The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Removing the Roadless Rule would hurt Alaska

By Helena Wayne I have lived in Southeast Alaska for most of my life, and as a young Alaskan, I am greatly concerned as I… Continue reading

  • Aug 25, 2020
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Cathy Sandeen, UAA chancellor, is photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaska Anchorage. (Photo courtesy University of Alaska Anchorage)

Alaska Voices: Why doing the right thing for UAA means a fall semester online

The continuous flow of people in and out of campus poses an elevated risk of spreading COVID-19.

  • Aug 18, 2020
Cathy Sandeen, UAA chancellor, is photographed outside the Administration and Humanities Building at the University of Alaska Anchorage. (Photo courtesy University of Alaska Anchorage)
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
Long-time resident and local businessman Bill Corbus speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon in May 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Now is not the time to raise taxes on any part of our economy

Ballot Measure 1 would create a road block to recovery

  • Aug 15, 2020
  • By Bill Corbus
Long-time resident and local businessman Bill Corbus speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce during their weekly luncheon in May 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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)
Opinion: Not all fishermen support Sullivan

Opinion: Not all fishermen support Sullivan

We encourage independent-minded fishermen to support independent candidate Dr. Al Gross.

  • Aug 5, 2020
  • By Michael Kampnich and Tyson Fick
Opinion: Not all fishermen support Sullivan
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)
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
Larry Persily

Alaska Voices: The Permanent Fund divide

It will take a lot of compromise to reach an affordable dividend and decent public services.

  • Aug 3, 2020
  • By Larry Persily
  • PFD
Larry Persily
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)
Mead Treadwell (Courtesy)

Ranked-choice voting and Ballot Measure 2 should be voted down

It would eliminate party primaries for a free-for-all.

  • Jul 30, 2020
  • By Mead Treadwell
Mead Treadwell (Courtesy)
Tony Knowles (Courtesy photo)

Alaska Voices: A simple trail toward a stronger sustainable economy

Over the last two years Alaska Trails has scoped out and planned for an Alaska Long Trail.

  • Jul 30, 2020
  • By Tony Knowles
Tony Knowles (Courtesy photo)
Kenai Peninsula College is photographed on March 26, 2020. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Kenai Peninsula College and COVID-19

We don’t like it, but we are doing the best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt.

Kenai Peninsula College is photographed on March 26, 2020. (Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
Juneauites gathered signatures to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in late February. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Alaska Voices: One year later, Recall Dunleavy still committed to Alaska

If we want change on a national level, we lead this change by first upending the governor’s tenure.

  • Jul 28, 2020
  • Bruce Jamieson
Juneauites gathered signatures to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy in late February. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)