Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Sorted by date Results 326 - 335 of 335
To the average American, China’s control of the world production, processing technology and stockpile of critical metals is not their concern. However, to our military and high-tech leaders, it is a very big deal. Our government has a list consisting of 35 metals considered to be vital to our national economy and security. While 17 are classified as “rare earth” and are not commonly known, all are critical components of products such as smart phones, laptop computers, lithi...
If there was any doubt about a need for change in the Governor’s Mansion occupancy, political newcomer Loren Culp swept them away in the only gubernatorial debate two weeks ago. Gov. Jay Inslee, whose been occupying the mansion for the last two terms, should’ve come ready to take on a small town police chief. Instead, he ran for his typical cover — everything is the fault of President Trump, global warming, systemic racism and the coronavirus. The problem is that mismanagement in the state’s corrections, mental health and emp...
Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives approved legislation calling for Gov. Brad Little to end his state’s emergency declaration. Shortly thereafter, the Idaho Senate followed suit, albeit approving different legislation. Maybe that’s what our governor, Jay Inslee, is afraid of. Maybe he’s afraid our elected legislators will end his shutdown and tackle an ailing budget that he has yet to responsibly address. Or maybe he just enjoys muzzling other political leade...
Most schools in Washington state will remain closed this fall. Some school districts are tightening their belts in anticipation of the COVID-19 budget cuts that are coming. But last week Gov. Jay Inslee bypassed the Legislature and the decisions of local school districts to protect the jobs of unionized school bus drivers. He's made sure money will keep flowing for school buses that are not carrying school children. His next step may be to keep the money flowing to school...
It was a hot, sunny July 3rd morning. About 50 farmers and ranchers were sitting under a white canopy in Basin City. From a distance, it looked as though the participants were solving the world's problems. The unmasked discussion reminded me of the coffee clubs I frequent to find find out about rural goings-on. This time, however, the group was drinking bottled water. And instead of the world's problems, they were discussing Washington state's. As I approached to listen in,...
There are two legal options to respond to a state budget deficit: The governor orders across the board budget cuts, or a special session of the Legislature occurs liquidating the deficit. The first is a blunt instrument allowing no thoughtful response. The second provides the people's legislative branch of government the opportunity to deliberate a more surgical response. ov. Jay Inslee, however, has made it clear he doesn't plan to call a special session to allow lawmakers...
Welcome to the segregated public schools of Washington state. According to the “Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide,” some public school students are more equal than others when it comes to returning to the classroom in the fall. The previously released guide from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has come under fire on social media for its discriminatory approach to restarting schools this fall in the wake of the coronavirus sca...
Perhaps 2020 will be best described in history books as the year a virus from China caused a global pandemic, massive riots erupted across the country, the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum, and there was an attempt to rewrite American history - all leading to what is sure to be an interesting November at the polls. If you are like me, you've likely been trying to tune out the national media to retain a little bit of self-worth and delay the onset of manic...
Educators nationwide scoff at the idea of homeschooling children. Those in unions, especially those in the Washington Education Association in our state, say parents can't provide the same educational opportunities at home as are available in public schools. A large part of their reasoning are social interactions. Indeed, those in the union have long argued social interactions are more important than allowing advanced students to move up a grade or substandard students from...
Franklin Connection posts letters of civic nature relating to area, state and national issues and politics. Letters should be limited to 250 words, and any cited facts should be attributed to the source of information. Letters may not contain personal attacks, profanity or cite other media. Please keep letters to a single subject. We do not post "thank you" letters; contact our advertising staff. Writers will be limited to one letter per week. No chain letters - those are...