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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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.

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.

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: 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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