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Universities must lead the way to protect our freedom of expression

Freedom of speech has always demanded courage, and courage is the one virtue universities cannot delegate. When free speech becomes fatal speech — as it did recently with the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus — Americans demand — and deserve — a change. As president of Youngstown State University, I feel compelled to make a commitment to help make that change, and I believe our nation’s university presidents like me can lead the way. The facts already announced by authorities are enough to deduce that the killer of Charlie Kirk opposed the viewpoints he ...

Republicans’ continued push to restore American energy dominance

A cornerstone of Republicans’ 2024 electoral mandate has been to restore common sense to Washington. For four long years, the American economy was battered by historic inflation and a slew of radical regulations that upended entire industries particularly our energy sector. By every measure, the United States has what it takes to be an energy-dominant nation. We are blessed with abundant natural resources, a free market that rewards innovation and efficiency, and the most skilled workforce in the world. Yet under President Biden, we not only squandered that potential we ceded ...

A favorite fall tradition that lives up to the hype

No wonder the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is a favorite fall tradition for so many people! Once again, as I have nearly every year since I became a journalist, I had the chance to cover the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off this year. The Wednesday evening event serves as the unofficial kickoff for the festivities. This year was special because my husband, Mike, was able to join me. We arrived fairly early, when some of the “smaller” (300 pounds or so) pumpkins were being placed on the scale. I took a photo of the leader board before we walked off to explore the festival area. Thanks ...

Free speech is America’s greatest secret weapon

Our grandson is a U.S. Marine. This week I told him about his great-grandfather, my Dad, who was a proud U.S. Marine. Dad, like other U.S. Marines I know, are Marines, even if they aren’t currently serving. When the Marine Corps Hymn, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli ...” was played, Dad stood up and sang. Dad fought in the Pacific in WWII. He never talked about combat. Once in a while, something slipped out, like when they were landing on Tarawa. The Marines came in on landing boats that couldn’t make it all the way to the beach. They waded ashore under ...

The spotted lanternfly invasion has begun

They’re here! The spotted lanternfly, aka Lycorma delicatula, is here in the Ohio Valley, with the Ohio Department of Gariculture reporting that the pest has been confirmed and is established in Belmont and Jefferson counties. They also have been reported in Harrison and Monroe counties, but the state doesn’t show them as confirmed in those areas — yet. Why should you care? These insects, native to Asia, are an invasive species. They multiple and spread quickly. I’ve seen them described as “great hitch-hikers,” making their way into cargo and onto vehicles that carry ...

Attitude — positive or negative — is everything in business and life

Everyone makes people happy. Some people do it by simply entering a room. Others make people happy by leaving a room. You probably know both types of people. The difference is their attitude. Some people enter a room with a smile on their face. They are positive, uplifting and fun to be around. Others have a frown on their face. They are negative, self-centered and depressing to be around. We choose our attitude and the type of person we want to be. We also choose the type of people we want to spend time with. Attitude is defined as: A settled way of thinking or feeling about ...