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Two-person RR crews wonderful news but…

In a victory for rail safety, a new federal rule has been finalized, which will require major freight railroads to maintain two-person crews on most routes. It is wonderful news. But lest anyone become too encouraged that Congress has finally gotten itself in gear on rail safety reform proposed after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, this new rule was first proposed during the Obama administration. Once the new rule was announced, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reminded us that a country like ours should not be satisfied with the average of nearly three ...

Libraries, schools become targets

If the pen is mightier than the sword, it makes sense that those who are afraid of ideas, questions and critical thinking have chosen libraries as their battleground. According to a report by Axios, the American Library Association says that fight is intensifying across the country. In Ohio, there was an increase in the number of book titles challenged between 2022 and 2023. Last year, there were 40 formal complaints filed in the Ohio, challenging a total of 235 books, based on ALA data. By contrast, in West Virginia — where we know there has been much said about the danger of books ...

Non-fatal overdoses will now be reported by ERs

Ohio is working at every angle to attack the substance abuse epidemic that continues to grip our region. A recent change could make a big difference in the way we think about (and therefore, react to) drug overdoses. For many of us the overdose data with which we are familiar involves fatalities. That doesn’t give us the whole picture. Now, a change approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review will require emergency departments to report non-fatal drug overdoses to the Ohio Department of Health. As Gov. Mike DeWine put it, this is a way to do better to “address the ...

Mess near the Ohio River is a reminder to officials

No one likes to hear “I told you so,” but officials in Martins Ferry are hearing that and more as a fracking waste recycling facility is facing a complaint filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Filed March 25, the complaint requests a temporary restraining order against Pennsylvania-based Austin Master Services, which is accused of illegally storing excess quantities of brine and drilling waste. More specifically, Yost’s office said its chief concern is “the plant’s proximity to the Ohio River (about 500 feet) and to a drinking water ...

May you all have a joyous Easter weekend

Good morning 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, shrinkflation and who knows what’s coming next XXXflation. And let’s put the political season and its incendiary narratives — of which there are many — to the side for a while. This weekend — with so many folks with their families — let’s take a deep breath, step away from the harsh realities of recent months and relish time spent today and Sunday with family members. If ...

Search for more ideas to fight abuse is ongoing

Ohio is working at every angle to attack the substance abuse epidemic that continues to grip our region. A recent change could make a big difference in the way we think about (and therefore, react to) drug overdoses. For many of us the overdose data with which we are familiar involves fatalities. That doesn’t give us the whole picture. Now, a change approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review will require emergency departments to report non-fatal drug overdoses to the Ohio Department of Health. As Gov. Mike DeWine put it, this is a way to do better to “address the ...