The Buzz: Kwik-E-eMart

Thank you, come again: Radio Shack, the venerable electronics retailer whose stores you haven’t set foot in since 2002, now seeks to remake itself as a sort of convenience store that sells batteries, smartphone charging cables and earbuds instead of cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets.

In a neat meta touch, they’ll also sell you those electronic chimes that ring whenever someone walks through the door.

Warning: This product may cause you to enjoy the music of Nickelback: The federal government has spent millions on a program that tries to discourage urban hipsters from smoking cigarettes.

Instead of pictures of diseased lungs, the program tries to frighten hipsters with images of middle-age men wearing beige Dockers.

Seven reasons why we don’t know much about history: On this day in 1904, Longacre Square in Manhattan was renamed Times Square after The New York Times.

On this day in near-future history, Times Square in Manhattan will be renamed BuzzFeed Square after the Internet “listicle” purveyor.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: A recap of Herald Editorial Board endorsements

By The Herald Editorial Board Voters, open up your ballots and voters… Continue reading

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Oct. 31

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

Comment: Trump, GOP holding emergency SNAP funds over politics

Even during the shutdown, emergency funds could sustain food aid. It’s just another attack on SNAP.

Comment: Both parties need to work together to end shutdown

With pay halted for many federal workers and services threatened, only cooperation can reopen government.

Comment: Brace for higher health care costs during open enrollment

Federal reductions in subsidies may be joined by drug costs and other inflation for workers’ insurance plans.

Comment: Trump has turned White House into his own golden goose

As he festoons the Oval Office in gold, he’s replacing history with opulence and turning a tidy profit.

Comment: Until robots take over our jobs, who’s going to work?

Declining immigration, an aging population and low fertility rates are working against the supply of labor.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Oct. 29

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

2024 Presidential Election Day Symbolic Elements.
Editorial: Yes on SJR 8201 a prudent investment for WA Cares

Voters should place the long-term care benefit’s fund in the hands of the state investment board.

Welch: Why is our foot on the gas when the wheel is broken?

State and local governments continue to raise taxes without delivering on promises. How do we fix this?

State’s highway maintenance still on ‘glidepath to failure’

Thank you for reprinting Jerry Cornfield’s article from the Washington State Standard… Continue reading

No Kings protests need a unifying slogan

I participated in the “No Kings” rally at Edmonds Municipal Park this… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.