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Thoughts on the Fourth

The Fourth of July is just a few days a way, and with that, we can expect to see the usual surge in displays of patriotism. That’s a term that certainly has taken on different meanings during the past several years. And,whatever it means to you, it should be reassuring to know that we will be seeing an increasing number of displays featuring red, white and blue as Friday gets closer, and thousands of area residents will be heading to several locations around the Tri-State Area to watch a fireworks display — or two. We’ve also been told that residents of our region are among ...

Guest column/Ohio can help lead the way in fixing Congress

America’s faith in Congress has hit rock bottom — and for good reason. The institution created to serve the people has too often become a bastion of careerism, self-preservation and dysfunction. Congressional approval ratings remain stuck in the basement, yet re-election rates hover above 90 percent. This disconnect is no accident — it’s the result of a system designed to reward incumbency over innovation, loyalty to party over service to country. That’s why real reform must begin with term limits for Congress — a bold, structural change that can finally restore ...

Guest column/National Mesothelioma Registry critically needed

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy affecting people exposed to asbestos. Each year, across all cancer diagnoses, mesothelioma accounts for fewer than 3,000 cases. As a result, research interest in this condition is limited, with dire consequences for patients. Of all cases identified, veterans account for a substantial portion, as during the Cold War era, asbestos was extensively used by the U.S. Military throughout all its divisions. Among these, Navy veterans carry the highest burden of asbestos-related diseases, as they often worked in confined spaces below decks, where the ...

We blinked … and more than half the year is gone

I cannot believe that on Friday, it will be the Fourth of July. How has more than half of the year already passed us by? Evidently, we blinked. You know, I may have to super glue my eyes open so that life slows down a little. How can it be that when you are young, the days, the weeks, the years drag on and on? Why does it seem like time moves so slowly? When you are young, it’s as if the hands on the clock stand still or are stuck in the same position, day in, day out. And then, when we are older, we can never get those same clock hands to slow down? Not for a ...

One vote can matter

There’s always a lot of talk about politics and politicians, and how government at every level should be run. Yet, when there’s a chance to step up and get involved in the process, many people choose not to be involved. The latest example came in Ohio’s May 6 primary. According to Secretary of State Frank LaRose, just 10.98 percent of the state’s registered voters participated in the election. That’s 901,066 ballots cast out of the 8,205,338 registered voters across Ohio. Turnout in any off-year vote is traditionally low. There are no statewide offices on those ...

Guest column/Lawmakers: Please avoid reaching this first

Being the first is normally a good thing. Ask Ohio natives Thomas Edison, Neil Armstrong or the Wright Brothers. But first isn’t always best. And if some Ohio lawmakers have their way, the Buckeye State will be the first in the nation to assess a sales tax on newspapers. House Bill 96, also known as the state operating budget for calendar year 2026-27, includes provisions that would eliminate the nearly 100-year-old sales tax exemption on newspapers, businesses who advertise with newspapers in print, and printing. The bill currently sits in conference committee, where the ...