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Voters must pay attention to all issues

Editorials

It is the opinion of some people that this year’s midterm elections could be the most consequential of this nation’s history. That viewpoint might be accurate over the long run; there’s no way now of knowing. However, there is an important message contained within that opinion that’s not premature to acknowledge even so far out from the Nov. 3 general election. That is that voters already need to kick into proverbial high gear close attention regarding specific issues in play in 2026 America — not only within the state and, otherwise, within the nation’s borders, but also ...

Green gardening leads to healthy space

Letters to the Editor

As many of us start working in our gardens and yards, shaking off the winter, why not think about how that activity could benefit the plants and animals around us? Here are three things to try. 1.) Wait to rake. Almost all beneficial bugs like lady bugs, mantises, bees, and ground beetles rely on leaves and other detritus to survive cold temperatures and build strength for the spring. Wait to clean up until the temperature is consistently above 50. These bugs will thank you by controlling damaging insects later on. Birds and other critters also rely on insects for food and the ...

Secrecy is too often the norm in Pa.

Opinion

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. We pay for our government, and it should answer to us. But too often, that’s not how it works. Records get buried. Agencies stonewall. Officials wait out the news cycle or criticize reporters rather than answer hard questions. And the more those in power know news organizations are struggling under cutbacks, layoffs and closures, the more they default to secrecy. According to a recent ...

Only voters can save America’s democracy

Letters to the Editor

Americans are understandably proud of our nation as a free society and successful experiment in democracy. We have stumbled before, yet endured — guided by constitutional guardrails and leaders who respected them. In the eyes of the world, we were Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill.” Until now. Donald Trump has reminded us just how fragile our democracy is. Preserving our freedoms requires integrity in government. Trump rudely woke us to the reality that freedom can never be taken for granted. By neutering Congress and staffing his administration with underqualified ...

Sewer work snafu must be corrected

Editorials

Even if the current concerns regarding Blair Township’s proposed Reservoir Road sanitary sewer project are navigated successfully, the anxiety in play about the project at this time never should have happened. Rather than elements of the project continuing to fall into place on a workable timetable, this multimillion-dollar endeavor instead has evolved into a conglomeration of avoidable errors and, apparently, shoddy management that is a disgrace to the township — as well as to Blair County as a whole. There are plenty of layers of expertise in this county to prevent situations ...

SAVE America Act ensures integrity

Letters to the Editor

American elections belong to American citizens. The right to vote is a sacred privilege of citizenship, and our laws must ensure that only citizens choose our leaders. The SAVE America Act would strengthen confidence in Pennsylvania’s elections by closing loopholes in existing law. It would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot. These are simple, common-sense protections that honest voters can support, regardless of party. This bill should not be allowed to die in the Senate. There is more than one way to move it ...