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Transparency plays key role in realizing America’s values

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” James Madison, our fourth president, made this powerful observation more than 200 years ago. As Pennsylvania Sunshine Week comes to a close, it is worth reflecting on. Our nation, now approaching its 250th year, was founded on certain goals — the creation of a society in which public affairs are conducted with the consent of the governed, in which decisions are made by men and women chosen through democratic means by the ...

What other newspapers are saying: As rent pressures increase, lawmakers must focus

Affordable housing remains a challenge for Ohioans — and that challenge only grows as rent puts a greater strain on an increasing number of households. According to the 2026 Gap Report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, there are 422,098 extremely low-income renters in the state, and 73% of those report spending more than half their income on rent. That is an increase from 66% only five years ago. “For people at the bottom of the pay scale, rent is gobbling up most of their paychecks. But this report shows the rent ...

Lessons need learned from trooper’s tragic death

The death of a Pennsylvania state trooper during a traffic stop on March 8 underscores how the lives of law enforcement officers are at risk even while performing some of their most basic duties. Cpl. Tim O’Connor was killed while approaching a car he had stopped after authorities were alerted about what was described as an “erratic driver.” O’Connor was shot to death while he was walking toward the car; it is believed that the driver fired from inside the vehicle. After firing the shot, the shooter, identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, exited the car, walked a short distance ...

Transparency, accountability and listening

Our job — our responsibility — requires us to listen to a lot of people. Not only elected officials on our municipal boards and councils and school boards — the voices of staff and its leadership in local government and school systems and concerned constituents are just as ...

What other newspapers are saying: Railroad safety bill falls short

The White House is calling on Congress to include a railroad regulation bill as part of a larger transportation funding package this year. It’s not the first time President Donald Trump has supported it, and the legislative branch would be wise to ignore his counsel again. The Railway Safety Act was first introduced in 2023 after the train accident in East Palestine, Ohio, where chemicals were vented and burned, causing environmental damage and horrific visuals. Then-Sen. JD Vance was among the bipartisan group of legislators who introduced the bill. Trump, then campaigning for ...

Changes to housing bill worrisome, frustrating

As we have regularly editorialized for years, our region — and the U.S. as a whole — needs more housing. A bottle neck in the construction of additional housing is leading housing expenses higher and higher, straining working families’ budgets. An article by Christian Britschgi for ...