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Affordability can determine students’ college choices

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 ...

Choose Youngstown air base as home for new squadron

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 ...

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

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 ...

Orchids and onions for Nov. 7

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 ...

Losing weight can help us get healthier

National Diabetes Awareness Month takes on a different significance in Appalachia, and WalletHub’s “2026’s Most Overweight and Obese States in America,” gives some idea why. Obesity is one of the bigger risk factors and primary cause of type 2 diabetes, and West Virginia is the most obese state in the country. Ohio is 15th. Digging into the data gets more and more disturbing. The Mountain State is first for the percentage of obese adults and the percentage of adults with type 2 diabetes. It is seventh for the percentage of overweight children, second for the percentage of ...

Keep first responders safe on the road

Changes in the rules about how we approach and drive by traffic incidents have met some success in reducing the number of injuries and fatalities associated with roadway incident crashes. But there is still a danger to those who trying to help at such scenes. During this Crash Responder Safety Week, Buckeye State residents are reminded to move over, slow down, avoid distraction and expect the unexpected. For fire and rescue, emergency medical services, highway maintenance, towing and recovery and public works employees, sticking to those rules could be a life-saver. “Anytime you ...