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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Wayne Gray

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter

Staff Reporter – Spring 2022

All content by Wayne Gray

Some things you might miss from “the westside” and where to find them

Wayne Gray, Columnist
June 7, 2022

Many students at CWU are transplants from western Washington. The low cost tuition and high acceptance rates of CWU attract students to this side of the Cascades, but a common sentiment expressed by many...

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Courtesy of Pexels

We fear A.I. because we fear ourselves

Wayne Gray, Columnist
June 1, 2022

We fear being replaced by the faster, stronger and smarter thing because we were once the shiny new thing. Like with the millionth model of the new iPhone, nature lined up outside the human store and bought...

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Ellensburg Police Department Citizens Academy provides an insider perspective

Ellensburg Police Department Citizens Academy provides an insider perspective

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
June 1, 2022

Ellensburg Police Department (EPD), hosts the Citizen’s Academy every fall, which is a community program where participants learn about police work and meet EPD personnel.  “The objective is to...

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Courtesy of Pexels.com

Condemn the war, but not the warrior

Wayne Gray, Columnist
May 18, 2022

We should better empathize with those who serve in our military while still holding our government responsible for committing to overseas conflicts. By supporting measures that reduce defense spending...

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Kittitas County Fire and Rescue host informative events about wildfire prevention.

Kittitas County prepares for wildfire season

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
May 18, 2022

Development and mismanaged private properties are a primary contributor to the effects of wildfires in Kittitas County, according to Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue (KVFR) Chief John Sinclair.  Sinclair...

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Courtesy of Dr. Megan Walsh

CWU Professor says invasive grasses and wildfires are a growing problem for Washington ecosystems

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
May 11, 2022

The central Washington shrub-steppe has been impacted by invasive grass species, placing the shrub-steppe ecosystems at higher risk of wildfires, according to Professor Megan Walsh. Walsh said as these...

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La policía de Washington toma medidas enérgicas contra los traficantes de fentanilo

La policía de Washington toma medidas enérgicas contra los traficantes de fentanilo

Wayne Gray, Reportero del personal
May 5, 2022

La oficina del Fiscal Federal para el Distrito Este de Washington acusó formalmente a Jonathan Rivera-Venegas de conspiración y distribución de fentanilo en Ellensburg el 5 de abril.  La distribución...

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Washington law enforcement cracks down on fentanyl distributors

Washington law enforcement cracks down on fentanyl distributors

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
May 4, 2022

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington indicted Jonathan Rivera-Venegas on charges of conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl in Ellensburg on April 5.  According to a release...

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CWU cambia las tarifas de alojamiento y comida

CWU cambia las tarifas de alojamiento y comida

Wayne Gray, Reportero del personal
April 27, 2022

El cambio por CWU a una política de "misma tarifa, misma habitación" puede simplificar el alojamiento y la comida para algunos, pero aumenta los costos de vivienda para otros. CWU cambió recientemente...

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CWU changes room and board rates

CWU changes room and board rates

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
April 27, 2022

CWU’s change to a “Same Rate, Same Room” policy may simplify room and board for some, but increase housing costs for others. CWU recently changed its pricing model for the 2022-2023 academic year...

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Professors talk about the weaponization of marijuana

Professors talk about the weaponization of marijuana

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
April 21, 2022

Once a common crop of the working class, marijuana was weaponized in the 20th century U.S. as part of a campaign of white supremacy, according to Jason Dormady, a CWU history professor. Dormady said that...

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Miembros del facultad hablan sobre el uso de la marijuana como herramienta de discriminación

Miembros del facultad hablan sobre el uso de la marijuana como herramienta de discriminación

Wayne Gray, Reportero del personal
April 20, 2022

Antiguamente un cultivo común de la clase obrera, la marihuana se convirtió en un arma en los EE.UU del siglo XX como parte de una campaña de la supremacía blanca, según Jason Dormady, profesor de...

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Ellensburg speaks up against librarian cuts

Ellensburg speaks up against librarian cuts

Wayne Gray, Staff Reporter
April 13, 2022

Certified librarians in the Ellensburg School District have been reduced due to budget cuts. Employees are speaking out, even if it means someone else does the talking. The decision to reduce library...

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