Opinion
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Malden residents will rebuild their tapestry of life
“Are you guys OK?” It’s the first thing we say to each other in the Malden/Pine City area these days. Once that question is answered, it is immediately followed by “Is your house OK?” We lost so much on Labor Day. Our... — Updated 9/17/2020
Dave Wilson will listen and personally respond in the 5th District
After reading and watching the news online and on TV, it appears that our country is divided into those who care about property and those who care about people, and most astute observers could easily identify which political party... — Updated 9/17/2020
Business, drones helping to restore scorched forestlands
Replanting the millions of acres scorched by wildfires in our western woodlands will be herculean task priced in the hundreds of billions. Thankfully, many businesses, such as Bank... — Updated 9/17/2020
Curious irony with Cheney's online learning
I read with interest the Cheney Free Press’ “Back to School” supplement which detailed Cheney School District officials’ timid decision to open the school year with on-line instruction only. (Cyberspace, apparently,... — Updated 9/10/2020
Finne, Free Press miss point of local bus drivers
I hope that the Free Press isn’t going to make a habit of credulously reprinting the usual tripe from Liv Finne (“Gov. Inslee funding unnecessary union job,” Sept. 3, 2020), because in her customary style the column is a load... — Updated 9/10/2020
More calls for a special session
Voices across the state continue to ask the Governor to call a special session to allow lawmakers to balance the budget and address COVID-19 related policies. A special session would provide the legislative branch of government... — Updated 9/10/2020
Better forest management could fix many problems
Not only is the world in the grasp of the COVID-19 pandemic, but America’s western wildlands are burning up, as well. California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters his state has a... — Updated 9/10/2020
Support Eastern Washington independence
In the recent primary, King County overwhelmingly voted for “Unlawful Inslee.” “Unlawful” because a flu-like virus that does not increase the death rate does not constitute a disaster that warrants emergency powers.... — Updated 9/3/2020
Gov. Inslee funding unnecessary union job
Most schools in Washington state will remain closed this fall. Some school districts are tightening their belts in anticipation of the COVID-19 budget cuts that are coming. But last week Gov. Jay Inslee bypassed the Legislature... — Updated 9/3/2020
It's time to call a special legislative session
Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives approved legislation calling for Gov. Brad Little to end his state’s emergency declaration. Shortly thereafter, the Idaho Senate... — Updated 9/3/2020
For patients, insurers must begin counting the coupons
COVID-19 is ravaging the nation — and taking a devastating toll on those living with chronic illnesses. In New York City, our nation’s epicenter, 94 percent of those hospitalized with the virus had a major underlying health... — Updated 8/27/2020
Colder weather could further chill restaurant recovery
Sunny summer weather helped restaurant owners and workers recover after they were broadsided by the coronavirus pandemic last March. However, as fall morphs into winter and diners... — Updated 8/27/2020
Administration runs roughshod over Bill of Rights
Donald Trump and his staff have finally gone beyond a point of no return for me. The occupation of Portland, Oregon by some type of federal police violates several amendments in the Bill of Rights, most noticeably the Fourth... — Updated 8/20/2020
Eliminating trade barriers helps U.S. and Canada recoverery
The U.S.-Canada border will remain closed for non-essential travel until at least Sept. 21. President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau mutually agreed to seal the world’s longest non-militarized border back in March to slow the... — Updated 8/20/2020
New nuclear needs solution inclusion
If Americans are to receive all of their electricity without coal and natural gas by 2035, they will need nuclear power. Even if Washingtonians, who already procure over 70 percent... — Updated 8/20/2020
McMorris Rodgers needs our blessing to do right
Each morning my husband and I read “365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World” by Pierre Pradervand, which among others encourages blessings for people engaged in different occupations, including politicians. Today I want... — Updated 8/13/2020
Washington has too many statewide elected officials
With the August primary in the books let’s work to reduce the number of statewide elected offices. At present the people of Washington elect officials to nine statewide offices (not counting justices to the state supreme court).... — Updated 8/13/2020
Important Columbia, Snake river dams must stay
Dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers provide an appropriate balance between the economic needs of Eastern Washington and fish protections. While we already knew that here in... — Updated 8/13/2020
It's Democrats who won't accept election results
In his column, contributor Mel Gurov frets that President Trump might not accept the results of the fall election if they are not in his favor and sheds considerable crocodile tears over the consequence to democracy. Honestly, Mr.... — Updated 8/6/2020
How will history view COVID-19 measures whiners?
My Dad was born in October, 1917, in New Cumberland, West Virginia, my Mum in November, 1919, in Somerset, England. During Dad’s first year of life, the 1918 flu pandemic struck; Mum’s first year was during the second year... — Updated 8/6/2020
Gutting Patent Protection Won't Cure COVID-19
To ensure that coronavirus vaccines and treatments are “available at a price affordable to all people,” Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and several other House Democrats recently proposed a radical solution to the coronavirus... — Updated 8/6/2020
West Plains Chamber of Commerce offers small business help
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and on July 27, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with other regional partners launched the OPENTogether Small Business and Non-profit Grant program to help... — Updated 8/6/2020
EWU president's resignation sought
I’d like to share an open letter to Dr. Mary Cullinan, president of Eastern Washington University: Dear Dr. Cullinan: Quit. Just quit. Please consider doing the honorable thing and resign your position as president of EWU as a... — Updated 7/30/2020
Initiative 1114 would end governor's overreach
Gov. Jay Inslee may order quarantines and business shutdowns, but he cannot enforce them. In agreeing with that argument — presented by attorneys for the governor — U.S.... — Updated 7/30/2020
Refusing election results could initiate democracy's nightmare
By now it is an established fact that Donald Trump may, or may not, accept the results of the presidential election. He will definitely accept a win, and he “will have to see” about accepting a defeat. If he is soundly... — Updated 7/30/2020
