KIRO Newsradio Commentaries

Recently, Jack Stine had a major philosophic shift in my personal life that has resulted in me being a happier and joyful person. 

It’s the $100,000 question. Why is enrollment declining at Seattle Public Schools? It received a grant of that amount to investigate the matter. But in today’s commentary brought to you by WAFed bank - Angela Poe Russell offers some answers - free of charge.

A pastor friend of mine has a personal policy that whenever a street beggar asks him for money, he gives them whatever he has in his pocket.   He says sometimes it painful when he pulls out a couple of $20 dollar bills – but he gives it away – asking no questions on how it will be used.                                                                                                                                  I’m not that generous – some might even say - I’m not that compassionate.   I want to be a good steward of my hard earn money.  So when someone approaches me – I ask them questions – what do you need the money for? If you need a meal, I’ll take you to that McDonald’s over there.   When this has happened – nobody has taken me up on my offer.   So when King County dug into its pocket and pulled out $2 million dollars last week to help house dozens of asylum seekers and refugees in Tukwila – I took pause.   It’s the latest instalment in the saga of the Riverton United Methodist Church that open its grounds last year to asylum seekers from Venezuela –  at first the church didn’t reject anybody – but word got out – others started camping on their grounds – it got overwhelming.                                                                                 Supporters begged elected officials for help – to solve a problem of their making.   The City of Seattle had already stepped in with 100’s of thousands of dollars for hotel rooms – Now the County is handing out $2 million more.   I’m not heartless person – and people truly seeking a better life need help – but I expect elected officials to be good stewards of our hard-earned tax dollars – and ask questions before digging deep into our collective pocket and hand out millions.    Maybe their being compassionate – just like my pastor friend.    But when it comes to our money – elected official’s ‘compassion’ needs to held accountable – how that money is being used – and being used wisely.  Their track record is not that great.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Dave Ross shares his thoughts on being in the path of totality duirng his recent vacation 

Spike O'Neil loves art, but thinks the plans to convert an old Bed Bath and Beyond to an art space, isn't the right move. 

O.J. Simpson death reminds the U.S. of its persistent judicial problem. Angela Poe Russell says. 

“I gave a stranger on the internet money for bras” is a phrase which will usually illicit a series of uncomfortable questions. ‘Was it an onlyfans girl?’ ‘Was it for naked pictures?’ ‘why are you paying people for naked pictures?’ would all be acceptable first reactions to that statement. But Jack gave a stranger on the internet money for nothing in return.  

"It has been eight years and two days since our son Tommy died," Travis Mayfield said on Friday, April 12, 2024. He was 2 1/2 years old when he passed away. 

Life on the road seems par for the course rather than anomalous for these aging rock stars who continue to tour late in their lives. 

At SeaTac airport, while getting on the train that takes you to various gates, I saw something I’ve seen dozens of times before. But never thought much of it. The train doors were about to close and I spotted a guy running as fast he could towards the vehicle in hopes he could squeeze inside before the doors shut. Unfortunately he just missed it. I swear his face smacked into the vehicle.   It was awkward   And some people chuckled.   All I could think at that moment was how I had never done anything like that. I’ve never run towards a train or after a bus that was about to leave.   My mindset has typically been to wait for the next one.   The question was why?

Spring Break is a time for trips for many, but that isn't always case for some families. This year, Greg Tomlin and his family decided that instead of dealing with the hustle and bustle of traveling, it was time for a staycation, and that can be just as good, if not better. 

48-thousand paper hearts of every color fluttered through the air inside the Idaho State Capitol rotunda this week. Travis Mayfield tells us why this was a a response to hate 

Spike O'Neil reminds us to hang in there, the sunny skies are almost here to stay! 

Florida's governor and the legislature have been on a roll lately with several controversial legislative actions. However, one of them is worth replicating.

Sometimes, it's okay to just do something by yourself. Science even backs it up! 

Less stress through science. 

There's a lot of chatter about the new Seattle City Council, shouldn't part of the conversation be allowing for time so they can do their job? 

There's no day like Opening Day, and in today's commentary brought to you by WA FED Bank, KIRO News Radio's Paul Holden explains why.  

It was confirmed yesterday music mogul Sean P Diddy Combs is indeed the target of a federal investigation by Homeland Security. The accusations center around sex trafficking. In today’s commentary, Angela Poe Russell explores what most of us often misunderstand about the crime.

Sometimes to get where we want to go in life and do the things we want to do, we need to set smaller, more acheviable goals.