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Democrats won, but more importantly, so did democracy

Guest columnists

Stop the talk about a triumphal arch at the gates of Arlington Cemetery. Stop bullying the Kennedy Center into putting the Trump name on its front. Stop obsessing over the Reflecting Pool. Stop cutting down trees at a public golf course in Washington to make a championship course. These pictorial distractions — televised media take note — stopped working on the Main Streets and on the farms. The public felt in their wallets that they were being played. As Donald Trump, his family and his courtiers amassed billions, ordinary Americans' economic interests were ignored, even held in ...

Affordability can determine students' college choices

Editorials

High school seniors across Ohio are about to face the usual holiday questions from well-meaning relatives. “So, where are you planning to go to college?” or “What are you going to do after you graduate?” For a significant number of those students, the answer will depend on what they and their families can afford; and according to a recent report by the National College Attainment Network, that might be harder in Ohio than in some other states. “When available resources do not cover those costs (tuition, books, housing, food, transportation and other necessities), students may ...

A wipeout for Republicans

Guest columnists

In 2010, President Obama described those midterm elections as a "shellacking" for Democrats, who lost 60 seats in the House. Then, as now, the economy was the top issue. If Republicans could have had a worse night, I don't know what it would be. From Maine to Michigan to Texas, Republicans failed miserably to get any message across to voters that would have persuaded a majority to vote for their candidates. One reason for the debacle was that too many GOP candidates ran on fear - fear of socialism, fear of "jihadis" (a slap at Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed). The blame game ...

Orchids and onions for Nov. 7

Editorials

ORCHID: To the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health for marking a worthy watershed last week with its 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The service, which began in July 2022, officially recorded its 1 millionth help session via phone call, text message or online chat last week. Gov. Mike DeWine applauded the news thusly: “Reaching 1 million contacts is a significant milestone for Ohio and a powerful reminder that people are reaching out for help. Behind every call, text, or chat is a person who deserves to be heard, supported, and treated with compassion.” With suicide rates up ...

Letters to editor: Ohio's failed school funding, Election 2026, Trump, more

Editorials

State legislators should enforce school funding law DEAR EDITOR: I recently attended a meeting (for another candidate) to become more educated on those running. As part of the presentation Lauren McNally gave a detailed and revealing discussion of the current dispute about school funding, taxes and vouchers. I had no idea that charter or non-public schools are not held to the same state standards as public schools, and that the dollars the students that opt to attend one of these schools are taken in whole from the students’ home district. The state provides a free and in most cases ...

Choose Youngstown air base as home for new squadron

Editorials

Seventy-five years ago, ground was broken on what would become one of the Mahoning Valley's most significant and robust economic and military gems. Back in 1951, construction began on the Youngstown Air Reserve Station toward its April 1952 grand opening. In that ensuing three quarters of a century, YARS has grown fast and furiously to become a top-tier economic catalyst for the Mahoning Valley, employing about 2,000 reservists and active-duty personnel and reaping an annual monetary impact on our region of approximately $150 million. In recent years, the Vienna Township air base ...