Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Legislators, family members and friends join lawmakers on the House floor to celebrate the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia.

Opinion: Don’t fall for the illusion of voter control on income tax expansion

I keep hearing the same response when voters raise this obvious concern about Washington’s new income tax: What happens when a future Legislature decides they need more money and lowers the income … more

By Ryan Frost / Washington Policy Center | 9/23/26

Lewis County Commissioner District 3 candidate Mike Hadaller speaks during a candidate forum hosted by The Chronicle at the Bob Lyle Community Center in Morton on Tuesday, July 7.

Letter: I want to help Lewis County be a place of opportunity for all

I want to take a moment to ask how many voters saw the same report I saw last week reporting the shift of population away from cities. What? People moving from cities? Yes. Apparently, sane … more

9/23/26

Candidate Tracy Murphy introduces himself and discusses his election platform during a forum for the Lewis County Sheriff election at the Adna Grange on Thursday, June 11.

Letter: I’m Tracy Murphy, and I would be honored to have your vote for sheriff

Hi, I’m Tracy Murphy, and I’d be honored to earn your vote for Lewis County sheriff. After more than 35 years in law enforcement, I know what professional law enforcement looks like, and I … more

9/23/26

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

Letter to the editor: An idea to protect yourself from bird flu

Regarding your recent online headline “What to know about bird flu in Washington State”: If you’re concerned about bird flu, I have a suggestion to slow the virus’s spread, help animals, … more

9/23/26

Margaret Denzil “Denny” (Kirkendoll) Cole, center, poses for a photo with Christine and Bret Cole.

Julie McDonald: A week of listening, learning and honoring those who give and live

Sometimes life flows along like a pleasant stream, meandering around boulders and logs, while at other times it roils down a mountainside like an avalanche. With summer passing into fall, the … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/21/26

Letter to the editor: John Braun for Congress — a dedicated public servant

I keep seeing the attack ad blaming John Braun for the huge increase in Washington state spending, and I find it an appalling twist of the truth. You don’t have to be a state budget expert to … more

9/21/26

Letter to the editor: What is Marie Gluesenkamp Perez hiding?

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez publicly goes by Marie, but her birth name is Kristina Marie Pérez. There is nothing inherently wrong with using a middle name or a different version of your name, but I’m … more

9/21/26

Letter to the editor: Corey Christensen’s statements are important

I read the Corey Christensen article in last Thursday’s edition of The Chronicle. It hit home. If any of you haven’t read it, do so now. You need to know this. The office of sheriff is … more

9/21/26

Letter to the editor: Thank you to those supporting the new Morton roundabout

I want to thank the many good citizens of Morton who I have visited with recently regarding their decision to embrace a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Second Street. In … more

9/21/26

The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Opinion: Washington has an income tax — why won’t the media call it one?

There seem to be two words that have suddenly become difficult to print in Washington state: income tax. Sure, you can find the phrase easily on the state’s own website. In fact, the … more

By Chris Cargill / Mountain States Policy Center | 9/18/26

Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge performs a fair-themed rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin” during the opening ceremony for the Southwest Washington Fair at the fairgrounds in Centralia on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Brian Mittge: A chill competition for a warm weekend

As we enjoy the last few days of summer, with a forecast of mild-mannered smiling sunshine and a gentle mix of gray clouds and blue skies, I’d like to invite you to join me for a relaxing few days … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/18/26

Crew 18 conducts mop-up operations on the Autumn Lane Fire, extinguishing remaining hot spots and securing the fire’s edge to prevent rekindling along the south eastern flank of the fire near the Little Spokane River. Mop-up is a critical phase of wildfire suppression that helps ensure the fire remains contained and reduces the risk of additional spread.

Opinion: Spokane fire recovery can serve as model in the future

It will take years to fully rebuild from the devastating wildfires that destroyed more than 800 homes in the Spokane area in August. Residents lost homes they lived in for decades and homes they … more

9/18/26

Organizer Neal Kirby, the author of this commentary, speaks during a celebration after the Centralia School District levy passed at the Juice Box in Centralia on Monday, Feb. 23.

Opinion: Defense of candidate ignores changes to Washington school funding

Former Washington state Sen. Tim Sheldon’s commentary, published by The Chronicle on Sept. 5, defended congressional candidate state Sen. John Braun from Congresswoman Marie Glusenkamp Perez’s TV … more

Commentary by Neal Kirby | 9/18/26

Crews implement firing operations to remove unburned vegetation between the fire’s edge and containment lines. on the Three Queens Fire, Washington, 2026.

Commentary: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington show key strategies for effective wildfire funding

Wildfire is no longer a seasonal surprise across the Mountain West. It is a recurring fiscal challenge that threatens communities, public lands, infrastructure, air quality, and state budgets. … more

Emily Strasburg / Idaho Capital Sun | 9/18/26

Wayne Fournier: Raise for Rowyn the best example of Tenino’s top exports — strength, resilience and grit

People usually think of a community’s exports as the things it produces, like timber, agriculture and manufacturing. Maybe some product or industry that puts a place on the map. I’ve always … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 9/16/26

Aron Christensen and his dog Buzzo are pictured in these photos previously provided by his friends and family.

Opinion: A humble plea to Lewis County citizens about your upcoming vote

When my brother, Aron Christensen, and his dog, Buzzo, were shot and died in the backcountry in 2022, members of the Lewis County sheriff’s office, coroner’s office and prosecutor’s office each … more

By Corey Christensen | 9/15/26

Alva Ashbury Tucker, known in his family as Alvie, is pictured aboard the Warren in this photo provided by Maeve Mitchell.

Julie McDonald: Centralia lawyer Elmer Smith helped widow after tugboat sinking

Last week, I wrote about John and Mary Tucker, who settled first on Cowlitz Prairie in 1865 and a few years later moved to Silver Creek, where they raised their large family of eight children. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/14/26

Smoke rises from the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Paul Morse; National Archives Catalog ID 5997250)

Brian Mittge: Of fire and fury, courage and hope — reflections on Sept. 11, 25 years later

“Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day...” - Alan Jackson Twenty-five years after 9/11, those of us who were alive that terrible day remember the images of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/14/26

Letter to the Editor: Forty years for Port of Centralia — and so many people along the way

On Sept. 16, 1986, voters approved the formation of the Port of Centralia. When I look back at the history of the port, what strikes me isn’t just the buildings, businesses or acres that have been … more

9/11/26

Letter to the Editor: I voted for MGP — this November, I’m voting for Braun

I met Marie Gluesenkamp Perez four years ago during her race against Joe Kent, and I voted for her. This November, though, my vote is going to John Braun. I consider myself an Independent, and … more

9/11/26