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Trump, Vance advance lies about Springfield

Columns

Springfield is similar to Youngstown and Warren. They’re Rust Belt cities in Ohio that have experienced major declines in population over the last 60 years as the industries and businesses that once helped them thrive left. Despite best efforts and some improvements — such as focusing on rebuilding downtowns and seeking to attract new businesses — the cities still struggle. Springfield saw its population start to increase in 2017 when Haitian immigrants began legally relocating there to get a fresh start and employment after the city attracted some new businesses in need of ...

We must not let fear stop our Democratic process

Editorials

“This must stop, period.” The National Association of Secretaries of State followed that comment on the “disturbing trend” of threats to elections officials and workers and a second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump by saying “Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats or intimidation of any kind.” Well. It shouldn’t have any place for those things, but they are, sadly, nothing new. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office is among the 15 elections offices across the country that received suspicious packages this week. The packages ...

U.S. deterrence questionable as Iran keeps helping Russia

Editorials

If you want another example of vanishing U.S. deterrence, consider the Biden Administration’s failure to stop Iran from providing Russia with ballistic missiles. Citing unidentified U.S. and European officials, the Wall Street Journal reports that a recent arms shipment from Tehran to Moscow included hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles. Iranian lawmaker Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani this week described how “one part of the barter” with Russia “includes sending missiles” in exchange for food exports and help with sanctions evasion. The authoritarian axis now flaunts how ...

Credit card debt a problem for many Ohio residents problem for Ohioans

Editorials

When finances get tight, some households turn to credit cards to get by. It’s not an ideal solution, and can lead to bigger problems down the road, but sometimes feels like the only way. According to WalletHub, the collective credit card debt of the United States is approximately $1.28 trillion — and $109 billion of that came from 2023 alone. But some regions are faring better than others. “Some parts of the country are racking up credit card debt at an alarming rate,” financial writer Adam McCann reported in WalletHub’s “States with Largest and Smallest Credit Card Debt ...

Harris could help Valley Dems on November 5

Columns

Before Kamala Harris replaced Joe Biden as the presidential nominee, Mahoning Valley Democrats were rightfully concerned that the incumbent at the top of the ticket would drag down the rest of the party’s candidates on the Nov. 5 ballot. Biden’s disastrous June 27 debate performance left Democrats, who were unenthusiastic about him before that, in a position where they knew if he remained the presidential candidate that he would definitely hurt other candidates by his mere presence. Harris has infused energy into the party that it never would have experienced had Biden remained the ...

How about drilling for a solution?

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: As a lifelong resident of the Salem area, I have been concerned and upset with our city’s policy regarding water and sewer service for those who reside outside our city. I’ve resided in Salem (city or Perry Township) my entire life except for 10 years near the intersection of Slater and Tower roads. When we moved back to Salem we chose to reside on N. Union just north of the city limits, residing there nearly 50 years. I’m grateful for having city water and sewer service, and didn’t mind the 50 percent rate increase required to receive our service. What ...