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Legislators must act on Kids Online Safety Act

Editorial

A Pew Research Center study shows approximately 20% of teenagers report social media has damaged their mental health. Interacting with online platforms (this includes video games and chats, too) can create a host of ways for young people to endanger not just their mental health, but their physical safety, too. U.S. Sens. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and John Thune, R-S.D., are joining Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in supporting the Kids Online Safety Act, which would help protect kids’ personal data on these online platforms and give parents ...

State fire marshal shares holiday fire safety advice

Local Columns

COLUMBUS — As Ohioans decorate their homes and prepare for holiday celebrations, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is reminding everyone that holiday cheer should never come at the cost of safety. This season, Ohioans are urged to celebrate smart by keeping fire prevention top of mind while decorating.  “The holiday season is a time for joy, bit it’s also one of the most dangerous months of the year when it comes to home fires,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “We want families to enjoy the season safely by being mindful of fire ...

Keep Ohio health care affordable by preserving the private market

Letters To The Editor

To the editor: As someone who has spent years serving our community — on city council and the board of education— I’ve seen firsthand how rising health care costs strain families, small businesses and local governments alike. Employers and families are already stretched thin, and the last thing Ohioans need is Washington oversteppingwith policies that make coverage even more expensive. A couple of weeks ago, our own Senator Jon Husted said something that really stuck with me: “If we want to lower costs, we must deliver reforms that put patients in charge.” He’s right. ...

Ohio needs to modernize energy permitting system

Editorial

Those who want a clear picture of the challenges facing Ohio’s economy would do well to take a look at the state Chamber of Commerce’s “Energy Permitting in Ohio: A Process Analysis,” which takes a look at just one industry, but reveals some larger truths. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation released the study at a policy forum Monday, where a number of stakeholders were discussing how to modernize the state’s energy permitting system and support growing demand. “Ohio is in a period of unprecedented opportunity, but our energy capacity has to keep pace,” said ...

Ohio needs to modernize energy permitting system

Editorial

Those who want a clear picture of the challenges facing Ohio’s economy would do well to take a look at the state Chamber of Commerce’s “Energy Permitting in Ohio: A Process Analysis,” which takes a look at just one industry, but reveals some larger truths. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce Research Foundation released the study at a policy forum Monday, where a number of stakeholders were discussing how to modernize the state’s energy permitting system and support growing demand. “Ohio is in a period of unprecedented opportunity, but our energy capacity has to keep pace,” said ...

Ohio making great strides in cleaning its waterways

Editorial

For a state that at one time was known for rivers that caught fire, Ohio has made tremendous strides in cleaning up its waterways. More good news came last week from the state Department of Natural Resources, which is seeing success in its effort to reintroduce state-endangered lake sturgeon. The project has expanded to include the Cuyahoga, Sandusky and Scioto rivers, in addition to the Maumee River. Among the reasons for the sturgeon’s sharp decline here were dams blocking access to spawning sites and unregulated fishing. At one time, the Buckeye State had lost all known spawning ...