In the news:
March 25, 2024 Whidbey News-Times
Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership
The Claim:
“We are dedicated to serving communities with the best hyperlocal journalism, available 24/7 and produced by passionate journalists living in those communities,” said Glenn Rogers, chief executive officer of Black Press, parent company of Sound Publishing. “With our strong financial position and the support of our new ownership group, our readers and advertisers can count on us to continue delivering the quality journalism and advertising solutions that we are known for.”
“Carpenter and our fellow new owners resolutely support the vital role that effective journalists, newspapers and digital news organizations play in strong communities, and we are committed to ensuring our publications continue to play that essential part in the communities we serve.”
Two Examples Of Reality
In recent years, the press tends to support government agencies, departments and policies rather than question them.
Small Town Papers
In the news- example number one:
August 11, 2023 Whidbey News-Times
Whidbey sewer plants win state awards
“The Oak Harbor Clean Water Facility was recognized as outstanding by the Department of Ecology.”
“The Coupeville treatment plant received the outstanding performance award for the 13th consecutive year, and the Holmes Harbor plant was awarded for the 17th year in a row. The Penn Cove wastewater treatment plant was also a recipient this year.”
Beach adjacent to Award Winning Sewage Treatment Plant:
Coupeville
“Clams, mussels and oysters CLOSED year-round.”
“This beach is within the closure area for a sewage treatment plant outfall and is unsafe for recreational shellfish harvesting.”
Source: WDFW
Would any newsperson ever ask:
When is the last time all of Penn Cove was safe for recreational shellfish harvest?
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
In the news- example number two:
$6.3 million in federal cash for a used Ocean Shores hotel.
Any questions from newspeople?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
The small papers will say they need more support from subscribers and advertising dollars or cash from the federal government to stay alive. All this because COVID or the internet or lack of newspaper sales, or a free and independent press that needs taxpayer support.
People who take no public funds, private donations or advertising dollars are free to ask questions at any time. Why not the press? Call for unpaid volunteers and you’d get better news coverage than what we have now.
I’d be more interested in paying (again) for a local paper subscription if there was more in the way of newspeople asking questions.
No sense in subscribing to newspapers that do not ask public policy-related questions.
Another Example
In The News:
Foot ferry envisioned from Ocean Shores to Westport
Legislature pondering bill that would grant $50M for fast foot ferries throughout Washington waters
The Daily World – Feb 26, 2025
“A ferry from Ocean Shores to Westport and back was part of the discussion of a bill introduced by state Rep. Greg Nance, D-Bainbridge Island. Nance mentioned Grays Harbor and said the ferry ride between Westport and Ocean Shores could serve tourists and locals alike.”
Any Interview With Representative Nance?
Any telephone interview? Any web based interviews? This is routine stuff in 2025.
Looks like the local press was unable to interview Representative Nance before this story was posted.
Questions that may have come up in the interview are in bold type below:
Representative Nance,
In 2008, the El Matador ferry was shut down:
Are you aware that the situation has now become worse?
The public parking areas adjacent to Damon Point are now closed. Beach walkers have no access to Damon Point.
City of Ocean Shores:
“Damon Point Area Access Closed to the Public – Beginning January 27, 2025
Beginning Monday at 7:00am, public access to Damon Point will be strictly prohibited. We will begin stockpiling cobble in the parking lot to the left of the easement. To ensure everyone’s safety access to the area will be closed. This is a critical operation, and we appreciate your full cooperation.”
This public parking area is adjacent to where the El Matador ferry landed on the Ocean Shores side back in 2008.
Representative Nance,
What port facility on the Ocean Shores side would be suitable for the new ferry landing? When is the last time you toured this area? When is the last time you met with Ocean Shores political leaders?
Representative Nance,
Have you been over to Westport to look at a community that faces the same concerns Re: tsunami zone, global warming, sea level rise, climate crisis, king tides, coastal erosion, El Niño/La Niña, winter storms and did not let any of that get in the way of keeping things maintained on their working waterfront?
Representative Nance,
When and why was a decision made to turn away from maintaining the 1916 jetty adjacent to public parking areas at Damon Point?
