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‘It can’t happen here’

Letters

For decades, Americans watched authoritarian governments abroad crack down on peaceful protests, and we told ourselves that it could not happen here. We saw our country as a beacon of democracy, protected by our rights to free speech and assembly. But we now see such crackdowns on American soil - backed by a presidential directive. Several months ago we were warned about the dangers of the National Security Presidential Memorandum-7 (NSPM-7) titled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” This order gives federal agencies broad sweeping powers to track ...

What other newspapers are saying: Continue to be prepared as drug problems persist

Editorials

Those who have considered having naloxone on-hand because there is a chance they might need it to help someone who has overdosed have a new reason to keep it available. Ohio’s Department of Public Safety issued a warning last week about new substances that have entered the state’s drug supply. According to a report by WSYX, the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center says the first problem is the arrival of orphine analogs — synthetic opioids. These mimic the effects of drugs such as morphine and fentanyl and can disrupt breathing and impact the central nervous system. The second ...

Baseball’s place in region a blessing

Editorials

With the Grand Slam parade less than a week away and the 2026 Little League Baseball World Series stretching out past that, it is perhaps expected for our minds to turn to baseball. The Williamsport Crosscutters hosted their famous “Make Your Cutters Debut” promotion, featured in last ...

Fair and just gerrymandering

Letters

As of 2020, the State of Pennsylvania had 4,092,693 registered Democratic voters (47.6% of the total registered voters in the state), 3,290,944 registered Republican voters (38.3% of the total), and 1,215,657 registered other party voters (14.1% of the total). Disregarding the other party voters for the moment, Democrats would comprise 55.4% of the combined total of the two major parties, and Republicans would comprise 44.6% of this combined total. Pennsylvania has 17 U.S. Representatives from 17 congressional districts. From a purely statistical standpoint, one would surmise that 9.4 ...

State right to increase funding for rape crisis centers

Editorials

Rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania will see state funding double under the budget signed last month. These agencies provide services to victims of sexual assault. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape was one of the first in the state and one of the first in the country. It has been a refuge and a ...

If everybody would do their jobs

Letters

Mayors are elected to work for their constituents. Reporters are paid to expose mayors when they don’t. Another article reporting on the “condemned” City Hall. That word “condemned” brings visions of dilapidation, decay. It is never mentioned that the police still use this building to hold all their records and evidence, that the police work out in this building. Reports on the $50,000 annual cost of keeping City Hall. Never a report on the cost of the mayor and all the departments renting space in other buildings, while they own a building- City Hall. Reports on the ...