Opinion

In a fast-paced world often defined by digital interactions and fragmented routines, community festivals and local events serve as powerful reminders of what truly binds us together: shared experiences, cultural expression and human connection.  These gatherings, whether a neighborhood block party, a cultural celebration or...

Last week the smaller print piece in the Free Lance side bar labeled “Local Scene” got my attention. The title “State to study cancer risk of fighting wildfires” had me opening the paper focused on further information. Everyone is interested in cancer risk.   Our surrounding...

Small Business Saturday may have come and gone, but the importance of supporting our neighborhood shops, makers and service providers hasn’t faded with the weekend sales. If anything, this is the moment when shopping locally matters most. After the rush of Thanksgiving weekend, many small...

Your Sept. 26 editorial, “When National Headlines Collide with National News” regarding the massive and successful boycott of ABC/Disney, Sinclair and Nexstar distributors (who have since also acquiesced) was tone-death!  It minimized the threats to our freedom of speech. You missed the whole point! This...

Re: Changing Rules & Cherry Picking Free Lance, July 4, 2025 Most people like to play Monopoly. It is a fun way to learn about the economy. One thing we learn is to stay out of jail. Jail happens when we land on the Jail...

If you can read this letter, maybe you should thank a teacher. The week of Nov. 2-8 is California Retired Teachers Week, and we all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those teachers who not only taught us but helped shape us in...

Rodeos are barbaric How is it possible that watching animals suffer is considered a source of entertainment? A horse breaks its neck and dies…. and that is just collateral damage all in the name of good old family fun? Rodeos are barbaric. Anyone who partakes, or is...

California’s love affair with unmerited lawsuits targeted at small and minority small business owners is alive and well. So much so that the California Assembly failed to even schedule a hearing on Senate Bill 84, a much-needed reform measure to protect against abusive shakedown...

In the coming days, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces elimination for the month of November, or it may be partially funded—moves that threaten to deepen food insecurity for millions of Americans, including many right here in Hollister. SNAP, formerly known as food...

Every teacher in California wants their students to be able to read. But too often, we’re not given the tools to provide effective reading instruction.  While serving as an English language arts/English language development teacher on Special Assignment for Gilroy Unified School District, our Las...