OLYMPIA — As expected, the information presented yesterday does not change the fact that claims of widespread election fraud have been repeatedly disproven. What we heard last night sounds like concern about election security, when in fact this administration has dismantled the critical federal cybersecurity programs that support our elections. We have been aware of and responding to foreign nation-state attempts on our election systems since before the 2016 general election. In the past year, cuts to federal programs supporting state election security have created gaps in federal and state election security coordination. In the worst-case scenario, sustaining cybersecurity support for our office and all 39 Washington counties will require $3 million annually.

The federal administration has also attempted to condition elections funding on states meeting new and unfounded election requirements. Conditioning funding is an unwarranted delay to receive federal support for preventing, protecting against, or responding to known and documented acts of terrorism and other threats.

At the same time, the administration is pushing states to participate in the SAVE system, which is demonstrably unreliable and inaccurate. A U.S. District Court ruled June 25 that it is no longer authorized for use.

Protecting the integrity of our elections includes protecting voters’ private info. Under Washington state law, the last four digits of an individual’s Social Security number, driver’s license number, and full date of birth are protected. Any state or local election officer who discloses this private voter information may be charged with a class C felony. We do not release voters’ protected information – despite receiving unlawful demands from the DOJ.

Election officials take voter eligibility and fraud seriously and investigate every allegation. While questions may arise following tonight’s address, Washington has well-established processes for maintaining accurate voter rolls and protecting the integrity of our elections.

The facts in Washington remain unchanged. Election officials implement security and transparency at every step of the election process. Ballots are tracked, voter signatures are verified, election systems are tested before and after elections. Results are subject to multiple audits and review to ensure every eligible voter’s ballot is counted accurately.

Members of the public can watch this process firsthand at their county elections office.

Washington state has a proven track record of running secure, accurate, and transparent elections. Telling the same lies over and over again does not make them true.

Raising the salary and benefits package seven months after hiring Chris Jones completely contradicts that logic. This backward timeline creates the distinct impression that the board hired Jones, realized a higher salary could have secured better talent, and is now retroactively adjusting the budget.

How does that make sense? Our community deserves transparency from the PUD board on why this search was poorly planned from the start, and why stakeholders are adjusting the financial goalposts after the fact.

Beth Anheier Newport

Take back our country!

In my observation, the DSA (“Democratic” Socialists of America) are beginning to show their true colors. Even readers of the NYT and the Washington Post can catch a glimpse. Suddenly DSA candidates are taking the Democrat Party by storm, proudly declaring their loyalty to that platform. They promote nothing short of tearing up our constitution and installing a new system of governance where the most powerful positions are appointed, rather than elected. In short: communism.

Historians have understood that socialism is an inch-by-inch stepping stone to communism. They use information warfare and unconventional warfare to infiltrate and gradually set the stage for a total upheaval – a revolution from within. We can already see their methods employed in our country: 1) Overwhelm the native population by mass immigration. 2) Compromise the media, then provoke polarized divisiveness and paint the current administration black. 3) DSA political candidates exploit the disadvantaged by promising “free” everything. 4) When sufficient infiltration is accomplished through elections, hiring and appointing cronies, and enough of the population have been propagandized, they instigate an insurrection.

Thankfully, enough independent journalists are able to publish on free-speech media that people worldwide are waking up to this crisis.

-Kamori Cattadoris Newport

Under the Radar

While we point and laugh at the reflecting pool and ballroom, the Trump administration continues to wreak havoc with societal norms in the background. These policies won’t make steak or gas cheaper! They will, however, lower the quality of life for the average American.

First up: new rules allowing guns to be sold by mail over the internet, bypassing screening designed to limit sales to children and criminals. Another rule change would allow people with a history of mental illness to possess firearms.

Next, rule changes putting political appointees in charge of all government grants. So research working for a cure for herpes or cancer, wildfire mitigation or even childcare will now be controlled by political appointees who’s only job qualification is how much they bribed Trump.

Then there’s a rule change specifying that only the federal government can sue polluters for violations of clean air and water standards. Under the proposed rule change it might be up to a former Fox News reporter to decide whether such polluting would be worthy of objection.

While Trump fearmongers about communists, he sponsors price controlled discount gas and his government buys stock in private companies. Truly the twilight zone!

-Gloria Coppock Chewelah

Supporting hospital bond is investment in community

I strongly support the hospital bond because it is an investment in the health, safety, and future of our community. Our hospital has served us well, but its facilities are no longer adequate.

This bond will fund needed improvements that will benefit every patient. A top priority is expanding the Emergency Department, including dedicated behavioral health space. This will create a safer, more appropriate environment for patients in crisis and improve safety for patients, visitors, and staff.

The bond will also add new operating rooms, improving surgical care and helping obstetrical patients who need emergency C-sections stay close to home. Other important upgrades include new laboratory and physical therapy spaces, a permanent MRI in radiology, and relocating the on-site pharmacy.

These improvements will expand access to care and create the potential to add chemotherapy services in the future, sparing patients and families long trips for treatment. I am voting yes on the hospital bond. Together, we can build a healthier future for our community.

Lynnette Elswick Board Chair Newport Hospital & Health Services

Mail ballot back early

You recently received your primary election ballot in the mail. It is time to remind everyone that the US Postal Service established new policies effective last Jan. 1 that changed the timeframe for how mail is postmarked. Currently our mail is transported to Spokane for postmarking meaning at least a one-day delay (or more) between the time you mail it until it actually is postmarked. This means that mailing your ballot on election day will likely result in your vote NOT counting.

To account for this, the USPS recommends returning mail ballots at least 5 days prior to election day. Alternatively, you can drop a completed ballot into ballot drop boxes located throughout the county up to 8 p.m. on election day. For locations, you can reference the mailed voter’s guide or call the Pend Oreille County elections office at 509-447-6472. Lastly, you can present your ballot on election day at your local post office and request a hand postmark.

Our mail voting system is supervised by trained professionals and has a nearly flawless history of security and accuracy. We can all do our parts to assist them by getting our completed ballots returned in a timely manner.

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

Writer misses his pal

I am now 2,100 miles from Newport but still receiving the Miner. I already miss bantering with local people with opposite points of view. Watching President Trump’s speech on last Thursday I wondered if Citizen Scobby would be accepting of any of his comments or rhetoric.

Well, not really. Regarding the economy, I know his response would be it’s not that good. Regarding Iran, we are killing civilians and should never have attacked in the first place. Regarding the Save America Act he would say there is no need for proof of citizenship to vote in Federal elections.

A bold argument with 80% of Americans saying we need to have honest elections. BTW he did say there was no problem with illegal aliens crossing our southern border. How has that worked out? Murderers, rapists, assaults, thefts, all across America. He would ask, would I feel better if those crimes were committed by American citizens? Point is they would never have happened if the illegals were not here. Yes, I will miss the interaction and my pal Pete.

-K.C. Hunt Murfreesboro, TN

Save America, vote for Democrats

I just filled out my ballot. Our country really needs Democratic leadership. What we have is not leadership. What we have right now is someone trying to keep his worthless, crooked ass out of prison. They would let our country burn to the ground instead of being honest about one single thing.

Vote blue! Save America!

-Jeannie Hutchins Newport

Do the math on hospital bond

Yesterday we received a mailer regarding the Newport Hospital’s proposed expansion and improvement. I found it to be truthful but a bit deceptive.

Under the heading “What will this cost?” it states that a property assessed at $300,000 will have an increase of an estimated $37 in monthly property taxes. If my math is correct, and it is, that means an increase of $444 per year for 30 years, and that’s if your assessment never increases. Believe me, proper- ty owners in this county have been experiencing huge gains in assessed values for a few years now, and it isn’t likely to start going down anytime soon. Do the math for yourself, multiply $1.47 times each $1,000 of your assessed value, you just might be surprised. I say make some improvements but scale it way back.

