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Our opinion: Math hysteria starts to add up

For far too many students in the American public school system, the math has stopped mathing. There is new concern about the subject of mathematics — and that evolving concern should be regarded seriously. According to an article in the Dec. 5 edition of the Wall Street Journal, a closely watched international exam has produced the conclusion that American students’ math scores took a bigger hit from the pandemic than their peers overseas. The exam in question is called the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, or TIMSS. It is touted as a broad math and ...

Our opinion: Imbalance in city is worrisome

There is a lot to like in the budget approved by the Warren City Council last week. The budget doesn’t increase property taxes. It provides a bit more support to the Warren Area Student Union and allows a mid-year review of Warren Worx that allows the city to evaluate the use of city money allocated to the process. But, there are two things that city residents should pay attention to in the coming year. Spending increases this year by $737,218. With no tax increase, the city is using $562,477 from its surplus to balance the budget. This is the third consecutive year the city ...

Our opinion: Finding hope during Christmas

On this oftentimes dreadful planet, it is hard to imagine how the words “Peace on Earth” have any true relevance anymore. To many people on this Christmas Day, that phrase is considered obsolete, just a minuscule remnant of a better time, although looking at this planet as a whole, there never has been a time of absolute peace, happiness and joy. Belief in the meaning of Christmas and all that it represents is far from being universal. Many people don’t believe that there ever was a Christ Child or that Jesus came to Earth on behalf of salvation for mankind. But for those who ...

Our opinion: ‘Kids for cash’ clemency appalling

Republican House Rep. Brenda Pugh is so upset by President Joe Biden’s commutation of the prison sentence of former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan that she wants to rename the President Joe Biden Expressway. “Conahan’s conduct is forever a blight on Pennsylvania and is a slap in the face to the victims and their families who deserve justice to be served for his atrocious crimes,” she said. “His clemency places complicity and a stamp of approval on his behavior. Children are among the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians. This decision is nothing short of a travesty and his ...

Editor’s corner: Unsustainable entities reach a tipping point

All is calm. All is bright. Those lyrics are synonymous with the sentiments of many residents in this region when it comes to preparing for the Christmas celebration. But it’s nowhere near as cheery when considering a new year that will be filled with important and urgent decisions. Do not ...

Our Opinion: Nothing heroic about murder suspect

Altoona has been accorded deserved praise but also has been inflicted with an undeserved black eye over the Luigi Mangione case — Mangione being the suspect in the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Dec. 4 outside a New York City hotel. The latter is totally without cause, saddening people here who still firmly believe that murder is not a good thing. But reject any thought that Mangione, from a prominent Baltimore real estate family, is destined to rot and die in prison, a forgotten man, if he is convicted of the heinous New York crime. Considering the ...