Breaking News

Opinion

Go orange, act to ease Valley hunger

Editorials

Come Tuesday, color your world orange. On that day, bright orange lights will radiate brilliantly through Dave Grohl Alley in downtown Warren and in Huntington Bank Community Alley in downtown Youngstown. No, the accent on orange is not some kind of September spoof to the spooky Halloween season. Rather, orange will shine attention on a more serious, more ongoing and more pressing communitywide social issue: Hunger. Tuesday will be observed nationwide as Hunger Action Day, the climax of Hunger Action Month. On that day, compassionate and able Americans are urged to act to reduce the ...

Orchids & onions

Editorials

ORCHID: To Phantom Fireworks owner Bruce Zoldan and Pamela Benger, co-chairs of Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music Crescendo Campaign, for their eye-poppingly generous donation of $5 million to the laudable drive at its launch last week. The $20 million campaign is designed to enhance and update the prestigious school’s resources and to attract new students. It will also further the longstanding legacy of Dana as one of the oldest and most celebrated institutions for musical excellence and academic preparation in the United States. To donate to the campaign, contact ...

Sound off!

Letters to the Editor

When 47 wanted to make Canada the 51st state of America, Canada fought back. As retribution, 47 levied exorbitant tariffs, up to 50%, on Canadian imports, essentially huge taxes on Americans. He claimed we do not need Canada, a lie! US gets vital minerals, auto parts, lumber, aluminum and steel from Canada. There is NO valid reason to destroy our years of friendship, relations and trade with our bordering neighbor just for ignorant spite or self-enrichment. Again, 47 has damaged relations with allies near and far. — Canfield The Kennedy Center is a MEMORIAL to JFK, a beloved ...

The rise of AI populism

Editorials

Last week, the unlikely duo of Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon keynoted a Washington conference to demand a stop to AI, its data centers and the risks AI poses to jobs and even to the human species. Notably, both lambasted the corporate oligarchs behind AI. The most potent force in American politics is anti-establishment fury at a system seen as rigged against average working people. AI has become Exhibit A. Until recently both parties largely avoided criticizing the wealthy corporate elites that funded their campaigns. In nature as in politics, one does not bite the hands that ...

VIVEK RAMASWAMY: Fighting for truth at last for East Palestine

Editorials

It’s been over three years since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, and officials burned vinyl chloride in plumes over a village of fewer than 5,000 people. In February 2023, this community on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border was the subject of international news and thrust to ...

Can gas tax holiday boost Ramaswamy’s campaign?

David Skolnick

With the price of gas, particularly diesel fuel, out of control, the Republican-controlled state Legislature will meet in special session Wednesday to vote on eliminating Ohio’s gas tax for 90 days. The session came at the urging of Vivek Ramaswamy, the GOP nominee for governor. Ramaswamy’s call for a gas holiday came about 6 1/2 hours after Amy Acton, the Democratic candidate for governor, said one was needed. A skeptic could describe what is happening as a political ploy as Ramaswamy and his allies have spent millions of dollars to discredit Acton and he needs something to help ...