Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Jeff Wilson: State must act to protect salmon from sea lion predation

Last month, it was mealtime on the Lower Columbia. We could hear the excited barking of sea lions across the city of Longview, where I live, as they hauled themselves onto the rocks near … more

Commentary by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview | 4/7/25

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, speaks at a public hearing for House Bill 1719 in the John L. O’Brien Building in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief — not more taxes

Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 4/7/25

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, April 2.

Commentary: Washington state lawmakers should follow the lead of small businesses

Amelia Cook runs an innovative high-tech manufacturing company in Mount Vernon along with her brother. The products they make at Goodwinds Composites are literally out-of-this-world: They made the … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 4/7/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: What’s the difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting? A lot

From last time, let’s do a deeper dive into Abigail Shrier’s book “Bad Therapy,” shall we? Shrier is convinced that authoritarian parenting is the best parenting style. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 4/7/25

Brian Mittge: Bad education bills move forward; time to stand up for sanity in schools

Of all the fights in our modern society, all the polarization and division, our schools and classrooms should not be battlegrounds or places where politics permeate. Unfortunately, a slate of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 4/4/25

Chad Taylor is the publisher and co-owner of The Chronicle. He can be reached at chad@chronline.com.

Publisher's Note: Why school boards pay public employees to leave — and why Olympia is the problem

For decades, the Chehalis School District has earned a reputation for excellence. It’s been a model of public education, gaining state and even national attention for its career and … more

4/4/25

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: Senate Republican budget is the better solution to governor’s concerns

The fourth quarter of this legislative session hasn’t started off well for the state Senate’s majority Democrats. Republicans put a no-new-taxes, no-cuts, sustainable operating … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/4/25

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Commentary: While Washington attacks its economic engine, other states are ready to roll out the red carpet

Years of increasing taxes and regulations are leaving Washington state employers facing the dreaded blue screen of death when it comes to their economic outlook. For example, Microsoft President … more

By Sebastian Griffin / Mountain States Policy Center | 4/1/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Sean Swope: WDFW must be held accountable for nitrate contamination threatening our water

Last week, I sat in a room with fellow lawmakers, the mayor of Centralia, representatives from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and, most importantly, local citizens whose health … more

Commentary by Sean Swope / Lewis County commissioner | 3/31/25

Ralph Munro speaks with Linda Patton in 2017.

Julie McDonald: Secretary of State Ralph Munro’s legacy of kindness lingers after his death

Decades ago (which makes me feel super old), while attending the University of Washington, I joined a dozen other journalism students for the legislative session in Olympia, where we each worked as … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/31/25

Richard Stride: The parental child bond is one of the strongest bonds we know

A person I have great respect for asked me to read a book by Abigail Shrier titled “Bad Therapy.” I did get the book, albeit used, and read it. My friend was curious about my thoughts on … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 3/31/25

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

John Braun: The ‘tax madness’ in Olympia, and what you can do to fight it

The operating budgets proposed by majority Democrats are bad for our state, just as we expected. It isn’t only the massive tax increases they want, like the record $21 billion worth of new … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 3/28/25

Prairie Farms is pictured outside Toledo in this photo provided by Chronicle columnist Maureen Harkcom.

Maureen Harkcom: Examining an agricultural gem of Lewis County — Prairie Farms in Toledo

A few miles outside of Toledo, a large rooster sits atop a fence with the sign “Prairie Farms.” Behind that fence is a beautifully well cared for poultry operation. Four barns … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 3/26/25

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Commentary: Washington state lawmakers propose billions in new tax increases

The theme of the 2025 legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming has been pursuing record tax relief. The odd state out in this important tax relief bonanza, however, has been Washington, … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 3/25/25

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

John McCroskey: State Democrats’ hunger for more of your money is insatiable

If it seems like the cost to live here in Washington state is high, it’s because it is. But thankfully, our super state legislative Democrats want to make it even more expensive. … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 3/24/25

From left, Jo Martens, Barb Birney and Donna Loucks talk while organizing and preparing books for this week’s sale.

Julie McDonald: A glimpse behind the bounty of books at AAUW sale

For nearly four decades, I’ve known people who looked forward all year to browsing used books at the three-day annual American Association of University Women’s Book Sale. But until … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/24/25

Brian Mittge performs his song, “Sweet Home Lewis County”, during the opening ceremony of the Southwest Washington Fair in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Brian Mittge: A long-needed return to the basics of the good life

Wow, has it already been five years since the beginning of the COVID pandemic and lockdowns? Time flies when you’re trying to survive a plague, a divided society, relentless online … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 3/21/25

John Braun: Senate Democrats’ ongoing effort to raise property taxes goes from bad to worse

Despite all their talk about forcing the wealthy in our state to pay more taxes, Olympia’s majority Democrats seem to have no problem forcing others to pay more as well. The proposals in … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 3/21/25

United Way of Lewis County Executive Director Annie Oien is pictured alongside a photo of the United Learning Center's construction at North Pearl and Maple Street in Centralia in late February.

United Learning Center: A ‘Campus of Compassion’ to transform Centralia’s future

In the heart of Centralia, a transformative vision is taking shape: The United Learning Center. (ULC) is poised to create a beacon of hope and opportunity for children and families in our … more

Commentary by Annie Oien, United Way of Lewis County | 3/21/25

The Washington state Capitol building in Olympia on Thursday, June 6.

Commentary: Sunshine Week or ‘secrecy creep’ — corruption flourishes without journalism

Locals and newcomers alike may disagree about how much drizzle and gray skies they want in the Pacific Northwest, but when it comes to how our government works, I think the great majority of us would … more

Ellen Hiatt / Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. | 3/19/25