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American folklore more than just scary stories

It is 6:14 p.m. on a Thursday. You’re hiking along the Forbes Trail, nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains somewhere along the Westmoreland-Somerset County lines. It is 19 minutes until sunset, and you have just over a mile to go, mostly uphill, before you are out of the deep forest and in the clearing. The mountain range, which stretches from Maine to Georgia and is documented to be one of the oldest in the country, shares characteristics across the approximately 420 counties. It is rugged, often mist-covered with deep hollers and rugged peaks that cling to a rich tapestry of ...

Term-limits ordinance respects democratic process, good governance

The Sun-Gazette’s Oct. 23 editorial raises important questions about fairness and governance. However, it mischaracterizes both the ordinance and the City Council’s reasoning. On “Retroactive” Application The editorial claims the ordinance is “retroactive.” This is incorrect. The ...

Students trapped in violent schools need an escape

Violence terrorized students at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh. A student armed with a knife stabbed three other students — two of them critically. As a parent, I can only imagine the panic and fear that these children and their families experienced. What happened at Carrick is one of many examples of a frightening pattern of violence running rampant in countless public schools across the commonwealth and the nation—and far too many students remain trapped in these violent institutions. Federal and state laws require states to identify “persistently dangerous” public ...

Economic booms don’t die of old age

A partial government shutdown has paused many federal data releases, but two key reports on housing and inflation are still on deck. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will publish September’s Consumer Price Index on Friday, October 24, a one-off release made possible by recalling staff so Social Security can calculate cost-of-living adjustments. Most other BLS updates remain on hold until funding resumes. Inflation: Near 3%, services cooling (a bit) The August CPI report (the latest available) showed headline inflation up 2.9% year-over-year and core inflation (excluding food and ...

Days of joy a demonstration of Israel’s leadership, courage

Simchat Torah is the most celebratory time of the Jewish New Year. On October 7, 2023, it was a day of utter and complete horror. Israel was invaded by Hamas forces which poured into the nation from Hamas ruled Gaza. By October 8, 2023, many in the world not only celebrated rape, murder, torture, and beheading carried out by Hamas, but encouraged that it continue. Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran joined the blood fest, threatening the existence of Israel. I will never forget the message that my daughter living in Israel left for me as the Iranian ballistic missile attack began, “Dad, ...

Governor falling short on reform

On Aug. 12, 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro introduced the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, which was supposed to expedite the permitting process for businesses. “Pennsylvanians deserve a state government that moves at the speed of business and processes their permits quickly to ensure Pennsylvanians receive a timely response,” Shapiro said. Yet, SPEED was not as nimble as its acronym suggested. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the agency responsible for SPEED, did not start accepting applications until almost one ...