Commentary

Comment: Refining a cleaner future for aviation in Washington

The CleanTech Alliance is working with others to develop sustainable aviation fuel to limit emissions.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comment: What hangs in the balance on levy election nights

After 12 years in classrooms, a teacher reflects on what matters to student engagement and achievement.

Mrs. Hildenbrand runs through a spelling exercise with her first grade class on the classroom’s Boxlight interactive display board funded by a pervious tech levy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ec0-nomics: What we risk in inching closer to tipping point

We imagine our climate future based on past events; that’s not what we can expect if we don’t act.

FILE — TikTok content creators at a news conference with several House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. A bill that would force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance — or ban it outright — was passed by the Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Biden; now the process is likely to get even more complicated. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

Comment: Why TikTok’s lawsuit of federal ban isn’t all talk

The social media app’s makers are challenging the ban on legitimate First Amendment grounds.

FILE — TikTok content creators at a news conference with several House Democrats on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. A bill that would force a sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance — or ban it outright — was passed by the Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Biden; now the process is likely to get even more complicated. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
The author’s 19-year-old niece, Veronika, was among seven people killed by a gunman on May 23, 2014, in Isla Vista, Calif.

Comment: I lost my niece to gun violence 10 years ago this week

Since then, Washington state voters and lawmakers have taken bold steps to discourage gun violence.

The author’s 19-year-old niece, Veronika, was among seven people killed by a gunman on May 23, 2014, in Isla Vista, Calif.

Comment: Reroute of Harvey Field runway not worth flood risk

Without a projected need for expansion, the work risks flooding impacts to wildlife and residents.

college graduation exercises

Comment: 5 thoughts for grads as they enter ‘the real world’

Finding satisfaction, meaning, engagment and good pay in one job is rare, but not impossible.

college graduation exercises

Comment: Passing I-2117 would blast hole in transportation fixes

The measure would cut $5.4 billion in funding from work underway on roads, ferries and more.

Eco-nomics: What it takes to take carbon out of energy

The transition to clean energy demands investment in R&D and the grid and streamlining processes.

Comment; Congress is broken, but term limits won’t fix it

Looking at term limits in state legislatures, such reforms have resulted in several drawbacks.

Comment: Turning 65? Here’s what to know about Medicare

You have options, but you’ll need to ask yourself some questions before picking a plan that fits your needs.

Comment: Will voters kill nation’s first long-term care program

Washington has its WA Cares fund, and other states are interested. But will it live past November?

This is a set of Cannabis product icons. This is a set of simple icons that can be used for website decoration, user interface, advertising works, and other digital illustrations.

Comment: What you need to know before talking about cannabis

Legalization has invited new forms — and higher potency — of the drug and its effect on youths’ health.

This is a set of Cannabis product icons. This is a set of simple icons that can be used for website decoration, user interface, advertising works, and other digital illustrations.

Comment: State providing help to family dementia caregivers

Policy and funding adopted by state lawmakers eases demands for those caring for Alzheimer’s patients.

Comment: State’s ‘ban’ of natural gas sets aside a climate tool

A new state law threatens to drive up power costs, burden the grid and work against its climate goals.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, barred from entering the campus, rally outside Columbia University in upper Manhattan on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.  Police later swept onto the campus to clear protesters occupying Hamilton Hall. (Amir Hamja/The New York Times)

Comment: Colleges falling into semantic trap set by the right

As with Vietnam War-era protests, colleges are being goaded into siding with the right’s framing.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, barred from entering the campus, rally outside Columbia University in upper Manhattan on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.  Police later swept onto the campus to clear protesters occupying Hamilton Hall. (Amir Hamja/The New York Times)

Eco-nomics: The climate success we can look forward to

Finding success in confronting climate change demands innovation, will, courage and service above self.

Comment: Innovation, policy join to slash air travel pollution

Technology, aided by legislation, is quickly developing far cleaner fuels to carry air travel into the future.

Comment: Parents can recruit teen’s friends for safer driving

Rather than adding to distractions, peers can encourage safer driving habits for young drivers.

Comment: ‘Security risk’ excuse fails against peaceful protest

Police were called in to break up a protest at USC that included yoga, kite-making and a Jewish hymn reading.