Cheney Free Press -

When Oregon enacted the nation’s first bottle bill in 1971, it was intended to reduce litter on the state’s beaches, along roads, and in parks. It was a cleanup, not a recycling program. Today, the focus is recycling empty... — Updated 6/8/2023

Relying on increased wind and solar is likely to increase electricity costs for residents in Washington and Idaho, and make electricity less reliable. Advocates of wind and solar frequently point to is the claim that the fuel is... — Updated 6/8/2023

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which allocated $386 billion for clean energy, is a major breakthrough in our nation’s struggle to address climate change. The IRA can decrease our carbon emissions 40% by 2030, putting us... — Updated 6/8/2023

For all the talk about Washington state’s unfair regressive sales tax, this also is a regressive tax,” writes the editorial board at the Tri-City Herald. “Think about it. Every worker is supposed to pay into the program, but... — Updated 6/1/2023

In a victory for private property owners, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the “significant nexus” test in its Sackett v EPA ruling. The ruling changes how “waters of the United States” can be applied by leaving wetlands... — Updated 6/1/2023

An “aha” moment – a time when make that brilliant “I’m going to do it” decision. I got mine after reading “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell and studying up on my favorite Purple Heart recipient, Army Staff Sgt. Ty... — Updated 5/25/2023

Although New Zealand and Washington are located a half-a-world apart, they have lots in common---beautiful seashores, majestic mountains, crystal clear streams and lakes, and vibrant salmon and trout fisheries. Both are struggling... — Updated 5/25/2023

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is busy signing bills. I think he should start putting his John Hancock on apology letters to former state workers who were terminated because of his vaccine mandate.  I doubt he will. In a press... — Updated 5/19/2023

The state Legislature is headed back to Olympia this week for a special session specifically to deal with the prospect of all drugs becoming legal July 1. Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, says he hopes lawmakers will pass a new... — Updated 5/19/2023

In a shameful abdication of their duty and moral obligation to the people of Cheney, 5 of 7 elected City Council members voted May 9 – against the resounding opposition of their constituents – to approve rezoning a north... — Updated 5/19/2023

President Joe Biden is seeking re-election. I wish he were younger and I might favor other Democrats — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and 2020 presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker come to mind. But Biden’s... — Updated 5/12/2023

Throughout our state, fruit trees are blossoming and vibrant tulip fields blooming. Colorful lentils carpet the fields on the Palouse. It’s spring, when photographers and sightseers have a field day. While spring is... — Updated 5/12/2023

A May 1 press release from the White House announced that the Biden administration has started the process to end COVID-19 vaccine rules placed on health care facilities receiving Medicaid and Medicare. A vaccine mandate on federal... — Updated 5/12/2023

This session saw some bipartisan successes as lawmakers and citizens were in Olympia together for the first time in nearly three years. That in-person interaction is always key for working relationships and good workable solutions... — Updated 5/5/2023

By Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, Republican Caucus Chair Beef Day is the second-best day of the legislative session, next to the last day. Probably the best news about the 2023 legislative session is that we adjourned on time, a... — Updated 5/5/2023

By Douglas Brunell The Cheney city council is not a democracy, but, rather, it is communism. There are three mistakes that the Cheney city council made that proves that this is communism in the Cheney city council, which are as... — Updated 5/5/2023

On Earth Day this year, I will be planting two trees in a local park. This is not a political act. And yet, there are many who will see it that way because it occurs on a day politicians and environmental activists – especially... — Updated 4/27/2023

By Don C. Brunell President Biden is unwisely “throttling up” plans to ditch carbon fuels unilaterally despite the extreme consequences of doing so. He wants to accelerate replacement of gas/diesel vehicles with electrics... — Updated 4/27/2023

A miracle of sorts took place under the Capitol dome on April 23. The state Legislature adjourned its 2023 legislative session without raising taxes. I want to point it out because I’m not sure anyone outside Olympia will... — Updated 4/27/2023

Last week, a parents group filed a complaint against Pathfinder K-8 Public School in Seattle for racial discrimination.  The civil rights group filed a complaint on April 11 with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S.... — Updated 4/20/2023

For the past 33 years, my wife and I have lived in a house near State Route 904, which connects Cheney to Interstate 90. When we bought our house in 1990, this highway had only a modest amount of traffic on it. Turning onto the... — Updated 4/20/2023

Individuals and families continue to face high inflation and other cost-of-living challenges. When everything costs a little more, it can add up to a lot of economic anxiety. For many families now, it’s not about whether they... — Updated 4/20/2023

By Don C. Brunell Today, employers continue to struggle finding enough workers while attempting to bring people back to the office (work sites). A key problem is there simply aren’t enough people to fill available jobs. The U.S.... — Updated 4/14/2023

By Sen. Mike Padden In recent years, drunk and drug-impaired driving has become a greater problem on Washington’s roads and highways. It is a major reason for the alarming increase in accidents and traffic deaths and injuries. Ju... — Updated 4/14/2023

By Sen. Keith Wagoner On the Saturday before Easter, the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed what they call an “assault weapons ban.” In reality, the bill targets several of the most popular sporting and self-defense fir... — Updated 4/14/2023