Washington
Charlie Harger: The melting pot that is the Washington State Fair
There’s something about the Washington State Fair in Puyallup that just feels right. It’s a long-standing tradition in my family, and I suspect it is for many others across the state. This past Sunday, we kept the tradition alive, heading to the fairgrounds for a day of rides, food and, as it turns out, a little bit of reflection.
We arrived early, which turned out to be a great decision. The lines were almost nonexistent. We jumped on the big wooden roller coaster without much of a wait, and the kids hit the Gravitron with the same ease. The food was fresh, and the weather was practically perfect — like the fair gods were smiling down on us.
Now, maybe it’s because I’ve been subbing in for Dave Ross on Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Newsradio the past couple of days, but I found myself in an unusually observant mood. Let’s just say I had my Ross-colored glasses on. What struck me as I wandered through the fairgrounds was the sheer diversity of people, all mingling together, seemingly getting along just fine amidst the dairy cows and the Dole Whip.
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For instance, as I passed by one of the barbecue stands, I noticed a guy wearing a shirt with that image of President Trump — fist in the air after the assassination attempt, accompanied by the bold statement, “You Missed.” Just a few minutes later, as we checked out the Quarter Horses — or maybe they were Clydesdales; I’m no equine expert — I spotted a dad wearing a hoodie that read, “No One Is Illegal.”
It was like a scene out of a Norman Rockwell painting, with a modern twist. Here we were, in the heart of Puyallup, with people wearing their beliefs on their sleeves — literally — and yet, there wasn’t a hint of tension in the air. It was just … normal.
Later, in the shopping pavilion, I encountered the Gideons dutifully handing out New Testament Bibles. Step outside, and there, right next to an ice cream stand, was a booth set up by a local Muslim group, spreading the word about how Jesus is mentioned in the Quran. It was a veritable buffet of religious and political perspectives, served up alongside elephant ears and funnel cakes.
And you know what? No one was losing their minds. Despite what some cable news channels would have you believe, people with different views were coexisting just fine. It was a refreshing change of pace from the usual doom-and-gloom narrative we’re seeing lately.
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Of course, I’m not naive. I know disagreements are part and parcel of life, and I’ve witnessed more than my fair share of heated political and religious debates recently. But at the fairgrounds in Puyallup this past Sunday, everything felt surprisingly, almost annoyingly, fine.
So, here’s a thought: Maybe the solution to the divide in this country is simpler than we think. Maybe what we need are more big gatherings where people can come together, enjoy some good food and maybe even pet a goat or two. Imagine fairs popping up in every town across America, with farmers showcasing their cutest animals, dads firing up the grills and everyone enjoying warm, delicious scones. It might not solve all our problems, but it could be a start.
After all, who can argue when you’ve got a scone in hand? It’s a fair idea — pun very much intended — that might just bring us closer to finding some common ground. So, let’s give it a shot. It’s time we all did a little more “Puyallup” in our lives.
Charlie Harger is the News Director for MyNorthwest.com and KIRO Newsradio
The Catholic archbishop of Washington DC on Wednesday removed a well-known priest as an exorcist of the archdiocese after he made public comments suggesting that UFO sightings were the work of demons.
Cardinal Robert McElroy said the archdiocese also was cutting ties with the St Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal, a Washington-based non-profit headed by the priest, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti.
The archbishop said Rossetti’s statements “linking UFOs to demonic presence and the Center’s recent use of social media gravely undermine the Church’s very precise teaching on the devil, demons and exorcism”.
“There’s a danger here,” Rossetti said in a 29 May video posted on his Facebook page addressing UFO sightings and the existence of aliens. “As an exorcist I wanted to raise that danger. And that is that demons like to hide … They don’t want us to know what they’re doing because they’re more effective when we don’t realize it.
“They can kind of get into your head, you know, and manipulate things in the world to influence us to do evil.
“It’s my personal belief that probably many if not most of these UFO sightings are in fact demons,” Rossetti added.
Rossetti also said that people can be good Catholics and believe there’s life on other planets, though he does not personally believe life exists elsewhere.
In a statement posted on the St Michael Center website, Rossetti said he was saddened by the action of the archdiocese.
“I ask forgiveness for any ways that I have not been faithful to the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, particularly in the cited video on ‘aliens and the demonic’,” he said. “I believe it is of the utmost importance to be obedient to the Church and I will continue to endeavor to subject all that I do and the Center to be thus obedient.”
Rossetti, who has more than 148,000 followers on Instagram, is a prominent psychologist as well as an exorcist. His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
In 2023, he told the Associated Press there was increasing and renewed appetite for information about demonic possession and exorcism.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping Darnell Washington around for another four years, signing the former third-round tight end to a contract extension, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Washington is the team’s third contract extension this spring, joining kicker Chris Boswell and edge rusher Nick Herbig. He’s the second member of the 2023 draft class after he and Herbig signed in back-to-back days.
Washington’s deal is worth $42 million and includes $21 million in guaranteed money.
Sources: The #Steelers and TE Darnell Washington have agreed to a 4-year, $42m extension.
The massive tight end has developed into a key piece of Pittsburgh’s offense and has been everything the Steelers hoped for when they drafted him. pic.twitter.com/PVLVF5Qh8S
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 4, 2026
The 6-foot-7 tight end out of Georgia found a nice groove for himself on the offensive side of the ball last season and became a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers while being used as a key piece to the running game. Under new head coach Mike McCarthy, Washington’s role is expected to grow even more.
“Love Darnell, he’s been here every day, in the classroom, good student, he’s a pro’s pro,” McCarthy said about Washington during minicamp. “I’ve been veryimpressed with him. He’s done everything we’ve asked. I know I keep saying this, it’s year one that you get to know your players, go to certain schemes, you may tilt one way or the other variations of schemes, and definitely we’ve been doing that with our tight ends, and he’s a big part of that reason.”
With Washington under contract for the next five years and Pat Freiermuth having three more years on his deal, the Steelers solidify their tight end room for the future. Both players will be heavily involved, as Freiermuth remains the top pass-catching option and Washington grows into an all-around weapon.
Steelers Moves Aren’t Done Yet
The Steelers aren’t done with their offseason extensions, either. Outside of Washington, Herbig and Boswell, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton and Spencer Anderson could all ink deals before the season.
Porter Jr. was the talk of the town heading into the offseason, but with a contract that is likely top five in the NFL at his position, it may take longer than hoped for the two sides to sign a deal. Both sides remain optimistic, but also realistic that it may take time.
As for Benton, the team is currently negotiating with him and he could be the next domino to fall in the signings. Don’t rule out Anderson getting a deal done as well.
Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI, and find our podcast All Steelers Talk on YouTube or anywhere you listen!
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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office released video of deputies using a drone to track down a man wanted for damaging a car.
On Saturday, May 30, a 911 caller reported a man damaging a car outside their home on Southwest 179th Avenue in Aloha. The sheriff’s office said it was reported the suspect, 21-year-old Santos Paulino Castro-Ramirez, was punching the car.
Deputies used a drone to follow the suspect as he ran toward Southwest Barcelona Lane. The sheriff’s office said Castro-Ramirez then entered a white SUV that did not belong to him on SW Barcelona.
Deputies arrested Castro-Ramirez. He was booked into the Washington County Jail for first-degree burglary and attempt to commit a crime – second-degree theft.
Copyright 2026 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.
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