Breaking News

Editorials

Now is the time to prep for a safe boating season

They say the two best days in a boat-owner’s life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell the boat. But somewhere in between is a good day on which boaters finish their Ohio Boating Education Course and know they are better prepared for a safe summer on the water for themselves and their guests. “Spring is the perfect time to get prepared for a fun and safe boating season,” said Andy Foos, Ohio Department of Natural Resources boating education coordinator. “The Ohio Boating Education Course is a great way to make sure you understand key safety measures, navigate ...

Senate Bill 156 doesn’t deserve consideration

No two Ohioans’ life and career paths look the same. Every individual finds their own way. And what qualifies as “success” to one person might mean nothing to another. Ask any classroom teacher whether a one-size-fits-all approach to helping students succeed will work and they may well laugh. But state Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, doesn’t see it that way. He introduced Senate Bill 156, which would require integration of the “success sequence” in the required curriculum for middle and high school students. The idea is for students to be taught that the proper order in which ...

Finding ways to fight substance epidemic

A couple of members of Congress are not giving up on finding ways to fight the substance abuse epidemic that has gripped our region. Last week, U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio 12th, and Robin Kelly, D, Ill. 2nd, reintroduced the Remote Opioid Monitoring Act, which would direct the federal government to study the effectiveness of remote monitoring technology in helping health care providers track patients who have received prescriptions for opioids. “The opioid epidemic has devastated communities and families in Ohio and across the country,” said Balderson. “To combat this ...

May primary might be sneaking up on some be

It may come as a surprise to some Ohioans, but military and overseas voting has already begun for the May 6 primary election. That’s right, ballots are in the mail for an election less than six weeks away. If that has sneaked up on you, during such an eventful aftermath to the November 2024 general election, there is still time to get involved and get informed. April 7 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 6 election. Early voting, including absentee and in-person voting, begins April 8. In many ways, the kinds of decisions made during these off-year, spring elections can ...

Ohio House displays lack of faith in voters

Members of the Ohio House of Representatives have come out and said it. They don’t believe you are smart enough to read and understand a ballot and make the best choice for your communities. On Monday, the House passed legislation that would eliminate replacement tax levies. According to a report by the Dayton Daily News, the measure could eliminate the ability of local tax jurisdictions to put replacement levies on ballots. Co-sponsors Reps. Thomas Hall, R-Dist. 46, and Adam Mathews, R-Dist. 56, genuinely believe you, the voter, are not capable of understanding the difference between ...

Ohio and West Virginia not picking up pace in innovation

Public officials in our region have said for years that one of their priorities is attracting and retaining new and exciting industries — and the kinds of individuals (and their families) who work for such companies. According to WalletHub’s “Most and Least Innovative States (2025),” neither Ohio nor West Virginia has picked up the pace on making that happen. In the list of most innovative states, Ohio ranks 42nd and West Virginia is 49th. Louisiana and Mississippi continue to cushion the Mountain State from hitting rock bottom. Ohio ranks 38th for both human capital and ...