Breaking News

Editorials

Marking Labor Day

As we approach the Labor Day holiday, become more entrenched in the new school year and welcome the joys (and agonies) of football season, it is a good time to look at what all our labor is earning us these days. WalletHub conducted its annual Labor Day survey to find out how people were feeling about the economy and their place in it. Frustration is high. The survey showed 74% of those who participated believed inflation is erasing their hard work. Nearly two-thirds of participants said inflation had affected their Labor Day weekend plans. Ninety-three percent of people said they ...

Opportunity in Ohio

As Ohio works to reinvent itself, officials understand there are many smart, hardworking Ohioans who need nothing but a little education and training to remain part of our evolving workforce. To their credit, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation set out to help with its TechCred program. Since 2019 the program has awarded more than 100,000 credentials. “This ... is a celebration of the hardworking Ohioans who have dedicated time and effort to learning new skills and earning the tech-focused credentials necessary to support Ohio’s economy well into the future,” ...

Get FAFSA rollout right

Remember the struggle last year as students and families tried to figure out the new “simplified” Free Application for Federal Student Aid? The U.S. Department of Education is at it again, announcing a phased rollout for the 2025-26 form. That means it will be available to some students on Oct. 1, but not to everyone until Dec. 1. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, this is an attempt to fix issues that crop up while the first batch of students is working on the form. But, it means other students will be two months behind the normal start of the application ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to a new school year getting underway successfully this past week. All local public schools have resumed classes, with many to participate in football games this evening. JEERS to word that the Martins Ferry City Building continues to deteriorate. The aging structure has a leaky roof, and at least one employee believes mold has resulted. CHEERS to Martins Ferry-based Unified Bank on the groundbreaking for its new banking center along National Road in the Woodsdale section of Wheeling. It is great to see a local business grow. JEERS to news that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tested ...

Vaccines key to safe school

It’s the start of a new school year, let the spreading of germs begin! If you are a parent or guardian who is not exactly enthusiastic about that prospect, it’s important to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccines — and to consider a few others. According to a report by USA Today, children across the country are still getting caught up after a gap in wellness visits to pediatricians during the COVID-19 pandemic. That can mean a gap in protection against hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type b, pneumococcal disease, ...

Disclose derailment details

Those who have been keeping an eye on the aftermath of last year’s Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine will know there is still enormous concern over what short- and long-term health consequences will result from the release of chemicals into the air, water and soil. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials revealed relatively quickly that some of its workers going door-to-door after the event got sick. But we are JUST learning they were not the only out-of-town workers to experience symptoms, and we are learning it because the Associated Press was able to get a ...