Juneau Independent

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.

Clearly, the elements are not just a bummer for dozens of our unsheltered friends and neighbors. They are pervasive, life-threatening forces which combined with inner turmoil create a reality of constant anguish. It is easy to feel down during this time of year, but it is also important to take stock of everything good that the community is doing to address the issues of homelessness, hunger, and despair.

Most people have seen news reports, social media posts and business charts that show a line moving up in good times, pointing down when business or employment numbers are bad, or bouncing back and forth between the two when the economy is confused.

Officials from nearly 200 countries recently gathered in Belem, Brazil, to attend the latest United Nations climate summit, called COP30.

When a community loses its local news, it loses more than headlines — it loses part of its identity. A vibrant, informed public depends on journalists who understand local people, local issues and local life. That used to be the role of our hometown newspaper, but as corporate ownership has shifted the focus away from Juneau something vital has gone missing.

Last week, Gov. Mike Dunleavy approved the deployment of Alaska National Guard members to Washington, D.C., “to help the Trump Administration restore public trust.” But if that was really important to him, he’d start by telling the president that incompetence, rank hypocrisy and retribution aren’t part of the formula.