Representative Nance,
Were you aware that $6.3 million in federal cash went for a used Ocean Shores hotel in late 2022?
Were Washington State lawmakers consulted prior to this deal going through?
December 8, 2022 The Daily World
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
$6.3 million “to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. The project is expected to result in saving eight jobs and creating one full time job.”
Zero questions from small or large newspapers. Zero questions from TV newspeople.
Other sources:
$6.3 million will be used to purchase an Ocean Shores hotel; saves jobs
KXRO News December 7, 2022
More Here – Port Angeles CBP:
Unlike many cities of its size, Port Angeles maintains a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Port Angeles Homeland Security funding and performance?
Newspeople have a long history of not asking questions in this area.
New Port Angeles USBP Station opened more than a decade ago. Has the new station been able to prevent cartel drugs from entering the Olympic Peninsula?
Newspeople remain silent.
After a Port Angeles CBP buildup that took place more than a decade ago, is there any follow up made by the press to inform the public on whatever results have been achieved?
If you run a government operation-these are the reporters you want to see on interview day:
2024:
With a significant Homeland Security/CBP/Border Patrol presence at Port Angeles:
“Clallam County has one of the highest per capita rates of drug overdoses in the state…”
Look for newspeople to ask zero questions in this area:
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest of any kind?
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made an arrest linked in any way to the US/Canada border?
Has massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca played any role in reducing Clallam County drug overdose numbers?
Have opioid lawsuits played any role in improving the situation?
How do cartels react to opioid lawsuits?
Are passports/enhanced/REAL IDs effective in keeping cartel drugs out of the US?
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
When is the last time the Port Angeles Border Patrol made any seizure that kept any amount of fentanyl, heroin or any opioid from entering Clallam County?
Were Clallam County drug overdose death numbers higher before the US Dept. of Homeland Security was established (2002) or are the numbers higher with a $51.6 billion (every 12 months) US Dept. of Homeland Security in place? This giant federal agency now has more than two decades of experience and lessons learned in working to prevent cartel product from entering the US. More overdose deaths now, or before DHS?
Urban legend: The US Border Patrol stopped the Millennium Bomber at Port Angeles-
Ahmed Ressam was captured at the traditional port of entry at Port Angeles by Customs Inspectors wearing blue uniforms- not by Border Patrol Agents wearing green uniforms.
Dec 17, 2029 Peninsula Daily News
Terrorist plot stopped in Port Angeles 20 years ago
“Two decades have passed since U.S. Customs inspectors in Port Angeles foiled a terrorist’s plot to kill and injure as many Americans as possible by blowing up a passenger terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.”
“…he debarked from the MV Coho ferry driving a rental car filled with highly-volatile explosives.”
How many US Border Patrol agents were stationed at Port Angeles in 1999?
Pre-911 staffing levels got the job done.
Love to see newspeople out asking questions.
What we get now is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
Newspeople post this statement as is. A 5th grade book report would require more in the way of asking questions.
JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society:
Local news article:
June 4, 2024 The Daily World
One wounded, one arrested following Saturday morning shooting
“…the gun was licensed to him.”
Questions for the press:
Does owning a handgun in WA require a license? How and when is a handgun licensed in WA?
Related:
Would any newsperson ever ask:
WA Gun Laws – License Required To Own A Handgun?
Over in Island County
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople remain silent.
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent
Possibly of interest:
Years ago, I lived in several different small town areas. Places like Kingston, Port Hadlock and north of Penn Cove.
These areas had small, local newspapers and those papers featured active, online comment sections. Paying for a newspaper subscription was OK with me. There were basic rules for commenting, but it did not seem to matter what name people went by. I never cared.
I used to love the comment sections.
Local papers have stripped away all comments from past articles, and removed the opportunity to post comments to new articles.
Various newspapers in the Puget Sound area have gone with this trend.
Suppressing comments, getting away from asking questions related to public policy and telling us they need more support from subscription and advertising sales.
Got it.
Full Name Verified For Social Media?
Manage it, don’t ban it. Online comment sections
Censorship – Newspapers Suppressing or Eliminating Online Comment Sections
Photo:
Looking north towards the Bluff Trail
Local info: