Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: Rising farm costs are eroding hope in agriculture

The saying is, "Agriculture is a profession of hope." But hope in the farm community is waning. Or so says the monthly report from the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. The Purdue/CME … more

By Pam Lewison / Washington Policy Center | 9/10/25

Julie McDonald: Chehalis native Georgie Kunkel celebrates 105th birthday amid year of loss

Chehalis native Georgie Bright Kunkel, a standup comic who served as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II and vowed she would live forever, celebrated her 105th birthday with her family on Aug. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/8/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: The ‘middle child’ of the calendar: September brings quiet between holidays

September has always seemed to me to be the “middle child” of the calendar. Not the loud, confetti-throwing sibling like July with its fireworks, nor the overachieving December who … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 9/8/25

Zac Eckstein is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Party.

Zac Eckstein: It’s time we stop footing the bill for unfunded mandates

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney; if you can’t afford one, one will be appointed for you.” … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 9/8/25

Commentary: Rushed sales tax law will raise costs for all Washingtonians

The state Legislature passed a major expansion of Washington’s sales tax this spring, and starting Oct. 1, that law will hit businesses and Washingtonians across the state. For the first … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 9/8/25

Walt Morgan, who grew up west of Napavine and now lives in Centralia, served as a radio operator during the Vietnam War.

Brian Mittge: A local veteran’s trip to Ground Zero at the Pentagon

When Walt Morgan was flown to Washington, D.C., this year on an honor flight for veterans, he visited all the big memorials — from Lincoln to World War II. He made sure he spent time … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/5/25

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

John Braun: Democrats insist on taking state’s job creators for granted

One of our state’s most prominent employers, Microsoft, recently had to call police to remove several anti-Israel protesters who had taken over the company president’s office in Redmond. … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 9/5/25

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: The comprehensive plan is how we shape our future, together

At first glance, the phrase “Comprehensive Plan update” may sound like bureaucratic jargon, something suited for city planners, policy analysts or land use attorneys. But here’s the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 9/3/25

Sean Swope: The neo-Confederate drift of blue states

America fought a war to stop this once. Now, it’s happening again. Across the country, blue states such as California, New York, Washington and Illinois are openly defying federal law — … more

Commen tary by Sean Swope / For The Chronicle | 9/3/25

Penn, left, is pictured with Ellie at Wolf Haven near Tenino.

Julie McDonald: Wolf Haven offers better life for captive wolves

For the first 10 years of his life, a 3-foot chain kept poor Penn hooked to a post, his world confined to a small circle, his life monotonous and so, so sad. But then in November rescuers gave … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/1/25

Zac Eckstein: Setting the record straight on mail-in voting in Washington state

When it comes to election integrity, facts matter more than feelings. Trump and the GOP have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince us that mail-in voting is fraudulent or that somehow … more

Commentary by Zac Eckstein | 8/29/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives and is the House Republican Caucus Chair.

Peter Abbarno: Washington state’s pricey Labor Day

On this Labor Day, we honor the hard work, talent and dedication of Washington’s workforce. CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business 2025 ranked Washington No. 5 for workforce … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno | 8/29/25

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

John Braun: Let’s have more action on water quality concerns tied to game farm

Two recent public meetings about the water contamination situation stemming from the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia bring to mind the warning not to confuse motion with action. There’s been no … more

By state Sen. John Braun | 8/29/25

Cub reporter Brian Mittge, complete with press pass in his hat, c. 2001, at his desk in then Chronicle "world headquarters" at 321 N. Pearl Street. The iMac used to write stories was then cutting-edge technology.

Brian Mittge: Farewell to the old newsroom — and long live the news

Today marks a major milestone for Lewis County’s hometown newspaper: a big move down the block to a new building for The Chronicle. CT Publishing, which bought The Chronicle’s business … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/29/25

State Rep. Jim Walsh speaks during a “Let’s Go Washington” rally at the Capitol in Olympia on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Jim Walsh: 'Sanctuary' policies put state at risk; picking petulant fights with feds not the answer

The “sanctuary state” policies promoted by current Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson and state Attorney General Nick Brown undermine federal immigration law, put the state at significant … more

Commentary by Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen | 8/27/25

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

John McCroskey: If crimes go unreported, does that mean the crime rate is down?

I’m not sure about you, but the addition of on-ramp meters here on Interstate 5 is a welcome and exciting addition to the congestion we already have. Now, like the big cities we love … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 8/27/25

Julie McDonald: Riffe native, now prolific author, to teach at September writers conference

In the 1960s, Ralph Inmon logged all day in a company he owned with Herman Steele, returned home to his 100-acre farm at Riffe about 3 p.m., and swapped his calk boots for barn boots. He worked in … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/25/25

Richard Stride: There is something humbling about August farewells

August always carries a certain weight to it. The days remain long and warm, yet something shifts. The evenings cool a little earlier, the air holds a faint trace of autumn, and the sunsets … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 8/25/25

Commentary: Grocery store closures are exactly what some politicians in Washington asked for

Washington state politicians – and many more around the country – cheered when the Albertsons-Kroger merger was blocked. They said it was about protecting workers and consumers . But walk … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 8/25/25

Brian Mittge: Let’s all join in a musical encore for summer’s finale

“Where I come from, it’s cornbread and chicken, where I come from, a lot of front porch pickin’...” — Alan Jackson Of all the made-up holidays that flutter … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/22/25