By Maureen McKinney
It seems every day, we hear of more budget cuts, programs slashed, and jobs lost in America. These cuts have been made in nearly every city, county, state, and business, and ultimately affect everyday citizens in one way or another. It’s hard to keep track of what is being slashed and who will be affected next!
As an example, The Observer, the Central Washington University student-run weekly newspaper, lost 90 percent of its funding in this year’s budget, partially due to lower enrollment. This huge loss in revenue puts the future of The Observer in jeopardy. With all journalism seemingly under attack right now, it is important we support those choosing journalism as a career. News coverage in all forms – newspapers, radio, TV, online and social media – is vital to legitimate, truthful information being available for citizens. Journalism also assists in “keeping tabs” on our governments, both local and national.
The Observer began publishing in December of 1916 – 109 years ago this year. The newspaper states: “as a publicly funded, government institution, Central is committed to upholding the values of the First Amendment. That entails granting student managers and editors complete editorial freedom so they can maintain the integrity of the Observer as a vehicle for free inquiry and free expression”. In addition, the newspaper program provides practical journalism training, provides fair and impartial news reports regarding the university, and serves as a link between the University and the community at large.
We need news sources like The Observer to continue and thrive. We need students to choose journalism as a career so we can be assured the “news” we get is accurate and impartial. The League of Women Voters of Kittitas County would like to encourage everyone to support The Observer and the students in the program by making a donation today. Go to https://www.cwu.edu/about/foundation/giving/index.php then click on GIVE in the upper right. Scroll down on the page that opens and click on the GIVE TO CWU box. A donation window will open for you to fill in. Be sure to Choose Designation as “Other” then enter The Observer in the designation box. Or if you prefer, send a check to Central Washington University Foundation, 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7508. If you mail a check, be sure to send a note designating that your donation is for The Observer!
Consider your donation a 109th birthday present to The Observer and all it has meant to the students, the University and Kittitas County! Thank you for your support!
Article co-published by the Ellensburg Daily Record Newspaper on November 22, 2025. Maureen McKinney helps chair Communications/Outreach for the League of Women Voters Kittitas County. She is retired and lives in the Manastash Canyon with her dog Belle. Living with wildlife (except for one rogue turkey!) in our beautiful county is her happy place.