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Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Proof that every cloud has a silver lining

The amount of feedback this summer has changed.

Nick Varney
Opinion: It takes a team to govern

Opinion: It takes a team to govern

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that it we need a team of leaders in the White House

  • Aug 15, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: It takes a team to govern
Sound Publishing file photo

Voices of the Peninsula: Too little COVID testing on the Kenai

Limited testing means dangerous decisions.

  • Aug 15, 2020
Sound Publishing file photo
Nick Varney

Reeling ‘Em In: Skill level of some fish filletters is surreal

Last weekend as I was cruising the Homer Spit’s cleaning tables to see what was flopping on the cutting counters, I came across a surreal… Continue reading

Nick Varney
Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

COVID camping is about slowing down and relaxing

Recreating during a pandemic presents some challenges. Is the great outdoors great enough? How do you social distance on a narrow wilderness trail? How toxic… Continue reading

Sun dapples the mountains near the U.S. Forest Service Trail River Campground on July 22, 2020, near Moose Pass, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator

Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator

At first glance, the boreal forest of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and the pine rocklands of Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge have very little, if… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Fire: The Common Denominator
This photo shows absentee ballot paperwork sent to an Alaskan voter in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: The Postal Service is essential not political

The Postal Service has been a valuable asset for this country since its inception.

  • Aug 12, 2020
  • By Mick Lowry
This photo shows absentee ballot paperwork sent to an Alaskan voter in July 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)

Alaska Voices: Keep Alaska afloat by doing your part to prevent COVID

What looked like a “second wave” moved in like a tsunami.

  • Aug 10, 2020
  • Lily Lou, MD FAAP For the American Academy of Pediatrics-Alaska Chapter
  • Coronavirus
COVID-19. (Image courtesy CDC)
Alaska Senate District P candidate John Cox. (Photo courtesy John Cox)

Voices of the Peninula: Remodeling Alaska’s fishing industry

Fishing shouldn’t be catalogued underneath Alaska’s boring-but-true bureaucracy.

  • Aug 10, 2020
  • John Cox
Alaska Senate District P candidate John Cox. (Photo courtesy John Cox)
Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first

Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first

Alaskans should make the intelligent distinction between party loyalists and proactive opponents.

  • Aug 10, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: Lawmakers should put American democracy first
The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire File)

Are school closures based on science or fear?

If we believe children come first, then fears must be overcome in favor of science and common sense.

  • Aug 6, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
The Juneau School District building, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett/ Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Opinion: Beating virus will take time, patience

The quickest way back to a strong, vibrant Alaska is, ironically, a bit slower than we might like.

  • Aug 6, 2020
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)
Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou

Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou

Being a seasonal biology technician has its perks. Every summer is a new adventure full of incredible fieldwork, new friends and amazing locations. Much like… Continue reading

Refuge Notebook: Migrations of the Kenai Lowland caribou
The author is seen here in July pleasantly enjoying a mountaintop in Denali National Park, with no training in mind. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Braver)

Tangled Up in Blue: Pandemic Priorities

I had a lot of goals at the start of this year. I was well on my way to not using a single, single-use coffee… Continue reading

The author is seen here in July pleasantly enjoying a mountaintop in Denali National Park, with no training in mind. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Braver)
Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Pratt Museum unveils new ‘Entangled’ exhibit

Last month, the Pratt Museum reopened on a scaled-back basis with its summer show, “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay.” Put together by… Continue reading

Pratt Museum Curator Savanna Bradley discusses “Entangled: Exploring Natural History Collections from Kachemak Bay,” on July 13, 2020, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Courtesy Photo / Kevin Myers                                Kevin Myers is the author of the new book “Hidden Falls.” In the novel, which is available at Amazon and will be available at Hearthside Books, a newspaper columnist finds himself embroiled in the world of organized crime. Myers was previously the editor of the Capital City Weekly.
Courtesy Photo / Kevin Myers                                Kevin Myers is the author of the new book “Hidden Falls.” In the novel, which is available at Amazon and will be available at Hearthside Books, a newspaper columnist finds himself embroiled in the world of organized crime. Myers was previously the editor of the Capital City Weekly.
This Sept. 18, 2019, file photo shows the view of the U.S. Capitol building from the Washington Monument in Washington. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A Message from Sound Publishing: Tax credit proposal would aid local journalism

Bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House would offer tax credits to advertisers and subscribers.

This Sept. 18, 2019, file photo shows the view of the U.S. Capitol building from the Washington Monument in Washington. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A bag full of fresh broccoli is seen in the author’s kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska, in August 2020. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: A tote bag of broccoli

The broccoli had this perfect crunchy texture that paired really well with the gooey melted cheese.

  • Aug 4, 2020
  • By Victoria Petersen For the Peninsula Clarion
  • Food and Drink
A bag full of fresh broccoli is seen in the author’s kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska, in August 2020. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Voices of the Peninsula: Kenai refuge ditches trapping safeguards

Voices of the Peninsula: Kenai refuge ditches trapping safeguards

This proposal has the potential to seriously harm many recreational users.

  • Aug 3, 2020
  • By Becky Hutchinson
Voices of the Peninsula: Kenai refuge ditches trapping safeguards
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

Opinion: Wear masks, distance for the good of community

Distance is the only guaranteed measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a Friday, March 27, 2020 press conference in the Atwood Building in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)