Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Amending Marine Mammal Protection Act is essential to protect salmon from pinniped predators

After sounding the alarm for decades about the need to manage outsized populations of pinnipeds, the treaty tribes are encouraged by a bipartisan bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act … more

By Chairman Ed Johnstone / Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission | 7/22/26

Former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, far left, applauds after Gov. Bob Ferguson gave the State of the State address at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Opinion: Old-guard Washington Democrats stage an intervention as party tacks left

Call it an intervention. Or maybe call it the last laments of the old Democratic Party. Either way, the eldest two of Washington’s living former governors, Christine Gregoire and Gary … more

By Danny Westneat / Seattle Times columnist (TNS) | 7/22/26

Sarah Mittelman is a candidate for state representative in Washington state Legislative District 49, Pos. 1.

Opinion: ‘I didn’t become a Republican because it was the easier choice’

You may have already seen the enclosed article about my campaign. I’m grateful to the Jewish News Syndicate for telling part of my story , but like any article, it couldn’t capture everything. … more

Commentary by Sarah Mittelman | 7/21/26

Opinion: Idaho has a fiscal lesson to teach neighboring Washington

Despite claims from some that prioritizing tax relief would imperil Idaho’s budget, the Gem State has just closed the books on Fiscal Year 2026, ending in the black while rolling over approximately … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 7/21/26

The Fox Theatre is pictured in downtown Centralia on Christmas in 1932 in this photo from the theatre’s website.

Julie McDonald: Centralia’s delay on Fox Theatre decision is fiscally responsible

I understand why the Centralia City Council postponed its decision until October on whether to fund a request for $1.5 to $2 million for Fox Theatre renovations. City officials need to know … more

7/20/26

Commentary: How the Democratic Party’s divide over Israel has reached Washington state

When the House of Representatives voted this week on a proposal to cut $3.3 billion in U.S. military assistance for Israel, the amendment failed but gathered some surprising Democratic “yes” … more

By Donna Gordon Blankinship / The Washington State Standard | 7/20/26

Opinion: Idaho and Montana are winning the competition for America’s families

What if the best report card for state government wasn’t a poll or an election? What if it was a moving truck? Every year, millions of Americans make one of the biggest decisions of their … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 7/16/26

Wayne Fournier: The stone carver's dream and Tenino’s Da Vinci Code

Every town has its characters, the people everyone knows, even if they don't know them personally. Growing up in Tenino, Keith Phillips was one of those people. If you cared at all about … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 7/15/26

Protesters gather at the Ocean Park Timberland Library last month in this photo provided by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald: On library controversies, crossing the border and a busy weekend

The 250th celebration of our nation’s birth provided a wonderful time to reflect on the formation of the United States and the foresight of our founders in establishing a republic to withstand the … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/13/26

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: The weight of the keys

Growing up, I thought getting a set of keys meant freedom. The keys to your first car, your first apartment and your first home all felt like another step toward adulthood. As I've gotten older, … more

By Wayne Fournier | 7/13/26

From left, Anton “Tony” Schilter, Kenneth “Ken” Kruger and Arthur “Art” Symons.

Brian Mittge: Of holsteins, frozen corn, a 12-string guitar and 259 good years

Sometimes a face jumps out at you from the obituary page, bringing back years of memories and influence. That hit me again and again in recent days. But the sadness or shock that comes … more

7/10/26

Commentary: The truth about sex verification for K-12 student athletes

Over the past few months, I have watched individuals, organizations and news outlets lie about Initiative Measure IL26-638, which seeks to exclude males from competing in girls' sports. I have … more

By Dr. Erica Li | 7/8/26

Fans watch the U.S. vs. Türkiye match at the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup at Port Plaza on Thursday, June 25.

Wayne Fournier: What the FIFA Fan Zone says about Thurston County and thinking big

On a warm June evening, more than 3,000 people gathered on Olympia's waterfront. Children wearing jerseys from countries around the world kicked soccer balls across Port Plaza while families … more

7/6/26

Fireworks light up the night sky as attendees look on during the City of Vader’s Red, White & Boom Fireworks Show on Saturday, July 4, at the Vader Pre-K property on D Street.

Richard Stride commentary: 250 candles on America's birthday cake

"The best birthdays aren't measured by the number of candles on the cake, but by the people gathered around it." This Fourth of July feels a little different. It isn't every year a nation … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 7/6/26

Commentary: A child in ‘the Jungle’ and when disorder becomes dangerous

A missing child from Arizona was recently found in an Olympia homeless encampment after investigators suspected she was being sex trafficked. That fact alone should disturb every one of us. … more

By Sarah Mittelman | 7/3/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse introduces high school students Frances Staudt, of Tumwater High School, and Ahnaleigh Wilson, of Eastmont High School, 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.

Commentary: Don’t expect bans on trans athletes in girls’ sports in Washington, even with ruling

If you’re celebrating the United States Supreme Court Tuesday ruling that keeps in place state laws banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams, you might … more

By Ken Vance, ClarkCountyToday | 7/3/26

Commentary: Celebrating 250 years of civic life in America, from Lyle to Washington, D.C.

Imagine being told you have to leave your home, perhaps forever. You only have a couple of hours to pack, and you can only take what fits in your car. Calista Christiansen, a seventh-grader from … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 7/3/26

Sean Swope: Miracles, declaration and legacy — the birth of a nation

Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a two-part series on America’s founding. The first installment can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/yrsy9paz . Imagine an army of … more

7/3/26

A dairy cow grazes in a pasture grown with chicory, plantain and clover to reduce emissions and promote health for the cows during a National Farmers Day livestream presentation with the Organic Valley in Curtis on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Maureen Harkcom: Thoughts on raw milk from the child of a dairy farm

Every human being on this earth is made into the person they are by their experiences, by the things they are exposed to. Our basic values and beliefs are based largely on our early years. … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 7/1/26

Kelly Smith-Johnston, author of this commentary, receives the Buck Hubbert Staff Award during the Economic Alliance of Lewis County 2026 Annual Banquet at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Friday, Feb. 6.

Commentary: Questions that led me to vote no on more distribution warehouses

Author’s note: This represents my point of view and not the full Centralia City Council. Centralia is a place where people still stop to talk in the grocery store aisle, where we know each … more

By Kelly Smith Johnston, deputy mayor of Centralia | 7/1/26