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Solving government’s failures with more government

Columns

In 1996, former President Bill Clinton declared, “The era of big government is over.” Three decades later, the left has a different message. In his victory speech, NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani declared, “We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small for it to care about.” While that’s a terrifying sentiment that leaves little room for individual liberty, it’s important not to dismiss it out of hand. Think about young adults in New York City who’ve moved there to build their lives and careers. The rental site Zumper ...

Making Ozempic more available would benefit everyone

Columns

Americans are going to get a little healthier. President Trump cut deals with the drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to increase access to obesity drugs in a major benefit to American public health. The agreements are a win-win-win — good for consumers, good for the companies and good for Trump. One of the most irrational superstitions of our time is that Big Pharma, which has long been routinely delivering near-miraculous therapeutics to extend and improve our lives, is a public enemy. Its latest breakthrough is a class of so-called GLP-1 drugs that make it easier to ...

Trump can do a lot better than dividends and 30-year mortgages

Columns

Time is short for the Trump administration. Last week’s elections were a setback, but not a devastating one: New Jersey is still a blue state, and while Virginia went red four years ago, it’s been trending Democratic for more than a decade. Republicans also fared poorly in Pennsylvania, however, an all-important presidential battleground. Democrats even made inroads deep into the South, taking two state senate seats in Mississippi and picking up city council spots in South Carolina and Florida. With results like these, the Republicans’ razor-thin majority in Congress ...

Learn your districts

Editorials

Given the degree to which so many in Washington, D.C., have shown us their reluctance to do their jobs — or remember for whom they work — lately, it is likely the 2026 elections will be a time for voters to take action. In Ohio, change is imminent, as redrawn congressional districts will mean upheaval for lawmakers and those heading to the polls. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is trying to get out ahead of any confusion by updating the office’s Find My District tool now. The hope is voters will not be caught off guard just as they are looking to cast their ballots in the ...

Finding Balance With Short-Term Rentals

Editorials

As St. Clairsville continues to grow and attract new residents and visitors, the discussion surrounding short-term rental properties such as Airbnbs has found its way to City Council. The conversation, led by Planning and Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy, revealed a tension between maintaining the character of neighborhoods and avoiding unnecessary regulation that could stifle property owners or discourage investment. Murphy’s question to council was straightforward: Should the city consider setting guidelines for short-term rentals within city limits? His inquiry was not a push for ...

Honoring Our Veterans In Belmont County

Columns

As Veterans Day approaches, I want to pause to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service of the men and women who have defended our freedoms. This is a time not only for remembrance but also for gratitude of those who gave their all and those who continue to live among us as our everyday heroes. Belmont County’s patriotism runs deep. Each November, our communities come alive with displays of pride and remembrance — from flags and banners lining Main streets to ceremonies and museum exhibits honoring generations of service. These tributes remind us that the ...