SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Problems beyond politics

Jun 19, 2019, 1:35 PM

I’m sure I’m not alone in knowing several families that are prosperous, hard-working and deeply religious and yet lose children to the world of drugs, out-of-wedlock birth, welfare dependence and hopelessness. It’s also increasingly common to see solidly middle-class couples who, after 20 or 30 years of seemingly successful marriage, suddenly break up, causing pain to themselves, their children and even their grandchildren.

Taxpayer funding for abortions is not ‘pro-choice’

In spite of a booming economy and increased opportunity for every segment of society, so-called “deaths of despair” – through suicide, alcoholism or drug overdoses – have reached unprecedented levels. This explains the seeming disconnect between our prevailing prosperity and the big majorities who believe America’s on the wrong track for our future.

The essential problem involves the collapse of family life, and with neither liberals nor conservatives addressing the issue in meaningful ways, our politics seems to offer only a sideshow rather than a solution.

Associated Press

Sea level rise is reshaping a California beach town and threatening a key rail line

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) — For years, residents of this Southern California beach town could walk a mile along a stretch of cream-colored sand and dip their toes in the waves lapping ashore. That trip has been cut short. Coastal erosion has been eating away at the beach in San Clemente, known for nearly a […]

46 minutes ago

Associated Press

2 giant pandas set off to Atlanta zoo from China after Xi-Trump summit

BANGKOK (AP) — Two giant pandas departed Chengdu in southwestern China early Sunday for their new homes in Atlanta as part of an agreement between the Chinese and American governments. While in Washington for a three-day summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the pandas would arrive in Atlanta in […]

6 hours ago

FILE - A statue of the MTV Moon Man appears on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug....

Associated Press

The MTV VMAs are here with Taylor Swift making history and Madonna leading the nods: How to watch

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are here and Swifties, it looks like the night is already yours. Earlier this week it was announced that Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, becoming the most awarded artist in VMA history. Swift is currently tied with Beyoncé for the title […]

7 hours ago

Foreign Minister Thorgerour Katrín Gunnarsdottir of Iceland speaks during the 81st session of the ...

Associated Press

Small bites from the UN: Canada’s wider view, one chaotic rumor and reframing someone else’s words

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — China and Russia got their turns to speak at the United Nations on Saturday, but that wasn’t call. Watchers from across the globe could find news that affected their lives at the U.N. General Assembly meetings. Here are a few moments: ___ Redefining Netanyahu’s words The foreign minister of Iceland, Thorgerdur […]

9 hours ago

Members of the Krewe of Dolly lead a second line parade in commemoration of the life of Dolly Parto...

Associated Press

New Orleans celebrates Dolly Parton Day, in photos

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fans in New Orleans celebrated Dolly Parton Day, declared in honor of the late country music icon, on Sept. 25. There was music, colorful tributes and plenty of Dolly-inspired style, as they joined communities around the country in honoring the widely beloved Parton. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by […]

11 hours ago

FILE - The OpenAI logo is displayed on a cell phone in front of an image generated by ChatGPT's Dal...

Associated Press

OpenAI pauses training of latest models after agents probed US government sites in unexpected ways

NEW YORK (AP) — OpenAI said it has paused training of its latest artificial intelligence models as reports of AI agents going rogue mount. The decision to halt development came just hours after the company disclosed Friday that it was reviewing several incidents from the summer in which OpenAI agents searching federal government websites acted […]

12 hours ago

Problems beyond politics