Opinion / Guest Column
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Beef Cattle Mythbuster
Dr. Don Llewellyn Livestock Extension Specialist Director, WSU Lincoln County Extension, Davenport, WA Myth: The mystique of "water belly". Here's one that is especially relevant... — Updated 11/23/2022
Lincoln County candidates as Michael Scott quotes
If you read the headline of this column and first thought, “what in the world are they talking about,” we don’t blame you. Let us explain. A good chunk of our staff was born in the dreaded millennial era, and sadly, many from... — Updated 11/17/2022
Don't focus on carbon, manage our forests
Forest health, climate change, and a plan that got almost no input before being announced is at the heart of the "carbon project" announced by the Washington State Department of... — Updated 11/17/2022
Remember veterans with more than flag-lowering
Lowering our flags to half-staff is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed forces or police officers killed in the line of duty.... — Updated 11/10/2022
Crimes increase; education decreases
It's no secret that crime has worsened throughout Washington in recent years, thanks to laws passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature and a decrease in the number of... — Updated 11/3/2022
Recycling lithium batteries must accelerate
Demand for Electric Vehicles (EV) is soaring — accelerated by climate change concerns. EVs reduce tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks and buses which are responsible for 30... — Updated 11/3/2022
New payroll tax in July 2023
A window to apply for an exemption from a payroll tax that begins in July 2023 is still open, but it will only be open for about two more months. It closes Dec. 31. If you're one... — Updated 10/27/2022
Recovery hinges on return to work
To "Build Back America" key workers must return to jobsites. It is not good enough for President Biden to lean back on low unemployment numbers claiming success when employers... — Updated 10/27/2022
Too many predators, not enough prey
We have a predator problem. And hunters are noting that it gets worse with each passing year. In the state Department of Fish and Wildife’s District No. 1 – the northeast corner of the state comprising GMUs 101, 105, 108, 111,... — Updated 10/20/2022
Inslee trading money for booster shots
I recently commented on negotiations between Gov. Jay Inslee and unions on the upcoming contracts for state employees. As I said before, while I don't fault the proposed salary... — Updated 10/13/2022
Long-term care a life need
There wasn't much notice for August's webinar hosted by the WA Cares Fund. It was titled, "Long-Term Care Planning for Near-Retirees." I finally went back for a watch. In addition... — Updated 10/6/2022
Action plans aren't always the greenest
Here is a simple question: How should we measure the success of climate policy? The answer should be, “By maximizing CO2 reduction for every dollar spent.” This smart approach... — Updated 9/29/2022
Who gets to escape the LTC payroll tax
Right now, the only people who can opt out of the WA Cares Fund, a new long-term-care (LTC) program that is supposed to be fueled by a payroll tax on workers, are those who had... — Updated 9/22/2022
Garbage is an important energy source
If you live in Spokane, you know about its waste-to-energy facility which burns up to 800 tons of solid waste a day and can generate 22 megawatts of electricity---enough to power... — Updated 9/22/2022
Restore balance of power in Olympia
Gov. Jay Inslee announced last week that he will finally end governing under an emergency order — after more than 900 days —on Monday, Oct. 31. When the Legislature next... — Updated 9/15/2022
Herculean efforts to reduce Seattle crime
Over the years, Seattle leaders faced “Herculean” challenges yet found the will, resources, and determination to come together and tackle them. Today’s conundrum is to... — Updated 9/15/2022
How Lincoln County roads are funded
Where does all the money for our county roads come from? You may be surprised to know that, in Lincoln County, only about 15% is generated from property tax revenue that is received... — Updated 9/8/2022
Beef Cattle Mythbuster
Myth: It makes no difference if one calculates cow feed intake on a dry matter basis or an as-fed basis. Answer: Oh, but it does matter! Okay, here we go! This is one of those... — Updated 9/8/2022
Labeling can be confusing for consumers
My husband and I recently got into a discussion about the differences in the labeling of chicken. He saw a post on social media outlining the supposed differences between... — Updated 8/25/2022
Inslee's pandemic school closures caused harm
Gov. Jay Inslee responded to the national COVID-19 health crisis by closing the public schools in Washington state to in-person instruction from March 2020 to September 2021 and... — Updated 8/25/2022
Drained Snake River reservoirs would resemble parched Rhine Riverbeds
If you want a glimpse of parched river bottoms behind “would be breached” lower Snake River dams, look at recent photos of European rivers and lakes. On parts of picturesque... — Updated 8/18/2022
Quilts of Valor
The local news coverage of the celebration for units returning from Iraq and Afghanistan left me with mixed emotions. I was delighted that our fighting men and women were being... — Updated 8/18/2022
Bargaining talks demand transparency
There’s a big mystery unfolding in Olympia, but it’s one as predictable as the sunrise. Right now, behind closed doors, the governor and powerful state employee unions are secretly negotiating a pay and compensation budget for... — Updated 8/4/2022
Washington's hospitals in financial trouble
A report released last week by the Washington State Hospital Association indicates that virtually every hospital in the state is in financial trouble. (here) A recent survey... — Updated 8/4/2022
Restoring America's semiconductor edge
Surprisingly, recent U.S. Presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors.... — Updated 7/28/2022