-WL Mitchell Newport

Vote with confidence

Last week’s letters to the editor provided a segue to discussing election fraud.

Trump blames his loss in 2020 on fraud, claims that lack legal evidence.

Trump is just plain a sore loser but uses the 2020 “stolen” election claims as a test of loyalty amongst his fans – a modern version of the story “The Emperor Has No Clothes.” A couple of months ago Marianne Nichols (Pend Oreille County Auditor) appeared at an informational public town hall in Newport and discussed her department’s procedures to ensure that voters’ ballots are counted correctly. To those of you that fear for election integrity I would strongly recommend you express your concerns to the County Auditor’s office; I think you will be amazed, as I was, at how thorough and carefully our ballots are handled.

The issue is not that voting fraud exists – it does, but rather how prevalent is it and how much do the “solutions” to preventing voting fraud instead restrict legitimate voters.

Last night, July 16, 2026, Trump again attacked our elections. I have little doubt he will declare a national emergency this Fall, post ICE agents at polling stations, and seize ballots.

Please vote with confidence in our election.

-Sandy Nichols Newport

Our time to shine

The Washington State primary elections are coming August 4, and ballots are in the mail.

Elections are important because all eligible citizens can choose their representatives in local, state, and federal offices.

We also vote on initiatives and other ballot measures.

Citizens are stakeholders! Elections are our opportunity to make our voices heard to determine the path forward for our country- politically, economically, and socially.

Such is the power of our vote! First time voters may still register. All voters may find sos.wa.gov/ elections a valuable resource.

Engaging with, and supporting, our community through protests and marches is visible, uplifting, and influential. However, voting is the key to affecting change; voting is our fundamental right and responsibility.

If you support high gas and grocery prices, shrinking health care and housing availability and affordability, then you will vote to maintain the status quo. If you support an administration that is focused on retribution and self-enrichment while stealing from its citizens, then you will vote for the status quo.

However, if you envision a different government – one being of the people, by the people, and most importantly for the people, then you must vote for immediate, transformational change.

-Julie Rose Deer Park

Repeating falsehoods makes us all dumber

The Trump MAGA propaganda of “free and fair elections” brainwashed two letter writers last week. This is abuse of language intended to make voters believe in political fantasy. Trump uses words like a mass shooter uses bullets. The words go into our brains, and we become programmed mostly like that jingle saying, “1-800 cars for kids.” Hear it enough and you can’t get it out of your brain.

We find ourselves believing in things that never happened or don’t exist. I often engage with strangers and after a few minutes, I can identify such programming. Voter ID is a farce and has zero to do with free and fair elections. If you need ID to confirm who you are to yourself, family and friends, then you don’t know who you are. At some point Trump will want a fingerprint card and DNA sample to vote.

How else can we prevent people with fake ID from voting in our place?

I implore fellow letter writers to stop abusing language by repeating political programming.

Please stop believing that an election isn’t fair unless your candidate wins.

Every time that Trump claims a stolen election, we all lose thousands of brain cells.

-Pete Scobby Newport

They have many resources and connections to programs designed to help.

For example, there are many options for the elderly or disabled to remain in their home, if they wish. Meals, transportation, in-home care and caregiver support, as well as physical modifications to the home, such as bathroom equipment, or wheelchair ramps can significantly improve the quality of life for them and their families. Programs are available to help with caregiving, information, referrals and answers to questions about Medicare and Medicaid.

Anyone in need of medical equipment, hearing aids, assistance with prescriptions, eyeglasses, help with medical insurance or legal aid can be connected to resources.

If you are caring for relatives’ children, there are many ways to gain assistance and receive support.

Signing up for Washington state workers’ tax credit can add money to families who qualify.

Another important service is connecting those who may be eligible for veteran benefits. Some may think they do not qualify, when, in fact, they do. Some have wrongfully been denied benefits, and can actually qualify, including reimbursements for benefits denied from the time they originally applied.

Many problems people encounter can be reduced or eliminated through connections with the appropriate social service agencies or organizations. There is no charge for this service.

If you would like to be a part of this team, stop by, call 509 292 9483, or email at CamdenGrangeResource-Team@outlook.com and leave a message.

As President of the Board for Pend Oreille PUD, I take seriously my responsibility to communicate with the public about the Board’s decisions. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to questions and concerns about the recent adjustment to the General Manager’s compensation. Public questions are not only welcome, but they’re also very important. That said, several claims circulating in our community are simply inaccurate, and I believe it’s important to provide some context and clarify the facts.

First, the idea that the Board “ignored” or “disregarded” the General Manager’s contract is simply not true. The employment agreement sets an initial salary and outlines an annual performance review process. It also gives the Board the authority to evaluate compensation over the course of the agreement when appropriate. The General Manager is evaluated annually, just like every employee at the PUD. That’s been standard practice for decades. Washington law allows performance evaluations in executive session, and we followed that long-established, lawful process.

I also want to say something about the broader conversation taking place. I encourage people to ask questions and get the facts before sharing accusations or rumors on social media, in local newspapers, or around the county. We see too much misinformation in today’s society, and it doesn’t serve anyone well. Our community deserves thoughtful conversations based on facts, not assumptions. The PUD has always been committed to being transparent about its decisions, and that won’t change.

The Board’s decision was based on the belief that the General Manager’s compensation should better reflect today’s utility industry and the responsibilities of leading an organization as complex as Pend Oreille PUD. The truth is that the General Manager’s salary had gradually fallen out of alignment with similarly sized public utilities in Washington and around the region. When compensation falls too far behind comparable organizations, it becomes much harder to remain competitive for experienced utility leaders. Replacing a General Manager is neither a quick nor inexpensive process, and periods of leadership transition can slow important projects, disrupt long-term planning, and create unnecessary costs. Addressing the issue now was the more responsible long-term approach. This decision was made with the interests of the PUD and the people we serve in mind, not the convenience of any one individual.

We understand that many families in Pend Oreille County are feeling financial pressure. We don’t take that lightly. This adjustment represents a very small fraction of the PUD’s overall budget and has no impact on customer rates. During my nearly 25 years on the Board, we’ve remained committed to responsible financial management, and today our customers continue to enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in our region. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of careful planning, sound financial decisions, and a commitment to doing what’s best for our customers.

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that steady leadership helps avoid costly disruptions, complete major projects and keep the PUD on the right track. Those benefits ultimately serve our customers well.

It’s also important to understand how executive compensation affects the rest of the organization.

When the top of the pay scale falls too far behind the market, it creates compression throughout the entire non-union pay structure. Maintaining competitive compensation is essential to attracting and retaining the skilled employees who operate, maintain and support our utility every day. A strong workforce helps keep the PUD safely staffed, protects institutional knowledge, and positions us to provide reliable service to our customers.

The Board has already acknowledged that there are opportunities to strengthen our evaluation process, and we’re committed to doing that. But suggestions that the Board failed in its duty or acted without integrity simply don’t reflect what happened. We followed the same lawful evaluation process we’ve used for years, considered market information and organizational needs, and made a decision consistent with our responsibility to act as responsible stewards of the utility and its ratepayers.

At the end of the day, I believe we all want the same thing: a PUD that is financially responsible, well-managed, dependable, and focused on serving this community for the long term. That’s the responsibility the Board takes seriously with every decision we make, and it will continue to guide us.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to stay engaged, ask questions, and seek accurate information. Our community deserves nothing less.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

I am still in shock after reading in our local paper about The 7B Pregnancy Services! I am giving a huge shout out to our local hospital, the doctor who refused to sign, Kim Manus, Jenny Smith and everyone who knew this was a violation to all women.

I guess, I was not registering the severity of Roe vs Wade, the overturn of it? Living in Washington State we can’t even understand. This is why we can’t back down to right wing religious whack jobs!

