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Time for action on rail safety

“This is why people hate Washington.” Outgoing U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, had good reason to speak his mind last week when lawmakers dropped the ball on the Railway Safety Act. Inspired by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine on Feb. 3, 2023, the act would have enhanced existing rail safety regulations and added mandates such as reducing train lengths, shortening the distance between hotbox detectors on freight lines, notifying local officials in advance of trains carrying hazardous cargo and a minimum two-person crew on every locomotive. But, as reports ...

Another attempt to limit our rights

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been a champion for police departments throughout his career, working to secure more funding, better equipment and more training for departments across the Buckeye State. He also was a huge factor in helping departments across the state acquire money to purchase body cameras for officers, which have protected officers — and also the public. Now DeWine is the last, best hope that a higher level of integrity can be maintained regarding government transparency in Ohio. Lawmakers, in the late hours of the last days of the 135th General Assembly, approved ...

Merry Christmas

The simple greeting, “Merry Christmas,” has been the subject of one of the biggest battles society in general has faced in recent years. In fact, in many places and in many situations, that greeting has been replaced by the all-inclusive, yet far less meaningful, “Happy Holidays.” That, however, removes the meaning of what this season is all about. It is not just about being charitable or sharing warm and fuzzy feelings. It is not about toys or shopping for that special gift. It is not about cookies or a big home covered with hundreds of colored lights or a holiday feast. ...

Spirit of season remains alive

The name Francis Pharcellus Church stands behind words penned that capture the secular spirit of Christmas and the joy and magic on the faces of children at this time of year. Church was the editor of the New York Sun. During his career he wrote many editorials. Some, no doubt, took the city’s politicians to task for their decisions. Others, more than likely, pointed out good things that happened to residents of the city. But nothing he wrote, we would argue, has had as lasting an impact as an editorial that appeared on Sept. 21, 1897. That was when Church took on the task of ...

Bill would hurt right to know

As they neared the finish line on a session during which they neglected bills that might have helped Ohioans, lawmakers also slipped into House Bill 315 a provision (similar to changes made in the last budget bill) that will undoubtedly hurt them. HB 315 passed with little notice shortly after 2 a.m. Friday, and will do little more than limit the public’s access to public information. Now it heads to the governor’s desk. Surely Gov. Mike DeWine will see through this attempt by lawmakers to keep public business in the shadows by removing the requirement that public notices be ...

Play it safe when it comes to toys

In just a few days, children will eagerly be opening new toys and other items that have been left by Santa Claus. And, while Christmas morning can be an exciting time, we remind parents and other adults that not all toys and gifts are safe for all children in all circumstances. In 2023, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 231,700 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms. Of those injuries, 45 percent were to the head and face area. CPSC numbers show 167,500 of those injuries, about 72 percent, happened to children 14 and younger. Another ...