Opinion

One of our biggest successes – guarding the majority of the community from the quantity and scope of violence we respond to on a daily basis – may also be one of our biggest failures.

During our annual celebration of Black History Month in the U.S., I – a Black woman working within corporate America – am both proud and disappointed. Proud of the many accomplishments of Black people, yet disappointed that 400 years after the first enslaved Africans were brought to this country, it is possible to still become the FIRST Black anything.

Mead and other Spokane area school districts voters: Don't let the Mead and other Spokane area school district superintendents, staff, and school boards hoodwink you again.

The Jan. 2 guest opinion criticizing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for straying from good science (Claire Loebs Davis: "I agree, Commissioner Thorburn; conservation should not be driven by ideology") made me recall a disagreement I had with its Commissioner Dr. Kim Thorburn over the department’s practice. I don’t know where my position falls on the spectrum of scientific correctness, but my complaint drew an extremely defensive reaction from her. I expressed frustration with the irresponsible growth of the (“wild”) turkey population in this area.

On January 29th, one opinion letter regarding the school levy was filled with incorrect information ("Your No vote is needed," John Axtell). One of many incorrect facts: “average teacher cost is $510 per day” — not true. Teacher-paid days equal about 190 days per year; $510 X 190 days equals $97,280 per teacher. The average salary in Spokane is in the low $60,000 per teacher range — in smaller communities, school districts generally pay lower salaries. Levy money is not designed to pay all the teachers’ salaries. State funds are the main source for salaries. To get accurate facts, contact your school districts and look online at other accurate sources.

After losing a national election, it’s natural that a political party goes through a period of soul-searching and internal turmoil.

President Joe Biden went to the State Department on Thursday to reaffirm his commitment to diplomacy and U.S. alliances, after a Trump presidency that disdained both and gutted the foreign service. Biden knows those alliances, in Europe and Asia, will be key to coping with a rising China.

SPS declares that they are not asking for a raise in the percentage rate they want to levy against your real property's assessed value, just renew the existing levy at the same old rate approved about two years ago. "No raise in taxes."

By Elaine Couture and David O’Brien

The Spokane Public Schools district levy funds so many indispensable programs and positions that directly benefit the children of Spokane, from nurses, counselors, custodians, behavior and intervention specialists to technology support, athletic programs, and Arts, Music & Drama classes.

The proposed House Bill 1018 will force folks to get training before they can ride an inner tube down a river is typical King & Snohomish County "nanny state” overreach.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Salmon Recovery Workgroup was tasked with recommending policies that could “restore abundant, sustainable, and well distributed populations of salmon in Idaho.” The governor stated he would not support breaching the lower Snake River dams, but instead wanted to “breach the status quo.” Unfortunately, the most central features of that status quo are the four lower Snake River dams.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican conspiracy theorist from Georgia, told her House colleagues Thursday that she came by her wacko views honestly: It was Google that led her astray.

As most of Spokane’s culinary scene clings to survival through sheer force of will, I was dismayed to see Don Chareunsy devote over 1,300 words to complimenting restaurants in Las Vegas ("Foreign flavors take flight," Jan 27).

People with pro-life beliefs are understandably puzzled by pro-life voters who vote for pro-choice candidates.