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Our opinion: State right to hike funding for crisis centers

Our Opinion

Rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania will see state funding double under the budget signed last month. These agencies provide services to victims of sexual assault. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape was one of the first in the state and one of the first in the country. It has been a refuge and a helping hand for victims for more than 50 years. It is one of 47 rape crisis centers in Pennsylvania. In 2025, the state budgeted $12 million for them. That can sound like a lot of money until you cut it into 47 pieces and expect it to stretch like a too-small blanket to cover women, men and ...

Spelling out grades, school costs

Local Commentaries

From what I've heard and read, the 2026 graduations went well. Graduation gowns were a neutral color. The cords bore the colors of each senior's original high school. So Youngsville and Sheffield were honored along with Eisenhower and Warren. From a distance, as a school district retiree, I understand there was an overall welcoming view of the transferring students. Congratulations to the students, parents and school staff for dealing with this challenging merger. May there be increased success in the coming school year. At the same time, caution is fitting. Superintendent Gary ...

Readers' Speak

Letters To Editor

Call for blood donors Dear Editor, The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood crisis in its history — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this summer’s emergency shortage. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distribution of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now fallen below a one-day supply. There’s ...

Editor’s corner: Subpar renewables jolt electric costs

Our Opinion

Long before wind turbines and solar panels began engulfing upstate and the Southern Tier, New York had a healthy power supply. It was built upon generating stations that were near the shores of Lake Erie and the New York Power Authority based in Niagara Falls that produces renewable ...

Growing up alongside the tube

Local Commentaries

Recently, a friend mentioned that as a kid she watched Howdy Doody. When she laughed and sang the musical intro, “It’s Howdy Doody time,” I stunned myself by singing every word to the show’s opening song. Where did that come from? That night I reminisced about Howdy and some of my ...

Our opinion: Vaccination website brings mixed results

Our Opinion

Proficiency rates from schools across the state are not the only items the public will have access to at the moment. Earlier this month, the state announced it has launched a tool that makes it easier for parents and community members to view annual vaccination rates at individual schools -- not just at the state or county-level like before -- boosting transparency and giving families a clearer picture of how well protected their children's classrooms are. "Knowledge is power, and Pennsylvania parents deserve clear, accessible data about the health of their children's schools," said ...