Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Greg Rohr is the elected executive chair of the Lewis County Republican Party. He can be reached at lcrparty@gmail.com. To learn more about the party, visit https://www.lcrpwa.org.

Greg Rohr commentary: The Sojourner's Covenant — reclaiming justice in America's immigration story

In the shadow of Lady Liberty's torch, where “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” once found refuge, a profound tension grips the United States today. As of November 2025, … more

11/14/25

A John Deere tractor sits in the middle of a roundabout at U.S. Highway 12 and Sargent Road SW in Grand Mound on Friday, Nov. 14.

Phil the Tractor: A symbol of hometown roots

If you’ve ever driven along U.S. Highway 12 between Rochester and Grand Mound early in the morning — windows cracked just enough to catch the sharp, familiar scent of a dairy farm nearby … more

Commentary by Victoria Stocking / Rochester | 11/14/25

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

Letter to the editor: Make America Great Again (without hate)

Make America Great Again (MAGA) is the rallying cry for Donald Trump’s political movement. I am not a supporter of this movement, but I believe there is some truth to the fact that in many ways … more

11/14/25

Letter to the editor: We must be ever vigilant about who and what we vote for

“Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasure. From that moment on, the … more

11/14/25

Letter to the editor: Can he do anything right?

If you are a Democrat, the answer is “no.” No matter what President Trump does, it’s wrong. If every narco terrorist boat blown out of the water had Adolf Hitler at the … more

11/14/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate.

Wayne Fournier commentary: The day I bought two peacocks for Tenino

Sometimes leadership isn’t about budgets or policies. Sometimes it’s about creating stories that make a town unforgettable. Every small town has its lore. Tenino has the Quarry Pool, … more

By Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 11/14/25

Port of Centralia District 2 Commissioner candidate Ally Pickard speaks during a debate hosted by The Chronicle in the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Letter: Come January, the citizens will be in control of the Port of Centralia

Editor's note: The following letter was written by Ally Pickard, who defeated Port of Centralia Commissioner Julie Shaffley during the recent general election. I want to begin by thanking … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: Unlike most Republicans, Cheney had the guts to tell the truth

Dick Cheney, the Republican former congressman, secretary of defense and vice president, died on Nov. 3. He said in 2024 of the current occupant of the White House: “There has … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: Tax the rich doesn’t work — here’s why

Sorry to letter writer Ms. Callison. “Tax the Rich” sounds good on a protest sign. It appeals to fairness and the sense that billionaires are gaming the system while everyone else picks … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: Billionaires could end SNAP program with their generosity

For those of us who once believed that Donald Trump was going to lower prices for working Americans, our eyes have been opened. When we shop for groceries, fill our gas tanks, pay our power … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: Tom Crowson was a wonderful man, husband, friend and servant to his community

A friend of many people in our community was running for the fire commission of Lewis County Fire District 5 in the Newaukum and Napavine area. Tom Crowson passed away at the end of July, just … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: How’s the socialism going, Democrats?

I was just wondering how Democrats are feeling about their party’s bit of socialism on display in Washington, D.C.? You know, the one where the Democrats in the Senate wanted to dirty up … more

11/12/25

Letter to the editor: Empathy is not a liability

As more Americans lose access to essential supports like SNAP, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies that make health coverage attainable, we must ask ourselves whether our so-called civilized … more

11/12/25

As a dedicated advocate for families and children with disabilities, Courtney Williams is deeply committed to fostering success and wellbeing within our communities. With a heartfelt mission to unite families and enhance the quality of life for children facing challenges, she strives to create inclusive environments where every child can thrive. As a proud mom of two, she understands the joys and struggles of parenting, which fuels her passion for building supportive networks that empower families.

Commentary: When desperation leads to motivation — the urgent call for change in supporting families with complex disabilities

I spent far too long contemplating how to begin this conversation, and in doing so, I realized that my hesitation stemmed from an overwhelming sense of helplessness. That feeling can quickly spiral … more

11/12/25

Smoke and flames rise from a pile of debris along Intertsate 5 as DNR firefighters work to put out hot spots along the northbound lane of Interstate 5 in Thurston County on Wednesday.

Commentary: Expanding Washington’s presumptive cancer coverage — women firefighters and the legislative gap in compensation

Presumptive laws provide a safety net for individuals working in hazardous conditions, ensuring health coverage and compensation in the event of disease. In America, more than 65% of the entire … more

Commentary by Jordan Cade | 11/12/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride commentary: Sometimes the words we send into the world find their way back to us

A while back, I wrote a column about the First Cavalry from Winston County, Alabama. In it, I mentioned two rare books — “Tories of the Hills” by Thomas and “The Free State of … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 11/12/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.

Peter Abbarno commentary: Your voice matters in Olympia the 2026 legislative session

As we prepare to reconvene in Olympia in early January, now is the time for families, small businesses and communities to make their voices heard. The choices made this session will shape your … more

By state Rep. Peter Abbarno | 11/10/25

Commentary: It’s time to get serious about solving our state’s energy challenges

For residents of the Pacific Northwest, January 2024 might be memorable because of the winter storm that brought ice and severe cold to the region, leading to major power outages. It might be … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 11/10/25

John Braun commentary: The continuing insanity of the homelessness ‘emergency’

The line about “insanity” being defined as doing the same things over and over, and expecting a different result, is sometimes attributed to Albert Einstein. An online search … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 11/7/25

Letter to the editor: America’s pandemic authoritarianism — how both parties flirted with control

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a troubling truth: both major political parties in the U.S. flirted with authoritarian tendencies, but in starkly different ways. Democrats often claimed the mantle … more

11/7/25