Child categories
| Category | Path |
|---|---|
| Editorial | /Opinion/Editorial |
| Letters-to-the-editor | /Opinion/Letters-to-the-editor |
LETTER: Cut to Pre-K disturbing; however...
Your article regarding a 25% cut to Pre-K programs was disturbing and prompted me to do further research. Supt. Chris Reykdal (D), whom I voted for, blames Democrats in the Legislature and Gov. Bob Ferguson (D). Reykdal thinks pressure from in-home care providers combined with purely wanting to save money influenced the final decision. Being a Democrat myself, and knowing Democrats value education, it appears that an important part of this article is missing. That missing information would be about the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP). The success of Pre-K is undeniable; however, it does not offer family and health services and does not focus on children with the least opportunities (poverty, unstable housing, poor educational resources, etc.) as does ECEAP. These are strong predictors of future low earnings.
LETTER: City council should value museum
As concerned, involved members of the community we were surprised, and troubled, to see the 04.16.26 Columbia Basin Herald news article depicting how low the Moses Lake City Council members ranked the Moses Lake Museum and Art Center. The Museum and Art Center is a vital, and integral, part of our community. It serves our entire population with art exhibits, education through a wide variety of classes and speakers, school field trips, entertainment, unique shopping opportunities, free activities for families, a forum for local artists, and area history preservation all of which are found nowhere else in the community.
LETTER: FBI director disrespected sacred site
The Pearl Harbor Memorial is not a tourist attraction. It is not a playground. It is not a place for thrill seeking or “exclusive experiences.” It is a burial site, a sacred tomb for the men who died aboard the USS Arizona when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Their bodies remain in that ship. Their spirits remain in that water. And for generations, Americans have treated that place with the reverence it deserves. That is why the news of Kash Patel snorkeling at this Memorial is nothing short of shocking. It is disrespectful. And in my humble opinion, it is a desecration of an underwater tomb.
LETTER: Numbers matter
The Moses Lake School District's report card from the (Washington) Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction indicates that 2% of our students are homeless, equating to 180 students. The most recent Point-In-Time count for Grant County identified 64 unsheltered individuals and 68 sheltered homeless people, for a total of 132. Only six children were counted among the unsheltered households. Is the MLSD overcounting or is the county undercounting? These numbers matter. They impact real people with real barriers to a successful adulthood.
LETTER: It’s time for our leaders to listen to the people
In her “I Remember Korea,” Linda Granfield includes a letter by James Landrum titled “Special Missions.” Reflecting on the terrible cost of a war the Japanese people never wanted, Landrum wrote: “The warlords had not learned from the people.” That single sentence captures what I – and many other Americans – sense today. Too many leaders in Washington, D.C. seem to hang their morality on the coat rack when they report for work and then pursue power, wealth, and immorality at great cost to ordinary Americans. What such leaders forget is legion, but among those ideals are these: morality is never optional; the Golden Rule is always the best option; and living in peace with other nations is always a choice. We can see this clearly in Costa Rica, which abolished its military in 1948 and has lived in peace for nearly 80 years. Other nations – Panama, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, Nauru, and Vatican City – show that peace is not naïve; it is a deliberate national decision. These countries chose peace. Why can’t we?
LETTER: Reflecting on America’s 250th Anniversary
How do the freedoms granted us as Americans shape our lives? How do we define ourselves? What does the Declaration of Independence mean when it says to “mutually pledge to each other”? The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence marks an occasion for us to celebrate, but also to pause and reflect. This country finds itself at this historic moment in a place of increased division. At the same time, we hear from our communities a clear yearning for meaningful connection. What does it look like when we sit down together with an open mind and truly listen? Is it possible to bridge some of those gaps and find areas of shared understanding?
LETTER: Better manners would be welcome at graduations
On June 9, our family had the pleasure of attending the Moses Lake High School graduation ceremony at Lions Field. It was the 11th graduation ceremony for us since 1978. The wind was really blowing, but with caps flying all over, it was really good. All the 300-some graduates turned their tassels and filed out together with loud applause, music and cheers, the way it should be. On June 18, my great-nephew graduated from the flight program at Big Bend’s ceremony at Lions Field. “The Squad” from the coast were here, plus us. Everything went well for quite some time.
AI overreliance is holding back local artists
It’s not often that I’m on social media, honestly the only time I am is usually work related, but in recent times I have noticed a disturbing trend. Most of the posts that I’m seeing these days...are not real.
GUEST COMMENTARY: The progress at Moses Lake is worth continuing
For decades, Moses Lake has been one of the Columbia Basin's greatest assets. It supports recreation, tourism, local businesses and a quality of life that attracts people to this region. Whether it's fishing, boating, swimming, or simply enjoying time on the water, Moses Lake plays an important role in our community and local economy. It has also faced significant challenges. For years, harmful algal blooms fueled by excess phosphorus have impacted water quality and raised concerns about the future of the lake. Residents have watched as blooms became more frequent, threatening recreation, aquatic health and public confidence in one of our region's most important natural resources.
COMMENTARY: The Fourth of July isn’t just about fireworks – it’s about showing up
By the time the sun sets on the Fourth of July, we’ll be gathered in parks, lining sidewalks and watching fireworks light up the sky. It’s a tradition that most of us look forward to every year. But as meaningful as those moments are, they only touch part of what this holiday is about. Independence Day isn’t just something we celebrate; it’s something we take part in. Freedom doesn’t just take care of itself. It’s not kept alive by parades or speeches alone. It lasts because ordinary people show up, day after day, in ways that don’t always get noticed.
