Breaking News

Opinion

Realizing That No One Can Ever Be Perfect

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, The authors of the U.S. Constitution weren’t perfect, but they did understand that, broadly speaking, no one is perfect. I think that was what prompted them to construct a constitution that provides a wide latitude for speech. A tyrant would love to have an official government definition of patriotism or citizenship, to name two examples. A broad allowance for free speech and thought is messy and inconvenient, but it also makes it harder for devious leaders to construct a nice, neat reality that fits their plan for total control. Everywhere and every day, private ...

Jefferson County Library Levy Deserves Support

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I love libraries, especially our local Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. When I talk to different people in the area, I am heartened by how many also have an appreciation of how lucky we are to have seven branches (soon to be eight) and a bookmobile serving our community. On the other hand, I am often dismayed at how many people are unfamiliar with all of the ways that the library can enhance their lives. Oh, sure, everyone knows that you can check out books, movies and music CDs. Many people know that you can also access online resources like audio ...

The Normie Revolution Needs to Sweep Across America

Columns

Three weeks ago, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems. It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique ...

A Trumpian Headache Infecting Our Nation

Columns

President Donald Trump’s use of the U.S. military to kill persons on speed boats in international waters, or in territorial waters claimed by other sovereign nations — all 1,500 miles from the U.S. — has posed grave issues of due process. The Constitution’s guarantee of due process requires it for every person, not just Americans. The operative language of the Fifth Amendment is that “No person ... shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” The Trump administration has claimed that it can kill whomever it designates as an unlawful enemy ...

Here’s how to make the Americas great again and help everyone

Columns

President Donald Trump is in a fight for the destiny of the Americas. Will Central and South America be free and aligned with the United States — or will half the Western Hemisphere be forever plagued by cartels, communists and Chinese influence? The Cold War in Europe ended more than 30 years ago, but it never really ended in our own backyard. Cuba remains communist, and a little more than a decade after the Soviet Union collapsed, Venezuela joined the ranks of socialist dictatorships under Hugo Chavez and then Nicolas Maduro. Whenever left-wing leaders come to power in the ...

Program Strengthens Schools

Editorials

Strong schools build strong communities — and nowhere is that more evident than in Ohio University’s Rural Teacher Corps. This innovative program isn’t just training future educators to teach; it’s preparing them to become part of the communities they’ll serve. That approach could make all the difference for our region’s school districts. Through a partnership with Building Bridges to Careers and support from the Rural Schools Collaborative, the Rural Teacher Corps gives students hands-on experience in real classrooms and communities. Interns like Amelia Woolard, Jessica ...