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So, what happened to the sense of rail safety urgency?

Federal lawmakers who have been quietly ignoring calls to reform railroad safety regulations and enforcement appear to have given at least one rail giant the courage it needed to continue to ignore safety in general. It has been more than seven months since a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in East Palestine. In the wake of that disaster, a brief sense of urgency gripped a few in Congress. But the results of a recent Federal Railroad Administration inspection of Union Pacific locomotives and railcars in a Nebraska railyard indicate that sense of urgency was not ...

Today is the anniversary of a horrific day in history

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of one of the most horrific days in the history of the United States. Yes, it has been that long already. If you need to be told exactly what significant, nation-altering event we are observing then, well, you are not much of an American. Period. Tributes and memorials will mark today — two decades and two years since the acts of terrorism across our skies with planes plunging to earth and creating mass casualties. We remember the tragedies of that day. We remember the sacrifices and acts of heroism. Local tributes will be paid throughout our region. ...

Task Force provides support for Ohio volunteer firefighters

Ohio is working to give more support to volunteer firefighters, support richly deserved by those who choose to do for the rest of us what so many would not be able — and do it without pay. “As the State Fire Marshal, I am proud to witness Ohio’s commitment to our volunteer firefighters,” said Marshal Kevin Reardon. “The decision to waive all State Fire Academy fees shows this dedication to providing support for those who safeguard our communities.” Yes, Ohio will waive State Fire Marshal Ohio Fire Academy fees for volunteer firefighters, through an initiative from Gov. Mike ...

Housing Committee must find answers for Ohioans

Ohio’s new state Senate Housing Committee began its work last week, as concerns such as housing shortages, high rents, property taxes and accessibility have created quite a challenge to growing and diversifying the state’s economy. “We need to hear from anyone who has anything to do with housing, and we need to factor in what role the state can play,” Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, told a WSYX-TV reporter earlier this week. While it is important for our representatives in Columbus to consider what they can do to help (or where they can get government out of the ...

Hold off on celebrating Ohio’s labor numbers

In August, Ohio officials were thrilled to announce a record low unemployment figure for July. The 3.3% was also the third month in a row Ohio’s rate was better than that of the country as a whole (3.5%). In fact, the figure was so wonderful that many couldn’t help but toot their own horns. “We are making history — our formula in Ohio is working, and (the) jobs news is proof of that,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. Easy enough to say, but the reality is even a number that low places Ohio 30th for state unemployment rates, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And, ...

Redistricting Commission must fulfill responsibility

It is a mix of old and new faces as the Ohio Redistricting Commission announces it is ready to get back to work Sept. 13. This time around, Republican state Rep. Jeff LaRe and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio will serve as co-chairs, while Republican Senate Majority Whip Rob McColley and Democratic House Minority Leader Allison Russo fill two other spots. But Republicans Gov. Mike DeWine, state Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Auditor of State Keith Faber remain on the commission, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. This is, of course, despite DeWine ...