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Our opinion: Lots of treats in seasonal happenings

In terms of consumer popularity, Halloween is becoming a real treat for retailers. In a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, it’s expected that $13.5 billion will be expensed in America in preparation for the Oct. 31 day. “Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind,” NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Allison Zeller said. “For more than two decades, NRF’s Halloween survey has tracked how ...

Our opinion: We can do worse than Shapiro for governor

Voters have the choice between Republican Stacy Garrity and incumbent Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro when they cast their ballots for governor. Garrity is an Iraq War veteran and former vice president of government affairs at Global Tungsten & Powders in Towanda. Garrity was elected treasurer in 2020, becoming the first Republican to defeat an incumbent Democrat in a race for statewide office since 1994. Garrity was then re-elected in 2024, breaking the record for most votes in a statewide campaign. Garrity has been critical of the effect of inflation on Pennsylvania's economy, tax ...

Our view: Thompson is best choice for Congress

Ray Bilger brings one of the more interesting challenges Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson has faced in his 10 campaigns for Congress. Bilge served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force and spent four decades as a foreign affairs analyst, a position that included policy formation and strategy, geopolitics, high-level national security strategy. It’s an interesting background for a candidate running a campaign during a period where foreign entanglements are having an impact on domestic life for many Americans. While we think Bilger is a stronger candidate than many that Thompson has faced ...

Our opinion: State politics come home to Warren

As we consider the election race between challenger Destiny Howard and Kathy Rapp for the state House of Representatives, the current dynamic in Harrisburg weighs heavily. The state House currently includes 102 Democrats and 101 Republicans. That number is important for rural Pennsylvanians. Even though Republicans don’t have the ability to set the agenda in the House, the slim margin means the House is a proving ground for bills before they get to the state Senate, which Democrats hope to flip in the Nov. 3 election. It’s important for Republicans not to lose any ground in the ...

Our opinion: Senators’ partnership has some plusses

As the state and nation gears for the midterm elections, there’s one location where divisiveness between parties is not evident. That is right here in Pennsylvania. U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick “have forged a rare bipartisan partnership,” Spotlight Pa. reported earlier this year. The Republican and Democrat from a politically important state represent one of only three split states by party in the Senate. They have sponsored bills and booked joint media appearances in recent months. “We’re very, very good friends, and we get along, and we always try to find ...

Our opinion: Remember boaters, anglers and hunters

The state Fish and Boat Commission and the state Game Commission should absolutely consolidate as many of their functions as they can. In our opinion, these are moves that should have happened years ago - especially considering that both commissions have costs increasing faster than expenses and will operate at a deficit within the next 10 years. On the current path, the Game Commission would lose roughly 95% of its Game Fund balance by 2034 while the Fish and Boat Commission would exhaust its combined reserves by about 2034. A study by the Wildlife Management Institute recommends ...