Guest Opinion

By Capri Jackson

By Elizabeth New, Jackson Maynard and Jason Mercier

In passing Initiative 2113 earlier this year, legislators repealed a set of reactionary, criminal-friendly restraints on law-enforcement pursuits that had enabled a multiyear spike in vehicle thefts across our state.

As the new school year begins, students across Washington state will face the usual challenges of academics, sports, and social life. But this year, there’s an added threat lurking in backpacks and lockers: illegal, disposable e-cigarettes. Despite the best efforts of parents and teachers to educate our youth about the dangers of these products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not doing enough to keep them out of our schools.

Millions of Americans will head to the polls this fall or vote by mail as we do in Washington state, to cast their vote. Underpinning this democratic process, are the countless election officials who work tirelessly year-round to make this possible. On election night and over the days to follow, election officials will be tabulating, auditing, and working to certify the election results.

By Todd Myers

By Rep. Lauren Necochea

Gen Xers and Millennials have shouldered a whole host of challenges as they’ve aged. Unfortunately, a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) is adding one more concern to the list: rising cancer risk.

I farm, home-school, garden, bake bread, raise chickens and make my own yogurt. It seems I’m following the fad of the homesteading hobbies. However, I’m not fully converted. I balk at the principle of drinking raw milk.

Over the past few months, the Spokane Regional Health District has seen an increase in the number of probable and confirmed cases of whooping cough in the Pacific Northwest.

In October , a presidential advisory from the American Heart Association issued a paper that clearly established the connection between cardiovascular disease, diabetic kidney disease and obesity. Other related illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and stroke, make up a large segment of health care spending in the U.S. Much of this spending could be used for other areas including preventative health and early intervention in illnesses.

By Elizabeth New

By Emilie Cameron

Last year, as Seattle weighed a wage floor proposal for food delivery drivers, a chorus of opponents warned that the policy would drive up prices, harm local businesses, and hit consumers already feeling the pinch of inflation. Local lawmakers should have listened.

By Todd Myers

By Dr. David V. Evans, Dr. Russell Maier and Dr. Glen Stream

The Spokane River is an incredible community resource that offers endless recreational opportunities, provides vital habitat for wildlife, and supports our water infrastructure. In the summer months, water conservation is more important than ever to protect the health and flow of the Spokane River and ensure it remains a vibrant hub for our community (including our aquatic friends).

Recently, life expectancy in the United States saw a decline for the first time since the 1920s for Americans.

Cities across America have watched as businesses close and commercial property remains vacant. The pandemic certainly played a role as has remote working patterns expedited by the COVID-19 shutdowns. However, anti-business policies and actions have had a tremendous impact as well. Crime and homeless vagrancy are forcing businesses to close or move out of downtowns because of a lack of traffic, theft, organized retail crime, employee safety and more.