Commentary

Comment: GOP Tenn. win offers little solace for 2026 prospects

The Republican won by 9 points but it’s a margin dwarfed by Trump’s win in 2024, mimicking other recent results.

Comment: Relaxing fuel-effiency won’t be much help to consumers

Vehicles aren’t likely to become much cheaper and you’ll pay for more gas. Automakers will benefit, though.

Comment: Trump’s curbs on immigration threat to Social Security

Pursuing ‘reverse immigration’ will cut into the labor market and the benefit’s source of support.

FILE — A mother holds her 8-month-old while a COVID-19 vaccine is administered in Hatfield, Pa., June 30, 2022. Dr. Vinay Prasad, director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said in a staff memo on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, that a review spearheaded by vaccine skeptic Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg found that at least 10 children in the U.S. died “after and because of” getting a Covid-19 vaccination. (Hannah Beier/The New York Times)

Comment: Claims of vaccine deaths need to produce the data

Relying on unsubstantiated claims of children’s deaths could increase mistrust and lead to deaths.

FILE — A mother holds her 8-month-old while a COVID-19 vaccine is administered in Hatfield, Pa., June 30, 2022. Dr. Vinay Prasad, director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said in a staff memo on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, that a review spearheaded by vaccine skeptic Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg found that at least 10 children in the U.S. died “after and because of” getting a Covid-19 vaccination. (Hannah Beier/The New York Times)

Comment: Driving impaired at .05 BAC; law should reflect that

The state’s impaired driving law needs a lower blood alcohol limit, a senator and former sheriff says.

Comment: Federal, states’ policies starving farms in the West

Tariffs and trade disputes, coupled with state taxes and regulations are eating farm profits.

Comment: Latest BP pipeline spill proves why a river’s rights matter

Had a citizen’s initiative survived a legal challenge it might have ensured BP paid full remediation.

Comment: Hegseth facing fussilade of questions over boat strike

The demand for answers is coming from both parties in House and Senate, where few back the ‘War’ chief.

Comment: Campbell’s should have defended more than its soup

A leaked conversation disparaged employees and customers; two important ingredients for a company.

Comment: Zillow axing climate risk data doesn’t elimate risk

Sellers and their agents would rather not talk about risks, but buyers should demand info or beware.

Comment: Here’s how Trump can make his tariff rebates work well

Just don’t tell him the idea uses Canada’s approach regarding rebates for its consumption tax.

Comment: Prosecute fraud; not entire communities of immigrants

Trump’s accusations against Somalis in Minnesota are unfocused and tar innocent individuals.

Comment: Rationale to disobey illegal orders has solemn history

The justification is based on the events of the Nuremberg trials and concerned Germany and the entire world.

Comment: ‘Dimming’ the sun is a bad idea; tech bros make it worse

Deflecting the sun’s rays to cool the climate has many drawbacks. Government should rein in proposals.

Comment: Supreme Court offers GOP best shot to hold the House

The gerrymandering spree is a response to the possibility of Democrats retaking the House next year.

Comment: Why isn’t ICE stopped? Two branches won’t check third.

A permissive Supreme Court and a subservient Congress is content to allow civil rights abuses to continue.

Charlie Laughtland, left, and Tim Brincefield, right, sort out cans of corn, pears and diced tomatoes at the Edmonds Food Bank on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comment: Ensuring food aid nourishes people’s bodies and dignity

Food banks and programs like SNAP need to take steps to prevent social stigma from discouraging their use.

Charlie Laughtland, left, and Tim Brincefield, right, sort out cans of corn, pears and diced tomatoes at the Edmonds Food Bank on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comment: HIV/AIDS isn’t death sentence, but work must continue

New infections are on the decline here, but focus can’t be lost on research, testing and prevention.

Comment: Monroe peer-to-peer program builds hope behind bars

Monroe Correctional Center’s Peer Resource Program makes the most of second chances for those incarcerated.

Comment: Chimps can do something that AI can’t: reason

Recent research shows chimps can weigh evidence in making decisions; AI just depends on probability.