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: Limit redundant reviews of those providing care

If lawmakers can’t boost funding for supported living, they can cut red tape that costs time.

Opinion

Vote yes on Everett Schools bond; delaying projects will cost more later

The Everett Public Schools bond has a strong values case and should also be evaluated on its merits…

Opinion

Climate crisis is affecting availability of water resources

All over the West, water has become a difficult issue, and a recent Herald article discusses just one…

Opinion

Stephens: Newsom looks good to Democrats; too bad about his record

Democrats looking for a favorite in ‘28 need to look how California has fared with him as governor.

Opinion

Comment: S. Carolina’s measles milestone is everyone’s problem

Now hosting the largest outbreak in 25 years, the state’s measles cases come at a dangerous time for…

Opinion

Comment: Kristi Noem also is failing at directing FEMA

Unfortunately, getting rid of her is unlikely to improve the agency’s disaster response in a time of need.

toon

Opinion

Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 5

A sketchy look at the news of the day.

February 3, 2026: Don and Lemon

Opinion

Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 4

A sketchy look at the news of the day.

Opinion

Welch: To limit DUI wrecks focus on what happens after arrest

Lowering the blood-alcohol limit to .05 targets the wrong drivers and doesn’t address lax follow-up.

Opinion

Vote for Monroe schools bond and levy for needed improvements

I’ve seen a lot of folks toss out “facts” about the Monroe School District and try to use…

Opinion

Bill would hold data centers accountable for energy, water use

I try to hold our electric and water use in check because costs matter. While many of us…

Opinion

Douthat: AI is to future as new world was to 16th century Europe

Europe had little to go on as to the possibilities across the Atlantic. But they didn’t ignore it.

Opinion

ICE agents masking identity is an ominous sign

Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement wear masks for the same reason the Ku Klux Klan wears hoods.

toon

Opinion

Editorial cartoons for Tuesday, Feb. 3

A sketchy look at the news of the day.

FILE — Federal agents arrest a protester during an active immigration enforcement operation in a Minneapolis neighborhood, Jan. 13, 2026. The chief federal judge in Minnesota excoriated Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday, Jan. 28, saying it had violated nearly 100 court orders stemming from its aggressive crackdown in the state and had disobeyed more judicial directives in January alone than “some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.” (David Guttenfelder/The New York Times)

Opinion

Editorial: Ban on face masks assures police accountability

Concerns for officer safety can be addressed with investigation of threats and charges for assaults.

Opinion

Some Everett voters in Mukilteo district; vote for Mukilteo school bond, levy

If you live in Everett, you may still be a Mukilteo School District voter. As a longtime member…

Opinion

Why will South County Fire have two ‘chiefs’ for five months?

The South County Fire District announced the retirement of the current fire chief who has been chief for…

Opinion

Comment: White House will alter reality to fit its narrative

Historical markers and web pages removed. Data deleted. Now, AI is used to alter photos. Truth is being…

Opinion

Klein: Why Canadian leader’s speech revealed Trump’s weakness

Canada’s Mark Carney told the world that Trump has no leverage against those who disregard his threats.

Opinion

Friedman: The disturbing parallels between Gaza and Minneapolis

Trump, Netanyahu and Hamas each seek to capitalize on chaos in the hopes of winning electoral victories.