Why and how do our sisters believe they are of lesser value than their male counterparts? We all need to rise, protect, love our sisters, celebrate all women, help them, save them, healthcare for all situations, protect contraceptives.

Let them know pregnancy can only happen when sperm is introduced to their bodies! It is not God’s wish for you to be raped or be a mother against your wish! It is science, cells, sperm & an egg!

Protect, Fight, and know we are all equals!

The shear shock of this article!

Thank you to The Miner Newspaper & Sophia Aldous for bringing this story to us!

Cindy Boober Newport

Miscommunication

Dear Sandy Nichols: I’m so sorry, but judging by your July 8 letter, you misunderstood the intent of my letter explaining “why Republicans insist that the USA is a Republic and not a Democracy.” First: I’m not a “Republican.” I voted “Democrat” all my life until the party left me behind with its extremism. In my opinion, the polarized divisiveness between us is stoked by propaganda passed off as “news.” The tone in your letter seems to address me as an adversary; that makes me sad.

Second: conservatives and independents like myself are not trying to “destroy confidence in our elections” by correctly stating that we are a Constitutional Republic form of government (that, yes, employs democratic methods). I was genuinely curious why conservatives kept saying that, so I did the research and reported it. I’m a nerd; I question everything and love doing research.

Third: I began research into documentation of election irregularities when conservatives first reported it; I wanted to verify for myself. I have found lots of evidence, including security videos, statistics, and improper ballots. We want those problems corrected so that yes, we can have free and fair elections. We are on the same team!

Kamori Cattadoris Newport

Proud of our president’s support of children

I have been a long time advocate for the pro-life movement. Today the news of the trumpaccounts.gov for every child born is great news.

For those born in low-income zip codes there is even more.

Our nation has been in a non-sustainable birth survival rate ever since the championing of death to the unborn by the Democratic Party and Roe vs Wade. The Trump Accounts will encourage parents to birth their children and revive our population. We may even thank our local legislators for a county wide land use plan that insures our local zip code of remaining in the low economic rate.

Our President, Donald J Trump, initiated a plan for our children to be able to have an economic future without government interference.

The private accompanying by investors like Dell (6.25 billion dollars) and SpaceX (2 million stocks) are encouraging many others to come along side for the children.

There are no overpaid “professionals,” (government employees) extracting funds from the accounts. I am proud of our President. He has accomplished so much more than any president in the past century.

Trad media refuses to report it.

Karen Hanson Newport

Fire Congress

My last two letters to The Miner addressed my concerns about the US democracy deniers and the connection to attacking the integrity of our election system. Today I see that Trump fired two members of the Election Assistance Commission, making this commission useless. He is seeking to delegitimate our election system to protect the almost inevitable midterm election Republican losses – due in reality to high consumer prices and an unpopular war of choice with Iran.

However, on the other side of election integrity are those officials we elect to protect our elections.

Notables are Raffensperger of Georgia and our own Marianne Nichols (no relation) of Pend Oreille County. Marianne Nichols was recently recognized by our State Governor for her outstanding and long-term public service. I have come to regard most election officials as the true guardians of democracy.

I think we should fire all members of Congress and replace them with people selected from the pool of election officials.

Sandy Nichols Newport

Democrats held to higher standards

How is it that the Democratic senate candidate from Maine is unacceptable over his sexual conduct while Trump got elected twice despite his sexual misconduct?

Democrats must have candidates and elected officials that are free of any misconduct while Republicans don’t follow any self-imposed standard.

Democrats forced the Maine senate candidate to withdraw and will likely lose the election and not regain the senate majority. Frankly, I don’t see a difference when the moral bar has been set so low by Trump. Elections are about political power and not sexual morality.

Democrats shoot themselves in the political foot by eliminating candidates that have sexual misbehavior.

Our incumbent congressman could have a sexual abuse issue and would still win the election over a high-minded Democrat. They say we go high when Republicans go low, but the Republican still wins.

Democrats get the seats in the back of the room, and the majority Republicans sit at the head table.

I would rather see a flawed Democrat at the head table representing the interests of ordinary citizens than a Republican that votes for his ultra rich sponsors. The three richest men in America were in the front row at Trump’s inauguration.

Pete Scobby Newport

More cognitive bias-driven opinions

Let’s examine the letter titled “We are a Democratic Republic.” The writer previously stated, “We are a representative democracy.” Now, they claim we are a “democratic republic.” What form of government is it this week? Additionally, I would like to know who “we” are? They opine, “they seek to destroy our confidence in the election system.”

The writer neglected to provide evidence from previous letters related to this subject to support that claim. That’s a departure from the original definition of a government. Consequently, I am compelled to conclude that this appears to be yet another instance of cognitive bias-driven opinions. The writer also mentions the assertion that “at the time of Thomas Jefferson, only property-owning or tax-paying white males could vote.” This statement is a blatant half-truth intended to convey a specific implication. The writer should consult New Jersey’s 1776 State Constitution and other state constitutions from the same era. “The foundation of this democracy is confidence in free and fair elections.” Actually, democracy’s bedrock principles are that political power belongs to the people, allowing citizens to exercise authority directly or through elections. This ensures government decisions reflect the collective will while safeguarding individual rights.

Renee Webster Newport

Toxic waste

We’ve known about the Hanford Nuclear Reservation being at the top of the list for Super Fund sites in the hemisphere. The work has been ongoing for years with efforts to contain the radioactive material and prevent its migration toward the Columbia River. In their infinite wisdom, House Republicans proposed an additional $55 million reduction from the Cleanup Fund on top of the $300 million reduction requested by the Trump administration.

This is most likely a knee-jerk reaction to pay for the costs incurred by Donald Trump’s war of choice against Iran.

When asked to oppose this, Michael Baumgartner replied with little more than platitudes. His commitment was to closely monitor any developments that might affect progress and to keep my concerns in mind. Given his voting record of toeing the Republican line, I doubt he will do little more than monitor this environmental disaster as it happens and then vote according to party mandate to cut funding.

It seems as though Michael Baumgartner’s “concerns” are primarily supporting the current administration and continuing his political career rather than the health of his constituents. Please keep this in mind when casting your vote in November.

JR Wyatt Elk

In the late 1800s, the socalled Robber Barons accumulated vast wealth, often by exploiting the citizenry. Then, to buy public tolerance and polish their images, ruthless 19th-century industrialists pivoted to massive, high-profile philanthropy. Their strategies to manufacture public goodwill included Carnegie’s libraries and Rockefeller’s donation of land to the parks system. They and others founded and endowed universities such as The University of Chicago, Vanderbilt and Stanford. They donated to the arts and museums of the time.

Carnegie wrote influential essays arguing that the rich were merely trustees of their wealth and were obligated to use it for the betterment of society, painting their fortunes as a societal benefit rather than a result of exploitation. This current crop of Robber Barons (Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos et al) just want to bleed the public dry. Musk tweets white supremacy, Bezos buys super yachts. Wouldn’t they be better citizens if they “donated” AI/data centers for the public good?

-Roger Haick Loon Lake

PUD manager salary increase a concern

As a ratepayer and candidate for PUD Commissioner for District 2, I find the PUD Board’s recent decision to raise the General Manager’s salary just seven months into a three-year contract deeply concerning.

The employment agreement was clear: a $220,000 salary with performance reviews to follow. Yet, two members of the Board chose to bypass the formal evaluation process entirely and approve the raise. During the meeting, even the board president admitted, “…we need to do a better job…and have a better process…”.

In a county where the median household income is less than $65,000, our public utility must be a model of fiscal discipline and transparency. When the general manager disregards a binding contract, and the board capitulates, they aren’t just ignoring their own governance process; they are failing their fiduciary duty to the ratepayers.

We need commissioners who will insist on structured, measurable performance standards before a single extra dollar of ratepayer money is committed.

