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Workers at MW's Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville remove large unrecyclable materials, like plastic sheeting, from a conveyor belt. Optical scanners and other equipment sort most of the material processed at the center. (The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Encourage recycling by increasing use of material

Recycling legislation can create a better market for material by increasing its use in packaging.

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)

Opinion

Editorial: A chance to balance interests of homeless, cities

A bill in the state House would require camping ordinances to meet ‘objectively reasonable’ standards.

Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project volunteer Kris Niznik, left, helps clinic technician Joan Hovis prep cats for their spay and neuters on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Feral or tame, project gets fix on unfixed cats

Feral Cat Project’s new Lynnwood clinic aids work to spay and neuter cats to control their numbers.

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Steer clear of the state’s gas tax dead end

The gas tax is bringing in less revenue for transportation needs. A per-mile fee is the answer.

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, a man using an electronic cigarette exhales in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, the American Medical Association said it is calling for an immediate ban on all electronic cigarette and vaping devices. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Shut down flavored tobacco’s gateway to youths

Legislation in Olympia would bar the use of flavors and menthol in vape products and cigarettes.

Rivian, based in Irvine, Calif., has introduced its new R2 models, smaller and more affordable SUVs. (Rivian)

Opinion

Editorial: Open electric vehicle market to direct sales

Legislation would allow EV makers to sell directly to customers, making lease or purchase easier.

People walk adjacent to the border with Canada at the Peace Arch in Peace Arch Historical State Park, where cars behind wait to enter Canada at the border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. Canada lifted its prohibition on Americans crossing the border to shop, vacation or visit, but America kept similar restrictions in place, part of a bumpy return to normalcy from coronavirus travel bans. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Opinion

Editorial: U.S. and Canada better neighbors than housemates

President Trump may be serious about annexing Canada, but it’s a deal fraught with complexities for all.

CNA Nina Prigodich, right, goes through restorative exercises with long term care patient Betty Long, 86, at Nightingale's View Ridge Care Center on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Boost state Medicaid funding for long-term care

With more in need of skilled nursing and assisted-living services, funding must keep up to retain staff.

bar graph, pie chart and diagrams isolated on white, 3d illustration

Opinion

Editorial: Don’t let state’s budget numbers intimidate you

With budget discussions starting soon, a new website explains the basics of state’s budget crisis.

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)

Opinion

Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)

Opinion

Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news…

Jayden Hill, 15, an incoming sophomore at Monroe High School is reflected in the screen of a cellphone on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Students need limits on cellphones in school

School districts needn’t wait for legislation to start work on policies to limit phones in class.

Brecca Yates (left) helps guide dental student Kaylee Andrews through a crown prep exercise at Northshore Dental Assisting Academy on in April, 2021 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)

Opinion

Editorial: Give dental patients’ coverage some teeth

Bills in Olympia would require insurers to put at least 85 percent of premiums toward patient care.

Advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rallied on the state capitol steps on Jan. 17. The group asked for rate increases for support staff and more funding for affordable housing. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Opinion

Editorial: Support those caring for state’s most vulnerable

Increasing pay for care workers of those with developmental disabilities can save the state money.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Jan. 21, 2019. (Sarah Silbiger/The New York Times)

Opinion

Editorial: What would MLK Jr. do? What, now, will we do?

Monday marks the presidential inauguration and the King holiday, offering guidance on the way forward.

Veterinarian Bethany Groves, center, performs surgery on a Laysan albatross on Feb. 15, 2023 at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) wildlife center in Lynnwood, Washington. (Photo courtesy Anthony Denice)

Opinion

Editorial: Vet shortage requires more access at WSU school

Adding 20 in-state tuition slots can bolster veterinarian ranks and serve animals and people.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephenson, center, talks with Alaska Airlines Inc. CEO Brad Tilden after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Paine Field passenger terminal on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Opinion

Editorial: Alliance makes renewed pitch for economic efforts

Leading in the interim, former Everett mayor Ray Stephanson is back as a catalyst for growth.

Participants in Northwest WA Civic Circle's discussion among city council members and state lawmakers (clockwise from left) Mountlake Terrace City Council member Dr. Steve Woodard, Stanwood Mayor Sid Roberts, Edmonds City Council member Susan Paine, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek; Herald Opinion editor Jon Bauer, Mountlake Terrace City Council member Erin Murray, Edmonds City Council member Neil Tibbott, Civic Circle founder Alica Crank, and Rep. Shelly Kolba, D-Kenmore.

Opinion

Editorial: State, local leaders chew on budget, policy needs

Civic Circle, a new nonprofit, invites the public into a discussion of local government needs, taxes and tools.

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Opinion

Editorial: News media must brave chill that some threaten

And readers should stand against moves by media owners and editors to placate President-elect Trump.