Outside of the Marysville Opera House on Sept. 16, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Now showing: The 114-year-old Marysville Opera House reclaims the spotlight.

Under the city’s direction, the theater offers music, art and bingo.

Charlie Brown and his little pals from the “Peanuts” gallery will gather once again for the special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and Apple TV+ is gifting non-subscribers with a free viewing from Dec. 22 through 25.

Opinion

Comment: Finding wisdom and hope in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

A 60-year-old cartoon and its melancholic soundtrack got our mixed-up feelings right about the holidays.

Winter in a peasant village, painted by the Limbourg brothers and published in the medieval illuminated manuscript ‘Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.’ Pierce Archive LLC/Buyenlarge via Getty Images

Opinion

Comment: Medieval peasants may have enjoyed holidays more than you

Life wasn’t as bleak as many imagine, and Christmas celebrations with food and drink lasted months.

Opinion

Comment: What would surprise Jesus about Christmas in 2025

A conversation with New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, author of ‘Love Thy Stranger.’

Opinion

Comment: A case for childlike wonder in our grown-up world

The Elf on the Shelf isn’t enchanted, of course, but what do we lose in telling ourselves it…

Opinion

Comment: Making space at our tables at holidays and all days

Efforts for DEI don’t have to water down celebrations. They are an opportunity to highlight all cultures.

Opinion

Welch: State’s climate act failing to deliver on promises

The law was sold, in part, on building resilience against flooding. How has that worked out?

Opinion

Douthat: Rubio, quietly, is influencing Trump’s foreign policy

And that influence speaks to his ability to serve Trump while playing his own long game.

Opinion

Harrop: Fight or flight: The response of two GOP congresswomen

Both Liz Cheney and Marjorie Taylor Greene objected to Trump. One ran and lost. The other just ran.

Opinion

Comment: A last-minute guide for giving gifts to kids

Consider age, temperament and finding game and play experiences you can share with your child.

Opinion

Comment: It’s not too late to protect against risk of flu

Cases of flu are growing and a new strain may be more infectious than viruses in past years.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert is lifted up by his teammates after scoring the game-winning 2-point conversion against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Sports

Seahawks’ Eric Saubert relishes unlikely hero role

How unlikely a Seahawks hero is Eric Saubert?

Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 5, 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)

Sports

Darnold, Smith-Njigba among six Seahawks selected for the Pro Bowl

Win, and watch the awards and attention flow in.

Kitburi works on some final touches of his ice sculpture on Sept. 17, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Life

Cool Artist thinks outside the block

Champion ice carver Chan Kitburi freezes the moment.

Opinion

Eco-Nomics column: Roberts remains a leader on climate

It’s getting hard to tell allies from antagonists in politics and climate change efforts. It’s not hard to…

Opinion

Kristof: Sidestep Trump’s vitriol and do something to help

Rather than heaping scorn on the graves of parents, we need to reach out to neighbors in crisis.

Opinion

Klein: The Trump ‘vibe shift’ peaked a long time ago

It died over Trump’s failed economic promises. And that’s key to a Democratic response.

Opinion

Comment: Why Republicans can’t agree on health care legislation

If they can find some consensus — and name the bill for Trump — they might forge a…

People listen as Rick Steves announces he has purchased the Jean Kim Foundation Hygiene Center property so the center can stay open on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: The message in philanthropic gifts large and small

Travel advocate Rick Steves is known for his philanthropy but sees a larger public responsibility.

Opinion

District follows First Amendment with rules for LifeWise

The Herald has reported that Lifewise, a midday Bible education program, has sued the Everett School District for…