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Opinion > Column

Spin Control: If America is in a golden age, when will we know?

Sun., Jan. 26, 2025

President Donald Trump predicted a new golden age of America in his inaugural address. Past golden ages haven't been golden for everyone.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: From carelessness to crassness, we can’t unsee what we’ve seen

Thu., Jan. 23, 2025

I have three odds and ends that don’t necessarily blend smoothly into one column, so I’m just going to lurch from one to another – research blunders, words of the year and flying carrots.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: State Supreme Court wrestles with ban on large-capacity magazines

Sun., Jan. 19, 2025

The Washington Supreme Court is wrestling with a case that could decide the fate of the state’s 2022 law banning the sale of large-capacity magazines.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: A room of my own

Thu., Jan. 16, 2025

For many years, I posted the same cartoon on social media every December. It features a woman sitting on Santa’s lap, reading her Christmas wish list. “… And I also need a gripping opening sentence, help with my 14th and 28th chapters, an agent with excellent connections in the publishing world, and a home office with a door.”

Opinion > Column

Cynthia Reugh: If these are my golden years, I’ll take the bronze ones

Sun., Jan. 12, 2025

I recently rang in 2025 by turning the big 6-0. That equals 3,120 weeks, 21,900 days or 525,600 hours. A milestone? Hardly. More a reminder that I need to begin thinking about selecting my tombstone.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: How to keep up with the Legislature as it faces changes, red ink and drama

Sun., Jan. 12, 2025

The Legislature convenes Monday with the state facing a $12 billion budget shortfall over the next four years and major changes in the leadership in the executive branch of Washington government.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: The 2024 words of the year leave this writer a bit befuddled

Thu., Jan. 9, 2025

Here I sit, in the early days of 2025, when thoughts should be on starting anew, working on crisp and hopeful resolutions and cleaning up after all the merriment of the past weeks.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: 2024 is over, but some lawmakers are still thinking about elections

Sun., Jan. 5, 2025

Even before the 2025 Washington Legislature convenes on January 13, some lawmakers have proposed several changes to state election law.

Opinion > Column

Other Voices: Idaho lawmakers should make it easier for citizens to participate during the session

Thu., Jan. 2, 2025

BOISE – Ready or not, Idaho’s 2025 Legislative Session starts on Monday. Many important policies will be considered, ranging from education choice to tax reform. There will also likely be a surprise or two. It is of paramount importance for Idahoans to have the ability to be actively involved and heard by their elected officials during this lawmaking process. Unfortunately, it is more difficult than it should be for this to occur.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: Savoring special occasions

Wed., Jan. 1, 2025

As breakfasts go, on the day after Thanksgiving, it doesn't get much better than homemade pumpkin pie with a large dollop of whipped cream. Ditto on the day after, the day after.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: The crystal ball for 2025 might be a bit cloudy

Sun., Dec. 29, 2024

Spin Control takes advantage of the last Sunday of December to prognosticate the year ahead. Or as Bullwinkle J. Moose used to say when looking into his crystal ball: “Eenie, meenie, chili beanie…”

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: A trip downtown was just the right thing for getting into the spirit of the season

Thu., Dec. 26, 2024

And now it’s over. Christmas.

Opinion > Column

‘Get the kid his peaches’: A lesson in true journalism

Wed., Dec. 25, 2024

Dec. 25, 1986

Opinion > Column

It’s a holiday tradition: Spin Control’s 12 Trivias of Christmas quiz

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 26, 2024

Christmas can be a tough time for political columnists. Not only do readers tend to skip heavy political news that could shake them out of the holiday spirit, but it’s almost impossible to track down political sources in the week before Dec. 25 who aren’t so full of eggnog that they can’t say anything more intelligible than, “Ho, ho, ho!”

Opinion > Column

Rob Curley: Cynicism, trusting your mother’s love and peaches on Christmas

Wed., Dec. 25, 2024

Romantic stories get to me. They always have. And that trait sometimes puts a journalist in an awkward position with others in this particular profession.

Opinion > Column

Rob Curley: Embracing the myth of ‘Silver Bells’

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 24, 2024

It was one of those stories that was so good, your only hope is that it’s true.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: Things my husband says: New and improved edition

Thu., Dec. 19, 2024

When my oldest brother David offers advice, I usually take it. He’s a pretty smart guy.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: Heed the grammar gods and resist the urge to click

Thu., Dec. 12, 2024

I came across a little item on Facebook recently, showing a woman sitting in a chair, then stretching one leg out straight (at right angles to her torso) and standing up using only the muscles in her other leg and hip and without hands touching anything.

Opinion > Column

Spin Control: DOGE, the new cost-cutting initiative, has echoes of Reagan effort

Sun., Dec. 8, 2024

Capitol Hill visits by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswami bring back memories of effort of a previous president to cut government spending.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: So many trips down the aisle - and not a single divorce

Thu., Dec. 5, 2024

My column about my son’s wedding (Oct. 24) prompted a blast from the past.

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