New agricultural innovations would impact Valley

January 15, 2023

Over the holidays, I popped in my favorite movies in my home office. One favorite is “The Natural,” a great movie for capturing mysticism of our national pastime. One of the best lines is when Wilfred Brimley’s character Pop Fisher tells his assistant manager, “I should have been a farmer.” That reverence to one of the most noble professions is based on our need to feel connected to nature, and the food we consume. What is also amazing is I see the future of agriculture in America with a positive outlook. And for northeast Ohio, another opportunity exists to be a catalyst ...

Subsidies won’t dictate Ohio EV infrastructure

January 8, 2023

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are set to play a much larger role in our transportation future, and Ohio is well positioned to lead this transition. Ohio already manufactures more auto parts than any other state, and it assembles more vehicles than any state except Michigan. Virtually every major auto manufacturer has a presence in our state or sources parts from here. State policymakers spent 2022 considering proposals aimed at ensuring the Buckeye State has all the advantages necessary to be a global leader in EVs, as well. One area of focus is EV recharging infrastructure. Not ...

Leaders work proactively to ensure YSU’s future

November 13, 2022

It was not too long ago in higher education that the development of new courses, academic programs and majors was considered a good indicator of a growing, progressive university. We bragged about the number of disciplines we taught, the wide-ranging majors we offered and the academic specialties and centers we had on campus. If there was a need, real or perceived, it was filled — a new academic program, office space, staffing, etc. Money flowed from the state, with few restrictions on tuition. We opened the doors, and students — for the most part — stepped through. Times have ...

Ohio Turnpike moves into overdrive on improvements

October 9, 2022

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is building the largest construction project in its history, dating back to the years leading up to the turnpike’s 1955 completion. The toll collection system or TCS modernization project, adopted by the turnpike commission in December 2017, has reached full swing as 2022 winds down, and it will continue next year. More than 20 construction projects are required to build the infrastructure enabling the turnpike commission to modernize the TCS, which will create open road tolling lanes for E-ZPass customers to travel non-stop across the ...

Ohio’s opportunity to lead EV transition

October 2, 2022

California recently approved a policy that phases out the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, and while many states are looking to follow suit, this plan is very shortsighted. Forcing Americans to swap their gas guzzlers for an electric vehicle (EV) is simply a heavy-handed policy that won’t be successful — and could be disastrous if we let the accompanying infrastructure lag behind. The federal government is investing billions to fund charging stations across the country. But, with heat waves causing rolling blackouts and power grids struggling to convert to renewable energy, ...

Optimizing health for NE Ohio women, babies

July 31, 2022

Childbirth in the U.S. can be dangerous, compared with other developed nations. Roughly every 12 hours a woman dies of a pregnancy-related cause, and 60 percent of these causes are preventable. In addition, many babies continue to be born too early, too small or too sick to go home with their families. These alarming statistics are why our affiliated health plans, which members account for 11 percent of our nation’s births, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, are at the forefront of improving maternal and infant health, especially in communities of color where health ...