shut its doors for a single day since the pandemic began.

  • Oct 24, 2020
  • Kenai Superior Court Judge Jennifer Wells
Social distancing measures to address the coronavirus pandemic, such as marked spots for jurors, are photographed inside a courtroom at the Kenai Courthouse in this October 2020 photo. (Photo courtesy Judge Jennifer Wells)
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau, Alaska in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche)

Voices of the Peninsula: Ballot Measure 1 is a race to the bottom

Now is literally the worst time to pass an experimental new tax scheme.

  • Oct 24, 2020
  • By Sen. Peter Micciche
Sen. Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) listens to testimony in Juneau, Alaska in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy of Peter Micciche)
Kasey Renfro and Seth Payment show off their tier rock wall on Skyline Trail. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Skyline gets much-needed upgrades after the fire

Skyline Trail was the top priority for getting trail work done and getting the trail reopened for the public to enjoy. Skyline is arguably our… Continue reading

  • Oct 22, 2020
  • By CHRISTA KENNEDY Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
  • Refuge Notebook
Kasey Renfro and Seth Payment show off their tier rock wall on Skyline Trail. (Photo provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
A section of the Diamond Creek beach has built up, with plants growing where 10 years ago there had been bare mud, as seen here on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Out of the Office: Annual CoastWalk beach trek reveals changes, transformation

Volunteers in annual Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies program clean up, monitor beaches

A section of the Diamond Creek beach has built up, with plants growing where 10 years ago there had been bare mud, as seen here on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
File

Keep Alaskans out of the COVID-19 ditch this winter

For those who require care on a ventilator in the ICU, more than a third of people die.

  • Oct 22, 2020
  • By Michael Bernstein, M.D., and Preston M. Simmons, DSc, FACHE
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Kelly Tshibaka (courtesy photo)

With Sullivan in D.C., Alaska can be 1st again

Sen. Sullivan understands Alaskans and will continue to serve us well in D.C.

  • Oct 22, 2020
Kelly Tshibaka (courtesy photo)
Some of the 45 art quilts featured in “Shifting Tides: Cloth in Convergence,” on exhibit from Oct. 9 to Nov. 28, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Traveling show at Pratt features Alaska, Pacific Rim artists

‘Shifting Tides’ traveling quilt show explores theme of Pacific Ocean connection

Some of the 45 art quilts featured in “Shifting Tides: Cloth in Convergence,” on exhibit from Oct. 9 to Nov. 28, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Mia Costello is a senator in the Alaska Legislature representing Senate District K – West Anchorage. (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: Amy Coney Barrett should be confirmed by the Senate

Her qualifications for the job are obvious and unquestioned.

  • Oct 21, 2020
  • By Mia Costello
Mia Costello is a senator in the Alaska Legislature representing Senate District K – West Anchorage. (Courtesy photo)