Letter to editor

Letter to the editor: Gov. Dunleavy fails state in key areas

I’m so disappointed in Governor Dunleavy and his actions in governing our state. He has slashed education funding and ignored the base student allocation (bsa)… Continue reading

Letter to editor
The Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding area is seen under an overcast sky on May 12, 2023. A federal order bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land surrounding the glacier for the next 20 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

As ecosystems change, so must environmental laws

Climate change is melting glaciers and creating new salmon habitat in the Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers — but being staked for gold mining

  • Dec 27, 2023
  • By Mary Catharine Martin The Salmon State
The Mendenhall Glacier and surrounding area is seen under an overcast sky on May 12, 2023. A federal order bans mineral extraction activities such as mining in an expanded area of land surrounding the glacier for the next 20 years. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: FY25 budget reflects a policy of priorities over oil prices

As governor, it’s my responsibility to ensure that our finite resources are invested in accordance with the constitutional requirement to maximize the benefits to Alaskans

  • Dec 26, 2023
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks during a news conference. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
File

Opinion: Is there a Santa Claus who can deliver education funding?

Santa could you please include something in your pack to raise the Base Student Allocation?

File
Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Banning Russian seafood imports is good for Alaska

Alaska has been under attack for almost a decade by Russia’s lack of sustainable fishing practices and artificially low prices

  • Dec 26, 2023
  • By Julie Sande and Doug Vincent-Lang
  • Fishing
Doug Vincent-Lang is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. (Courtesy Photo)
The Alaska State Capitol is seen in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: 3 reasons to contact your legislator for education funding today

Can we find 45 legislators who will vote to override?

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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)

Opinion: Service to the country

Is there a means by which we can bring about common sense and stability through a shared experience?

  • Dec 23, 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)
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)

Point of View: Permanent fund management should be improved

We need a bigger board, with longer terms, made up from a field of highly respected investment experts

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire)
A sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Opinion: Bad time for a bed tax

Our community is being burdened with an economy that has prices increasing all around us

  • Dec 12, 2023
  • By Lela and Scott Rosin
  • Soldotna
A sign welcomes people to the City of Soldotna on May 1, 2019, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
The LeConte ferry coated with cold-season ice. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

Opinion: How not to build a lasting legacy of failure

Last week the Federal Transit Administration announced it was awarding $131 million in grants for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). That’s in addition to… Continue reading

The LeConte ferry coated with cold-season ice. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)

Opinion: More action must be taken on PFAS

Toxic forever chemicals present in high concentrations in Nikishka Bay Utility Water Supply

  • Nov 30, 2023
  • By Dylan Jones and Pamela Miller
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)
Logo courtesy of League of Women Voters.

League of Women Voters of Alaska: Join us in calling for campaign finance limits

The involvement of money in our elections is a huge barrier for everyday Alaskans who run for public office

Logo courtesy of League of Women Voters.
Promise garden flowers are assembled for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Let’s keep momentum in the fight against Alzheimer’s

It’s time to reauthorize these bills to keep up our momentum in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other types of Dementia.

  • Nov 28, 2023
  • By Sara Hondel
Promise garden flowers are assembled for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Sept. 14 on Capitol Hill.

Opinion: Music to the ears of America’s adversaries

Russia and China have interest in seeing America’s democracy and standing in the world weakened

Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Sept. 14 on Capitol Hill.
Dr. Sarah Spencer. (Photo by Maureen Todd and courtesy of Dr. Sarah Spencer)

Opinion: Alaskans needs better access to addiction treatment. Telehealth can help.

I have witnessed firsthand the struggles patients face in accessing addiction care

  • Nov 16, 2023
  • By Sarah Spencer
Dr. Sarah Spencer. (Photo by Maureen Todd and courtesy of Dr. Sarah Spencer)
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)

Opinion: Need for accounting and legislative oversight of the permanent fund

There is a growing threat to the permanent fund, and it is coming from the trustees themselves

  • Nov 14, 2023
  • By Frank H. Murkowksi
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)
(Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Imagine the cost of health and happiness if set by prescription drug companies

If you didn’t have heartburn before seeing the price, you will soon — and that requires another prescription

(Juneau Empire File)
Mike Arnold testifies in opposition to the use of calcium chloride by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Kenai Peninsula roads during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Votes: Civic actions that carried weight

Watching an impressive display of testimony, going to an event, or one post, can help so many people learn about something they were not even aware of

  • Nov 10, 2023
  • Kenai Peninsula Votes
Mike Arnold testifies in opposition to the use of calcium chloride by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Kenai Peninsula roads during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Helicopter fishing a detriment to fish and fishers

Proposal would prohibit helicopter transport for anglers on southern peninsula

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
The cover of the October 2023 edition of Alaska Economic Trends magazine, a product of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. (Image via department website)

Dunleavy administration’s muzzling of teacher pay report is troubling

Alaska Economic Trends is recognized both in Alaska and nationally as an essential tool for understanding Alaska’s unique economy

  • Nov 6, 2023
  • By Ed Flanagan, Click Bishop, Heidi Drygas and Jim Sampson
The cover of the October 2023 edition of Alaska Economic Trends magazine, a product of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. (Image via department website)