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Our opinion: Straw purchases fuel gun pipelines

A recent incident in Warren provides an example of just how easy it can be to skirt well-meaning laws written to keep guns out of the wrong hands. A couple with Buffalo addresses living in Warren were both charged earlier this spring with several felony charges related to alleged false statements made on gun purchase forms, including five purchases in Warren County for firearms then taken to New York state and sold to the sort of people who won’t undergo background checks. What should make people on both sides of our nation’s intractable gun debate consider is that this scheme ...

Our opinion: Small pharmacies need answers

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would create a single Pharmacy Benefit Administrator model for all state-funded healthcare programs. House Bill 2270, sponsored by Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge, has an uncertain future both because of a divided state legislature that can make passing major overhauls of state government programs difficult but also because the Shapiro administration says the change isn’t needed. Our question after last week’s House Health Committee hearing is this: if not pharmacy benefit manager reform, then what? If the existing system isn’t ...

Our opinion: Poll finds support to raising wage

Since 2009, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained consistent at $7.25 per hour. In March, the House of Representatives gave its blessing to raise the amount to $15 per hour. “For more than 15 years, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour, falling further behind the cost of living and leaving hundreds of thousands of families struggling to make ends meet,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro in announcing his budget earlier this year. “You shouldn’t have to work two or three jobs just to put food on the table and a roof over your head. We need to raise the minimum ...

Our opinion: Decision day coming for downtown property

Once again, Warren’s Redevelopment Authority seemed poised to order demolition of a property at 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave. West. After the Eagle’s Crest senior housing proposal for the site fell through amidst public criticism and a federal lawsuit the RDA began moving down the demolition path after receiving no proposals in 2025. A proposal to demolish the building brought forth a proposal from a group of city residents who want to rehabilitate the structure into a nonprofit and community-focused space. Last week, the RDA scheduled a special meeting to again discuss possible ...

Our opinion: Firefighting equipment problem isn’t going away

Legislation proposed by Sen. Michele Brooks to reopen the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to help pay for fire trucks and firefighting equipment makes sense - but only if the state isn't going to move forward with a proposed $30 million program that has been backed by Rep. Jim Haddock and Gov. Josh Shapiro. Fire trucks and firefighting equipment had previously been eligible to receive RACP funding, as long as the request for assistance did not exceed $50,000. This was removed from the definition of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project in 2013. Sen. Michele Brooks, ...

Our opinion: How do we fix child neglect, abuse problem?

The number of child abuse and neglect cases that come through the Warren County School District should be troubling to everyone in Warren County. Gary Weber, county school superintendent, said during his year-end report to the school board last week that nearly 250 child line referrals were received throughout the school year. Here’s a way to put that number into perspective. School is open 180 days a year - which means the district and its staff are dealing with more than one such report every day the school is open. Neglect, physical abuse, domestic violence and substance abuse ...