The Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Point of View: Big steps to strengthen child care system

Funding in the budget, statutory reforms and support from the administration are all necessary to strengthen the child care system in Alaska

  • May 12, 2023
  • By Sharlay Mamoe, Christina Eubanks-Ohana, Lori Berrigan and Candace Richey
The Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019.

Don’t let the abundance of snow fool you; Alaskans should prepare for wildfire season

Last summer’s 590 wildfires burned more than 3.1 million acres in Alaska, about 41% of the total acreage burned in the U.S.

  • May 12, 2023
  • By Norm McDonald, Tyler Anderson and Kent Slaughter
Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion
Smoke from the Swan Lake Fire impairs visibility on the Sterling Highway on Aug. 20, 2019.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Tax talk should be paired with PFD pragmatism

Alaska is 30 years into state budget deficits, borrowing billions from savings to pay the bills.

  • May 9, 2023
  • By Larry Persily
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference in which options for a long-range fiscal plan were discussed. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Teaser

Opinion: Seafood Producers Cooperative responds to WFC ruling

“I want to convey our great disappointment…”

  • May 8, 2023
  • By Norman Pillen
Teaser
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: Senate tax bills threaten critically needed community investment

Hilcorp Alaska’s role as a major sponsor of our race is a source of great pride

  • May 5, 2023
  • By Rob Urbach
Lawmakers, staff and other workers inside the The Alaska State Capitol are preparing this week for the upcoming session of the Alaska State Legislature that starts Jan. 17, including the release of the first round of prefile bills published Monday by the Legislative Affairs Agency. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. (ConocoPhillips via AP, File)

Opinion: Alaska has bright future if we keep oil taxes competitive

We have a bright future if we can keep Alaska competitive and continue to attract investment to our resources industries

  • May 2, 2023
  • By Joe Schierhorn and Jim Jansen
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. (ConocoPhillips via AP, File)
Peninsula Clarion file

Voices of the Peninsula: Theaters and pools are vital and need funding

Extraordinary circumstances have compelled us to step forward for our students and our communities

  • May 1, 2023
  • By Bethany Miller, Desiree Traxler, Ginny Johnson, Lisa Stanish, Nita Hollingsworth, Jesse Bolt, William Hubler, Paul Wright, Robert Mabrey and Russell Singleton
  • Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Peninsula Clarion file
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Another legislative session fails on the budget front

A fragmented approach to a complex problem is wrong.

  • May 1, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Zoe Stonorov (courtesy)

Point of View: Time to oppose Willow and shift away from fossil fuels

After hearing the news, I found myself asking: What is the Willow Project? And how should Alaskans feel about it?

  • Apr 26, 2023
  • By Zoe Stonorov
Zoe Stonorov (courtesy)
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Vote ‘yes’ on May 2: Homer Electric is the right choice for Seward

Local businesses understand that HEA has made the business case for a merger

  • Apr 25, 2023
  • By Tim Dillion, Bree Dodson, Cathy LeCompte, Laura Schneider, Liz DeMoss, Tom Tougas, Tim Jagielski, Randy Wells, Jeff Hetrick
The sign in front of the Homer Electric Association building in Kenai, Alaska, as seen on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
1

Opinion: Wanted: Alaskans to help shape new bycatch rules

The public has a lot to say about bycatch in Alaska’s fisheries…

  • Apr 24, 2023
  • By Laine Welch
1
Image designed and provided by Ireland Styvar.

Voices of the Peninsula: The future of a better education lies in Alaska’s ability to STEAM things up

Our current standards demonstrate that legislators don’t believe the arts are important enough to keep

Image designed and provided by Ireland Styvar.
Alaska Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg provides an overview of the department’s services and ongoing difficulties with its public assistance services to the Senate Health And Resources Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: Public assistance reviews underway

Beginning April 1, Alaska restarted annual eligibility reviews for Medicaid benefits

  • Apr 20, 2023
  • By Heidi Hedberg
Alaska Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg provides an overview of the department’s services and ongoing difficulties with its public assistance services to the Senate Health And Resources Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
David Rigas

Commentary: A note from the publisher

Beginning May 3, the Clarion will be printed off-site in Alaska, and delivered on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

  • Apr 17, 2023
  • By David Rigas
David Rigas
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)

Alaska Voices: We live in a real world — or do we?

Events taking place today in the energy world should be of critical concern to our country, our Congress and our president.

  • Apr 15, 2023
  • By Frank Murkowski
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)
File

Honored to have been judges in Alaska and committed to a fair and impartial judiciary

In Alaska all judges are subject to the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct

  • Apr 15, 2023
  • By Walter “Bud” Carpeneti, Elaine Andrews and Niesje Steinkruger
File
Bob Shavelson (courtesy photo)

Point of View: Our politicians should listen to Alaskans on public school funding

The Alaska Policy Forum is actually part of a sprawling and coordinated web of lobbying groups and so-called “think tanks”

  • Apr 13, 2023
  • By Bob Shavelson
Bob Shavelson (courtesy photo)
Jesse Bjorkman (Courtesy)

Opinion: Our next big fight — The erosion of Alaska’s wildlife management authority

The National Park Service is targeting Alaska’s wildlife management practices on preserves

  • Apr 13, 2023
  • By Jesse Bjorkman
Jesse Bjorkman (Courtesy)
A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Got bears? Protect yourself and keep Kenai bears wild with electric fencing

Electric fences are an effective and relatively inexpensive way to keep bears out of gardens, beehives, chicken coops, garbage, and other attractants

  • Apr 12, 2023
  • By Isabel Grant
A sign offering tips on how to recreate safely around bears can be seen on Thursday, July 1, 2021, on Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dan Sullivan’s convenient amnesia

Here’s a history lesson that Sullivan’s public persona is desperate to forget.

  • Apr 7, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)