Breaking News

Opinion

Bands, ASO concert: Oh, what a night

Opinion

For weeks, ads were on TV and social and print media touting the free joint appearance by members of the combined Altoona and Hollidaysburg community bands and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at PNG Field on Saturday, June 20. But as the time drew nearer and nearer, so did black rain clouds. We arrived at the ballpark along with others looking forward to the musical evening. All the while we were watching the dark clouds approaching from the north. Just a passing cloud or two, we hoped. No, they stalled right over PNG Field. The idea was that the community bands would play behind ...

Questions abound on state budget

Editorials

What if, in the weeks leading up to April 15, Pennsylvania taxpayers adopted the attitude that they would settle their state tax obligation whenever they got around to it, whether that was before, on or after the tax-filing deadline? On or before, no problem. However, what if the bulk of taxpayers decided that the deadline wasn’t really important — that it was just a date — and that they would complete their tax filing — whenever? Again, no problem. There wouldn’t be any financial penalty for missing the deadline, including no interest penalty for any money owed. The ...

Same standards apply to all political sides

Letters to the Editor

Americans should be deeply concerned when any president appears to profit personally from holding the nation’s highest office. Reports that President Donald Trump and his business interests have accumulated billions of dollars in wealth while he serves as president raises serious ethical and constitutional questions that deserve public scrutiny. The Framers included the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution for a reason: to prevent presidents from accepting financial benefits that could influence — or appear to influence — their decisions. These protections were intended to ...

Missing out on news of state fair, migrants

Letters to the Editor

Who in Pennsylvania government was responsible for the decision to not participate in The Great American 250 State Fair in Washington, D.C., this weekend? Luckily, when John Fetterman and Dave McCormick heard of this they saw to it that PA was represented. Why am I not reading about the “Birthright Tourism” business that is being carried out by China, Africa and other countries by sending pregnant women to the USA to give birth so their babies can have birthright benefits? Why am I not reading any reporting on the Angel Parents of children who were murdered by illegal ...

New pet emergency team lauded

Editorials

Altoona’s Salvation Army Worship and Service Center has made a meaningful commitment by way of its decision to expand its already laudable work agenda. The new agenda item centers on the area’s animal population, specifically during emergency circumstances. All area emergency services should open themselves to what the local Salvation Army unit wants to do and begin a positive working relationship — a partnership — as soon as possible. Developing that relationship should be easy, and that cooperative agenda should be encouraged enthusiastically by area residents, whether or ...

Enforce current e-bike rules

Letters to the Editor

As the mother of two boys, I read your June editorial “E-bike crackdown welcome” with a strong sense of shared concern. You accurately highlighted scenarios that haunt local parents daily — riders losing control of their speed, collisions with vehicles, and the tragic potential for innocent motorists to be injured or deeply traumatized. These are not hypothetical fears; they are clear and present dangers on our local streets because age restrictions and vehicle-type laws are being largely ignored. Pennsylvania law states riders must be at least 16 years old to operate these ...