Ahoy, matey!

Captain crunch: The Washington State Ferry system is hiring a professional recruiter and extending its application deadline to find a new assistant secretary of transportation to lead the ferry fleet.

State transportation officials said they wanted to take additional time to make sure the person they hire doesn’t list to one side and wouldn’t have to be loaded with ballast to work properly.

“Oh, Gilligan! Not again!” Amazon is rolling out a new service for its Kindle e-book readers that allows subscribers to read as many books as they like for $9.99 a month, a service likened to Netflix. But some major publishers aren’t participating, meaning many new and popular titles won’t be available to subscribers.

So, yes, it’s exactly like Netflix, if Netflix only offered unlimited viewing of “Gilligan’s Island” reruns.

It’s a small check after all: Walt Disney World has reached a tentative agreement with its largest union group, agreeing to raise the starting hourly pay of its Florida theme park employees to $9 an hour from $8 an hour.

Workers celebrated the pay raise. Winnie the Pooh said he planned to get his honey jar out of hock. Donald Duck had a bill 90 days past due from his speech therapist. And repo men were threatening to tow Cinderella’s pumpkin.

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Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, April 16

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A new apple variety, WA 64, has been developed by WSU's College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. The college is taking suggestions on what to name the variety. (WSU)
Editorial: Apple-naming contest fun celebration of state icon

A new variety developed at WSU needs a name. But take a pass on suggesting Crispy McPinkface.

Liz Skinner, right, and Emma Titterness, both from Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, speak with a man near the Silver Lake Safeway while conducting a point-in-time count Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The man, who had slept at that location the previous night, was provided some food and a warming kit after participating in the PIT survey. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Among obstacles, hope to curb homelessness

Panelists from service providers and local officials discussed homelessness’ interwoven challenges.

Harrop: Expect no compromise from anti-abortion right

And no clarity from Donald Trump regarding his position, at least until he’s back in office.

Comment: What pregnant professor fears of Arizona’s abortion ban

There unease for women, even for wanted pregnancies, because of what the ban means for care.

Comment: Transgender care bans ignore science, humanity

Most laws banning care for youths are based on falsehoods about medicine and mental health.

FILE - In this photo taken Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee is joining state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to propose limits to magazine capacity and a ban on the sale of assault weapons. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Editorial: ‘History, tradition’ poor test for gun safety laws

Judge’s ruling against the state’s law on large-capacity gun clips is based on a problematic decision.

This combination of photos taken on Capitol Hill in Washington shows Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., on March 23, 2023, left, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Nov. 3, 2021. The two lawmakers from opposing parties are floating a new plan to protect the privacy of Americans' personal data. The draft legislation was announced Sunday, April 7, 2024, and would make privacy a consumer right and set new rules for companies that collect and transfer personal data. (AP Photo)
Editorial: Adopt federal rules on data privacy and rights

A bipartisan plan from Sen. Cantwell and Rep. McMorris Rodgers offers consumer protection online.

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Comment: Are we getting our money’s worth from our taxes?

Most Europeans pay higher taxes, but add up our taxes and what we pay out of pocket and we’re seeing less.

Comment: Racial divide over O.J.’s trial is as fresh as ever

The trial divided friends and communities on issues of race and justice.

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