Commentary

Comment: What harms kids more: butts and boogers or book bans?

Banning books deemed too silly or too gross robs kids of an opportunity to understand themselves and each other.

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Comment: Can Netanyahu destroy Hamas and free Hamas’ hostages?

Pressure is growing on the Israeli leader to cut a deal with Hamas for the release of its hostages.

Comment: Local government has work ahead to reflect community

City councils are more likely to better represent a city’s racial makeup. Counties and school districts less so.

Comment: As job market changes, we’ll need more apprenticeships

Reforms to license and tax codes can encourage more industries to offer on-the-job ‘re-skilling.’

Comment: Congress close to deal to expand child tax credit

The expansion isn’t as generous as an earlier credit, but it will help families with basic expenses.

FILE - Old-growth Douglas fir trees stand along the Salmon River Trail, June 25, 2004, in Mt. Hood National Forest outside Zigzag, Ore. The results in early 2023 from the government’s first-ever national inventory of mature and old-growth forests identified more than 175,000 square miles of the forests on U.S. government lands. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Comment: Old-growth forests still the king of carbon capture

Mature and old-growth forests play an out-sized role in keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

FILE - Old-growth Douglas fir trees stand along the Salmon River Trail, June 25, 2004, in Mt. Hood National Forest outside Zigzag, Ore. The results in early 2023 from the government’s first-ever national inventory of mature and old-growth forests identified more than 175,000 square miles of the forests on U.S. government lands. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Comment: Election polls aren’t meant to predict the winner

That’s how the media often use them — misleadingly — but here’s how that information can be better employed.

Sid Schwab’s columns not helping to bridge gap

It is disheartening to see the gap that exists today in our country between liberal and conservative groups. And Herald columnist Sid Schwab’s writings and… Continue reading

Comment: Recycling legislation looks to build on state’s success

Washington is a top recycler, but a bill in Olympia can increase recycling and reduce waste.

Comment: ReWRAP Act can help limit waves of plastic pollution

The legislation would put the onus on companies to aid the reduction and recycling of plastic packaging.

Comment: State’s rare disease patients count on lawmakers’ help

Two bills would improve access and care for the state’s 750,000 people with rare diseases, including my daughter.

Comment: Americans, themselves, must save democracy

Don’t allow yourself to be misguided. Hold our leaders and media accountable for accuracy and action.

Comment: Not too late to see the many benefits of Dry January

Regardless of when you start, 30 days away from alcohol can improve your health, outlook and more.

Comment: What the U.S. now has in common with Norway in 1940

Norway watched in disbelief as the Nazis invaded Norway. What we share is a bias toward normalcy.

Comment: News literacy gains paramount importance this election

To be well-informed voters, news consumers must ask questions about what they read, hear and view.

Comment: Prolonged war in Gaza offers no good end for Netanyahu

Destroying Hamas and saving the hostages in Gaza are justifiable goals but contradictory.

Comment: Studies question ‘regret’ after transgender surgeries

One recent study showed less than 1 percent receiving gender-affirming care regretted the decision.

Comment: Whistle-blowers should step forward on 737 Max issues

What shouldn’t have happened at all has happened again, as failures continue to plague the Max lines.

Comment: Challenge misinformation with a little ‘PEP’

For National News Literacy Week, confront misinformation with patience, empathy and persistence.