The struggle is real. Across the nation, school districts are wrestling with the omnipresent cell phone, an all but universally acknowledged persistent source of distraction in the classroom.  …

As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been thinking about what gratitude truly means—not just as words shared around a dinner table, but as an active force capable of transforming our communities. …

North Central Washington has always been a place where strength is measured in visible metrics: the size of the harvest, the height of the dam, the acres of orchards, the megawatts generated. Our …

With all of the election advertising concluded and campaign signs now removed, the all-consuming “political season” we endured is quickly becoming recent history. With so many local, …

Walking downtown in any community across North Central Washington, you'll find more than just commerce – you'll discover the very heart of community identity. The independent bookstore where …

Across North Central Washington, nonprofits are the threads that bind our communities together, weaving a fabric of support, compassion, and progress. From food banks that nourish the hungry to …

In our hyperconnected world of constant notifications, streaming media, and 280-character hot takes, a vital human skill is quietly slipping away: the art of listening. True listening – …

Compassion. It's a word we hear often, but when was the last time you truly felt it? Not just a fleeting moment of sympathy, but a profound understanding of another's pain that moved you to action. …

Today, as we observe Labor Day, we pause to reflect on the state of work in America and the evolving relationship between employers and employees. This holiday, born from the labor movement of the …

Imagine a world where every conversation is an echo chamber, where differing opinions are met with hostility, and where the fear of the unfamiliar drives every decision. Now open your eyes – …

In an era marked by polarization and heated rhetoric, the notion of civil discourse has become both a beacon of hope and a subject of intense scrutiny. As we reflect on the state of public …

Much attention and resources have been directed in recent weeks to Wenatchee’s Balsam Root Fire in early July and the Pioneer Fire currently burning near Lake Chelan. These fires are just two …

In an era where trust in institutions wavers and polarization deepens, the specter of media bias looms large over our national discourse. From the halls of Congress to heated debates on social media, …

In an age of information overload, we fancy ourselves discerning consumers of facts. We pride ourselves on our critical thinking, our ability to separate wheat from chaff in the digital deluge. Yet, …

Recently, I had an enlightening conversation with my son, who grew up surrounded by the world of news. His insightful questions highlighted the same concerns many of our readers have about the …

As the August 6 primary election draws near, it is crucial that we, as citizens, recognize the immense power we hold in our hands. The act of voting, often taken for granted, is the very foundation …

As the publisher of our local newspaper, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the recent Pew Research Center report on the changing relationship between Americans and their local news outlets. The …

SPOKANE — Washington State Republican Party leaders say they want party unity, but they torpedoed unity, at least for a bit, all for the sake of attempted control.  When it became …

Our state approves three budgets every two years. These budgets fund Washington’s operating ($71.9 billion), transportation ($14.6 billion), and capital ($10.3 billion) expenditures, including …

Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) was passed in 2021 with the goal of reducing and phasing out carbon emissions.  Unfortunately, there have been several problems with …