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Opinion

State is a national leader in fight against public fraud

Local Commentaries

Public assistance programs are critical resources that literally keep Pennsylvanians alive. People who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to put food on the table or count on Medicaid coverage to stay healthy are our neighbors and friends, coworkers, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. So many Pennsylvanians are working hard to make ends meet and support themselves and their families — and our public assistance programs give them opportunities and stability necessary to succeed. Every day, staff at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) work ...

Editor's corner: Public, private sector rift escalating

Our Opinion

Over the New York state border, Chautauqua County is well known for its north-south divide that has been evident for more than a century. It is a tiresome and defeatist attitude that residents in Dunkirk-Fredonia and Jamestown cannot work as one more often. In recent decades, efforts by the ...

Smarter health plans can help employers compete for talent

Local Commentaries

Unlike their larger peers, many smaller and mid-sized businesses are struggling to fill open jobs, according to the latest figures from the National Federation of Independent Business. A key reason? The rising cost of health insurance, which makes it harder to compete for workers. The cost of an employer-sponsored health plan is on track to jump nearly 10% in 2026 — the largest increase in more than a decade. Such price hikes are a major reason why just 56% of small firms are able to offer health benefits — compared to 97% of large employers. Fortunately, there is a way for many ...

Our opinion: Emergency training day a success

Our Opinion

We hope that Clarendon, Glade and Pleasant volunteer firefighters don’t need to use the lessons they learned on Saturday during a training session at Jakes Rocks. But at the same time it’s good to be reminded that the volunteer departments are ready for emergencies in a popular recreational area. The area is a challenging one for first responders because of its rugged terrain and remote location. Recent training focused on coordination between the agencies and improving response times for emergencies on the trails. Terry Gregerson of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department ...

Rounding Third: Mother’s Day has competition for attention

Local Commentaries

Today is Mother’s Day. As I write this, on May 10, I’ve learned it’s also National Shrimp Day. Wh-a-a-a-t? Today is Mother’s Day. Period. How can it be anything else? Turns out it’s the date that determines these festive days. Every second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. But every May 10 is National Shrimp Day. It also happens to be National Idaho Day, National Washington Day, National Cherry Cobbler Day, National Rescue Dog Day, and last, but not least, National Clean Up Your Room Day. Whoa… that has to be hooked to Mother’s Day somehow. Who decides these things? And ...

Our opinion: State should fund predator program

Our Opinion

Last year we supported District Attorney Cody Brown’s WRATH unit. The group is a specialized investigative unit of local law enforcement officers committed to protecting children from online exploitation. The unit, as envisioned by Brown, works to identify and capture those who prey on children through digital means. Its mission is to expose and prosecute those who seek to exploit minors online. We have seen too many instances locally of children locally who have victims of online child sex predators, which is why we so vocally backed Brown’s initiative. But we recognize such ...