opinion

Better practices can save fishermen fuel expenses

July 03, 2008 at 11:56AM AKST

Increased fuel prices are hurting commercial fishermen and charter boat operators.

Injustice at the Court highlights power of Exxon

July 03, 2008 at 11:55AM AKST

It seemed bitterly ironic that the same day the Supreme Court gutted what was left of the Exxon Valdez damages judgment, it also took the death penalty off the table in cases of child rapes as long as they don’t include murder.

Public health nursing, more than your average day job

June 26, 2008 at 3:02PM AKST

Author’s note: I wrote the following during a village visit after starting my career as a Public Health Nurse the summer of 2001. I wanted to some day write a book or article about public health, sharing with the world my wonderful adventures in the Arctic. I was so excited with my new job as a nurse and had been on the job about six months.

Vivid dreams may signal fear that end times are nigh

June 19, 2008 at 3:31PM AKST

So many people in our village are having similar dreams.

‘Oiled Regions’ foundation seeks to leave legacy

June 19, 2008 at 10:24AM AKST

As we await the Supreme Court’s decision on the Exxon Valdez case, it is a good time to reflect on the effect the devastating oil spill has had on our coastal communities and what we, as a community, can do to mitigate some of the long-term impact.

Water key in predicting effects of climate change in Alaska

June 19, 2008 at 10:10AM AKST

Alaskans rely on waters in many ways.

This political season will end — eventually

June 12, 2008 at 3:05PM AKST

As you watched, you wondered when it would conclude. The back-and-forth action, the competitive nature of the main combatants — it all served the fans well. Would it go on forever? Could it go on forever?

Action now can help relieve pain of energy prices

June 12, 2008 at 11:03AM AKST

From the Interior to rural villages, Anchorage to Southeast, skyrocketing energy prices are causing a real financial emergency to many Alaskans.

Battle for clean elections taking place on several fronts

June 12, 2008 at 10:43AM AKST

Second of two parts
Clean Elections supporters have found themselves fighting battles on several fronts these days.

Online forum allows outdoorsmen to track fisheries information

June 12, 2008 at 10:40AM AKST

Management of aquatic resources has never been easy.

After a little down time, legislators get back to work

June 05, 2008 at 3:54PM AKST

It was great to be home with family and friends in Bethel for a little while in late May.

Ignoring energy resources ignores energy security

June 05, 2008 at 12:01PM AKST

While Americans warily eye gasoline prices marching toward and beyond $4 per gallon, it becomes more apparent each day how this affects manufacturers, airlines, small and large businesses and average Americans.

Initiative could become law in 2008, then vanish in 2010

June 05, 2008 at 8:53AM AKST

A “Clean Elections” initiative, the result of a statewide voter petition drive that ended in January, will appear on Alaska’s Aug. 26 primary ballot.

Memorial Day brings focus to needs of Alaska veterans

May 29, 2008 at 10:13AM AKST

Last weekend, we took time to remember and honor those who have worn our country’s uniform, particularly those who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedom. It was a chance to show our gratitude and deepest respect for generations of American heroes.

Ignoring available energy resources ignores energy security

May 29, 2008 at 9:54AM AKST

While Americans warily eye gasoline prices marching toward and beyond $4 per gallon, it becomes more apparent each day how this affects manufacturers, airlines, small and large businesses and average Americans.

Hiding our lawmakers in Juneau hurts Railbelt residents

May 29, 2008 at 9:31AM AKST

The Capital Site Planning Commission met throughout Alaska in the late 1970s. I covered many of those meetings for the Susitna Sentinel, a weekly newspaper then published in Talkeetna.

Conservation can help Alaskans address energy costs

May 23, 2008 at 8:39AM AKST

Alaska is at a critical fork in the road. High energy costs are creating both budget surpluses and individual hardships.

Glacier photos made global warning personal

May 23, 2008 at 8:34AM AKST

Editor’s note: This column was originally published May 15, 2008, online at The Huffington Post. It is reprinted here with permission.

If you’d asked me four years ago, I would have said global warming wasn’t a big issue. I would have said that the evidence isn’t conclusive.
Now that couldn’t be further from the truth.

What happened?
My change started when I went to Sundance in 2005 with 40 mayors, as well as Al Gore and Robert Redford. This was back when “An Inconvenient Truth” was just an incredible PowerPoint presentation and not an Oscar-winning film. But the presentation opened my eyes for the first time — and what I saw shocked me.

