Editorial
To find our opinion based editorials, see below. We'll share opinion based editorial articles regularly for interested viewers.
A LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER: Why local journalism matters more than ever
There are moments when it’s worth taking a step back and asking a basic question. What really keeps a community un…
NFL players' stance was a job issue, not a constitutional one
Last week President Trump blasted NFL players who chose to kneel or stand together with arms locked during the playing or singing of the national anthem. Calling such behavior disrespectful of our flag and country,…
What can we say to Freeman High School?
The news that a 15-year-old student had opened fire and killed a classmate at tiny Freeman High School struck a familiar note here in the Basin. A little over 20 years ago another boy of similar age killed two clas…
Where we were on 9/11
Every generation has its “Do you remember where you were when you heard?” moment. Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President Kennedy, the Oklahoma City bombing... all marked a turning point in living memory. For …
County made right call with summer burn ban
The heavy smoke clouding the air from several regional wildfires is a reminder of how dry the Columbia Basin and the surrounding area truly is. The shrub-steppe habitat of Eastern Washington, with its thick and bou…
Life in the bus lane
The executive leaving work early (BMW, dress shirt but no tie, 3:30 in the afternoon) had every right to honk at me. I was in the wrong place.
Communication key in Othello bond proposal
Othello schools are bursting at the seams, fraught with overcrowding in kindergarten through eighth grade and grades 9-12. The school district is working to solve the problem and improve conditions for students and…
School choice surges in Washington state and beyond
School choice is the term for giving families the ability to choose the school that is the best fit for their child. Families with economic means already enjoy…
Dan Evans would serve America well
Recently, family, friends and dignitaries gathered at Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles to celebrate the designation of the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness at Olymp…
No change to Big Bend's accreditation
The Aug. 8 article on the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) issuing a “notice of concern” to Big Bend Community College is a sober remi…
Declaration of Independence - Pursuit of happiness
Pursuit of happiness? Are people taught what the phrase means? The United States Constitution does not include the word “happiness.” The meaning, as understood by our forefathers, is equivalent to today’s word “hap…
Farewell, 'Rhinestone Cowboy'
Country music singer Glen Campbell died this week at 81, prompting many heartfelt condolences and tributes. Campbell, a big name in the ’60s and ’70s for the hits “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Southern Nights” and “Wichita…
Congress versus health
People need good medical care, but health insurance is not medical care. Nothing in either the Declaration of Independence or Constitution provides for government healthcare or insurance. The Constitution doesn’t p…
Council needs well-informed members
I’ve been asked what makes me qualified to serve on the city council.
Basin Babe Ruth teams not done yet
As fast as it’s flying by, there’s still plenty of summer left, at least according to the to-do list.
Water rationing spurs finger-pointing, possible solutions
This week’s water rationing order by Moses Lake city officials prompts many questions. Are we running out of water? Is there enough room to support current and future growth? Why are we rationing now? Is the county…