As your next Commissioner, I will end this practice of “winging it” and require that employment contracts be followed, restoring the accountability our community deserves. We need leadership that prioritizes the interests of the people who pay the bills, not executive convenience. -Ernie Hood Newport

Hospital bond means more access to health care

After listening to a presentation by the Newport Hospital administrators about the upcoming bond to remodel the hospital, I came away with three important pieces of information new to me.

First, many of us have tried to make an appointment with a specialist in Spokane and been told it will be several months before you can see the doctor.

How will the remodel of Newport Hospital impact this? With increased facilities Newport can contract with doctors to come here and provide services. We may not employ additional physicians but will have room for contracted physicians to work.

Second, the increase in the number of operating rooms means that surgeons who want to be able to work in Newport can do so on an increased basis. I learned that one operating cannot be booked with backto- back procedures because of the time it takes to thoroughly clean between patients. Operating rooms must also be kept available for emergencies.

Third, the remodeled facility will include an oncology department. Summit Cancer Care is ready to partner with Newport Hospital but they need dedicated space for, among other things, chemotherapy. That means no more long drives to Spokane for cancer care.

-Martha Nichols Newport

We are a Democratic

Republic

A couple months ago I wrote a letter to The Miner asking why some right-wingers are insisting that the US is not a democracy (my answer – they seek to destroy our confidence in the election system). Two conservative respondents argued that the United States is not a democracy because it is a republic. They overlook that we are a democratic republic.

One respondent even stated that because Thomas Jefferson did not believe in the rule of the majority, therefore we are not a democracy. She failed to mention that at the time of Thomas Jefferson only property-owning or tax-paying white males could vote. That means that at the time of our founding she would not have been able to vote. But since then, we expanded our elections to include women, Blacks, and Native Americans. The governed choose those who govern them.

The foundation of this democracy is confidence in free and fair elections. We should guard against any attempts to undermine our election system – like the actions that are being promoted by the Trump administration. Ignore this nonsense about the US not being a democracy.

Protect free and fair elections – even if your side loses.

Sandy Nichols Newport

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently rendered several opinions.

I question their opinion on Birthright Citizenship. The 14th Amendment was created for the newly freed slaves. Generations had no country to call home.

The 14th was their path to citizenship.

The SCOTUS opinion on this goes further. It says any child born on the magic soil of the US is automatically a US citizen.

The bar for citizenship was just lowered to the ground. Let me get this straight, two people here illegally can now create a legal citizen? What about expectant mothers flying in from around the world, on temporary visas, to have an ‘American’ child? I’m not sure that’s what our Founders intended.

I recently read a Chinese Ambassador saying that Chinese women fly into the US to have babies (birth tourism) to the tune of 100K per year over the last decade. As soon as they get the baby’s passport, they fly back home to China.

If that’s true, that’s a million babies. What if they are raised communists and come back as adults to work and maybe run for government? This should require legislation.

-Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Mixing faith and logic produces nonsense

The Supreme Court has ruled on birthright citizenship, and my first thought is that any foreign women who produces a positive pregnancy test should be given an American citizenship certificate for their unborn child before returning to their home country.

The unborn child was conceived in America and should be given citizenship even if it isn’t born in America. That’s because life begins at the moment of conception, so being born is just a follow-on event for a person who is already alive. The unborn child was alive in the USA and should be considered a citizen at the moment the egg is fertilized.

Welcome to the American nightmare of twisted political logic. Mixing faith with logic produces nonsense. Making laws based on religious dogma has a similar designation. Early in America’s history the color of skin and having female sexual organs justified slavery, and discrimination.

Today religion is being co-opted to return to the days of political persecution. An example of this was reported in The Miner last week with our public hospital withdrawing from a contract with a religious Idaho pregnancy center. Doctors would have signed a sexual purity pledge and withheld birth control for single women.

-Pete Scobby Newport

250th Celebration a success

I extend my sincere gratitude to all individuals who participated in the Pend Oreille County Government-hosted America250 Celebration, which took place at the Old County Courthouse on last Tuesday.

From the elected officials and guests who read the Declaration of Independence to all the singers, including all the people behind the scenes, especially all the volunteers. It is unfortunate that more younger people were not present to experience the event.

The sole concern I had was that Washington Avenue was not decorated. Considering the celebration of 250 years and the street’s name, it appears to be a missed opportunity to have decorated the street. This could have been done actually for Memorial Day, maintained throughout the Rodeo, and would have been completed in time for the 250th birthday of our nation. O’well, despite that and the inclement weather, the event was a huge success! In my opinion.

-Renee Webster Newport

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words.

Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday.

No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election.

Letters will be printed as space allows.

I will vote no on the hospital bond.

We can’t afford another increase in our property taxes. We’re overtaxed in this state already. Now we have to worry about an income tax in the near future.

The hospital and medical industry lost all respect when they pushed the Covid 19 manufactured pandemic. They also pushed their curative untested vaccine upon the innocent and the uninformed populous. The medical industry never had informed consent.

FYI, pharmaceutical comes from the Greek word pharmakeia. That word means sorcery. We don’t have healthcare, we have sickcare. The industry created the disease, and then they created the cure. They did this to their fellowman wittingly. I can’t forgive the trauma and treachery of that treason.

-Donna Rae Lands Newport

What’s the real story behind data centers?

Data centers are often promoted as economic engines, but communities rarely hear the full story of their impact in advance. Taxpayers start paying for these projects long before being built—and sometimes even when it never happens.

To attract developers, local governments approve tax breaks, discounted utility rates and costly infrastructure upgrades years in advance.

Roads get widened, substations expanded, and water systems upgraded on the public’s dime while the company can walk away if they want to. The community is left paying off infrastructure debt for a project that never happened.

Even when a data center is built, benefits are often overstated. Modern facilities typically employ only a few dozen workers, many of them specialized positions filled from outside the region. And the environmental cost is real. Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, straining local resources and leaving long-term impacts on the land, rivers and air. In the end, people pay—and the earth pays too.

This is why the newly introduced Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act matters. Supporters say it would pause new AI-driven data centers until stronger safeguards are in place to protect water, power grids, taxpayers and the environment.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Baumgartner has supported legislation that would make it easier for datacenter permits to move forward, even when environmental or community concerns are raised.

-Dianna Michaels Colville

Judge isn’t done standing up for Constitution

Retired Federal Judge J.

Michael Luttig came into widespread national awareness in December of 2020 when he was credited with convincingly informing then Vice President Pence that there was nothing in the U.S.

Constitution that could possibly allow him to unilaterally stop the count, interfere with, or otherwise cause the electoral vote count authorization not to take place. Thus began Donald Trump’s efforts toward the January 6th insurrection, the lies of a rigged election, the unending efforts to dominate the headlines, control the Republican Party, win the presidency in 2024, and destroy our democratic republic making himself king, dictator, and the immortal giant of humanity that he always believed himself to be!

Judge Luttig never went away. He recently spearheaded a group of two to three hundred retired federal judges to file an amicus (friend of the court) brief that seems to have permanently sidelined the $1.8 billion slush fund. It is clear Judge Luttig and his compatriots are not finished.

Even the Supreme Court is listening!

Judge Luttig has recently appeared on Legal AF with a Warning for Trump ahead of 4th of July. Easy to find on YouTube, or MTN. Should be a required view before the holiday!

-Jay Omundson Cocolalla

America looks like the bad actor

What right does America have to force Democracy on Iran when America doesn’t even have Democracy? America has nuclear bombs and a huge military and that apparently gives us the right to rule the world. Imperial empires in world history have all collapsed and failed.

Last week a writer wanted us to destroy Iran’s oil industry to require Iran to have elections.

Meddling in the affairs of other countries isn’t our right and we have our own issues and problems. Certainly, we don’t have the “perfect union” yet.

Every person we bomb and kill creates hatred and revenge against our country. Think of another country killing one of your kids and ask yourself what you would do. Wouldn’t you become a terrorist to have revenge? Bombing other countries makes America a sitting duck for another 9-11 style attack. It doesn’t make us safer.

