Juneau Independent

On Dec. 5, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation director Randy Bates wrote an opinion piece arguing against Salmon Beyond Borders and the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association's (ALFA's) assertion that, 10 years after the Walker administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with British Columbia, the Dunleavy administration is "leaving Alaskans in the dark."

Last week, the Trump administration released its 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). The president called it a “roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history.” But in patented Trump fashion, it’s filled with contradictions.

On the verge of World War II and in the early Cold War, isolationists promoted the idea of walling off the country from the prospect of “foreign wars” and entanglement in alliances which would inevitably draw us into conflict. This “Fortress America” concept was xenophobic, anti-immigrant, nationalistic and, honestly more than slightly paranoid about the enemies both “without” and “within.”

On Dec. 5, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Randy Bates published an opinion piece refuting Salmon Beyond Borders’ and the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association’s assertion that the Dunleavy Administration has largely abandoned the promises outlined in the Alaska-British Columbia Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, signed 10 years ago by the Walker Administration. Clearly, we struck a nerve.

In a Friday hearing, members of the Alaska Senate spoke critically about a proposed new ferry terminal in Juneau, questioning why the project would be worth its multimillion-dollar cost.

I don’t ever throw away leftovers. I figure anything wrapped in petrochemical-based plastic and stored in the refrigerator will last longer than my memory, which means I will forget how old the food is anyway.

The people of Juneau need to know the illogicality of the reasoning of the Assembly regarding Telephone Hill. We have obtained a transcript of their Committee of the Whole meeting of Nov. 3, and it is shocking.

The Assembly has not yet absorbed the message voters delivered in October. Residents asked for disciplined spending, clearer priorities, and a government focused on core responsibilities. Yet the Assembly’s retreat discussions reveal a body still searching for revenue before articulating a vision.

By the end of 2025, thousands of Alaskans may be hit hard by health insurance cost increases. The enhanced Premium Tax Credit (ePTC) is set to expire, and without renewal, costs could more than double.

Once again, Sen. Dan Sullivan put his foot in his mouth while auditioning to be a full-fledged sycophant in the service of President Donald Trump.

When Alaskans hear dramatic claims that raise concerns, we have a duty to look at the facts. And when you look past the press releases and at the actual water, the story is very different.

I am collaborating with Lodestone Library for Gallery Walk for my first time on Friday, Dec. 5. I will be having a slideshow of my adventures and be selling my calendars and new magnets. Many readers know me from my Voices column so today I am going to talk about Lodestone.