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Life expectancies in Ohio among shortest in nation

Editorials

For many Ohio residents, our choice to live here comes down to it simply being home. We’re here because we want to live here. But data released recently by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Ohio residents are not living as long as residents of most other states. Ohio has the 12th shortest life expectancy in the country, based on 2021 data. Here the average lifespan is 74.5 years (77.5 years for women and 71.7 years for men). The national average is 76.4 years (79.3 for women and 73.5 for men). So what is shortening our lives, here in this state we love? Well, ...

Ohio’s elected officials need to serve us, not themselves

Editorials

Ohio lawmakers and other elected officials have a habit of trying to circumvent the will of the people, no matter how loudly Ohioans have spoken. Another recent example comes in the collection of state laws that combine to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions in the state. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young has rightly issued a temporary block on those laws, pointing to the decision by voters in 2023 to approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to the procedure. Young went so far as to remind lawmakers the language of 2023’s Issue 1 was “clear ...

Don’t be an at-risk driver, don’t become a statistic

Editorials

Most people understand what at-risk drivers — those intoxicated from alcohol or drugs or distracted by hand-held devices — pose to the those driving along innocently, responsibly and intently aware of surroundings who, nevertheless, gets creamed by a drunk, buzzed or distracted driver. For a quick yet impactful read, visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s site (https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/). So far statewide, the OSHP registered 9,723 OVI enforcements, 39,832 seat belt violations — why anyone would not use a seat belt is way, way beyond us — 18,004 distracted driving ...

This Labor Day weekend, let’s be thankful for hard workers

Editorials

Many will be enjoying a long holiday starting today as part of the Labor Day weekend. A real nice four-days off stretch to mark what many folks consider summer’s end. Labor Day once marked the end of traditional summer including back-to-school and the start of fall sports such as high school football. But not so much any longer. Schools have been in session, local swimming pools are closed for the season and school sports are well underway. Autumn is coming. With it comes the gorgeous colors of changing leaves, chills in the morning and evening airs, checks of our home heating ...

You should get ready for soaring electric bills

Columns

There is a ticking time bomb hanging over the U.S. economy. The nation’s electricity grid operators and utilities are projecting rapidly approaching power shortfalls. And instead of helping address the crisis, U.S. energy policy is making a bad situation far worse. Power demand is suddenly soaring. New battery and semiconductor manufacturing, reshoring of supply chains, and the arrival of electric vehicles are all driving demand. But it’s the emergence of artificial intelligence and the exponential growth of enormous data centers—with the power needs of small cities—that is ...

School-based health centers ‘a win’ for Ohio students, families and communities

Columns

Throughout Ohio, children are heading back to school for a new academic year. Students are excited to be with their classmates and teachers to learn and grow. But for kids to really excel, they need to feel their best to be able to learn at their best. That’s why school-based health centers are so important. School-based health centers provide an opportunity for children to receive healthcare right in their school building. By having health services available on school grounds, students can schedule appointments with healthcare professionals or walk right in if they are ...