Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

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

Letter to the editor: What is it going to take for MAGA to understand they are promoting really bad ideas?

To have unidentified ICE agents accosting people on the street and dragging them off into unmarked vehicles is an extremely bad idea. If Trump and his minions want to deport violent criminals, most … more

6/16/25

Jake Remund bales hay near Curtis on Sunday, June 8.

Brian Mittge: A Father’s Day prayer for faithfulness

This week, I again relished one of the sweetest delights in life: watching your children stand tall and strong as they serve others and push through hard things to do what needs to be done. … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/13/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Response to Green Hill safety issues sunk by majority’s offender-friendly leanings

I’ll say this for our Democratic colleagues in the state Legislature: They certainly are creative when it comes to promoting offender-friendly policies. This year the majority used the … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/13/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno and Antonio Abbarno pose for a photo during the Lewis County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Peter Abbarno: Strong fathers help build stronger futures

Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when … more

Commentary by Peter Abbarno | 6/11/25

Letter to the editor: A little kindness goes a long way

I had an issue with my tax return. After calling the IRS and waiting on hold for a very, very long time, I finally reached a human representative who researched my issue. Several times, I … more

6/11/25

Letter to the editor: Cost to repair tunnel at state Capitol is unnecessary

I read with interest your article on refurbishing the 150-foot tunnel at the state Capitol for $4 million. While it certainly is a problem that should be solved, I believe other options should … more

6/11/25

Letter to the editor: We have prepared the deterring effect

“We have thousands of people that are ready to be deported, and we cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years.” — Donald Trump … more

6/11/25

A letter to the community from Timberwolf Farm & Feed

To our community, We at Timberwolf Farm & Feed in Morton want to take a moment to acknowledge and address something important. In the past, an incident occurred at our store that left … more

6/11/25

Letter to the editor: Thieves bring dishonor to all who wear the uniform

How could two ex-soldiers gain access to grenades and machine guns for over two years? Who knows what else has been stolen. This does not make anyone safe. The guards let anyone on base it … more

6/11/25

Alfred and Ruth Hamilton stand in front of their notorious Uncle Sam billboard in Napavine in this photo taken by Pat Moser for The Oregonian in 1985. At the time, the billboard read, "Russia will lie, cheat and manipulate us in treaty talks."

Julie McDonald: Sale of Uncle Sam sign, closure of Hudson’s Bay Co. mark end of an era

Last week, two changes marked the end of an era, the closing of chapters of history — the sale of the Uncle Sam billboard off Interstate 5 near Napavine and the shuttering of the last Hudson … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/9/25

John Braun: State’s Democrats overpromise, underdeliver on affordable-housing solutions

Republican and Democrat legislators both use the word “crisis” to describe the state’s affordable-housing situation. A look at the housing-related bills passed during this … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

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

Commentary: Employers launch new 15-year vision and plan for Washington state

Two summers ago, starting in the community of Stevenson along the Columbia River, I joined employers in a series of town hall meetings around Washington asking people to share their vision for our … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 6/6/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: A hook, a prayer and a piece of gum — reflections for Father’s Day

I often talk about the strong women in my life in these columns. I also had two incredible males in my life, my dad and my grandpa. I’ll bet you have some good men in your life as well. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

Letter to the editor: Stop huge tax breaks for billionaires

In conversations with my neighbors in the Winlock-Toledo area, I am hearing both resignation and outrage. I’ve heard very little support for DOGE and the president’s agenda of … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: Rebuttal to recent letter on Washington state politics

A recent letter to the editor paints a dire picture of Washington state and the nation, attributing economic decline, loss of constitutional rights and societal division to the Democratic Party. … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: MGP’s dark alliance with AIPAC exposes a troubling inconsistency

As a resident of Southwest Washington, I am writing to express my growing concern over U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s ongoing support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: Southwest Washington Dance Center performance at school was inspiring

I just attended a school performance by the Southwest Washington Dance Center that was spectacular. The Orin Smith Elementary School is so perfect, built side by side with the Lintott … more

6/4/25

A rally participant stands with a sign about parents’ rights during a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Commentary: A century later, Washington state fails parental rights

Children are not creatures of the state. That's the unanimous conclusion reached by the U.S. Supreme Court a century ago this June in its precedent-setting case Pierce v. Society of Sisters. … more

By Vicki Murray | 6/4/25

In October 1927 in Yakima, bakers used 400 gallons of apples to make the world's largest apple pie to celebrate National Apple Week. The pie was 10 feet across, and it took five cords of wood to heat the oven to bake it.

Julie McDonald: How Washington became the Apple State

Growing up overseas as the child of missionaries, Amanda L. Van Lanen recalled hearing people in Saipan north of Guam speak nostalgically about the joy of biting into a crispy, juicy fresh apple, but … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: What exactly does a county commissioner do?

Ask a random room full of people what a county commissioner does, and you’ll get a mix of answers: “Uh … something with roads?” “Are you like the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25