Walla walla union bulletin

There is something uniquely important about a local newspaper. It is more than just pages of text; it is the chronicle of a community’s life. It tells you when a new business is opening on Main Street, who won the high school football game last Friday, and what the city council decided about that new park. It is the first draft of local history. In Walla Walla, that vital record, that daily conversation, has a name: the Walla Walla Union Bulletin. For over a century, the Union Bulletin has been the central source of information for the people of the Walla Walla Valley. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a newcomer enchanted by the wine country, or someone with family ties to the area, understanding the Union Bulletin is key to understanding Walla Walla itself. In this article, I want to walk you through everything this cornerstone institution offers, from its front-page headlines to its deeply personal obituaries, and explain how you can be not just a reader, but a part of its story.

What is the Walla Walla Union Bulletin?

At its core, the Walla Walla Union Bulletin is a daily newspaper serving Walla Walla, Washington, and the surrounding valley. But that simple definition does not do it justice. Think of it as the community’s bulletin board, its debate hall, and its family photo album, all rolled into one. When you pick up the Union Bulletin, or more commonly today, load its website on your phone, you are tapping directly into the pulse of the city.

I remember when I first moved to the area, picking up a copy felt like being handed a key to the city. The stories about the annual Sweet Onion Festival or the profiles of local winemakers gave me context. The sports section told me which high school teams to cheer for, and the letters to the editor revealed what issues truly mattered to my new neighbors. It was my fastest way to go from being an outsider to feeling connected. The Union Bulletin covers all the traditional beats you would expect from a local paper: hard news, local government, crime, and courts. But its true value, in my opinion, lies in its hyperlocal focus. It is not just reporting on Washington state politics; it is explaining exactly how those politics will affect the farmers in the valley or the teachers in our schools. This granular, ground-level perspective is something you simply cannot get from a national news outlet.

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How to Access Your Local News: Subscriptions and the E-Edition

Like most modern newspapers, the Union Bulletin has evolved from a purely print product to a multi-platform news source. Getting your news from them is easier than ever, but it usually requires a subscription. This is a common point of confusion for some, so let me break it down simply.

The primary way to read the Union Bulletin is through a paid subscription. This gives you access in one or more of the following formats:

1. Print Delivery: The traditional paper is delivered to your home. There is a certain comfort in the ritual of reading the physical paper with your morning coffee, and many long-time residents prefer this method.

2. Digital E-Edition: This is my personal favorite. The e-edition is a digital replica of the print newspaper. It looks exactly like the paper version, with the same layout and pages, but you read it on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. It is perfect for anyone who wants the traditional newspaper feel with the convenience of digital access. You can flip through the pages, zoom in on articles, and even clip and save stories easily.

3. Website Access: Your subscription also grants you full access to the Union Bulletin’s website, where stories are posted throughout the day as they happen. This is where you will find breaking news alerts and constantly updated content.

If you are hesitant about a subscription, the website often offers a limited number of free articles per month. Once you hit that limit, you will encounter a “paywall,” which politely asks you to subscribe to continue reading. This model is how the newspaper pays its reporters, photographers, and editors to continue producing the local journalism the community relies on. To manage your subscription, you can usually find a “Customer Service” or “Subscribe” link on their website, which will provide phone numbers and online management tools for things like delivery vacations or billing questions.

What You’ll Find Inside: From Headlines to Obituaries

Opening the Union Bulletin, whether in print or online, is like opening a treasure chest of community information. The sections are thoughtfully organized to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

• Front Page & Local News: This is the heart of the paper. Here you will find the day’s most important stories. It could be an in-depth report on the local harvest, an update on a major construction project, or a feature on a community hero. This section is the paper’s commitment to keeping you informed about the forces shaping your city.

• Sports: The Union Bulletin’s sports section is a big deal. It covers everything from the Walla Walla Sweets baseball team to Walla Walla High School’s Blue Devils and Whitman College athletics. The coverage is not just scores; it is profiles of young athletes, analysis from coaches, and a celebration of local athletic achievement. For sports fans, it is an indispensable resource.

• Opinion & Letters to the Editor: This is where the community’s voice comes alive. The paper’s editorial board will offer its stance on local issues, but the real gem is the letters from readers. This is a public forum where people voice their support, concerns, and ideas about everything from property taxes to park maintenance. Reading this section gives you an unfiltered sense of the community’s mood.

• Obituaries: This might seem like a somber section to some, but in a close-knit community like Walla Walla, the obituaries are a vital record of respect and remembrance. They are more than just death notices; they are beautifully written mini-biographies that celebrate the lives of our neighbors. For many, checking the obituaries is a daily habit, a way to pay respects and stay connected to the families of those they may know.

