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Van Abbott.

Opinion

Looting the republic

A satire depicting the systematic extraction of wealth under the current U.S. regime.

A University of Alaska Fairbanks skater takes the ice against Long Island University in February 2024. Photo courtesy Leif Van Cise

Opinion

The physics of skating and slap shots

When two NHL hockey players collide, their pads and muscles can absorb enough energy to power a 100-watt…

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: It’s OK not to be one of the beautiful people

This is for all of us who don’t have perfect hair — and for those of us with…

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Trying to deny voters a choice is getting to be a bad habit

Alaskans this fall will vote for the third time whether they prefer open primary elections to choose their…

Pam Groves of the University of Alaska Fairbanks looks at bones of ancient creatures she has gathered over the years from northern rivers. The remains here include musk oxen, steppe bison and mammoth. Photo by Ned Rozell

Opinion

What killed the world’s giants?

Most of the large animals that have walked the surface of Earth are no longer here. Why?

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Reelection should not be the measure of success

The Alaska Legislature will reconvene in Juneau in less than two weeks, with a stack of difficult issues…

Four members of the Riley Creek wolf pack, including the matriarch, “Riley,” dig a moose carcass frozen from creek ice in May 2016. National Park Service trail camera photo

Opinion

The Riley Creek pack’s sole survivor

As I was driving down the highway one spring day eight years ago, I saw a shaggy, gray-black…

UAF seismologist Carl Tape, age 9, stands outside on his family’s Fairbanks deck at minus 50 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1989. “Carl was ahead of his time,” said Rick Thoman. “Now people pose in front of the UAF sign.” Photo courtesy Walt Tape

Opinion

Fuzzy memories of a real Alaska cold snap

More than 35 years have ticked away since I turned my pickup left onto a North Pole road…

Community members enjoy skating at Kevin Bell Arena during the Christmas Eve community free skate on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Community

Out of the Office: A metaphor on ice

I went ice skating for the first time in years last week, during the annual community Christmas Eve…

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Low oil prices a ‘bah humbug’ for state treasury

It’s the season of warm wishes, goodwill, families and friends. It’s a time for gifts, sharing old memories…

James Havens of Anchorage painted this image of a woolly mammoth that illustrated a cover of Science magazine in which appeared the work of UAF’s Matthew Wooller and his colleagues. Photo provided by Ned Rozell

Opinion

A whale of a mammoth tale

Matthew Wooller couldn’t believe his ears after a California researcher rang his cellphone recently.

A graphic depicts where the magnitude 7 Hubbard Glacier earthquake occurred on Dec. 6, 2025, in southeast Alaska. Photo courtesy Ned Rozell

Opinion

A wrinkle beneath the icy face of Alaska

A few days ago, the forces beneath Alaska rattled people within a 500-mile radius: A magnitude 7 earthquake…

A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A vintage Underwood typewriter sits on a table on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Opinion

Opinion: Planet Youth Corner: ‘Play is the work of the child’

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”…