Instead, we have stopped foreign aid and food programs, then we have kidnapped a foreign country leader and murdered another county’s leader.

American certainly looks like the bad actor in today’s world.

Many of our allies didn’t support the Iran war because we have treated them with disrespect. America stands alone and can fail like other imperial empires.

-Pete Scobby Newport

Flawed claims based on cognitive bias

While analytical skills are useful for specific tasks, I believe common sense is more important when using the internet.

This innate ability is universal, but people often ignore it or suppress it due to cognitive biases and their inherent beliefs.

Misinformation is frequently disseminated by suppressing common sense. Let’s analyze an example: a letter titled “Analytical skills needed now more than ever.” Here are various sentences: A letter writer who accepts that Iran’s enriched uranium is going to be used to make a uranium bomb.” This flawed claim is based on cognitive bias and lacks evidence.

“Uranium hasn’t been used to make a nuclear bomb since 1945.” This is an obvious example of misinformation, clearly based on limited awareness. “So we are on record as the greatest threat to use those weapons.”

An opinion that lacks evidence suggesting the country would be repetitive and not retaliatory in nature. “Only one uranium bomb was manufactured, and all other bombs are constructed using plutonium.” This is another instance of misinformation due to a lack of subject knowledge and bias in research, if any. “So those countries like Iran want nukes to prevent American bombing.” The writer’s previous statements contradict this opinion.

-Renee Webster Newport

The Board of Hospital District Commissioners increased the credit benefit associated with the proposed expansion bond. These were incorrectly reported in last week’s story, “Longly resigns from Newport City Council.” We regret any inconvenience this might have caused.

Well, now that we know what Iranian unconditional surrender looks like, let’s hope Commander Bone Spurs avoids any further “excursions” as we really can’t afford any more winning. At the local level, let’s give a hearty well done to our Auditor, Marianne Nichols. If the state and federal governments performed as well as her office does, perhaps we could be as proud of them as we are of her. Bravo County Auditor of the Year.

-Steve Bennett Newport

Commissioners should dress

appropriately

Reference your picture of “Kiehn retires from Family Crisis Network,” in June 17th, 2026 issue of The Miner Newspaper. The three Pend Oreille County Commissioners, who represent the citizens of Pend Oreille County, look like three substitutes for a mud wrestling contest. They are disgraceful and poor representatives for Pend Oreille County. They are dressed unprofessionally and show no respect for the citizens of Pend Oreille County.

-John Hankey Usk

It’s time for Democracy in Iran

If the United States lifts its blockade and allows the existing government of Iran to resume trade with the rest of the world, the war will be over, and we will have lost. Iran will rebuild and replenish everything we just destroyed. In addition they will invite China to help rebuild and jointly operate their infrastructure.

Chinese ships will return to Iranian ports. Once in, the Chinese will never leave.

It will be impossible for the United States to enforce any agreement with Iran because Chinese nationals will be co-located at every potential target.

We have foolishly legitimized this regime by negotiating with them. Oil revenue will make them stronger.

More missiles, more drones, more funding for international terrorism and proxy wars, a heightened threat to our allies and bases in the region, and the slaughter of everyone in Iran who dares to raise their eyes from the ground. At some point, Iran will quietly restart their nuclear program.

A more worthwhile goal for America would be to demand free elections in Iran. If the current regime refuses, we should destroy their oil industry and reinstate the blockade before it’s too late. Democracy will come to Iran if we have the courage to require it.

-Bryan Lewis Newport

Support local health care

Is there any subject that affects each and every one of us more significantly than up-to-date, accessible health care? That may be why the Pend Oreille County Commissioners unanimously endorsed the Newport Hospital bond that you will vote on August 4th.

Here is a unique opportunity for Pend Oreille County property taxpayers to have their medical bills reduced and remodel the hospital.

On your property tax statement, there is a “Tax Distribution” section.

The “Voted” section tells you how much of your taxes go to support public entities like the fire department, schools and the Hospital District. To ease the burden of increased taxes due to the bond, our hospital will credit up to $750 per year (beginning January 1, 2027, if this bond passes) from your medical expenses and Seeber’s Pharmacy prescription drugs.

This means the amount of the taxes you pay for the new hospital bond, can be used to reduce what you pay for medical bills and Seeber’s Pharmacy prescription drugs by up to $750. In other words, you still must pay the full taxes, but you can pay $750 less for your medical bills at Newport Hospital and Health Services and Seeber’s Pharmacy.

Check it out!

-Martha Nichols Newport

Analytical skills needed now more than ever

Internet use in the world of AI requires analytical skills that most of us do not have. The misinformation system works to trap us into accepting alternative facts that are wrong.

An example is a letter writer who accepts that Iran’s enriched Uranium is going be used to make a Uranium bomb. Most news sources have reported that Iran is two weeks away from a nuclear bomb for decades, yet no bomb has been created. Uranium hasn’t been used to make a nuclear bomb since 1945. Only one Uranium bomb was made, and all other bombs are made with Plutonium including the second bomb dropped on Japan.

It is difficult to understand why the media never questions a politician who claims Iran is building a Uranium bomb. Iran has enriched Uranium which is only one step in the production of nuclear weapons.

The industrial process required to produce nuclear weapons is massive and complex.

The only country to drop nuclear bombs on people is America, so we are on record as the greatest threat to use those weapons. America continues to only bomb countries that don’t have nuclear weapons, so those countries like Iran want nukes to prevent American bombing.

-Pete Scobby Newport

Writer’s head is in the sand

In response to the writer of “Trump punishes blue states,” your previous letter expressed concerns that 40% of Pend Oreille County’s voting population wasn’t represented. I provided the exact number of U.S. representatives and senators from Washington State to D.C. Of those, the exact number held by Democrats representing Washington State. Hmm, since D.C. isn’t a state, it seems obvious I was clearly referring to Washington State. Not an “opinion.” The sole error I see is that you failed to correctly spell my name, even when it was in front of you.

The writer, evidently fond of seafood, now employs sandbags and FEMA funds as another red herring in their latest letter. Regrettably, this writer’s perspective remains unchanged. They continue to live in that echo chamber which creates an ostrich effect. You know; HEAD, BURIED, SAND!

-Renee Webster Newport

We are dealing with wildfires early this year.

Hopefully, this info will not be needed, but please review and be prepared.

LEVEL ONE means there is a fire in your area, and you should be vigilant, and start making plans. Check out www.ready.gov/ for info on general preparedness. They suggest you have water and food for three days for each person and pet, masks, medications, glasses, pet food, cash, credit cards and important documents, such as insurance policies and bank info. It’s also smart to pack books and games. Have an out of area contact person, kept updated with your location and status. Tape all contact info to your refrigerator. Make plans to transport all animals and livestock to a safe location.

LEVEL TWO means it is possible you will need to leave. Pets should be confined in case you need to leave quickly. Transport animals and livestock away from danger. Two years ago, our area rodeo and fairgrounds opened to accept livestock. Find out what the requirements are, and what you will need to provide.

LEVEL THREE means go now! You should be notified by phone if you need to leave, or else firefighters will knock on your door. If you are on Facebook or X, you can follow Spokane County Emergency Management for updates on evacuation levels. Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties also have Emergency Management Facebook pages and X accounts. You can sign up at AlertSpokane.org for updates on evacuation levels attached to your home address.

Generally, make sure the gas tanks in your cars are kept filled. Keep your cell phones fully charged. If you suspect you might need to evacuate, call your neighbors.

Another excellent site for info is the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist at Firesafemarin.org. They remind you to shut off all gas or propane, shut windows and doors and leave your lights on.

If there is time, it might be helpful for firefighters to have your hoses turned on, and ladders placed at the corners of your house. Be sure and leave all your gates open for access.

