Respect for Spike Lee.

Cone-shaped purple flower buds emerging from a green center.

Something beautiful for this day: Allium, Yakima, Washington (April 2026). #flowers

New peace pole dedicated in downtown Yakima Martin Streich told a crowd of more than 80 people gathered Wednesday that the pole is a simple but powerful symbol. It was crafted by three local woodworkers and decorated

The monument is part of the global Peace Pole Project that began more than 50 years ago in Japan, sculptor John Barany said, and has grown to include more than 200,000 peace poles installed in communities around the globe. (Joel Donofrio / yakimaherald.com)

At the old house, feeding on dandelions, apparently.

I haven’t seen a bee yet this spring, except on the dandelions at the old house.

Book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs, with 'Sold' topping the list The American Library Association says book bans and attempted bans remain at record highs. Efforts to remove titles have become more coordinated and politicized. The ALA on Monday released its

Others targeted include Stephen Chbosky’s high school novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Maia Kobabe’s graphic memoir “Gender Queer” and Sarah J. Maas’ romantasy favorite “Empire of Storms.” (Hillel Italie / AP)

Five years later, efforts to address forever chemicals continue in East Selah, WA The Army has made progress installing filtration systems for impacted residents, but state agencies say they expect more — and are stepping in to fill the gaps.

While many residences have received treatment systems, nearly as many are still waiting. State agencies have also raised concerns about things like river water and homegrown livestock products that the Army has yet to act on. (Olivia Palmer / yakimaherald.com)

The Onion launches new bid to take over Alex Jones' Infowars and turn it into a parody platform The satirical news outlet The Onion has a new plan to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars platforms and turn them into parodies. Under a proposal submitted to a

The Onion has already hired people to run Infowars as a parody site including Tim Heidecker, one half of the comedy duo Tim and Eric known for their work on the Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” shows. (Dave Collins / AP)

Tariff refunds are coming, but who will benefit? A refund portal opened Monday morning for businesses that paid tariffs now deemed unlawful.

Small businesses and consumers who bore the brunt of higher prices are unlikely to benefit from the refunds, said Brian Kelly, a Seattle University associate economics professor. (Alexis Weisend / Seattle Times)

Forest Service plan to close research stations stokes fear as wildfire season approaches • Washington State Standard The U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close scores of research stations could threaten the nation’s wildfire readiness, many foresters fear, and erode decades of work to understand timber production,…

Many of the research stations slated for closure study fire behavior, forecast smoke dispersal and help inform evacuation decisions. (Alex Brown / Stateline)

FBI Director Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for article that alleged excessive drinking FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine and its reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, contending its article posted last week that talked about his alleged

In the article, posted on the magazine's website Friday, author Sarah Fitzpatrick said Patel is deeply concerned about losing his job and that “he has good reasons to think so — including some having to do with what witnesses described to me as bouts of excessive drinking.” (David Bauder / AP)

The truth is still out there, says a Seattle prosecutor of ‘J6’ cases Seattle attorney Will Dreher helped try about 25 cases of the "Stop the Steal" rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol. All the cases getting tossed out can't change reality, he insists.

The latest from Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat.

Rick McKee (@rmckee.bsky.social) This is a heavily interactive web application, and JavaScript is required. Simple HTML interfaces are possible, but that is not what this is. Learn more about Bluesky at bsky.social and atproto.com.…

Fresh ink from Rick McKee.

Clay Bennett (@claybennett.bsky.social) 4/21/2026- Director Patel https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/20/director-patel/

Fresh ink from Clay Bennett.

Gold and black honeybee gathering pollen on the brown center of a bright yellow sunflower.

Something beautiful for this day: Honeybee on a sunflower, Yakima, Washington (September 2024). #bees #flowers

My pleasure.

What a good girl!

She’s the best thing in my life right now, far and away.

A black, gray and white border collie-Aussie mix pup looking fetchingly at the camera.

Mercie taking a break between autographs at @singlehillbrewing. #rescuedog #aussie #bordercollie

This one really connects.

Dr. Abbott hugs Dr. Robby on The Pitt.

The Pitt, S2 E15. This one hits hard:

Abbott: Knock off this helmetless motorcycle shit. Yeah, people talk. That's death-wish behavior.

Robby; i’m tired of being a role model. I'm tired of feeling like you can't get ahead. I'm tired of feeling like I'm drowning every day. I'm tired of all it.

Poor baby!

Venus next to a waxing crescent moon.

Venus dancing with the moon, Yakima, Washington (April 2026). #moon #planets #skies #venus

RY COODER - Get Rhythm (1988) YouTube video by Remember The 80s

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Club El Mundo Elegante. It gives me great personal pride and pleasure in presenting to you — umm, the Moula Banda Rhythm Aces!

Purple flowers.

Something beautiful for this day: Lilacs, Yakima, Washington (April 2026). #flowers

The FBI Director Is MIA Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

The Trump administration only hires the best.

Gold and black honeybee on the red center of red and yellow flower.

Something beautiful for this day: Honeybee on a blanket flower, Yakima, Washington (August 2024). #bees #flowers

Jim Rockford (James Garner) sitting at a poolside table.

Right now, the 1970s are starting to look pretty good. Rockford Files? Rockford Files.

US House Dems condemn Forest Service cuts as Republicans cheer agency's move West • Washington State Standard The head of the U.S. Forest Service pitched big changes to the agency to a U.S. House appropriations panel.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz estimated 500 employees would need to move to Utah. The broader reorganization is expected to affect 5,000 employees throughout the offices that are set to relocate, Stateline reported. (Annie Knox / Utah News Dispatch)

National Guard 'follows the Constitution,' general says of troops possibly deployed to polls • Washington State Standard The National Guard’s top general told Congress on Friday that it would follow the Constitution and the law when he was asked about the possibility President Donald Trump would order troops to polling…

Federal law prohibits the deployment of the military to polling places unless necessary “to repel armed enemies of the United States” and violations are punishable by up to five years in prison. (Jonathan Shorman / States Newsroom)