Opinion
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 1444
Wilson trade signals end of an era
“Bye Bye Russ.” That was the text buzzing through my phone from a friend that alerted me to the unthinkable news Seattle Seahawks fans have been secretly dreading but fighting... — Updated 3/10/2022
Ireland: Clean, greener and reopening
When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around March 17, the Irish have lots to celebrate. Ireland is still clean and green. Now, it is spending $15 million to bring visitors back. Irish... — Updated 2/24/2022
No room for coronavirus rebels
“Wear masks!” “Social distance!” “Wash hands!” “Do not gather!” “Don’t be a danger!” “Quarantine!” “Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!” “Follow the science!” “Listen; do not speak!” “Stay in... — Updated 2/24/2022
Broaden Snake River salmon review
Washington Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee announced in October, they’ll listen to diverse viewpoints with open minds to recover salmon and potentially breach the four... — Updated 2/17/2022
We need more nurses, not more regulations
At a recent press conference, Gov. Jay Inslee was asked several questions about the state’s nursing shortage, a problem that existed long before the COVID-19 era. Reporters were stabbing around at various solutions being... — Updated 2/17/2022
Public schools have a lack of funding
Having served as a public school superintendent for 20 years, I wanted to offer some thoughts regarding the recent guest column that ran in the Times titled. "Despite what they... — Updated 2/11/2022
A Tail That Didn't Wag
Early one very cold morning, a knock at the door revealed a couple who were enroute to Canada. The lady was holding a small, quivering, bleeding puppy they found on the Waukon Road who needed medical attention. Seeing a coyote in... — Updated 2/11/2022
What's with 4-H, WSU Extension in Lincoln County?
You may have heard rumors that local funding for these programs could be in jeopardy. That was true on several fronts, but those issues were resolved before the holidays. The... — Updated 2/11/2022
Palouse Falls trails should remain open
Palouse Falls has long been one of my favorite places to hike. Over the years, I’ve hiked the mile or so trek to the top of the main falls on numerous occasions. I’ve hiked it... — Updated 2/10/2022
Drop the assault on natural gas
Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee attempted an end run around the legislature by banning natural gas in new homes and commercial buildings via the state’s building codes. It was a bad... — Updated 2/10/2022
A word from the OMHC Board
First and foremost, Happy New Year to everyone. The year 2021 saw a lot of changes at OMHC, from personnel to a new computer system to figuring out how to spend the CARES funding. It is my belief that 2022 will be somewhat... — Updated 2/3/2022
Emergency powers reform testimony
In an emergency, governors need broad powers to act fast. Legislative bodies inevitably take longer to assemble and act than a single executive, so they temporarily delegate their... — Updated 2/3/2022
Despite what they say, public schools have plenty of funding
As we conclude National School Choice Week 2022, people around Washington state are about to hear a familiar refrain: Public schools need more money. Official reports, however,... — Updated 2/3/2022
Family owned businesses survive bad time
We are only a couple of weeks into 2022 and it is already shaping up to be another challenging year for America’s 5.5 million family businesses dealing with the coronavirus... — Updated 1/27/2022
Restoring faith in public education
How much worse do schools have to get before parents and public officials take a stand? It’s the question many are asking following the release of Washington state’s latest round of poor K-12 public school test scores. The... — Updated 1/27/2022
Privilege serving airmen of Fairchild Air Force Base
For the past 20 months as the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, I’ve had the distinct privilege of working for and serving the Airmen of Fairchild Air Force Base. These men and w... — Updated 1/20/2022
Letter to the Editor
Walk the Talk 1991. South Georgia. A thirteen-year-old white boy goes to a Black girl about his age crying in the grocery store. They talk for a few minutes. Her crying ends. They talk a bit more. He rejoins his family. Her head... — Updated 1/19/2022
Time to replace state's longterm care legislation
The first order of business when Washington state’s Legislature convenes in Olympia is replacing the state’s new long-term care law. It is fatally flawed. Gov. Jay Inslee and... — Updated 1/19/2022
Representing the 9th District
My first session was way back in 1993, and as a freshman state representative, I was very humbled and excited about being elected to serve the people of the 9th District in the House. Now, almost 30 years later, I’m still... — Updated 1/13/2022
Hydroelectric storage yields benefits
Increasing river flows to wash young salmon to sea works; however, once water goes down stream, it is gone. What if we could recycle it in key parts of the Columbia River system... — Updated 1/13/2022
Race inequity taught in public schools
Widespread and irresponsible claims you may have heard that Critical Race Theory (CRT) and race discrimination are not taught in public schools are false. Last month voters elected... — Updated 12/29/2021
Homeschooling will boom long after COVID-19
Public school student enrollment has nosedived as parental disgust with school COVID-19 policies, student learning losses and controversial curricula has gone through the roof. In the wake of this enrollment implosion,... — Updated 12/29/2021
Grinch has slipped into schools
Merry Christmas! There. I said it. Not happy holidays, but Merry Christmas. It’s Christmas time here and around the world. Throughout our region, families are shopping for... — Updated 12/22/2021
End union power, improve education
Earlier this year, state legislative leaders said they wanted to reduce institutional racism in the public schools by enacting Senate Bill 5044 and similar bills to require that... — Updated 12/22/2021