Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Mariners fan and Longview native Jameson Turner celebrates after catching Cal Raleigh's 61st home run of the year during Tuesday's game in Detroit. Underneath, Turner was ready with an updated t-shirt.

Brian Mittge: ‘Dump 61 Here’ guy is a hero for our time

The immortal moments of sport usually happen on the field of play, but sometimes mere mortals on the sidelines or in the stands are elevated to the heights of legend. It happens when a feat of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 10/10/25

Sen. John Braun poses for a photo outside The Chronicle's former office in Centralia on Thursday, July 17.

John Braun: Budget trouble here means federal shutdown will hit harder

Those behind the shutdown of the federal government had to know how their actions could be especially painful at a national level for low-income women with children, the elderly and our military … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun | 10/10/25

Sean Swope: The true meaning of church and state — why America was never meant to separate God from government

America was conceived not in a courtroom or a capitol building, but in the pulpit. Nearly 250 years ago, men like the Rev. Jonathan Mayhew preached liberty long before it was declared in … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 10/9/25

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: Ninth-annual bus tour highlights Washington’s makers

Early in the morning of Oct. 1, a staff team from the Association of Washington Business climbed into a big vinyl-wrapped bus with graphics promoting Washington’s manufacturing sector and set … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 10/9/25

Jean Bluhm is the author of Westminster Presbyterian Church’s history.

Julie McDonald: Thirty-nine pastors led Presbyterians in Chehalis over 170 years

The fellowship hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chehalis bubbled with conversations as current and former members gathered Sunday morning to celebrate the church’s 170th anniversary. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 10/6/25

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: Ferguson blames Trump while taxing state into oblivion

Generally, the fall has been one of my favorite times of the year. But then I was elected sheriff and that changed, as it was budget preparation time. And the message then … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 10/6/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, lifelong union member and former mayor of Tenino.

Wayne Fournier: Let’s talk honestly about Workers’ Bill of Rights and unintended consequences

I am a proud lifelong union member, raised in a family of union leaders. I’m an active member of IAFF Local 315, a former member of IAFF Local 2903, and a former member of WFSE. I’ve been … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 10/6/25

Cathy and Pete Murphy were chosen to be the grand marshals of this weekend’s Onalaska Apple Harvest Festival.

Brian Mittge: Lift a mug of cider to the Murphys, Onalaska Apple Harvest grand marshals

Cathy Murphy, who helped create the Onalaska Alliance (OA) and its signature grand event, the Apple Harvest Festival, was outvoted in a recent important decision by the group she loves. While … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 10/3/25

The entrance of Green Hill School in Chehalis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

John Braun: Cost of Green Hill fentanyl overdose: $12M and a life changed forever

There’s a lot in common between the security and safety issues at Green Hill School, the harm being done to our state’s children by fentanyl, and the staggering cost of financial … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun | 10/3/25

Zac Eckstein is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Party.

Zac Eckstein: It’s Brian Heywood’s Republican Party now

Last week, Washington state Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh echoed Trump's conspiracy theories about grassroots activism and doubled down on claims that protesters who disagree with him are "paid … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 10/3/25

Greg Rohr is the elected executive chair of the Lewis County Republican Party. He can be reached at lcrparty@gmail.com. To learn more about the party, visit https://www.lcrpwa.org.

Greg Rohr: Gathering signatures for initiatives is a right, not a hateful act

There are three statewide initiatives the Lewis County Republican Party is working to gather signatures: IL26-12, IL26-001 and IL126-638. At the same time, there are recent reports of … more

Commentary by Greg Rohr | 10/1/25

Commentary: Washington state’s digital ad tax is unwise, discriminatory and illegal

Idaho’s top real estate agents are not cashing commissions in Boise – they’re writing tax laws in Olympia. Washington state legislators keep raising the cost of doing business so … more

By Amber Gunn / Mountain States Policy Center | 10/1/25

Peter Abbarno: October tax hikes are scary

Washington families, seniors and small business owners are already confronting one of the highest costs of living in America. From food to housing, transportation to childcare, everyday expenses are … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno / R-Chehalis | 9/30/25

Opinion: Let’s talk honestly about Prop 1 and its unintended consequences

I am a proud lifelong union member, raised in a family of union leaders. I’m an active member of IAFF Local 315, a former member of IAFF Local 2903, and a former member of WFSE. I’ve been … more

By Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier | 9/29/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Considering what we carry in our pockets — memories, identity and love

9/29/25

This postcard, postmarked Nov. 30, 1909, with a 1-cent stamp, was provided by the Lewis County Historical Museum.

Julie McDonald: Westminster Presbyterian, which started at Claquato, marks 170th anniversary

More than 170 years ago, Lewis Hawkins Davis, a native of Vermont, and his wife, Susan (Clinger) Davis, settled on a hill 3 miles west of Chehalis known as Claquato in 1853 with their family of five … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/29/25

Anni Evans: Legacy of heritage beans from Appalachia continues in East Lewis County

A group of about 60 extended family relations arrived by train to Chehalis in 1893. They were the ﬁrst Appalachian group that traveled from West Virginia and Virginia, and they soon settled … more

By Anni Evans / For The Chronicle | 9/29/25

FILE PHOTO — Embers fly as firefighters work to put out hot spots near the southbound lane of Interstate 5 at milepost 88 in Grand Mound.

Wayne Fournier: From applause to reality — the importance of protecting those who protect us

Applause is nice. But protecting first responders takes policy, investment and respect. I grew up in a fire station. While most kids played ball in the park, I played hide-and-seek in the … more

By Wayne Fournier, Thurston County commissioner | 9/29/25

The entrance to the Washington state governor’s office in Olympia. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Commentary: Known unknowns in Bob Ferguson’s Olympia

There are many closed doors at the state Capitol in Olympia. Sometimes it’s understandable. Confidentiality can be necessary in politics and policymaking. There are also meetings and … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 9/26/25

John Braun: Tax-first Democrats desperate to blame feds for state’s budget trouble

One of the most enduring lines in conservative politics came from President Reagan’s campaign debates — the “there you go again” reply that so effectively called out his … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun | 9/26/25