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Program will serve youth with mental health issues

Ohio’s kids are facing challenges many adults cannot fathom in an age of social media and other online threats; incidents of bullying — not just in person, but via text; families struggling with economic and health challenges (including 45.6 drug overdose deaths per 100,000, in 2022); and an uncertain academic atmosphere in which lawmakers just don’t seem to be able to keep themselves out of educators’ way. It’s an atmosphere that can lead to mental health crises that require more help than what parents or teachers can offer. But Gov. Mike DeWine has announced an expansion of ...

Despite ruling, parents need to monitor kids’ online activities

A U.S. District Court judge’s decision to strike down Ohio’s requirement that children under age 16 must have parental consent to use social media and some gaming apps is being viewed as a victory by trade group NetChoice (which represents TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other companies) and some First Amendment advocates. But it is important to read all of what Judge Algenon Marbley had to say on the matter. Marbley did not say the intent of the law was not commendable. He said it went too far. Marbley said the law ”resides at the intersection of two unquestionable rights: the ...

Earth Day reaches a 55th anniversary

The year 1970 was eventful. Consider some notable happenings: — President Nixon ordered U.S. forces to cross into neutral Cambodia, which widened the Vietnam War. His decision ignited nationwide riots including the Kent State shootings resulting in four dead students and others injured. — A jury found the Chicago Seven defendants not guilty of conspiring to incite a riot from charges stemming from the violence at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The social climate was smoldering. — President Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, banning ...

May you all enjoy a joyous Easter holiday

Good morning/afternoon and a very glorious and happy Easter weekend to all of you. It is a special time for sure. Yes, let the Easter season be joyous despite all that many have endured of late such as inflation, lawlessness, on-and-off tariffs and ceaseless post-election backwash that you can’t avoid unless living in a cave. If that. Let’s put incendiary narratives — of which there are many — to the side for a while. Instead, how about all of us relishing time today and Sunday with family members and friends. Especially — seriously — since egg prices have sort of ...

Organ donors certainly are live-saving heroes

Most of us have the luxury of not thinking much about organ donation. But we should. “It’s one of the most profound gifts we can give, that transcends all boundaries and … saves lives,” said Brenda Hooper, intensive care unit clinical nurse manager at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center and the hospital’s organ donation liaison. During an event last week at the hospital with Lifeline of Ohio, Ben Burns recounted his own realization after learning of the difference his father’s donation had made for a single mother in Texas. Now, he is an advocate — mentioning organ ...

Ohio is ‘all aboard’ with pursuing rail transportation

It was a small thing. Just $25,000 included in this year’s state budget to let Ohioans know its elected representatives support the idea of real passenger rail transportation options for the state. The money will let the Ohio join the Interstate Midwest Passenger Rail Commission, according to a report by WBNS. That, in turn, will lead to conversations with Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and others. A representative of All Aboard Ohio told WBNS there is work being done on a rail line that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. There is another proposed ...