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Still no answers for school funding

Pennsylvania is at a public education crossroads. Following the ruling of the Commonwealth Court earlier this year that labeled the state’s system of funding public education unconstitutional, the Basic Education Funding Commission is holding several hearings around the state as they undertake an essential task of reviewing the distribution of state funding for basic education among the state’s 500 school districts. They are also required to prepare a report of their findings for the General Assembly. Gov. Josh Shapiro stated in his March budget address, “President Judge Renee ...

Open primaries let us embrace democracy

By STATE REPS. JARED SOLOMON and CHRIS RABB Over 1.3 million Pennsylvanians are registered as independent voters — in other words, they aren’t affiliated with any political party. Unaffiliated voters are the fastest-growing political party in Pennsylvania. Young voters are the fastest-growing segment of unaffiliated voters. They represent a broad range of ideas and views from across the political spectrum. It is unfortunate that these individuals are left out of our democracy whey they are locked out of our state’s primary elections and their voices are silenced. ...

Nature takes toll on family ‘Showplace’

The massive linden tree that rises from the top of the slope that lies between the river end of our cabin and the Allegheny River has witnessed many changes over the years to the structure below its out-stretched limbs. But the recent changes to the structure it shades have, without much doubt, created a building for the ages that precludes any further modifications. It was not without some difficulty that we secured the services of a contractor willing to reside the two-story structure, which is 15 feet wide and some 45 feet in length and has numerous windows on both levels, ...

The little red casserole

Today I cooked some chicken in my little red casserole. I got that from my grandmother. When I use it I think of her. Quite often she did the meat in the little red casserole. I have no idea what material it is made from, but it has been durable. It is quite heavy but not non-stick. I am glad that it is not the non-stick kind because they tend to lose that coating and then they are no good. There is a black basket that goes with it. It is a good way to take the casserole out of the oven because it has handles. You can take right to the table and it looks just fine. I ...

Keep that morning newspaper coming

Our newspaper carrier begins our day. Six days a week. Actually, he doesn’t carry, he drives. He brings the newspaper to our door, and I hope he never quits. I’m pretty sure that “he” is a “they,” a married couple. Bless them, they show up every morning before 3:00 a.m. Only the coffeemaker is as important in our daily life. We subscribed to the paper immediately after arriving in Warren, in 1978. The news and features in its pages helped us navigate our surroundings. The merchants, school news, organizations, entertainment – most everything we needed to learn about ...

Steel towns across state are losing their mettle, clout

CLAIRTON, Pa. — The first steel plant located here along the Monongahela River just over 20 miles south of Pittsburgh was built in 1901. By 1903, the borough of Clairton formed around the industry, and by 1904, U.S. Steel acquired the plant from St. Clair Steel, and the industrial base of America began its reign here in Western Pennsylvania. U.S. Steel had been founded in 1901 by Andrew Carnegie, Charles Schwab, Elbert Gary and J.P. Morgan, and when it launched that year, it was the largest business enterprise of its time, and by the end of its first year, the company supplied nearly ...