As the 2025 legislative session unfolds, Washington state stands at a critical crossroads .
Rising crime rates, unsustainable living costs, faltering public schools and sluggish economic …
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By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia
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1/28/25
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Even though locally and regionally grown food is celebrated in Washington state, the reality is that fewer and fewer types of crops are being grown in the state, particularly west of the Cascades.
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By Dillon Honcoop / Save Family Farming
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1/21/25
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As tribal leaders, we are looking ahead to the next seven generations of environmental stewards to protect salmon, shellfish, wildlife and plant resources.
It is our responsibility to provide …
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By Ed Johnstone
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1/21/25
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One of the most significant shifts from our recent elections is that America is headed back to an “all-of-the-above” strategy that expands our energy options rather than further …
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By Don Brunell
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1/14/25
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Editor,
The special levy is intended to keep the Yelm Community Schools (YCS) operating the same way it has been: failing!
Over the last 10 years, on average, YCS has failed to get …
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1/14/25
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Washington lawmakers began the 2025 legislative session facing something many of them have not experienced during their time in office — a sizable budget gap. The last time the state was in …
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By Kris Johnson
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1/14/25
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Washington state’s so-called leadership on climate policy has been a disaster: it has backfired.
Although the investments have been made and the words from Olympia have been said, CO2 …
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Commentary by Chad Taylor / chad@chronline.com
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1/13/25
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Those of us who take to heart President Lincoln’s words that government is “of the people” appreciate being asked to offer a forecast of an upcoming session.
Our constituents …
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Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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1/10/25
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Editor’s note: Centralia resident John Martin wrote this on the occasion of former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday. Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024.
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter …
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By John Martin / For The Nisqually Valley News
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1/7/25
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Editor,
My purpose in writing is to wholeheartedly commend the police and fire department of Yelm.
Today I witnessed an RV struggling to move on Creek Street Southeast disgorging clouds of …
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12/31/24
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One of the most significant shifts from our recent elections is that America is headed back to an “all-of-the-above” strategy that expands our energy options rather than further …
more
By Don Brunell
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12/31/24
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Earlier this month, the City of Federal Way released data showing crime rates overall had fallen 11% from a year ago.
That’s great news for any community, especially one of the larger …
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Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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12/20/24
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Editor,
We went to the Yelm 100-year documentary at the theaters on Dec. 9. It was a special moment with my son to reflect on Yelm’s past, especially since I grew up with most of the folks …
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12/17/24
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Editor,
Why do we Yelm students get such a bad rap? Most of us were raised by the adults who voted no on the last levy — the same parents who continually refuse to discipline their …
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12/17/24
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Of all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating.
It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax …
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Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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12/17/24
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Senate Republicans will go into the 2025 legislative session next month with three priorities: Work toward a safer Washington, an affordable Washington and a better future for our children. Most of …
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Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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12/13/24
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A lot can be said about the governor’s proposal to address overcrowding at Green Hill School in Chehalis by repurposing a vacant wing of the state prison near Aberdeen.
Here’s the …
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Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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12/10/24
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It wasn’t long ago that Washington state lawmakers were awash in a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus thanks to a surprisingly strong rebound from the pandemic lockdown and a flood of federal …
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By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business
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12/10/24
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Of all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating.
It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax …
more
Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia
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12/6/24
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When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish the hurricane season let alone the entire year, it was surprising. Suddenly, we discovered federal disaster relief money may be …
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By Don C. Brunell
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12/3/24
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