Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: The story you're not being told about gas prices in Washington, Idaho

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth the drive across the border to fuel up in Idaho instead of Washington, the answer is a resounding yes — especially if you care about … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 6/27/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: A call to action for Lewis County farmers after assessor’s letter prompts concern

In January 2024, my phone went crazy with Farm Bureau members calling me. I was Lewis County Farm Bureau (LCFB) president at that time. They were very upset about a letter they had received from … more

6/27/25

Peter Abbarno: Washingtonians deserve better than record tax hikes

Starting July 1, Washington families, seniors and small businesses will begin feeling the effects of the largest tax increase in state history. Passed by a Democratic majority in Olympia — with … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 6/27/25

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal

Commentary: Reykdal confronted by state data, blames partisanship for bad results

Pointing to statistics from the Washington Policy Center's Report Card for Washington's Future showing student spending is up per pupil from $13,775 to $19,163, while student test scores show decline … more

By David Boze / Washington Policy Center | 6/25/25

Author Kathie Deviny of Olympia, right, introduces Browsers Bookshop owner Andrea Y. Griffith, left, and author illustrator Corrina Luyken, center.

Julie McDonald: Learning from librarians at a Pacific Northwest conference

If you have a Timberland Regional Library card, you can obtain a card for libraries in King County, Pierce County or even Fort Vancouver Regional Library, expanding your access to even larger … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/23/25

Commentary: President Trump shows strong support for Snake River dams

With the stroke of a pen, the future of the Snake River dams in southeastern Washington state is looking better. President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on June 12 repealing a secretly … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 6/21/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Violence is violence, no matter who commits it or why

Leaders of our state’s Democratic and Republican legislative caucuses responded to the June 14 shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers with a joint statement condemning what had happened. … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 6/20/25

People dressed as vikings wave during the Swede Day Rochester Mid-Sommar Festival Parade on Saturday, June 15.

Brian Mittge: Happy celebration season — your parade will see you now

As if summer weren’t its own reward, we’re entering one of my favorite times of year — community festival season. Inside each town, one weekend marks the culmination of a … more

6/20/25

Commentary: The problems facing our higher education institutions go beyond the headlines about Harvard

Although President Donald Trump and Harvard's recent spats make headlines, key issues in question affect all higher education. Harvard, our nation's first college (1636), is a center of current … more

By Don Brunell | 6/18/25

Julie McDonald: More thoughts on the Uncle Sam billboard and how demonization of people with different opinions can go too far

Last week, after I wrote about the $2.5 million sale of the Hamilton Uncle Sam sign to the Chehalis Tribe, I received a call from Penny (Hamilton) Mauel of Chehalis, a member of the Hamilton family. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/16/25

Wayne Fournier, left, reads a depth scanner at the Tenino Quarry Pool during a dive expedition to the bottom of the pool in 2017.

Wayne Fournier: The quarry pool mysteries and what they teach us about local lore

If you grew up in Tenino, you know the Quarry Pool isn’t just a swimming hole. It’s a place where local legends are born — whispered by teens sneaking up to the top of the … more

6/16/25

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

John McCroskey: The good guys don’t burn cars, harm cops, block streets and wave foreign flags

Honestly, sometimes I just have to shake my head at the politics of all levels of government. In the June 5 edition of The Chronicle was the front page headline “Lewis County … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/16/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: To uncover the sadness within, we must be brave enough to remove the masks

When I was younger, I thought the greatest task in life was to figure out what I wanted to do. Now, I think the greater task is to figure out who I really am. It is a journey we all take, … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 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

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: 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