In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska Voices: Ready for a Fresh Start?

Alaska’s health department offers free, flexible programs to feel better in the new year

  • Dec 20, 2022
  • By Dr. Anne Zink
In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The oppressive use of political censures

Censures should be reserved for serious ethical transgressions.

  • Dec 19, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks to reporters during a news conference on his proposed budget, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, with members of his Cabinet also pictured. Dunleavy called the budget a starting point for discussions with lawmakers, who convene for a new legislative session in January. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Opinion: Budget process begins with protecting PFD, public services

As required by statute, I introduced my preliminary budget for the next fiscal year

  • Dec 17, 2022
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, left, speaks to reporters during a news conference on his proposed budget, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Juneau, Alaska, with members of his Cabinet also pictured. Dunleavy called the budget a starting point for discussions with lawmakers, who convene for a new legislative session in January. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Point of View

Point of View: Student recounts the painful weeks since 4 were killed

It is Nov. 13, and that text is the start of a surreal day for me and every other student at the University of Idaho

Point of View
Homer Foundation

Point of View: Unity through giving

There are many deserving organizations in Homer’s arts and culture sector

Homer Foundation
Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings (courtesy photo)

Voices of the Peninsula: Strong leadership is needed

I look forward to earning your vote on Feb. 14

  • Dec 14, 2022
  • By Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings
Soldotna City Council member Linda Farnsworth-Hutchings (courtesy photo)
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal towards Haines and Skagway from Juneau in 2008. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Rising freight costs continue to stifle Southeast economy

Adding trucking (via road) would place downward pressure on what many contend is a freight monopoly.

  • Dec 12, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
The Alaska Marine Highway ferry Malaspina heads up Lynn Canal towards Haines and Skagway from Juneau in 2008. (Juneau Empire File)
Point of View

Point of View: The joys of finding an apartment in Homer

Life here is fantastic until you venture into finding accommodation

Point 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)

Alaska should adopt New Voices legislation

The education system must promote the use of constitutional freedoms

  • Dec 8, 2022
  • By Charlotte Flynn, Tyson Gilbert, Rafael Isaiah Pascual and Callum Toohey
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 Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated photo in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The rising purple tide in the state Senate

A purple tide threatens to inundate the uncompromising wing of the state Republican Party.

  • Dec 8, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in this undated photo in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
This July 16, 2019, file photo shows the Capitol Dome in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Opinion: The Respect for Marriage Act represents a balanced approach

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has supported a “fairness for all” approach

  • Dec 5, 2022
  • By Sheldon Fisher
This July 16, 2019, file photo shows the Capitol Dome in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
Deven Mitchell greets his fellow members of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees at the start of his interview to be the APFC’s new executive director on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: It’s an honor to now lead Alaska’s largest renewable resource

As a lifelong Alaskan, leading APFC is my childhood dream come true

Deven Mitchell greets his fellow members of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.’s Board of Trustees at the start of his interview to be the APFC’s new executive director on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Freedom in the classroom sets precedence for the future

We advocate for the adoption of legislation to protect students’ First Amendment rights…

  • Nov 28, 2022
  • By Joseph Barranco, Lucas Wright, Riley Baird and Amy Bioff
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A roll of “I Voted” stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Election winners, losers and poor losers

Tshibaka and Palin misread Alaskans by thinking Trump’s endorsement all but guaranteed they’d win.

  • Nov 25, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
A roll of “I Voted” stickers await voters on Election Day in Alaska. Voters overwhelmingly rejected the prospect of a state constitutional convention. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This 1981 photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an electron micrograph of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, also known as RSV. Children’s hospitals in parts of the country are seeing a distressing surge in RSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies. Cases fell dramatically two years ago as the pandemic shut down schools, day cares and businesses. Then, with restrictions easing, the summer of 2021 brought an alarming increase in what is normally a fall and winter virus. (CDC via AP)

Alaska Voices: What Alaskans need to know about RSV

By learning more about respiratory illnesses and taking helpful actions, we can all take steps to improve the situation

  • Nov 21, 2022
  • By Dr. Mishelle Nace and Dr. Matthew Hirschfeld
This 1981 photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an electron micrograph of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, also known as RSV. Children’s hospitals in parts of the country are seeing a distressing surge in RSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies. Cases fell dramatically two years ago as the pandemic shut down schools, day cares and businesses. Then, with restrictions easing, the summer of 2021 brought an alarming increase in what is normally a fall and winter virus. (CDC via AP)
Homer Foundation

Point of View: Multiplying the power of every local dollar given

Each community foundation is a public charity that focuses on supporting a geographic area by pooling donations to meet community needs

Homer Foundation

Opinion: The gaslighting politics of ‘Unlock Alaska’

Here’s the real gaslighting.

  • Nov 14, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Peninsula Oilers fans display encouragin signs for Oilers’ pitcher Bryan Woo, Friday, June 28, 2019, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Alaska collegiate smmer baseball — Divided we fall

The Alaska Baseball League risks demise

  • Nov 11, 2022
  • Rick Boots
Peninsula Oilers fans display encouragin signs for Oilers’ pitcher Bryan Woo, Friday, June 28, 2019, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
The Homer Public Library as seen on Aug. 18, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (File photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)

Point of View: Banning books corrodes diversity and inclusion in our community

Recently, a community member requested that a long list of books be removed from the children’s collection

  • Nov 11, 2022
  • By Claudia Haines and Ann Dixon For the Homer News
  • Point of view
The Homer Public Library as seen on Aug. 18, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (File photo by Sarah Knapp/Homer News)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Judging judges — balancing the judicial selection process

Alaska’s method of selecting judges can be and should be improved.

  • Nov 11, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
Gavel (Courtesy photo)