By: Ralph Schwartz

After worker victories, The Bellingham Herald’s union is in place
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue Mar 2, 2021
With a recent dispute between the newspaper’s reporters and management over, the real work can begin.
4 min read · 3 comments
McClatchy seeks to break up union that includes Bellingham Herald staff
By Ralph Schwartz · Mon Jan 11, 2021
While McClatchy appears ready to accept unionization among the Herald’s content creators, it would be on their terms.
4 min read · 5 comments
‘Now we will have a voice’—Bellingham Herald’s newsroom joins union
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue Dec 22, 2020
After a takeover by a hedge fund with a history of decimating newspapers, The Bellingham Herald’s news staff is taking a stand.
7 min read · 2 comments
Portland protest: confessions of a riot tourist
By Ralph Schwartz · Mon Aug 3, 2020
White guilt in tow, the author treks 260 miles from Bellingham to Portland to see what all the fuss is about.
7 min read · 4 comments
Anacortes Council member Lovelett to replace Ranker in state Senate
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue Feb 5, 2019
Officials from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties met Tuesday in Mount Vernon to appoint Liz Lovelett as state senator.
5 min read · 2 comments
Two dozen want Murphy’s Bellingham council seat
By Ralph Schwartz · Wed Sep 26, 2018
Candidates who seek appointment include two former City Council members.
2 min read · 18 comments
Tough choice for Democrats: Who will challenge Ericksen?
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue May 1, 2018
Attendees at the campaign kickoff for Tim Ballew II, state Senate candidate, heard good things about Ballew, bad things about Doug Ericksen–and nothing about Pinky Vargas.
5 min read · 7 comments
Ericksen a tough out for Democrats in 2018
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue Apr 17, 2018
We take an early look at who is running for office this year in Whatcom County. Voters will elect a state senator, state representatives, a county councillor and prosecutor.
6 min read · 2 comments
One year in, Trump’s biggest Wash. donor has no buyer’s remorse
By Ralph Schwartz · Sun Jan 21, 2018
Peter Gigante of Fairhaven says Donald Trump will take action on the USA’s trade imbalance with China. This action should come soon.
6 min read · 2 comments
Count ‘em: 29 people seek vacancy on Whatcom County Council
By Ralph Schwartz · Wed Dec 20, 2017
Current County Council members will need to do their homework to separate the wheat from the chaff from the Eric Bostrom.
5 min read · 1 comment
Crowded field: 11 seek Whatcom council vacancy days before deadline
By Ralph Schwartz · Sat Dec 16, 2017
Nine men and two women so far seek a one-year appointment to the County Council.
4 min read · 4 comments
District-only dead? Whatcom council to weigh return to countywide vote
By Ralph Schwartz · Mon Nov 20, 2017
Appearing on the council agenda Tuesday, Nov. 21, is a proposed 2018 ballot measure to return Whatcom to countywide voting for council. Discussion is planned for Dec. 5.
4 min read · 2 comments
Election recap: Conservatives start to make inroads on Whatcom Council
By Ralph Schwartz · Mon Nov 13, 2017
District-only voting for Whatcom Council is having its intended effect, as one conservative takes a seat.
4 min read
Conservative Whatcom candidates distance themselves from GOP
By Ralph Schwartz · Mon Aug 21, 2017
Candidates gave back a donation and did not seek the party’s endorsement.
5 min read · 1 comment
If Donovan defeats Glasser in county race, can she take his old seat?
By Ralph Schwartz · Fri Aug 11, 2017
In the confusing transition from 3 to 5 Whatcom County districts, a question arises: Who is eligible to replace Todd Donovan if he wins this fall and switches seats?
5 min read · 5 comments
Primary: I’m voting Jean Layton for city council—and you should, too
By Ralph Schwartz · Sun Jul 9, 2017
The Aug. 1 primary is more about who shouldn’t advance than who should.
5 min read · 4 comments
Democrat infighting emerges in Bellingham’s at-large race
By Ralph Schwartz · Sun May 14, 2017
Jean Layton will challenge incumbent Roxanne Murphy in what should be a good fight between two Democrats for Bellingham’s at-large council seat.
5 min read · 2 comments
100 days: Largest Wash. Trump donor, from Fairhaven, likes what he sees
By Ralph Schwartz · Wed May 3, 2017
Trump has been criticized for softening his stance on China. But Peter Gigante, who became Washington’s largest Trump donor largely because he supported the candidate’s trade policies, says “wait and see.”
4 min read · 11 comments
What did Ericksen know? Trump protesters facing trial seek subpoena
By Ralph Schwartz · Tue Apr 4, 2017
The people facing trial for blocking Guide Meridian in Lynden on the day of Trump’s rally go after Sen. Doug Ericksen.
4 min read · 1 comment
Ericksen faces his detractors at town hall
By Ralph Schwartz · Sat Mar 4, 2017
At least Doug Ericksen showed up, but he didn’t say anything to reassure a largely hostile audience at Saturday’s town hall meeting.
5 min read · 5 comments
Ralph Schwartz

Ralph Schwartz

Citizen Journalist · Writing Since Aug 5, 2015
After writing for NWCitizen for five years, Ralph Schwartz helped launch a new Whatcom County newspaper, Cascadia Daily News, joining the staff in December 2021 as government reporter. Before the Daily News, he worked for 14 years at professional newspapers, most recently the Methow Valley News and The Bellingham Herald.

Total number of comments: 12

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