Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Julie McDonald: Treasure and preserve living history while you can

Lewis County lost a piece of history this month when John Alexander Jr. died on Sept. 7 after living nearly a century, much of it locally. I’ve always enjoyed running into John through the … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/22/25

Zac Eckstein is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Party.

Zac Eckstein: The uprootedness of youth extremism

German-born historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt escaped the Nazis and became one of the most influential political theorists in America before her death in 1975. Her work explored many facets of … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 9/22/25

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Congratulations to Inslee, Ferguson on a remarkable achievement

Congratulations to former Gov. Jay Inslee, the majority party in the Washington Legislature and Gov. Bob Ferguson: Washington now has the highest gas price in the nation. According to an … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: Democrats raise taxes for everybody

For the benefit of Democrat voters in Washington state, I reiterate the fact that your Democrat legislators and governor have raised the taxes on everyone, not just the rich. Two examples … more

9/22/25

Young gubernatorial candidate endorses Braun for Congress, White for city council

Last week, I stood with a crowd of dedicated Southwest Washington residents at state Sen. John Braun’s campaign kickoff for the United States House of Representatives. The energy and … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: Pick Ally Pickard for Port of Centralia commissioner

By now, you have probably become aware of the many “Pick Ally Pickard” signs all around town. Ally Pickard is running for the position of Port of Centralia commissioner for District … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: Centralia council candidate details priorities

I am a candidate in the upcoming election for Centralia City Council District 2. Safety: At a recent Centralia police town hall, I learned that from 2023 to 2024, violent crime is down about 40% … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: History shows value of vaccines

After reading The Chronicle’s “Look Back in Time” entry from Sept. 20, 1955, I wonder how many of the “Make America Healthy Again” Robert Kennedy Jr. supporters noticed … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: The bad news, but with a final ray of hope

Gleaned from The Chronicle in the past few days: The tedium of this tome has a point — bear with me: • A 57-year-old Longview man faces multiple first- and second-degree charges in … more

9/22/25

Letter to the editor: See tracks? Think train

This week is See Tracks? Think Train! Week, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about rail safety — and a timely reminder that smarter infrastructure can help prevent tragedies at railroad … more

9/22/25

Commentary: The Legislature is putting Washington teenagers out of work

Now more than ever, our young people need economic opportunities and the life lessons they offer. While we know not all jobs are meant to be careers, each one offers an important experience. Jobs … more

Rep. April Connors / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 9/22/25

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

John Braun: State school superintendent plays politics while students continue to struggle

The results from this spring’s student assessments recently came out, and they’re not encouraging. Out of the 1.1 million students in Washington’s K-12 schools, the number who … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 9/19/25

Commentary: Tough budget choices ahead for City of Chehalis

Chehalis is entering the 2026 budget cycle with serious financial headwinds. The recent change in the Darigold property valuation will cost the city roughly $390,000 in lost property tax … more

By Kevin Carns, Chehalis city councilor | 9/19/25

Letter to the editor: Lost billfold restores faith in human nature

So much of our news today is what we consider “bad.” Here is a happy story, and a sincere “thank you” for a kind and general act. Several weeks ago, I finished my … more

9/19/25

Letter to the editor: What we need now is a shared commitment to lowering the temperature

In these turbulent political times, Lewis County, and our nation, needs voices of calm more than ever. The recent exchange at the Board of Lewis County Commissioners meeting, where protesters … more

9/19/25

Letter to the editor: 'Divided’ — A poem on how we’ve forgotten how to grieve together

Sometimes it feels like we’ve forgotten how to grieve together. Where sorrow should unite us, too often anger takes its place. “Divided” was written from watching neighbors turn on … more

9/19/25

Chehalis Tribe Chairman Dustin Klatush smiles while talking with Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier at the Hope and Healing Clinic in Tumwater on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

Wayne Fournier: One community, many nations: Lessons from Tribal neighbors

I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life. The trees, the water, the mountains, they’re my home. My family has been here since the mid-1800s, and I’ve always felt deeply … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 9/17/25

WAGOP Chairman and State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, speaks to supporters during a rally parental rights, organized by Let’s Go Washington, in front of the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Jim Walsh: West Coast ‘alliance’ raises thoughts of dubious vaccine mandates

Recently, governors of several West Coast states announced the formation of an “alliance” whose purpose is to “ensure residents remain protected by science, not politics. The … more

Commentary by state Rep. Jim Walsh | 9/16/25

Ballot envelopes sit in the Thurston County elections center. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Commentary: Vote-at-home is the law in Washington — and it works

As county auditors in Washington state, we serve in the executive branch of local government and are responsible for administering elections in accordance with state and federal law. That includes … more

By Lori Larsen and Marianne Nichols | 9/16/25

Jane Porter speaks about the importance of resiliency during the Southwest Washington Writers Conference at Centralia College on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Julie McDonald: Inspiring others while raising money for good causes

“You are an excellent speaker,” state Rep. Rob Chase, former Spokane County treasurer, told author Patrick Hutchison on Saturday morning at the Southwest Washington Writers Conference. … more

9/15/25