Opinion category, Page 62
Vincent Trometter: Trump needs Nippon Steel to win agenda
Vital toward reindustrializing the country, where our factory towns are revitalized, our ports are making new ships and the skylines of our cities grow higher, President Trump is seeking to correct President Joe Biden’s ill-sighted decision to block Nippon Steel’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. The idea has been in the...
Cynthia Kirsch and Dana Siler: Citizens, stand up for climate action
On April 29, an unprecedented storm with hurricane force winds tore through southwestern Pennsylvania, with many areas in Pittsburgh hit particularly hard. At its peak, 40% of Duquesne Light customers were without electricity. Three people died as a result of the storm. Hundreds of trees, many stately old shade trees...
Letter to the editor: Venditti for Franklin Regional School Board
I’m writing to express my strong support for my longtime friend, Shannon Venditti, in her candidacy for the Franklin Regional School Board. Having known Shannon for many years, I can confidently say she embodies the values, energy and commitment our district needs. As a devoted mother of four school-aged children,...
Editorial: Westmoreland County crisis teams address critical need
There might be no single issue in the United States that affects more areas than mental health problems. They can be caused by physical health issues, such as chronic pain or a dire diagnosis. But they also can exacerbate those issues as depression or anxiety can delay treatment or interfere...
Letter to the editor: Message to Reschenthaler
Congressman Reschenthaler, Let’s address the substance, or lack thereof, in your canned replies. The constant finger-pointing at the previous administration is not only tired — it’s cowardly. The Trump administration was handed a stable economy, and in record time launched a reckless trade war that’s vaporized trillions in U.S. wealth....
Jonah Goldberg: Trump’s right ends, wrong means
President Donald Trump has identified real problems, but he’s abusing his power in trying to correct them. Perhaps the most frustrating thing about being a conservative critic of Trumpism is that you often start by agreeing with Trumpworld about ends while disagreeing about means. This pleases nobody. The left, broadly...
Dan DeBone: Regional transit proposals warrant caution — and a seat at the table for Westmoreland County
In recent weeks, there has been growing conversation around potential legislation that would consolidate smaller, rural transit systems — such as our own Westmoreland County Transit Authority — into Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). While no formal bill has been introduced, the concept alone is already drawing attention across Southwestern Pennsylvania....
Jason Richey: As conditions change, it’s time for administration to rethink the Nippon-U.S. Steel merger
The tallest building between New York and Chicago, the U.S. Steel Tower stands as a monument to Pittsburgh’s industrial past — and a reminder of what the future could be if our nation’s leaders step up for our manufacturing sector. Once the world’s largest steelmaker, U.S. Steel’s presence remains vital...
Letter to the editor: All veterans should be honored
As the mother of an Operation Enduring Freedom combat vet, I am infuriated! Apparently President Donald Trump only honors veterans from wars we won. Last week, he declared on social media that he is “renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day...
Letter to the editor: Trump selling out to highest bidders
Vietnam’s latest move is a masterclass in transactional politics. In what to me is clearly a bid to avoid the wrath of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the country just greenlit a $1.5 billion Trump-branded resort, fast-tracked Starlink (owned by Trump ally Elon Musk) and made clear they’re willing to pay...
Letter to the editor: Jamie Lingg represents integrity
The practice of political committees endorsing candidates during primary elections is a dangerous distortion of democracy. But the most troubling element is the use of proxy voting, a backdoor tactic that strips transparency from the process and concentrates power in the hands of a few. In theory, endorsements should reflect...
Editorial: Voter ID compromise would be ideal but only if parties let it be
Should a voter be required to prove identity to cast a ballot? It’s a question that has been argued in Pennsylvania for years — just like it has in other states. A recent Spotlight PA and Votebeat article looked at how the partisan divide on the issue has narrowed over...
Letter to the editor: Carson has accomplished much as coroner
It is with great pleasure that I send this letter as my endorsement to reelect Tim Carson in the upcoming election for Westmoreland County coroner. I’ve had the opportunity to work as a deputy coroner in the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office for more than 40 years. It is great to...
Letter to the editor: Pa. needs an ‘excess wealth tax’
As the budget battle unfolds in Harrisburg, one thing is clear: Working people are being told, once again, there’s just not enough to go around for you. Not enough for schools. Not enough for housing. Not enough for health care. But somehow, there’s enough for a tax break for billionaires....
Cal Thomas: Faith and government
Last week, President Trump announced the establishment of a White House Faith Office. Its purpose, as described in a White House announcement, is to “… empower faith-based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship to better serve families and communities.” Don’t they already have access to a higher power? There...
Sally C. Pipes: Insurers, bureaucrats shouldn’t deprive patients of lifesaving treatments
Imagine being told there’s a drug that might save your life — but your insurance won’t cover it for 18 months. That’s the reality for patients under a new policy from Independence Blue Cross, a Philadelphia-based insurer. The insurer announced earlier this year that it will delay coverage of therapies...
Daniel Porterfield and Saleem Ghubril: Our nation must prioritize investing in our greatest natural resource
People are every nation’s greatest natural resource. Growing and investing in that treasure ought to be every leader’s priority. Globally, the United States is in 131st place in terms of population growth (0.67% growth rate, according to CIA.gov). It is anticipated that we will be in negative territory by 2042,...
Jason W. Park: Overworked, underpaid and unappreciated: Sound familiar?
Americans are finding “nice work if you can get it” an increasingly unlikely scenario. Whether down on the farm or high atop the skyscraper, manufacturing goods or providing services, at Fortune 500 corporations or mom-and-pop stores, employing college graduates or tradespeople, Americans feel completely exhausted, unfairly compensated and totally expendable....
Letter to the editor: We must strengthen our power grid now
Last week, I went three days with no electricity. Watching Netflix on my big screen became a fading memory, beads of sweat formed on my brow without AC, and who knew you could cook without a microwave? Now I know what it’s like being an early American settler or living...
Letter to the editor: Lingg shows genuine leadership in Murrysville
Since being elected to Murrysville Council, Jamie Lingg has worked to protect citizens’ safety, homeowners’ rights and taxpayers’ dollars. Great generalizations, but facts speak loudest. Please, read on … . Originally, Murrysville Council planned unisex park bathrooms for simultaneous use by men, women and children. The risk with that, especially...
Editorial: Transparency versus security over arson at governor’s residence
Journalists are big fans of transparency. We like the windows of information open and the lights of access turned on. If government is doing something, we think the people should be able to know about who is paying for it, who proposed it, who benefits from it, and who voted...
Letter to the editor: Trump’s first 100 days
Let us evaluate President Trump on the following four policy issues. Regarding immigration, under President Biden, a good bill agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans ended up rejected by Senate Republicans due to pressure from Trump, who I believe wanted to garner credit for solving the issue once elected. Instead,...
Letter to the editor: We need truth on air quality
As someone who has traveled extensively in the United States, and as someone who has asthma, of course I am sensitive to any efforts to have clean air. However, the EPA and the American Lung Association are politicized organizations that “bend” the truth to achieve their ends. Below is a...
Editorial: Virginia Giuffre’s crusade against Jeffrey Epstein changed how we listen to survivors
Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most outspoken victims, died by suicide late last month at the age of 41. In 2015, Giuffre was the first Epstein victim to go public about the sexual abuse and forced participation in a sex-trafficking ring allegedly led by Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine...
The Conversation: What it’s like to be a scientist whose funding has been cut
Editor’s note: The following is portions of an interview conducted by Gemma Ware, host of The Conversation Weekly podcast, about what it’s like to be a scientist whose funding has been cut by the Trump administration with Brady Thomas West, a research professor of survey and data science at the...
