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

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The Sept. 1 deadline for the Mountain West and Washington State and Oregon State to renew their football scheduling arrangement passed without an agreement, and the conference said Monday it is anticipating making schedules for next season without the Pac-12 schools.

The announcement does not necessarily close the door on the two sides agreeing to another arrangement as the 12-team Mountain West typically does not release its conference football schedule until December at the earliest.

“For the 2025 season, the Mountain West and its member institutions are moving forward with their conference and nonconference schedules,” the league said in a statement.

Oregon State and Washington State are operating as a two-team league this season and intend to do so in 2025 as well after 10 Pac-12 schools scattered to other power conferences this year.

To fill out football schedules, Washington State and Oregon State agreed to a deal with the Mountain West to play six games against those schools that do not count toward the conference standings. The deal paid the Mountain West about $14 million for this year.

The Mountain West and the Pac-12 schools said at the time they would look to possibly extend the agreement another year by Sept. 1, but the sides could not come to terms.

Oregon State currently has seven football games booked for next season, including against Washington State.

Washington State has six games booked, including its conference game against the Beavers. Major college football teams typically play 12-game regular seasons.

Mountain West schools could also arrange games separately with Oregon State and Washington State.

Oregon State and Washington State struck a separate scheduling agreement with the West Coast Conference for basketball and other Olympic sports. That does not include Oregon State’s traditionally strong baseball program, which is operating as as an independent this school year.

Oregon State and Washington State are taking advantage of an NCAA rule that allows them to operate as a two-team conference for two years. Schools leaders have said their first priority is the rebuild the Pac-12 and they have accumulated tens of millions of dollars in conference related funds they hope can aid those efforts.

Their agreement with the Mountain West included millions of dollars in extra fees over the next two years if Oregon State and Washington State tries to add MW schools to the Pac-12.

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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

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At a bus stop on 34th Street, in Philadelphia’s University City section, a giant poster, between 5 and 6 feet tall, was enclosed in a case at a bus stand for the city’s public transportation company. It featured a cartoonish graphic resembling Vice President Kamala Harris, who wore an Eagles helmet, held a football, and had on a black top. Then there was the Eagles logo above the word “Kamala,” which was above text that said “official candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles.”

Apparently, this image was not the only one in the city. Social media featured numerous posts of the graphic being reported in locations throughout Philadelphia’s Center City area. The posters’ existence caused quite a frenzy throughout the city, with many people angry the team would support a candidate like Harris. It also left people wondering if the poster is as authentic and legitimate as it looked and why the Eagles would endorse a presidential candidate when the organization has never done so. 

In search of answers to these questions, I contacted the Philadelphia Eagles media relations officials. The team directed me to a statement it had posted on its social media accounts. 

“We are aware counterfeit political ads are being circulated and are working with our advertising partner to have them removed,” the release said.

So, the first question was answered: The Philadelphia Eagles did not endorse Harris for president with political posters placed around the city. But if the Eagles didn’t do this, how could it happen? This wasn’t just some flier posted around the city on telephone polls. It was enclosed in a locked display case at a bus stand about 6.5 feet tall. 

I asked the Eagles this very question on Monday, but the team declined to comment. Instead, a media relations representative once again directed me to the team’s statement on social media as its only comment on the incident.

Still searching for an answer, I contacted the media relations department at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia’s public transportation company. It informed me that SEPTA doesn’t own the bus stands and is not responsible for the advertisements placed there. That responsibility belonged to the city of Philadelphia. 

“SEPTA does not own the bus shelters, so we don’t handle those ad spaces,” a representative said. “The shelters are owned by the city.”

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Attempts to contact the city of Philadelphia’s media inquiry department late Monday afternoon have been unsuccessful. This story will be updated accordingly.

However, if true, this would seem to be an egregious violation of ethics. Philadelphia would have been responsible for publishing this deceptive image without permission from the Philadelphia Eagles. Furthermore, if the city approved it, it would also seem that this image was used as political propaganda to misrepresent the Philadelphia Eagles and try to interfere with people’s thinking about how to vote in the election.