Opinion

Keith Livingston is a longtime Federal Way resident and community observer. He can be reached at keithlivingstondesign@gmail.com.

Police blotter blues and our sense of accountability | Livingston

Reading the police blotter in any newspaper proves that we as people will do just about anything and when caught, find a way to justify… Continue reading

Keith Livingston is a longtime Federal Way resident and community observer. He can be reached at keithlivingstondesign@gmail.com.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Politics and the Sound Transit Board’s big decision for South King County | Roegner

Fortunately, the Sound Transit Board of Directors will make the final decision on the location of the south operations maintenance facility (OMF) rather than officials… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Democrats, Republicans, budgets and taxes | Roegner

Because the Democrats control the state’s House, Senate and the Governor’s Office, reaching agreement on the 2021-2023 budget should be relatively easy. It helps that… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Jayendrina Singha Ray is a PhD (ABD) in English, with a research focus on the works of the South African Nobel Laureate John Maxwell Coetzee. She teaches English Composition and Research Writing at Highline College, WA, and has previously taught English at colleges in India.

Asian women and racial violence in the aftermath of Atlanta | Guest column

In her famous essay “The Laugh of the Medusa,” Hélène Cixous resurrects the myth of Medusa — a gorgon whose terrifying glance turned onlookers into… Continue reading

  • Apr 9, 2021
Jayendrina Singha Ray is a PhD (ABD) in English, with a research focus on the works of the South African Nobel Laureate John Maxwell Coetzee. She teaches English Composition and Research Writing at Highline College, WA, and has previously taught English at colleges in India.
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Access to cash is a prescription for better health | Guest column

By Danny Low, For the Reporter As I see pictures of my medical colleagues receiving their COVID-19 vaccines and posting expressions of gratitude online, I’m… Continue reading

  • Apr 7, 2021
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Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Violence Against Women Act becomes political victim | Roegner

The last thing this country need is to politicize violence against women. The Violence Against Women Act was introduced by then-United States Senator and current… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
An AR-15 and a loaded magazine were recovered from a suspect in a shooting incident at the Kent Station parking garage in 2019. (King County Sheriff’s Office)

Editorial: Lawmakers test public’s patience on gun laws

There were more than 24,000 firearm deaths last year, yet state and national lawmakers seem immovable.

An AR-15 and a loaded magazine were recovered from a suspect in a shooting incident at the Kent Station parking garage in 2019. (King County Sheriff’s Office)
Flames attack the hillside in Bonney Lake on Sept. 8, 2020. (East Pierce Fire Rescue photo)

Editorial: Make preventing, fighting wildfires a priority

A $125 million request would fund firefighting, healthy forests and protect homes and communities.

  • Mar 29, 2021
  • By The Herald Editorial Board
  • Editorials
Flames attack the hillside in Bonney Lake on Sept. 8, 2020. (East Pierce Fire Rescue photo)
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The right to vote helps rehumanize incarcerated people | Guest column

By Kim Bogucki, For The Reporter In 2008, I began asking incarcerated people a seemingly simple question: “If there was something someone could have said… Continue reading

  • Mar 12, 2021
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Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Bills for police reform move through Legislature | Roegner

One of the priorities for the House of Representatives this session is to pass legislation aimed at improving police departments and how they treat residents… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Challenging Gov. Inslee’s emergency powers | Roegner

The Legislature is now in session, meaning our break from politics was too short — and it didn’t take long for Gov. Jay Inslee’s use… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Tim Eyman. File photo

Editorial: Judge’s rebuke of Eyman protects initiative process

Along with a $2.6 million fine, the ruling places restrictions on Eyman’s future initiative campaigns.

Tim Eyman. File photo
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Cities work with local minority groups on police concerns | Roegner

Many cities have made front page news regarding racial issues between their residents and their police department. White officers shooting Black people or other minorities,… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Regional homeless agency behind schedule, but there’s hope | Roegner

It is the middle of winter and it’s too cold for anyone to stay outside all night. Seattle, King County and suburban city leaders wanted… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
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Thoughts on police reform and public trust | Guest column

By Steven D. Strachan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs The old saying “all politics are local” has taken on new meaning as lawmakers… Continue reading

  • Feb 12, 2021
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Weyerhaeuser campus. File photo

Be a champion for preservation of local historic sites | Guest column

By Barbara Lloyd McMichael, South King County Cultural Coalition Growing up on Military Road in a house that overlooked the rural Green River Valley, I… Continue reading

  • Feb 6, 2021
Weyerhaeuser campus. File photo
A CVS pharmacist prepares a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. File photo

Editorial: Give teachers a cut in line for covid vaccine

It’s worth considering to get kids back in classrooms, but schools can work to open safely for all.

A CVS pharmacist prepares a shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. File photo
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He recently retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at thebrunells@msn.com.

Hydrogen gains momentum as replacement fuel for trucks | Brunell

In the coming decade, European Union leaders are investing heavily in hydrogen fuel research, believing it is a key to eliminating CO2 discharges from vehicles.… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He recently retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at thebrunells@msn.com.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Change is ahead for both political parties | Roegner

President Donald Trump changed the national political landscape. Both political parties have internal divisions with the resulting need to pause for reflection as they are… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.
Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.

Local and county election forecast for 2021 | Roegner

With Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announcing she is not running for re-election, she makes the fourth in the past five Seattle mayors to not run… Continue reading

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn. Contact bjroegner@comcast.net.