Current weather conditions: Partly Cloudy, 47 degrees Fahrenheit
47° F
Partly Cloudy
Observed from
Olympia
Nisqually Valley News logo
Log in
Commentary
Sort by: Featured Most recent
383 results total, viewing 101 - 120
Thurston County commissioner Wayne Fournier speaks about Edward Jones and growth in Tenino during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hallett, Conklin, Whitworth, Horning Team of Edward Jones at their new location in Tenino on Tuesday, Oct, 14.
Wayne Fournier commentary: What the bell doesn’t tell you after cancer treatment ends
In the first months after cancer treatment ends, people often ask the same question: How does it feel to be done? It’s an understandable question. We like clean endings. We like the idea that … more
|
Photo Caption
Commentary: Washington hid in-home childcare records; Minnesota shows why it was a grave mistake
Washington has been down this road before.  In 2016, voters were presented with Initiative 1501, marketed as a commonsense measure to protect seniors from identity theft.  The … more
|
Washington state Sen. John Braun
John Braun commentary: In Olympia, the response is ‘more taxes’ when it should be ‘less spending’
It didn’t take long for majority Democrats in our state Legislature to jump off the affordability bandwagon. Just five days before this year’s session convened, my counterpart on the … more
|
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, listens during an Environment and Energy Committee public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Olympia.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Washington state attorney general’s new authority puts jobs at risk
Washingtonians value clean air, clean water and responsible environmental stewardship. Our farmers, ranchers, shellfish growers and skilled trades workers depend on it. So do our families. But … more
|
A rack holds various e-cigarettes and vaping pens prepared for testing inside a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory.
Commentary: Stronger enforcement, effective policy: Protecting kids without fueling the Illicit market
Washington lawmakers deserve credit for taking meaningful steps to confront the growing threat of illicit tobacco and vapor products. Stronger enforcement tools, clearer penalties, and a renewed … more
|
Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. His column appears in The Chronicle every two weeks.
Wayne Fournier commentary: Two years after cancer treatment, why I never rang the bell
As I approach the two-year mark since completing cancer treatment, I’ve found myself reflecting more than I expected. Not because of a scan or an appointment, but because of people. Recently, … more
|
Photo Caption
Commentary: Rule of law takes a hit in Washington with unconstitutional income tax vote
It takes 33 votes to advance a constitutional amendment in the Washington State Senate. In a universe where the Washington Legislature cared about the rule of law and honoring state supreme court … more
|
Rob Richards is a Navy veteran and former congressional staffer who has been an active community member in Thurston County for over two decades.
Commentary: Building bridges in Thurston County — Why local action matters more than ever
Thurston County is shaped by the state government in Olympia, fast-growing urban areas along I-5, and our rural communities from the Black Hills to the Nisqually Valley. We need to remember that our … more
|
A Sound Transit Link light rail train is stopped at a station as riders use the stairs and escalator to exit.
Commentary: Washington legislation would target parked cars to pay for light rail cost overruns
A new bill in Washington state would target parked vehicles for expired registration. Senate Bill 6172 could be voted on by the Senate soon. The measure received backlash from local radio and online … more
|
The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Commentary: Proposed tax on advertising would have widespread consequences
In the Washington state Senate’s tax bill, SSB 6113, a small paragraph poses devastating consequences to our communities: it would create a new tax on advertising that has until now been … more
|
Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun commentary: Olympia’s concern for affordability continues to be one-sided
Republicans still seem to be alone at the state Capitol when it comes to knowing what “affordability” truly means. The proof is in the nearly 70 bills proposed or reintroduced by majority … more
|
Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, speaks in favor of House Bill 2343 during an Environment and Energy Committee public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Olympia.
Peter Abbarno commentary: When government stops listening, public trust is at risk
For more than a century, Washingtonians have exercised a powerful constitutional tool: the initiative process. It exists so that, when the Legislature falters, or citizens feel ignored by the … more
|
Rob Richards is a Navy veteran and former congressional staffer who has been an active community member in Thurston County for over two decades.
The child care fraud hoax — distracting us from corporate greed once again
In the 1990’s, the Clinton administration gutted welfare programs, taking benefits away from millions of people, especially working mothers in our country who needed them to survive. They created … more
|
The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Commentary: Washington’s competitive edge is eroding
Washington has long been a high-cost state for employers, but new data show the state is increasingly losing its competitive edge in key areas.  Job growth is stalling, the business climate … more
|
State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
John Braun commentary: The problem is Democrats’ thirst for money, not the state tax code
For more than a decade, Democrats in Olympia have complained our state’s tax code is overly regressive. That claim is made again, predictably, in Senate Bill 6346, the legislation they filed Feb. 3 … more
|
Sen. Jeff Wilson speaks during a vigil to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Jeff Wilson commentary: ‘Initiative Killer’ on the loose — bill squelches a cherished right
Last month, I found myself in a committee hearing room in Olympia, listening to a panel of labor-union officials testify in favor of sharp restrictions on initiative signature drives. They said … more
|
Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate.
Wayne Fournier commentary: Leadership isn’t about being the brightest light
I said it in my last column, and I’ll say it again: leadership isn’t about being the brightest light in the room. It’s about making sure the room is lit well enough for everyone else to see — … more
|
Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans part of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun commentary: Democrats’ no-mask bill is unenforceable, distracts from real issues
Whether officials in our state like it or not, federal officers have a responsibility to enforce federal laws. That doesn’t change just because the enforcement efforts have unforeseen consequences, … more
|
From the left, Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, talks to Centralia Public Works Director Andy Oien and Centralia Mayor Norm Chapman following a public hearing on House Bill 2343 on Thursday, Jan. 22, in Olympia.
Peter Abbarno commentary: Local challenges, local solutions — building a stronger community together
As your representative, I have always believed that the best solutions to our challenges don’t come from a top-down approach in Olympia. They come from listening to neighbors, understanding local … more
|
The Capitol Building is seen on the night of Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Olympia.
Commentary: Terrible time to shut down oversight of Washington state children’s agency
When Olympia says, "Don’t look here," it’s time to start looking really, really hard. Minnesota’s deepening Somali daycare fraud scandal naturally is prompting questions about whether the same … more
|
« Prev | 1 … 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 … 20 | Next »
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.

© 2026 CT Publishing LLC yelmonline.com
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions