Politics
Bellingham coal project gets hard push
Just as supporters of a proposed Longview coal-loading terminal take a step back, Bellingham is seeing a flurry of activity by supporters and opponents of a proposed Cherry Point facility.
Floyd McKay
Floyd J. McKay, professor of journalism emeritus at Western Washington University, was a print and broadcast journalist in Oregon for three decades. He is also a historian and his new book, "Reporting
Latest work
Washington State
Small counties are close to the people
There are political points to be scored with a measure to provide for breaking up counties that drain state revenues. But the counties it would target are often doing a rather good job of adapting to the recession.
Culture
Happiness: There's something about Northwest communities
Open space and education are values that attract people here, and they seem to be factors in our sense of well-being.
Politics
Odd provision in state law severely uncuts growth management
U.S. laws limit the burning of coal here, and Washington state has a strong green influence. Passenger rail in Seattle and beyond would suffer consequences from shipments to Bellingham. But the financial firepower lined up in favor of shipping coal from Washington ports to China is gigantic.
Politics
Portland: Trying to catch up on school construction
Portland wants to rebuild schools even as the area struggles financially and wonders about how it has fallen behind Seattle's economic position. At least Portland's superintendent of schools is popular, though.