Blue light special

What’s it all about, Alfie: Perennially beleaguered retailer Sears has unveiled Alfie, a “voice-controlled intelligent shopper” similar to Amazon’s Echo device, for Sears and Kmart customers.

If Alfie is truly an intelligent device, its primary function will be informing users of the latest Sears and Kmart store closures and suggesting alternative places to shop nearby.

Big hairy deal: In a new exhibit that opens today, the Burke Museum in Seattle draws attention to everything that makes the North Cascades special.

The exhibit includes a display of 40 hairy woodpeckers. We don’t have a joke here; the 12-year-old in us just enjoys saying “hairy woodpecker.”

Don’t overwork your meatloaf: Singer Meat Loaf was recovering like a bat out of hell Friday after collapsing on stage the night before due to dehydration.

Doctors blamed the usual reasons for dried-out meatloaf: bread binder that wasn’t pre-soaked in milk, vegetable filler that wasn’t diced and sauteed, and overuse of packaged gravy powder as a flavoring agent.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

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The City of Everett is set to purchase two single sidewalk restrooms from Romtec, a company based in Roseburg, Ore., for $315,000. (Romtec)
Editorial: Utilitarian but sturdy restrooms should be a relief

Everett is placing four stalls downtown that should be accessible but less prone to problems.

Schwab: What was lost when doctors stopped making house calls

More than just a convenience, a house call could inform a doctor about the patient’s care at home.

Dowd: Biden could take a lesson from Reagan on pace of travel

In his bid to look energetic, the president is jetting around the globe at a clip Nancy Reagan would not approve of.

Krugman: Public’s mood on economy shows a subtle positive shift

It might not provide much help to President Biden, but it may not be as much of a drag on him, either.

Goldberg: Attack on Pride in Colorado further splits the GOP

The state party president, who is running for Congress, is counting on homophobia to secure the base.

Artist Natalie Niblack works amongst her project entitled “33 Birds / Three Degrees” during the setup for Exploring The Edge at Schack Art Center on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. The paintings feature motion-activated speakers that play each bird’s unique call. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: For 50 years Schack Art Center there for creation

The art center is more art studio than museum, supporting artists and fostering creativity in kids.

Snohomish School District’s Clayton Lovell plugs in the district’s electric bus after morning routes on Thursday, March 6, 2024, at the district bus depot in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Money well spent on switch to electric school buses

With grants awarded to local school districts, a study puts a dollar figure on health, climate savings.

Mangrove trees roots, Rhizophora mangle, above and below the water in the Caribbean sea, Panama, Central America
Editorial: Support local newspapers work to hometowns’ benefit

A writer compares them to mangrove trees, filtering toxins and providing support to their neighbors.

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Editorial cartoons for Thursday, June 13

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

Stephens: Only way that Biden can win is not to run

The president can only commit to managing threats; his best chance for victory is to leave the ticket.

Krugman: The wealthy’s support of Trump isn’t just about money

They’re also not crazy about those who — like Biden — don’t pay sufficient deference to them.

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