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Our opinion: State needs option for rural hospitals

Our Opinion

Let us say up front that we hope the day never comes when Warren General Hospital leadership would need to consider a transition to becoming a Rural Emergency Hospital. Such a move would say a lot about efforts to reverse our region’s longtime trend of population loss and struggles to secure high enough reimbursement rates from the federal government. Pennsylvania currently has no Rural Emergency Hospitals, with legislation introduced recently by Sen. Lisa Baker creating a new state license category for Rural Emergency Hospitals. The designation would allow a Critical Access ...

It’s easier to vote for Garrity than Shapiro

Local Commentaries

Is Gov. Josh Shapiro really the best candidate to run our Commonwealth? I don't think so! If he is always touting affordability, then why is he the highest-paid governor, earning $253,870 per year, out of all 50 states? Maybe he should take a pay cut or decline his salary. At that point, he would be putting his money where his mouth is! That doesn't seem too affordable for the taxpayers to me. Yep, that's right. He makes more than Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. As a matter of fact, of the 10 highest-paid governors, only two are Republicans! All ...

Now is time to revisit abortion discussion

Local Commentaries

Having lived when abortion was illegal and watched its legalization, I think it’s time to have a hard discussion about the role of abortion in 2026. Abortion is not a new or progressive idea. Throughout human history, both ancient and recent, abortion has been used to end a pregnancy. Pregnant women have had to navigate a lack of the compassion and support now available. Centuries ago, pregnant women could be sent to the workhouse, cast out onto the street or denied medical care, resulting in complications or death. Their children could be forcibly placed in horrific orphanages. ...

Readers' Speak

Letters To Editor

Magic money Dear Editor, Here are just three of the economic goals of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America). New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants free bus rides and rent control, but bus drivers still must be paid. Buses must be fueled, maintained and insured. Where will that money come from? Mamdani wants the tax burden carried by high earners. But the highest-earning 10% already cover 67% of New York City’s expenses, according to The Wall Street Journal. Rent control sounds kind; some residents are struggling. But landlords have maintenance, taxes and insurance to ...

The mice, St. David, and the knobs

Local Commentaries

The story begins with a cat and a stove. Our Maine Coon, Finian, used to camp in front of the stove at night. It took me a while to realize he was on sentry duty. It was a particularly winter behavior. Although I never actively look for signs of a mouse resident, it finally occurred to me that ...

Our opinion: Voters have options for Election Day

Our Opinion

How did the first Tuesday of November become the traditional Election Day? According to a Campaign Legal Center online article from 2021, Congress in 1845 selected the most convenient day to hold a vote for the greatest number of voters at the time -- farmers. Saturdays and Sundays were religious days and Wednesdays were market days. Since farmers may have needed Monday to travel to a polling location, the first Tuesday after the fall harvest proved to be the most convenient day for most voters. Now, in many states across the nation, early voting is offered. It allows those ...