Never too young to learn about weather

May 29, 2022

I was a cub reporter here when the 10th anniversary of the region’s 1985 F-5 tornado was approaching. To be more specific, I was a Tribune Chronicle freelance correspondent really hoping to become a full-time cub reporter. One of my assignments back in those early days was to cover a Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency meeting where officials were to discuss disaster preparedness, sirens and other issues as the tornado’s anniversary neared. I got right to work researching background. I knew only tornado lore since I didn’t live here in 1985 — the year I graduated ...

Voters really mean it when they say ‘no’

May 15, 2022

One of the biggest frustrations that comes with seeing tax levies on an election ballot isn’t that local governments or boards of education want to raise your taxes. Undoubtedly, most of us understand that over time, the cost of doing business goes up. Just like in private business, salaries, insurance and utilities will increase. Just like at home, transportation and other basic operating costs will rise. Sometimes capital expenditures are needed. New buildings or improvements to existing buildings may be required. Equipment needs to be upgraded. It’s true that no one ever ...

Sharing mutual feelings for my biggest fan

May 8, 2022

Without question, my mom is my biggest fan — in my work and, generally, in life. These days, she almost always is complimentary. Trust me, it wasn’t always that way. As a teenager I struggled with her judgment, often feeling frustrated that she found it necessary to insert so much negativity into my perfectly good plans — especially considering that I already knew everything about, well, everything. Back then, as I wrested with her judgments, I’m sure she was wresting with her desire to strangle a teenage me. Now a mother myself, I have experienced similar episodes where ...

Can you imagine dying just to share story?

May 1, 2022

Russian soldiers occupying regions of Ukraine are spending time gathering information, making lists and searching for journalists in order to make them collaborate or to silence them. “By waging this manhunt to track down Ukrainian journalists, the Russian troops aim to terrorize them and force them to remain silent if they refuse to disseminate Kremlin propaganda,” said Jeanne Cavelier, of Reporters without Borders. Journalists in that European region have been warned to either spread only information approved by Russian leaders — that is, misinformation — or face ...

Court case sets boundaries on anonymity

April 24, 2022

The outcome of an Ohio Supreme Court case brought by one of Ohio’s largest newspapers establishes statewide precedent for Ohio courts on when someone may file a lawsuit anonymously. The case involved a plaintiff — a Cincinnati area police officer — who sought to remain anonymous in the defamation suit he filed against people he said publicly labeled him as a racist. But as most journalists would argue, openness is key, and the courts should not randomly allow an accuser to file suit anonymously. Accused have the right to face and name their accusers, and the public should have ...

Value today as tomorrow isn’t guaranteed

April 17, 2022

Nothing in life ever is guaranteed. Just ask the family of NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Undoubtedly, the young man was in the prime of his life when he was killed early April 9, the result of a tragic accident. He was just 24. It was only about two weeks earlier that the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they were bringing back the former Ohio State standout for a second season. The team had signed him last year to the development squad. Then, in recent weeks, the Steelers announced Haskins would compete with former Chicago and Buffalo quarterback Mitch Trubisky and longtime ...