If you need to be evacuated, the Red Cross will ensure that people have a safe place to stay, food and recovery resources. They can be contacted at redcross.org “Emergency” or 1-800 733 2767.

Currently, I live with a view of the Muckleshoot Casino and see its fireworks displays advertising their “Boom City” and heralding their upcoming end-of-June fireworks. With Independence Day and the freedoms it celebrates just around the corner, I can’t help reflecting on the many challenges we have faced as a nation and continue to face, and the role of our newspapers in that ongoing transformation. Washington State saw its first expression of the constitutionally enshrined Freedom of the Press 37 years before the state’s creation. When the First Amendment was being drafted, this coast was still being charted by explorers and settlers moving through the lands of sovereign tribal nations.

Through all of that, we have struggled to create a society that fully reflects our communities. The human need to express our views and to demand our civil rights is the bedrock of all just civilizations — and it’s why we enshrined Freedom of Speech and the Freedom of the Press in the First Amendment. This nation has been battling for that right, and sometimes against that right, since it declared freedom from the British, fought its own Civil War, reckoned through the Civil Rights Movement with its own transgressions against humanity, and continues to grapple with the rights of the very people displaced in the nation’s formation. Through each of those reckonings, it was the press that put the truth on the record. Today, the nation finds itself at a crossroads that will determine its future.

I was moved by the passion and devotion of Scott Pelley, the veteran 60 Minutes correspondent fired from CBS News, in a recent interview. He got it right when he expressed his devotion to his country: “You become a journalist because you love the First Amendment. You become a journalist because you love the country… There is no democracy without journalism. It can’t be done. That is why I am a journalist.”

The WNPA represents 70+ member newspapers, including The Miner, all of whom are staffed with impassioned people like Pelley, covering the news their community needs, reflecting the injustices and the beauty of their community, and holding the powerful to account.

“There is no democracy without journalism.” It cannot be said enough. And we can’t fight hard enough for it.

We are seeing the results of our government’s failure to protect and provide for Americans all around us, but my topic of the day today is health care. According to the latest reports, there has been a drop of more than 20% in Stevens County residents insured through the Washington Health Benefits Exchange in the past year.

More and more people are dropping their coverage because they cannot afford the rapid and ridiculous hikes in costs as a result of changes our very own Representative Baumgartner supported and voted for. While this is obviously a (dangerous, sometimes life-threatening) problem for the individuals who cannot access health care due to rising costs, it’s also a problem for everyone else in the system, as delays and inability to access routine care lead people to wait until they need emergency services, the increased costs of which ripple through the entire medical system, further raising prices and decreasing accessibility for all.

The same policy and price changes lead to hospital closures and diminished services, so even when we can afford care, we may have to travel further to get it. As midterms get closer, ask yourself if you really want to come out and vote for the Representative that yanked the insurance rug out from under all our feet.

Jessica Adams Colville

Trump punishes blue states

Suppose the Pend Oreille River is going to flood because a dam is failing. Local governments put out the word to come and fill sandbags to prevent homes and businesses from flooding. Channeling Trump, Republican elected and appointed officials could tell the 40% that didn’t vote for them to stay home as their 60% majority doesn’t need or want help filling the sandbags. Then will say that the minority homes and businesses won’t get any of the filled sandbags. (Trump has repeatedly withheld FEMA funds from blue state natural disasters.)

Even Rene, who thinks the District of Columbia has senators and representatives because an AI copilot wrote her last letter and produced an error, can understand that withholding disaster funds is vengeful.

Any country or community that excludes minority voting members from representation is not going to achieve its potential if absolute power rests with the majority elected rulers. (Trump has repeatedly told the minority that he doesn’t need or want their help.)

Challenging Trump requires you to bully and punish the minority people in your community. If you don’t, he will punish you. When our blue state forests are burning, Trump will withhold federal government disaster funds.

Pete Scobby Newport

Facts should inform opinions

In response to the letter writer of “Fact check using books, documentaries,” it is unclear why someone would need to explain the gas centrifuge enrichment process and the conversion of UF6 into a nuclear weapon when the writer’s own “opinion” is that enriched uranium is not used to make a nuclear weapon, as stated in a previous letter. Perhaps the writer could explain why you would possess 60% enriched product and desire to further enrich it when only 3-5% enriched product is required for nuclear power generation?

In my perspective, opinions are distinct viewpoints held by individuals on a specific issue. These viewpoints are grounded in personal beliefs and interpretations of the subject matter. Rational individuals tend to modify their opinions when presented with actual facts. However, it is essential to acknowledge that some individuals who reside in their own ideological echo chambers may be resistant to accepting factual information supported by concrete evidence. It is possible that those individuals may benefit from reading a book or watching a documentary. Furthermore, I don’t recall watching the “Golden Girls” sitting on the couch and discussing uranium-235 enrichment.

Renee Webster Newport

Vote faux pious Baumgartner out

Michael Baumgartner wants to have the Epstein files both ways. As for so many topics, he says what he knows his constituents want to hear, but his actions contradict his words. He voted to release the files in November only after he was told he could vote yes. Before that, he liked to say he believed the files should be released but, he did nothing to make it happen. He did not support the discharge position; he voted against all attempts to force the DOJ to release the files. In February he complemented AG Pam Bondi on the “good job” she was doing even though she was very deliberately in violation of the law, the Epstein Transparency Act, he voted to pass.

The women exploited by Epstein, as girls, deserve the transparency promised by the law, not the duplicity of faux pious Michael Baumgartner. We all deserve the transparency promised to us in the Epstein Transparency Act, not the cover-up perpetrated by republicans.

Vote him out.

Lisa Wolfe Kettle Falls

Republican Sen. Shelly Short is facing three challengers in her run for re-election.

It’s been nearly 10 years since Sen. Short took the 7th Legislative District Senate seat in 2017. Short was initially appointed to replace former Sen. Brian Dansel, who resigned to take a job with the Trump administration.

Short was elected to that same seat in 2022, despite facing three challengers during that year’s election.

She is facing another three opponents this year, including an independent candidate from Chewelah.

Shelly Short

Born and raised in Spokane Valley, Short’s entry into politics started in 1995 when she opened the northeastern Washington district office for U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt.

In 2008, Short was elected to the state House and served nine years, before moving to the Senate in 2017, when she was appointed. Short has largely focused her legislative work on agriculture and environmental issues.

In a phone call, Short outlined her commitment to supporting agriculture, mining and timber industries in the congressional district. She also highlighted one of her top priorities, which is addressing wildfire risk and homeworker insurance issues.

“It’s my No. 1 priority when we think about the amount of wildfire that we have in Eastern Washington,” Short said.

So far, Short has raised $76,175 in campaign contributions, according to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission.

Ronald McCoy

From Chewelah, Ronald McCoy, 69, filed to run as an independent candidate earlier this month. In 2024, McCoy ran as a Republican against Rep. Hunter Abell for state House for the 7th Legislative District. McCoy lost in the primary, receiving only 13.7% of votes.

During that time, McCoy was part of the Chewelah City Council. McCoy was also the town’s mayor from 1998 to 2002.

McCoy said he’s running as an independent after years of feeling like he’s “more than just a Republican or Democrat.”

“I’m an independent thinker,” McCoy said. “I mean, the party affiliations are great, but if you don’t believe in the whole process, you need to take a step back.”

If elected, he said his focus would center around healthcare for rural communities, especially the older population in those areas. He said much of that interest comes after being in the U.S. Navy for 21 years and dealing with disabilities himself.

“I have my wife and one daughter that work in healthcare, and they work in facilities where they (are) helping individuals with disabilities, and I think I have a pretty good connection with them,” McCoy said. “I think sometimes we need to spend time with those people with disabilities. I have them. I got hurt while I was in the military. I use a wheelchair sometimes.”

