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Embrace the significance of our nation’s symbol

Editorials

Saturday is Flag Day. Flag Day deserves the respect of each and every one of us. Especially during the always ongoing turbulent social times such as the mess that is Los Angeles. After all, we are all Americans first and foremost. Some seem to forget that. Some not only choose to disrespect the American way but seem to relish the breaking of laws. Flag Day doesn’t carry the same clout as many holidays. It isn’t part of holiday offs/let’s party themes that other summer holidays boast like Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. But as free American citizens we should all pause today ...

Customers shouldn’t subsidize the energy needs of data centers

Local Columns

Driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers, U.S. electricity demand and electricity prices are rising rapidly. Dozens of new data centers—each with the electricity needs of a small city—are gobbling up the nation’s power supply. Forecasters see U.S. electricity demand growing 25% by 2030—and nearly 80% by 2050. In some regions of the country, it will be far more and even faster. The nation’s largest regional electricity grid, PJM Interconnection—which stretches from Virginia to Illinois—expects that, by 2030, new data center power ...

Property tax cuts are in the spotlight

Local Columns

Finding ways to reduce skyrocketing property taxes that occurred in Ohio during the past couple of years is a top priority for the Republican-controlled state Legislature. It’s a difficult balancing act as property owners are screaming for tax relief while public school districts, which get most of those tax dollars, say reductions will severely impact education. For the most part, Republicans are siding with property owners though there have been a few bills introduced that would have minimal or no impact on school districts and other government entities that rely on property ...

A message for the brass marker thief

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: To the person who stole the Gold Star Mother brass marker from the New Springfield Lutheran Cemetery, do you not understand what you took? A Gold Star Mother is a mother who lost a son or daughter in one of the wars while they were defending and protecting our country. You took my Great-Grandmother Ida’s marker which I had just recently placed on her grave. Her son, my Great Uncle Gilbert gave his life for this country in WWII. Did you also steal the other 75% of veteran markers that are also missing? Do you not understand that all of those veterans served this ...

Numbers say Ohio ‘weak’ at policies on teaching math

Editorials

Teachers and administrators across Ohio have done an excellent job implementing the science of reading curriculum. But according to a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality, it’s time to focus on math, too. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, the report placed Ohio among the 25 receiving a “weak” rating for policies to strengthen elementary teachers’ math instruction. At least we were not among the seven states receiving an “unacceptable” rating. But for purposes of this report, the council was looking for these policies: set specific, detailed math standards ...

The state just might be holding some of your unclaimed funds

Editorials

Nothing spurs Ohioans to action like sports fandom — or, at least, it’s tempting to leap to that conclusion after a report that visits to the state’s unclaimed funds website skyrocketed after lawmakers suggested paying for a new Cleveland Browns stadium with some of that money. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, there is approximately $4.8 billion of Ohioans’ money sitting unclaimed, with some Republicans in the state Senate wanting to spend approximately $1.7 billion of what has been unclaimed for at least 10 years on sports and cultural projects. That would mean $600 ...