Kate Riley

Oct 29, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Frank A. Blethen |Kate Riley

As one of the country’s very few family-owned and -operated metro newspapers left, The Seattle Times is also apparently one of the few whose editorial board is willing to endorse presidential candidates. (For the record, the board, which operates independently of the newsroom, backed Vice President Kamala Harris Sept. 1.)This is unfathomable, given that the other leading candidate clearly threatens the foundation of our 248-year-old American democracy and the rule of law.

Oct 25, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Kate Riley

Such news comes, as it does, unexpected and unfathomable. Our friend and a committed servant to Times readers for 24 years, Mark Higgins, was entering hospice. Then, just a couple of weeks later, on Oct. 20, he passed away from cancer. Mark retired April 1, 2023, as deputy Opinion editor, a member of The Times editorial board and the wrangler of op-eds.

Oct 11, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Kate Riley

Voters should be receiving their ballots for the Nov. 5 election later this week. It is a daunting document. Not only is this a presidential year, but Washington’s nine statewide constitutional offices, ranging from the open governor’s seat to lands commissioner to superintendent of public instruction, are on the ballot. Add in the four initiatives that seek to overturn or modify laws passed by the Legislature.

Sep 27, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Kate Riley

When my toddler son was diagnosed with developmental delays, I was wracked with worry about what his life would be like. Boo Radley came to mind. The gentle, misunderstood character in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” who seemed to have intellectual disabilities. He was isolated and thought of by community members as a threat. I’m embarrassed that was what I first thought when I imagined my baby’s future.

Jul 7, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Kate Riley

The Times editorial board’s endorsement for governor follows extensive reporting, interviews and questionnaires from the leading candidates. Although 28 people filed to run to replace Gov. Jay Inslee, the editorial board focused on four front-runners, based on the seriousness of their campaigns, fund-raising, civic experience and fleshed-out policy statements. On the Democratic side are state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and state Sen. Mark Mullet. The Republicans are former U.S. Rep.