Other topics he would focus on, he said, include addressing tax burdens on small businesses, strengthening infrastructure and investing in youth programs.

“Sen. Short, she is a great gal, she is, but I think sometimes it’s about big money instead of small people,” Mc-Coy said. “It’s time for change and get down to the basics of going back to our communities.”

Brandon Ray Medina

Born and raised in Brewster, Washington, Brandon Ray Medina, 30, describes himself as an entrepreneur, with his main income coming from stand-up comedy.

Though, running for the district state senate, he said, isn’t a joke.

“I have aspirations of being governor someday. I mean, aim high, right?” Medina said.

Medina, who filed as a Republican candidate, graduated from Brewster High School. He briefly attended Central Washington University, where he studied cellular and molecular biology. He dropped out before finishing his degree.

Medina said he hopes to address community issues, like higher education opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in the district.

“My mom was 14 when she got pregnant with me, and 15 when she had me, so she dropped out early,” Medina said. “It was inspirational to see her study with me and try and figure out those kinds of things and right now we don’t have that in our community.”

“I know that there is some programs like that in other communities in our district, and I’d like to reach out and see how they are functioning and how we bring that to every city in our district,” he continued.

Medina said he also hopes to address healthcare concerns, especially to areas that are seeing their hospitals struggling due to Medicaid cuts.

“If we lose our hospitals, it is more than an hour drive away to the nearest the next one, and that’s life or death for a lot of individuals,” he said.

David Swoap

This is David Swoap’s first time running for a political office.

Swoap, 62, and a Tonasket resident, filed to run as a Republican candidate earlier this month. Issues like high taxes affecting rural communities and unauthorized immigrants affecting the state’s economy, are his push to run.

“They’re not here for freedom. They’re not here for America. They don’t care about being a citizen. They’re here to steal, and if you corner them on it, they’re just gonna lie,” he said.

Swoap said he doesn’t believe the state’s representatives have done enough to help rural communities across the state, especially those that find themselves economically struggling.

“That’s why I’m on the ballot. We’ve got to get this under control. We’ve got to make changes. We’ve got to save this state before there’s nothing left to save,” Swoap said.

Idaho Hill Elementary proudly celebrated the promotion of its kindergarten class as students, families, and staff gathered to recognize a year filled with learning, growth, and achievement.

The kindergarten students have spent the year building important academic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics while also learning valuable life lessons about kindness, responsibility, and citizenship. Throughout the year, they worked hard to develop classroom routines, make new friends, solve problems, and become confident learners.

During the promotion ceremony, families enjoyed watching their children proudly receive certificates recognizing their successful completion of kindergarten and their readiness for first grade.

Congratulations to the students on their accomplishments and praised them for their enthusiasm, perseverance, and growth throughout the school year. Our kindergarten students have learned so much this year. They have become readers, writers, mathematicians, and caring classmates. We are proud of their hard work and excited to see all they accomplish in first grade.

The ceremony served as a reminder of how much students can achieve in a single year.

From learning letters and sounds to reading books, counting numbers, and developing friendships, the kindergarten class has made tremendous progress.

Idaho Hill Elementary extends its gratitude to the kindergarten team and families whose support helped make this year a success. Together, they have built a strong foundation for these young learners as they continue their educational journey.

Congratulations to the Idaho Hill Elementary Kindergarten Class! We wish you a safe summer and look forward to seeing all the wonderful things you will accomplish in first grade.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

I notice there was an article in the “Miner Extra” “Newport celebrates Pride Month June 5”. The Miner was unable to put an article in the paper anywhere about Memorial Day. Just to mention the lives that have been lost so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today would not have taken any more space than the “Pride” article. I saw a picture of a woman laying prostrate in front of a headstone in a military cemetery.

Flowers surrounded the marker and her baby was in a carrier beside her. Two lives were lost there, the military man and her husband, the father of her child. It brought tears to my eyes.

The whole point of “Pride Month” is to shove it in everyone’s faces all June. I am, thankfully reading about the “Pride” parades not happening this year because of lack of funding from corporate money. Obviously, Target, Safeway and a few others still are. I don’t want to spend my money where that is happening.

The nuclear family is God’s perfect design for humanity and is aligned with the long-held traditional values of many Americans.

This is one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children. These are the people that are the backbone of America. Alabama and Tennessee Governors have made a resolution June being Nuclear Family Month.

-Karen Hanson Newport

One hundred percent

Mr. Scooby knows how the representative system works. 100% of the people are represented. The 40% number he speaks of is not written in stone. If they want to have left leaning candidates win elections they first need people with better ideas. They need people that are strong leaders. They need people with a proven, positive track record. They need people to do more than just stand by a big wheel and hold up signs. More than just vote for people with a “D” next to their name. I talk with Mr.

Scobby on a regular basis. He is a nice guy. He even has some good ideas (on occasion). It is crazy to do things continually that don’t work an expect positive results. Hang in there my friend.

Nice letter by Renee last week.

-K.C. Hunt Newport

Support hospital bond

The Newport Hospital is running a bond to expand and renovate its facilities. I am a resident who has been grateful for 55 years to have this excellent hospital in my community. The administration and staff, doctors and nurses have done an amazing job utilizing the space they have which includes the original 1958 structure, the 1993 additions and the old nursing home The only way our hospital is going to survive in the 21st century is for it to grow to meet the demands from additional patients for additional medical technology.

Here are some of the many reasons the facility needs remodeling and expansion. There are surgeons who would utilize additional operating rooms and cancer patients who would prefer to get their chemotherapy close to home.

There are lab results that could be processed here with results obtained faster. An in-house MRI facility included in the proposal that would save the hospital $38,000 per month by not having to rent the current mobile unit.

And there are patients who want to be treated close to family and friends rather than drive an hour for that care.

Please do your own research and I’m sure that you, too, will support this bond.

-Martha Nichols Newport

Fact check using books, documentaries

The title of this page is “opinion”, but what is the basis of letters written as opinions? If writers base their opinions on a TV program where five media entertainers sit on couches and talk, they could be getting false or inaccurate information and using it to write an opinion. Where do those entertainers get their information? It’s likely from a script writer who finds sensational information made up by dubious internet influencers.

A frequent letter writer should explain how Iran turns Uranium Hexafluoride stored in high-pressure gas cylinders into a nuclear weapon. The couch sitting entertainers have been saying Iran is two weeks away from a nuclear weapon for over 20 years.

America’s complex development of nuclear weapons has been ongoing for over 80 years. Many books and documentaries are available to develop an understanding of what is and was involved in producing those weapons. You could also listen to people’s accounts of working to produce and deploy America’s nuclear weapons. Instead, opinions are frequently developed from media entertainment programs designed to increase ratings then sell us consumer products.

Your attention was grabbed and you pass on opinions with no basis in reality but were presented to you as ‘facts’.

-Pete Scobby Newport

‘Disenfranchised’ have quite a bit of representation

In retrospect, I guess it was really a ghostwriter who was responsible for the May 27th letter “We are a strong community, regardless of differences.” The writer is back with the “Forty percent of residents not represented” letter.

Where the writer tells a “story” but not “the story.”

Let’s look at how the 40% are disenfranchised. In the District of Columbia, there are 10 House seats and two Senate seats, with eight House seats and both Senate seats held by Democrats that represent the State. At the state level, we have a Democratic Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.

Furthermore, currently, 30 out of 49 State Senators and 59 out of 98 State House seats are held by Democrats.

I bet the 60% wish they were that underrepresented! Unfortunately, this writer consistently exhibits an in-group bias, frequently flooding the reader with an excessive amount of information while simultaneously saying nothing to support their assertions. If the writer dislikes the local makeup, they should “walk the walk” instead of just “talking the talk.”

Come on, put your name on the ballot, not just an opinion letter.

-Renee Webster Newport

We are grateful for everyone that stopped by and purchased plants as well as the Newport Miner for highlighting the sale in the newspaper and Selkirk Ace Hardware for donating items for our drawing.

