Commentary: The Divide

Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans. Topics include gun control, free speech, policing, and politics.

Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans. Topics include gun control, free speech, policing, and politics.

This week: In leadership, sometimes what you don't say speaks louder than what you do say.

This week: Showing strength is important as a leader. But in a time of crisis, it's also okay to show weakness.

Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans. Topics include gun control, free speech, policing, and politics.This week: During the Coronavirus crisis, Governor Jay Inslee  has been criticized for dodging questions. But who else is to blame for his non-answers?

Overseas scammers stole hundreds of millions of dollars from Washington taxpayers – and the state is complicit.

SEATTLE — Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans.

Governor Jay Inslee's office says it's voluntary for residents to isolate or quarantine as part of the contact tracing process, but some question whether the government can actually force it.Brandi Kruse takes a look in “Fact or Fake?”

While pet groomers wait to reopen under Phase 2 of the state's "Safe Start" plan, Tiffanie Miner of Pauly's Paw Spa in Port Orchard worries that her regular customers are left suffering.

SEATTLE — Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans.

This week on “The Divide”: Seven Republican members of the Washington State House of Representatives sued Governor Jay Inslee, contesting there is no longer a state of emergency over COVID-19.

Kerri Lonergan-Dreke is preparing Lombardi's Italian Restaurants to resume in-person dining as part of Phase 2 of Governor Jay Inslee's plan to reopen the state.

Persistent social media posts suggest deaths not caused by COVID-19 are still being added to the number of Coronavirus fatalities.Brandi Kruse takes a look in “Fact or Fake?”

This week on “The Divide”: As Governor Jay Inslee extends the "Stay Home" mandate through May, some wonder about the data behind decisions to reopen certain sectors of the economy, but not others.

Rampant social media posts suggest Governor Jay Inslee doesn't have the power to extend his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" mandate beyond 30 days without approval from the state legislature.Brandi Kruse takes a look in "Fact or Fake?"

SEATTLE — Each week on “The Divide,” Brandi Kruse offers a commentary that looks for common ground on issues dividing Americans.

Tommy Steinley, owner of Tommy's Guitar Shop in Everett, is trying to strike a positive chord as the coronavirus outbreak and "Stay Home" order keep his business closed.

OLYMPIA – While Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order is set to expire May 4, it seems likely that many of the restrictions will be extended – even in some rural counties that have seen fewer than a dozen confirmed cases of COVID-19.Some local leaders across the state have expressed opposition to a “one-size-fits-all” approach to reopening Washington, hoping to be given more control over the economic fate of their residents.“Our economy over here in Eastern Washington, especially here in Spokane County, is far different than the west side,” Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward said in an appearance Sunday on “The Divide.” “We don’t have the Amazons, or the Microsofts or the Boeings that boost the economy.”Woodward said leaders in Spokane County are working toward a regional approach to opening back up the economy, concerned about tourism and hospitality sectors that are especially vulnerable should mandated closures be extended into the summer months.“Those industries have been decimated,” she said. “Half of the people who work in those industries work paycheck-to-paycheck.