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Our Opinion

Our opinion: Hold firm on state spending

About 10 weeks ago, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his 2026-27 state budget proposal. The budget is due June 30 — about 11 weeks away. As close to the mid-point as we are, we hope our lawmakers are making substantive progress on deciding what the state budget should look like. We can reiterate what we said about 10 weeks ago — Shapiro’s proposal spends too much money. Our state is facing real, long-term challenges to how we fund public education. Courts have determined the disparities between school districts and property values are great enough that Pennsylvania is not truly ...

Our opinion: Census data still disappointing

We’re not surprised by estimates showing Warren County’s population has fallen. People leaving, or those who remain not having enough children to keep population levels high, is the new normal not just for Warren County or other rural Pennsylvania counties but rural counties in New York state as well. What’s surprising is the pace of population decline. Warren County’s population has decreased an estimated 4% from 2020 to 2025, placing it among the counties with the steepest declines in the state. The figures reflect a broader regional pattern, with nearby rural counties such ...

Other voices: Hungary shows power of voting

Whether you loved him or hated him, you cannot deny the influence Viktor Orban has had on the world during his time in politics — nor the iron grip he had on his own country’s electoral machine. And yet, on Sunday, the people of Hungary decided that, after 16 years in office, enough was enough. Despite time as — at first — a popular incumbent followed by time as — at second — an authoritarian who bent the system to give himself every edge to stay in power…in the end, none of it mattered. The election in Hungary shows that the will of the people remains ...

Our opinion: Water investments are critical

For weeks the 626 residents of Tidioute have lived under a boil water order. An advisory was originally issued March 18 and later reissued on April 6 after conditions within the system failed to stabilize. At the center of the advisory is a reported loss of positive water pressure, caused by low levels in a municipal storage tank. The problem stems from a combination of system leaks and filtration challenges. Leaks can reduce pressure and strain the system, while filtration issues may contribute to periods of cloudy water, known as high turbidity. Elevated turbidity can interfere ...

Our opinion: Local foundation fills a niche

The White Cane Foundation’s partnership with Global Vision 2020 won’t help everyone with vision issues in Warren County. But we are certain that the new program will fill a niche in our community - and commend the foundation’s board for their work doing so. Global Vision 2020 is training local members and volunteers of the White Cane Foundation to provide basic vision screenings and low-cost custom reading glasses within the community. Recently area residents had the opportunity to receive a basic vision screening and, if appropriate, be fitted for custom reading glasses ...

Our opinion: Natural gas still piece of puzzle

As often as we’ve editorialized about the interconnectedness between affordable energy and the successes and opportunities American families may enjoy, world events unfortunately can bring that interconnectedness into sharper focus. “Global instability is a stark reminder that energy security is national security,” Pat Henderson, vice president of communications and government affairs at the Marcellus Shale Coalition, said. “America, and Pennsylvania in particular, is uniquely positioned to lead with abundant, responsibly produced natural gas that keeps energy reliable and ...