In this era of intense partisan acrimony, Alaskans can be proud of our independent, apolitical judiciary. Our system of picking judges is admired nationally as a model of fairness. Now that impartiality is under attack.

I see that Rich Moniak has moved to the Juneau Independent to continue his campaign to besmirch the character of Sen. Dan Sullivan. Recently, Moniak quoted Sullivan as saying he would criticize President Trump in public if he felt the need. Moniak then offered a list of criticisms that Sullivan should have offered. It is really a list of things Moniak himself would have said if he had the platform that Sullivan has. 

Alaska is once again riding high on the strength of oil revenues, with a possible $545 million flowing into state coffers during the current fiscal year due to higher oil prices. This is welcome news for policymakers and residents alike. But it also presents a familiar and uncomfortable paradox; the very forces boosting state revenue are poised to inflict serious economic pain on many Alaskans, particularly those in rural communities.