Letter to the editor: No need for paper ballots
The voting system we currently use has a proven record of being the most effective at protecting our votes. The $7 million approved by our county commissioners was an investment to ensure our votes count. Thank you. Why do Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew want to switch back to...
Editorial: Who is John Fetterman really?
There always have been elected officials whose appeal defies their demographics. Former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin spent years as the token Democrat in deep-red West Virginia. Democrat Camille “Bud” George was the godfather of Central Pennsylvania politics for decades despite swimming in a sea of Republican constituents. Pennsylvania knows this...
Letter to the editor: Protect local farms
Pittsburgher Highland Farm is a 142-acre regenerative farm in Mt. Pleasant. We raise 100% grass-fed beef, lamb and pastured pork. When we bought the property, sections of it had been strip-mined. The soil was drained of nutrients. Our sheep and cattle restore the land to health through careful rotational grazing....
Letter to the editor: The sanctity of voting
The sanctity of voting lies in the promise that every eligible citizen has an equal voice. However, the proposed SAVE Act threatens this foundation by creating unnecessary, “show your papers” barriers that would disenfranchise millions of our fellow Americans. While proponents claim this bill secures our elections, it ignores a...
Kate Harper and Conor Lamb: Our energy future is ‘Made in Pa.’
Pennsylvanians are rightly proud of our rich legacy as one of the nation’s top energy producers. After all, we rank second in the United States for both natural gas production and nuclear energy production. With energy demand reaching record levels, electricity prices climbing at alarming rates, and foreign fuel markets...
Ted Kopas: A sheriff gone rogue — only commissioners sign contracts
Immigration enforcement is a debated topic throughout our nation — and, now, in our own backyard. At issue here is a recent “agreement” between the Westmoreland County’s Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The problem is the sheriff has no legal authority to act on such an...
Letter to the editor: Trump’s excursion
Our too-clever-by-half commander in chief, President Donald Trump, has, with the change of one word, managed to flummox Republican members of Congress, rewrite the U.S. Constitution and likely have our nation’s Founders rolling over in their graves. Trump has said our war against Iran is just an “excursion.” Take that,...
Editorial: Call for peace is not political
On Saturday, Greensburg Diocese Bishop Larry J. Kulick gathered people at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to bow their heads and share hope for a common goal: peace. The vigil came at a time when many people are feeling growing tension —at the gas pump, on TV, on social media—as hostilities continue...
Letter to the editor: What do protests accomplish?
After previous elections, the motto was “work together to improve the country.” Now the motto is “resist, vilify and protest. Our party must win.” Protesting must be fun. You get to blow whistles, chant, sing and dance (party?). You can vent frustrations by throwing rocks and fireworks at real people....
Michael Peregrine: We shouldn’t allow the marvels of space exploration to become passe
NASA’s Artemis II mission represents America’s audacious return to human space flight. Bold and breathtaking in scope, it reflects well on the capabilities of our space technology. The only problem is it’s unclear if anyone is truly paying attention. Artemis was the first crewed lunar space voyage since 1972 and...
David M. Drucker: High gas prices will haunt the GOP even if the war ends soon
There’s still more political fallout for the GOP courtesy of the Iran war: Even if the conflict ends soon, voters could be grappling with pain at the gas pump deep into midterm election season, as Republicans struggle to defend razor-thin majorities in Congress. The influence American presidents have on oil...
Letter to the editor: Where are the funny ‘I did that’ Trump stickers?
During the Joe Biden administration, when gasoline prices per gallon crossed $3.50, Donald Trump supporters gleefully defaced pumps with stickers of Biden saying, “I did that.” The price per gallon is now well over $4 and may soon top $5 or more. Trump has engaged in an ill-advised military action...
Letter to the editor: Shell plant is good for community
Behind the walls of Shell’s petrochemicals plant in Monaca, hundreds of hardworking members of our community keep the facility operating safely and efficiently. I grew up in a rural town with a smaller population, so I understand how families need good jobs like these to raise their families and maintain...
Editorial: Youth sports shouldn’t be a privilege for the rich
It’s often said a parent’s love can’t be measured, but a recent survey on youth sports may come close. For each day a child plays a sport, researchers found, parents expend three hours and 23 minutes in effort: organizing and driving, watching games and practices, making snacks and doing laundry....
Letter to the editor: Clean energy will help us protect Earth
April is Earth Month — a time to savor the wonderful planet that gives us bright blue skies, breathtaking mountains, wide-open plains, serene river valleys and lakes, captivating forests, and an endless variety of plants and animals. Earth Month is also time for considering what more should be done to...
Letter to the editor: Bring integrity back to mayoral office in Aspinwall
Anyone who has been around Aspinwall for their entire life, like I have, knows that the Mount Rushmore of Aspinwall leadership includes men of honor and integrity like Art Esser, Ben Killian and Joe Noro. These fine gentlemen wanted to serve the community simply because they love(d) this town with...
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of April 13
Mallard Fillmore cartoons for the week of April 13....
Editorial cartoons for the week of April 13
Editorial cartoons for the week of April 13....
Peter St. Onge and E.J. Antoni: Social Security nears the cliff. Will Americans be thrown over?
The long-promised bankruptcy of Social Security is coming into view, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warning checks could be automatically cut by 20% in just six years. Will we spend our golden years driving delivery for the golden arches? The CBO is warning that, under current law, Social Security...
Allison Schrager: New York City can’t afford both big pensions and free buses
Cities such as New York and Chicago are in deep financial trouble. Broadly speaking, they have two options: Make the difficult but appropriate choice to raise taxes and reduce the scale of government, or continue to live in a state of denial, increasing their pension obligations while also promising their...
Letter to the editor: Pause taxes and freebies during shutdowns
Since elected officials won’t vote for term limits and continue to fail their jobs by not passing budgets, here’s a thought. When government shuts down, all forms of taxes are stopped. No income tax, sales taxes, estate taxes and so forth. Also no perks, free meals and per diems to...
Letter to the editor: Alcohol awareness
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to reflect on your alcohol consumption. For adults who choose to drink, the new 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize moderation, advise that drinking less is better for overall health than drinking more and note that some people should not drink at all....
Letter to the editor: Fiscal accountability for cyber charter schools
Regarding Timothy Eller’s letter “Never enough cyber savings” (March 12, TribLive): According to the Pennsylvania auditor general, during a three-year period, Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) has spent over $196 million to purchase and renovate 21-plus buildings across the state. CCA has confirmed that it has set aside between $452 million and $610 million...
Correction
The Shell plant is on the Ohio River. The letter “Shell plant continues to pollute” (April 5, TribLive) listed an incorrect location....
Editorial: Jail notification shouldn’t be optional
When you fill out a form to do anything, there is certain information you expect to provide. Name. Address. Phone number or email. Those are the ways you are identified, how your residency is established and how you can be contacted. Then there is a next of kin or emergency...