The majority of the plants are grown and donated by the Master Gardeners with all the proceeds from the sale used to develop educational opportunities for the public and to purchase supplies for our demonstration garden (located on Circle Drive) such as wood and soil for new beds.

It was exciting to visit with all of the community members who came to the sale and shared their love of gardening.

The Master Gardeners are always interested in sharing gardening information, or learning something new from other community members, so feel free to stop by any time you see us in the demonstration garden.

Amy Dillon Pend Oreille County Master Gardener Foundation

Sudden elevation changes

harmful

Last week in two days the Priest River dropped three feet. It does this for Memorial Day and the 4th of July. Then rises just as radically in October. These alarming drops and falls are the direct result of the gates closed and opened at the Priest Lake Outlet bay dam.

Please take a look at google folder https://drive.google. com/drive/folders/17ytHDXECESpXBCoVap3fuwlvrjrx0eiz to see 15 years of flow history, a 50 second video filmed by a riverfront longtime resident, showing last week’s devastating water level drops and a one page report about why this is contributing to the decline of several species of spawning salmonids.

Along with negative impact on cold water fish, the sudden changes cause banks to collapse exposing water mammals’ dens where they are raising litters, bird nests in the banks are destroyed and wetlands along the river dry up overnight killing millions of benthic macroinvertebrates larva like damsel flies, dragon flies. The dam is not for electricity, flood mitigation or irrigation. It is so a relatively small amount of people can recreate.

Betty Gardner Priest River

Theories on Iran uranium

Some say Trump started a war with Iran. Others say he’s ending a war that began in 1979. They have been pushing America around since then and a bully in the Middle East.

Most of the world and especially the Middle East agree that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

My guess is that the deal Trump makes with Iran will include the uranium, either removal or its destruction. It’s my understanding that uranium has a fingerprint. Trump wants that fingerprint.

Remember under Obama, it was alleged that Obama and Hillary sold some of our uranium to other countries? It was said to have gone through Canada and then moved on.

How many countries? If so, how many ‘Heads of State’ knew about it? Did any go to Iran? Did Iran have enriching capabilities in Syria at the time?

What if Trump gets the uranium, tests it, and the fingerprint matches our uranium? Would that implicate the Obama Administration in any way? If the alleged is true, would that be considered aiding an enemy of the US to help build a nuclear program?

Hmm. Is that why the ‘Deep State’ is panicking?

Glen Pierce Spokane/Cusick

Forty percent of residents not represented

An interesting point was made last week about democracy vs. a constitutional republic.

At least 40% of Pend Oreille County voters have no constitutional representation in our state and local elections. They are out voted by the 60% that always vote for Republicans.

That’s why our county has had no growth and an economy dominated by government employment. If you don’t work for the government in our community, you are a lower paid service worker or a struggling small business owner. Our Republican commissioners function as Commissars in a socialist government structure, and rule without opposition.

Holding up a protest sign at the Newport Wheel doesn’t change the locked-in majority vote. Many Commissars run unopposed. Why would a Democrat waste time and money running against an overwhelming majority?

The best the 40% can hope for is that Republicans turn on each other and purge out an incumbent. All power is held by a small number of officials elected by a 60% majority. Think of your car engine running on 60% power and wasting 40% of the fuel in the tank. How do you make it up the long hill of community living with governing that excludes 40% of its people?

Pete Scobby Newport

Nate Powell for Congress

As someone who ran for Newport City Council in 2025, gaining 184 votes and only losing by 28, and who continues serving our community through the Pend Oreille County Planning Commission, I care deeply about the future of our community. That is why I am endorsing Nate Powell for Congress.

Nate Powell is an Independent, union firefighter, and Marine veteran who understands the struggles facing working families. He supports securing the border while fixing our broken legal immigration system, lowering the national debt by cutting wasteful spending, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and defending family farms from corporate monopolies.

He also wants to stop large corporations from buying up single-family homes, ban insider trading in Congress, and reduce the influence of corporate money in politics. As Nate says, “it’s not left vs. right, it’s top vs. bottom.”

Nate also supports protecting rural hospitals, veterans, and first responders in Eastern Washington, and knows the challenges rural communities face every day.

Last Tuesday, I attended Nate’s town hall, and he has something rare in politics today: honesty, independence, and a willingness to work with people from both parties.

Eastern Washington deserves leadership focused on working people, not political games.

John Spring Newport

Surprised by letter writer’s optimism

Last week, I opened the Opinion section of The Miner newspaper during my weekly retreat from reality. I anticipated encountering the hilarious customary discourse: Hitler, fascism, dictator, tax concessions for billionaires, etc.

Naturally, my expectations were met. After wiping my eyes from laughter, I encountered two letters: one that was spot on, Constitutional Republic vs Democracy, and a striking letter entitled, “We are a strong community, regardless of differences.”

This writer usually doesn’t cover this kind of topic. Typically, this writer harbors a negative temperament towards any individual or group that does not reside within the blue circle. In fact, consistently expressing disapproval of others’ viewpoints, writing at least 50 letters annually, typically relying on unverified information.

Upon reviewing the letter, I propose three potential explanations. First, it is plausible that the letter was written by a ghostwriter who took the name of the individual. Second, the writer may have finally looked into the mirror and experienced a “Come to Jesus moment.”

Last, perhaps the impending end of the world as we know it is near, so if that’s the case, I recommend everyone prepare for survival by gathering essential supplies.

Renee Webster Newport

Birthday wishes

Today is my birthday. For some reason, I still hear that question, “what do you want for your birthday?” That memory causes me to wonder what my now older self wants.

First, an end to war. This current war demands attention because of its cost, both in dollars and in the rule of law.

The impact on Americans and world-wide is mind boggling, realizing that this is Donald Trump’s war of choice. He and the Republican Party, including Michael Baumgartner have steamrolled this war down the streets of the world.

Secondly, I wish for health, education, safety and a thriving planet for our children and grandchildren. By ending this and future wars we would have the funds to provide these. There would be no call by Trump and Baumgartner to slash funding for Medicare, rural health care, the Department of Education, the EPA and other programs to pay for multi-billion dollar attempts to overthrow sovereign nations.

Thirdly, I wish for a return of our system of government, of the people, by the people and for the people and away from the abuse of power that Donald Trump and his enablers are trying to normalize.

JR Wyatt Elk

Water levels in the lake or Pend Oreille River may be noticeably higher but are not expected to result in increased flood risk, according to the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. To mitigate flood risk, USACE officials will increase outflow at AFD over the weekend and through next week. Spill gates will be operated in their fully open or fully closed positions.

Under this operation, outflow from AFD may rise or fall in the coming days, and outflow may change faster than usual operations.

Outflows from AFD are expected to be roughly 10,000 cubic feet per second less than inflows at Lake Pend Oreille. The lake will continue to rise over the weekend, and outflows may approach 85,000 cubic feet per second, according to the news release.

Current snowpack in the basin is about 57% of what is typically observed for this time of year.

Though snowpack is below normal, higher temperatures paired with rain are forecast to create high flows. Those on the river should be prepared for water levels to temporarily rise or fall as the event unfolds.

Areas downstream of the lake, such as Newport, Cusick and Usk, should be aware of changing forecasts. For the latest modeling forecasts, visit the National Weather Service’s Northwest River Forecast Center at nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/ flowplot/flowplot.cgi?lid=ALFW1.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m. Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group.

The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication. The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.

Letters should be no longer than 200 words. Letters should be typed and submitted to The Miner office no later than 5 p.m.

Friday for publication the following Wednesday. No letter will be published unless it is signed by at least one individual, even if the letter represents the view of a group. The letter must include a telephone number and address for authentication.

The Miner reserves the right to edit letters. Political letters will not be published the last issue before an election. Letters will be printed as space allows.