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Our opinion: Get ready now to give buses more room

Next year, Pennsylvania drivers will be required to stop 15 feet away from a school bus with its red lights flashing and side stop arm activated. The increased distance is part of legislation that was signed into law recently by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The state will begin educating drivers on the new requirement in December, with the legislation to take effect in a year. The legislation also establishes enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, addressing a gap in current law that does not provide increased punishment for those with second or subsequent violations. "Every child deserves ...

Our view: Keep animal abusers accountable

A proposed state law that many right-thinking people in Pennsylvania might have considered to be a no-brainer or slam dunk in terms of virtually unanimous approval -- creation of a registry of animal abuse offenders -- is being greeted with a reception somewhat less enthusiastic. It's unfortunate that the measure, which could be a significant weapon in the battle against abuse of animals, is likely to be bumped into the new legislative year beginning in January, rather than being accorded the fast-track implementation of which it is worthy and making a positive impact starting in the ...

Our opinion: Additional oversight needed over painkillers

There is an obvious gap in the system that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania uses to make sure prescription-level painkillers aren’t being abused, particularly, it appears, in rural areas. Twice in less than a year the state Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against two Warren County pharmacy employees who had found ways to manipulate systems in place to track painkillers ordered and used. In the case of Warren General Hospital’s in-hospital pharmacy, the theft was uncovered when computer systems used to dispense medication led to an investigation that uncovered two ...

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 ...