‘Hello’ to the Y-K Delta, and I need your help

May 23, 2008 at 8:30AM AKST

I’ve been entertaining and informing readers and telling people’s stories for as long as I can remember. In a lot of ways, it’s all I’ve ever done and I take the responsibility seriously.

Jefferson’s words offer guidance today

May 22, 2008 at 2:36PM AKST

“Thomas Jefferson’s excellence as a writer was a highly effective weapon in his public battles. He repeatedly captured the high ground in contests of opinion by producing writings so compelling, so expressive of what the American people really felt and wanted, that they effectively curtailed debate.”
—From the preface of “Light and Liberty – Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness,”
a collection of essays by Thomas Jefferson

May came to Barrow with heavy, chilly winds. As of May 10, the sun now remains above the horizon, as it will all the time until Aug. 2. This provides almost three months of steady daylight, leading to less sleep and often much more activity at all hours.

Lighters present fire-start danger in rural Alaska

May 15, 2008 at 10:32AM AKST

Novelty lighters have become a serious problem as fire-starters throughout the country because of their toy-like appearance.

Cartoonist lampoons politicians, advances free speech

May 15, 2008 at 10:15AM AKST

On a slow news day at the Anchorage Daily News back in 1987, Peter Dunlap-Shohl scoured his brain for ideas, his deadline looming.

Red Dog Mine takes environmental protection seriously

May 15, 2008 at 10:02AM AKST

As the environmental superintendent at the Red Dog Mine, I cannot in good conscience ignore the inaccurate comments made by Bruce Switzer, former environmental affairs director of Cominco, recently in the media.

Texting students lack 411 on capable writing

May 09, 2008 at 12:13PM AKST

Alaskans need immediate energy cost equalization

May 09, 2008 at 12:13PM AKST

Like a man dying of thirst in the middle of the ocean, Alaskans are adrift in a sea of state cash while our residents drown in a tidal wave of unjustified costs for heating oil and electricity for homes and businesses.

Calista’s president steers the right course

May 02, 2008 at 1:04PM AKST

Parents welcome to add two cents in debate over math curriculum

May 02, 2008 at 1:04PM AKST

The Lower Kuskokwim School District is reviewing its mathematics curriculum with the intent of making recommendations to the school board in June.

Criticism of my simple shirt runs counter to American value systems

May 02, 2008 at 1:04PM AKST

Recently, a former Bering Straits resident who now lives in Anchorage working for one our organizations visited my office and criticized my business partner and me for the simple way that we dress.

Yukegtaaraak allows Delta to honor positive role models

April 28, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

The Tundra Women’s Coalition will celebrate two incredible role models who take pride in being a part of our Y-K Delta community.

Winter hunt looks for seals popping up from hiding places

April 28, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

In February, I went out on my first seal-hunting trip of the winter. No one had gone out yet, so there was the question of "where’s the ocean?"

Legislature finds time for three budgets, supporting film industry

April 28, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

Camai. The state of Alaska’s first 90-day legislative session is over.

Sunny days ahead for the Alaska economy

April 28, 2008 at 9:29AM AKST

Alaska is a safe haven in the national housing market.

Consider natural wealth of Yukon king salmon

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

I am a salmon fisherman on the mighty Yukon River. I also serve on the U.S./Canada Panel as an alternate from the Lower Yukon River.

Andy’s gift: Bringing drums’ thunder back to the Delta

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

Andrew Paukan, Angalraq, of St. Marys died on March 2 of this year.

Ever-changing sea ice provides show for scientific observers

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

It’s been a busy weekend on board the Healy, research vessel of the U.S. Coast Guard and National Science Foundation.

Hard work, dedication and love earn spotlight for numerous Delta leaders

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

Next week I will take on the daunting task of summarizing the outcome of this legislative session. Meanwhile, I’m working on funding for power cost equalization, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, new construction, roads and education.

Alaska Native elders seek united voices on bottom trawling in Bering Sea

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

The Bering Sea is warming.

Protecting Alaska’s fishing industry should be a national priority

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

$1.5 billion teen sex abstinence campaign fails

April 18, 2008 at 12:18PM AKST

New research reveals that female students in programs that promote abstinence exclusively are more likely to get pregnant than those in programs that teach about the full range of contraceptives as well as abstinence.

If Alaskans speak up for oil now, legislators will take heed

April 04, 2008 at 9:26AM AKST

On our small world, we all pay when anyone pollutes

April 04, 2008 at 9:26AM AKST

It’s a small world after all. Global warming, climate change and soaring energy costs are the frequent subjects of debate these days, and right they should be.