Mike Flynn

Some business leaders fear energy crisis looms

Demand is rising faster than capacity under present generation technology

June 20, 2024

Two Pacific Northwest business raise their concerns to columnist Mike Flynn about the possibility of a looming crisis with the region’s energy demand outpacing the supply.

North Pole Adventure now unique to Spokane

Tech exec leads even after similar charities have failed to come back following pandemic

December 7, 2023

Mike Flynn

As Spokane tech exec Steve Paul, who goes by the name Elf Bernie this time of year, prepares for his 24th year overseeing the Fantasy Flight trip with local poor children on an Alaska Airlines jetliner to the North Pole, he is looking back but also looking ahead.

Homegrown journalism faces test of courage

Divided communities can cast shadow over quest to spotlight truth

May 11, 2023

Mike Flynn

In a divided nation where some openly suggest civil war lies ahead, leaders and some elected officials in various communities across the land seem to be intent on producing a script that would bring that about. And thus, local media in little-known places

Inslee's climate tax on gas could be election issue

Drop in fuel prices initially hid charges for carbon program

March 16, 2023

Mike Flynn

Gov. Jay Inslee hasn't indicated publicly whether he will seek an unprecedented fourth term. But on the issue he hopes will be his legacy, he may have sidestepped a negative public reaction that might have tempted one of the three Democrats waiting in

CougsFirst! Movement extends school pride to businesses

Initiative encourages, inspires collaboration beyond university setting

December 1, 2022

Mike Flynn

The greeting 'Go Cougsâ€ that is shared by all in the Washington State University community from staff-including university President Kirk Schultz-to faculty, current students, and alums, likely sets WSU apart from the rest of academia.

Mariners midseason success brings optimism

Owner Stanton places winning product on field in midst of 21-year playoff drought for team

August 11, 2022

Mike Flynn

Editor's Note: This column first appeared in the Flynn's Harp enewsletter on July 22. As of Aug. 8, the Mariners have a record 8-10 since the All-Star Game break but remain in the American League playoff race.

Washington state, Russia share commerce history, uncertain future

Commerce relationship decades in the making deteriorates in wake of invasion of Ukraine

March 24, 2022

Mike Flynn

Watching Russia in an aggressor role in its unprovoked war on Ukraine likely has brought a mix of sadness and regret for those who recall the time in 1994 that Boris Yeltsin, first president of the Russian Federation, stood before a Seattle luncheon

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April 13, 2017

Mike Flynn

One of the most noteworthy accomplishments of Gonzaga University coach Mark Few in his team's inexorable march toward the NCAA National Championship game, despite falling short in the finale, may have been the destruction of the oft-quoted axiom that

People should rule on education

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September 24, 2015

Mike Flynn

What the Washington State Supreme Court seems to have done, with its ruling last week that charter schools violate the state constitution, is to reinforce its message to the governor and the legislature: You are not in charge in this state. We are. And a

Cutting through med school politics

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February 12, 2015

Mike Flynn

Washington State's senior congressman has stirred reactions of surprise, disappointment and a bit of irritation for inserting himself, with an op-ed piece in the Seattle Times, into the discussion over a possible new medical school at Washington State U