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Letters to the Editor

Trump has made good inroads in a year

Trump has been in office for a whole year already and all you hear is how he’s destroying the country. Where have these people been for the last 30 years? Biden’s war on fossil fuel caused prices to skyrocket, and one thing I’ve learned in my many years is when prices go up, they never really go down again. Many things have actually gone down though at the supermarket, gas is definitely better. Stock markets are going crazy. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Too bad Trump can’t do anything right. ICE has been around since 2002 and everyone loved them till Trump became ...

Earplugs cartoon hits the mark

I was engaged by Tom Stiglich’s cartoon in Friday’s (1/30) Mirror. The illustration depicted a bottle of soft earplugs, over which the title read “How to Effectively Engage with Far-Left Extremists.” I cut it out of my paper. I took a bit of white-out to it: now it reads “How to Effectively Engage with Extremists.” Works great. Hung it over my bed. Jim Winsor Altoona

Endangered Species Act must prevail

Have you ever spent a summer evening in Pennsylvania’s forests watching bats flit overhead, or waded in a stream as a bald eagle soared above? These experiences define the spirit of our Commonwealth. However, this legacy of conservation is at risk as the Endangered Species Act comes under attack. For over 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has been our most effective tool, with a 99% success rate for wildlife conservation. In Pennsylvania, we see its success every time we spot a bald eagle or a peregrine falcon — both once on the brink of vanishing. Today, congressional rollbacks ...

America was built by those who care

There are people in America who care about others. When they see the need, they gladly respond for people and animals. They are decent, kind and care about making life better for everyone. They seek no praise, no reward, no attention or recognition for their efforts. The best things in life are given freely, like the air we breathe and human generosity. Many of those caring people comprise America’s labor force. Their jobs vary from farming to trash collection. They do many jobs that others can’t or refuse to do — the work that fuels this country and makes it function. A great ...

Voters in 79th District reminded of election

Attention voters in Blair County 79th district. There will be a special election held on March 17, 2026, to fulfill the remainder of the former Lou Schmitt’s term. We, the people of the 79th, must take the time to vote in this election and all elections local, state and federal. The future of our country depends on it. Mike Sanders Altoona

Housing problem is bigger than it looks

Altoona’s housing problem is no longer hidden. It is showing up where affordability failures always appear first: homeless shelters. Recent local reporting shows a sharp rise in new referrals, a clear sign that more residents are being pushed out of stable housing. This did not happen overnight. Like many small Pennsylvania cities, Altoona has an aging housing stock, limited new construction, and incomes that have not kept pace with rising rents and maintenance costs. When even modest increases hit households with thin financial margins, displacement follows quickly. This is part ...