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Black history is defended by those willing to preserve it

Editorials

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. While we celebrate this milestone, we are also grappling with efforts to remove or revise black history in the classroom as well as the exhibits found at federal parks and museums. But black history cannot be erased; it is preserved because individuals and communities decide to step in. One example of this is found in Michigan, and it began with state legislation to support a celebration in 1915. The National Half Century Exposition and Lincoln Jubilee ran from Aug. 22 to Sept. 16, 1915, in Chicago. The celebration marked the ...

Equal, fair and a farce from Colbert

Editorials

When NBC affiliates in Tennessee showed the movie “Necessary Roughness” in 1994, those affiliates were required to give a Democrat Senate candidate 4 minutes and 13 seconds of free airtime. The Democrat was running against Fred Thompson, the actor turned Republican Senate candidate. When Thompson ran for president in 2008, NBC stopped aired reruns of “Law & Order” that featured Thompson, who had been the district attorney on the show. The Equal Time Doctrine is not new. But the national press corps, always ready to pounce on President Donald Trump and Republicans, has suddenly ...

Kudos to the YSU Penguins for support

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: In an era when so many things seem to be about “oneself,” it was certainly gratifying to see coach Doug Phillips and the majority of the YSU football team cheering on the women’s basketball team against Robert Morris. The team stayed the entire 45 minutes — rooting, encouraging and enjoying the victory. Also, the women’s nationally ranked bowling team was introduced at halftime and drew a standing ovation. Great to see the enthusiasm of athletes cheering their fellow competitors. Go Penguins! KEN BRAYER Boardman

Ohio candidates must discuss property taxes

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: Ohioans are focused on affordability as we head into the political season. At the top of that list is property taxes. So much so, that abolishment of property taxes may appear on the ballot. Whether it does make the ballot or not — every single candidate for office needs to answer two questions with specificity. If the initiative passes, how will you — specifically — address the financial fallout for local jurisdictions. If the initiative fails, how will you make home ownership affordable for all Ohioans. A simple “FOR” or “AGAINST” the initiative is ...

A tale of two very similar libraries

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: A recent article in the Business Journal outlines the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (PLYMC) Board of Trustees’ plan to relocate and build a new library in downtown Struthers. This is a wonderful thing. The reasons listed in this article for relocating the library include proximity to downtown Struthers and vibrant businesses, outdoor reading spaces, proximity to Yellow Creek and increased visibility and accessibility. All of these attributes we have now with the current Poland Library location. Why, then, is the library board considering relocating ...

Mahoning County leaders must act now

Letters to the Editor

DEAR EDITOR: An open letter to the Mahoning County Commissioners: I just now watched the video of your Feb. 12, 2026 meeting. Janet Cobb and Chris Harris spoke eloquently about a problem that is a very relevant subject because the Mahoning County jail has received millions of dollars from the federal government to jail ICE detainees. They pointed out, correctly, that it was improper for the Mahoning County jail to release prisoners with no resources whatsoever into the city of Youngstown during frigid weather conditions when they were from Massachusetts, and had nowhere to get ...