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Parents still have a role

A U.S. District Court judge’s decision to strike down Ohio’s requirement that children under age 16 must have parental consent to use social media and some gaming apps is being viewed as a victory by trade group NetChoice (which represents TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other companies) and some First Amendment advocates. But it is important to read all of what Judge Algenon Marbley had to say on the matter. Marbley did not say the intent of the law was not commendable. He said it went too far. Marbley said the law ‘’resides at the intersection of two unquestionable rights: the ...

He is risen!

Some 2,000 years ago, an itinerant preacher in the Middle East was crucified for, as his executioners put it, claiming to be a king. There was no immediate worldwide news coverage of the event. There were no live images beamed to televisions, tablets and cell phones around the world, no tweets, no texts, no Facebook posts carrying the news of his execution at the hands of the powerful Roman state at the request of the Hebrew state under its control. There were no 24-hour news channels and no grim-faced anchormen and women providing background, and there was no analysis from hundreds ...

Losing our voice in state education

Though they have already significantly weakened the State Board of Education, Ohio lawmakers are now on the move to eliminate the public’s voice on what is left of the board. Members of the House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget earlier this month. It included the reduction of the state board’s membership from 11 elected members and eight members appointed by the governor to five — all of whom would be appointed by the governor, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. Elected members serving this year are Kristie Reighard, Dist. 1, Swanton; ...

Highway issues a constant concern

The conditions of our roads, bridges, and other infrastructural elements are always a concern as they are vital to the everyday lives of our residents, as well as the commerce of our region. While West Virginia famously launched its Roads to Prosperity campaign several years ago, leading to what officials have called significant investments, it’s become obvious that more is needed, and, unfortunately, increased costs will most likely limit what realistically can be accomplished. West Virginia’s new secretary of transportation, Todd Rumbaugh, recently took part in a virtual news ...

Being a good neighbor

For five years, the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency has received a boost from one of the natural gas companies which has made its home in the Ohio Valley. Expand Energy, which once was known as Southwestern Energy, recently made a contribution of $20,000 to the county agency tasked with overseeing response to various emergency and disaster situations in the county, whether it be chemical spills, large fires, or floods. The funds can be used by the agency to purchase vehicles, such as the 2025 Ford Explorer now used by county EMA Director Greg Moore and Deputy Director Mike ...

Ohio going on the rails…eventually

It was a small thing. Just $25,000 included in this year’s state budget to let Ohioans know its elected representatives support the idea of real passenger rail transportation options for the state. The money will let the Buckeye State join the Interstate Midwest Passenger Rail Commission, according to a report by WBNS. That, in turn, will lead to conversations with Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and others. A representative of All Aboard Ohio told WBNS there is work being done on a rail line that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. There is ...