• Classifieds and Marketplace: This is the community’s digital garage sale and business hub. Here you can find everything from apartments for rent and used cars for sale to job listings and local service providers. It is a powerful, targeted way to reach a local audience with your ad.

• Events Calendar: Wondering what to do this weekend? The events calendar lists festivals, concerts, library readings, club meetings, and other happenings around the valley. It is the perfect tool for anyone looking to get out and engage with the community.

More Than Just Reading: Engaging with the Union Bulletin

The Union Bulletin is not a one-way street. It thrives on interaction from the people it serves. There are several ways you can actively participate.

You can submit a Letter to the Editor to voice your opinion on a community issue. Most newspapers have guidelines for these, usually requiring your full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. You can also submit news tips. If you see something newsworthy happening, the paper wants to hear from you. Perhaps the most common form of community contribution is through Obituaries and Announcements. Families typically work with funeral homes to place obituaries, but announcements like births, engagements, and weddings can often be submitted directly by the public through a form on the newspaper’s website. I have helped a friend submit a wedding announcement, and the process was straightforward and the staff was very helpful. Finally, if you are a business owner or just want to sell a couch, you can place an advertisement. The Union Bulletin’s advertising department can guide you through the process and help you choose the best option, from a simple classified line ad to a full-page display ad, for your budget and goals.

A Brief Look Back: The History of the Union Bulletin

A newspaper’s history is often a mirror of the community’s history. The Union Bulletin’s story is one of consolidation and resilience. It was formed in 1907 by the merger of two older papers, the Walla Walla Union and the Walla Walla Evening Bulletin. This merger created a stronger, more comprehensive newspaper that could better serve the growing valley.

Over the decades, it has witnessed and reported on immense changes: the growth of the agricultural industry, the rise of Walla Walla as a world-class wine region, and the everyday ebb and flow of small-city life. Like many local newspapers, it has changed ownership several times. For a long time, it was a family-owned operation, which gave it a very particular local flavor. Today, it is owned by a larger media company, Seattle-based Salmon Street Media (formerly known as Pioneer News Group), which owns several other community papers in the Pacific Northwest. This move towards group ownership is a common trend in the industry, aimed at ensuring the financial sustainability of local journalism. While some may lament the loss of purely local ownership, the paper’s newsroom remains staffed by journalists who live in and care deeply about Walla Walla, and its mission to cover the community has not changed.

Conclusion: Why the Union Bulletin Still Matters

In an age of infinite digital information and social media noise, it is fair to ask: why does a local newspaper still matter? The answer is accountability and connection. National news outlets will not cover your city council meeting. They will not send a reporter to the school board debate or to the ribbon-cutting of a new local bakery. The Walla Walla Union Bulletin does. It provides a shared set of facts for the community to discuss. It holds local power to account. And it weaves together the countless individual stories of Walla Walla’s residents into the broader narrative of the place we call home.

It is not just a service; it is an institution. By subscribing, reading, and even contributing to it, you are investing in the health of your community. You are saying that you value verified information over online rumors, and that you believe the story of Walla Walla is worth telling. So, the next time you see a Union Bulletin news rack or get a notification on your phone, remember that you are not just looking at a news story—you are looking at the living, breathing story of your town.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How much does a Union Bulletin subscription cost?
A: Subscription prices can vary based on the package you choose (print + digital, digital-only, etc.) and any promotional offers. The best way to get the current rate is to visit the Union Bulletin’s official website and look for the “Subscribe” or “Customer Service” section, or to call their office directly.

Q2: How do I submit an obituary to the Union Bulletin?
A: Most obituaries are submitted through a funeral home. If you are working with a funeral home, they will handle the process. If you need to submit one directly, you should contact the Union Bulletin’s obituary department. Their contact information is typically listed under “Place an Obituary” or “Contact Us” on their website.

Q3: I am having trouble with my paper delivery or my online login. Who should I contact?
A: For any delivery issues (missed paper, late delivery) or problems with your digital account access, you should contact the Union Bulletin’s Customer Service department. Their phone number and email address are prominently displayed on their website. They are there to help resolve these kinds of issues quickly.

Q4: Who owns the Walla Walla Union Bulletin?
A: The Walla Walla Union Bulletin is owned by Salmon Street Media, a company that owns several community newspapers in the Pacific Northwest, primarily in Washington and Oregon.

Q5: How can I place an advertisement in the newspaper?
A: You can place an ad by contacting the Union Bulletin’s Advertising Department. They can guide you through the options, from classifieds to larger display ads, and provide you with current rates and deadlines. You can usually find their contact information under “Advertise” on the newspaper’s website.