Opinion

We must do better for immigrants

Letters to the Editor February 20, 2026

Years ago I attended a friend’s naturalization ceremony. She was in America after her family left their homeland to escape oppression. The ceremony was deeply moving and filled me with pride and love for our country — feelings my grandfather must have experienced many years earlier when he became a citizen. That friend is now a nurse practitioner promoting the health of her fellow Americans. Today masked federal agents wait outside public buildings to prevent people like my grandfather from becoming productive American citizens. Instead, they will be forcibly returned to situations ...

Verobish will be accountable leader

Letters to the Editor February 20, 2026

I proudly support Andrea Verobish for State Representative in the 79th District. Our community deserves principled leadership rooted in family values, constitutional rights, and fiscal responsibility. Andrea understands that strong families and safe communities are the foundation of a thriving district. She supports protecting parental rights and ensuring our schools reflect the values of the people they serve. Andrea is also a strong defender of the Second Amendment. In our region, that right represents personal protection, heritage, and freedom. She is committed to standing up for ...

Congress can cover Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Letters to the Editor February 20, 2026

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s would allow people to access treatments when they would be most effective and implement modifiable risk reduction strategies. As a former caregiver, I understand firsthand the importance of early detection and diagnosis. The bipartisan ASAP Act creates a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-approved dementia blood biomarker screening tests. The ASAP Act would also allow coverage for future test methods approved and cleared by the FDA, helping to ensure beneficiaries do ...

Blair County needs Verobish

Letters to the Editor February 20, 2026

As a state representative, I urge 79th District voters to support Andrea Verobish in the March 17 special election. It is critical that we elect principled conservatives who will stand against Governor Shapiro’s reckless spending and the progressive agenda advancing full-term abortion and marijuana legalization. Andrea Verobish will be a consistent conservative voice fighting for fiscal responsibility and traditional values. Don’t sit this one out. Join me in supporting Andrea Verobish on March 17. Scott Barger Hollidaysburg

Remember to vote in special election

Letters to the Editor February 20, 2026

Tuesday, March 17, marks St. Patrick’s Day, which celebrates the snakes driven from Ireland. This March 17 will be when voters select a replacement for now-Judge Lou Schmitt. Using the snakes as an analogy, voters of the 79th District (Altoona, and Logan and Allegheny townships) must do the same and vote Republican. This special election requires voters to vote again to ensure funding continues for community safety, education and transportation. All registered voters overwhelmingly elected Republican Schmitt to serve as the 79th District representative, so logically, voters should ...

Why female disparity in satisfaction?

Letters to the Editor February 19, 2026

A recent poll conducted by Cygnal offers a clear rejection to the noting that lawbreaking or violence is an acceptable response to federal immigration enforcement. According to this poll, approximately 24% of Americans believe criminal action — including violence -— can be justified to stop ICE. While this figure is troubling, the broader picture is reassuring: Nearly 70% Americans reject illegal or violent responses outright. Opposition spans the political spectrum. Republicans oppose such actions at roughly 80%, while Independents follow closely behind at approximately 72%. ...