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Letters to the Editor

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 ...

We all are living with the same government

Video evidence shows that on Saturday morning in Minneapolis Alex Pretti was shot in the back by an ICE agent while he was on his hands and knees. After he fell motionless to the pavement, he was shot multiple more times. A few days before that, Renee Good was shot in the face by an ICE agent while slowly turning her car to leave the area. Neither Pretti nor Good had presented a threat, yet both were killed. The administration and some right-wing media immediately claimed the shootings were justified, that Good had run over an ICE agent and that Pretti was armed and therefore ...

America is not being ‘lastingly damaged’

The claim that Republican policies are causing “lasting damage” reflects rhetoric, not reality. Voters supported Republicans because they favor secure borders, enforcement of existing laws, economic growth and a foreign policy that prioritizes American interests. Immigration enforcement is not “terror”; it is the lawful execution of statutes passed by Congress. When tragic incidents occur, conservatives support investigation and accountability, not the abandonment of law enforcement altogether. Likewise, tariffs are not simply “taxes on Americans,” but strategic tools used ...