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Our opinion: Improved sign brightens holiday

The addition of LED lights to the trees behind the “Warren Wishes You Merry Christmas Happy New Year” sign along the Allegheny River at Crescent Park are a splendid addition to the holiday season in Warren. Nine sponsors have donated enough money to light nine trees behind the sign, with donations still being accepted. Business owners can have a tree decorated and a plaque will display the business name near the tree. In addition to those nine trees, a community tree will be the largest tree along the area and this year they aim to cover in lights as much as possible on the ...

Our opinion: Proficiency rates are worrisome

If Gov. Josh Shapiro was a parent, he would ground the state Education Department for the laggard proficiency rates on 2025 PSSA tests taken earlier this year by third- through eighth-graders throughout the commonwealth. That’s how bad the Education Department did on this part of its report card. Total proficiency for elementary and middle scholars was 48.5% in ELA and 41.7% in math. To their credit, Education Department officials didn’t waste their time trying to pat themselves on the back when they released the PSSA test results back in November. Only sixth-graders on the ELA ...

Our opinion: Phone ban worries can be addressed

State lawmakers across the country are considering bans on the use of cell phones by students during the school day. Pennsylvania is one of those states, with a joint legislative committee hearing testimony on the issue recently that included several education officials pushing state lawmakers to implement a bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools. Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, was part of that hearing, saying afterward she has concerns about the state implementing a bell-to-bell ban. Some of her concerns - who pays for the systems to secure student cell phones or who is responsible ...

Our opinion: Waiting periods won’t reduce crime

Legislation before both the state House and state Senate would set a 72-hour waiting period before law-abiding Pennsylvanians could complete a purchase of a firearm. Similar bills have been considered — and failed to secure passage — before. We are skeptical this measure warrants the time and effort for debate and voting. Supporters have given no indication that the additional time is necessary or valuable in conducting background checks. Assurances that a waiting period is constitutional hinge on how reasonable the length of the mandated wait is — and considering the aversion ...

Our opinion: When Jackson gained global legacy

Robert H. Jackson had already etched a lasting legacy in United States history before November 21, 1945. Up to that point Jackson - who mind you never attended college before becoming a lawyer in 1913 - had already served as general counsel for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, argued 17 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court during two years as Solicitor General and then defended many of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and argued other federal matters during two years as U.S. Attorney General. Jackson argued 44 cases in front of the Supreme Court, losing only six before ...

Editor’s corner: Just like Trump, nation has to root for Mamdani

New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump certainly knew how to put on the charm last week in the nation’s capital. During a visit held at the Oval Office, both were stunningly able to find common ground despite publicly stating their grievances against each other ...