Conflict in the Middle East highlights need to rebuild domestic mining

March 20, 2026

The conflict in Iran is posing alarming questions about America’s munitions stockpile and its ability to replenish it. The challenge America faces is not just how quickly we can manufacture interceptor missiles, but whether we have reliable access to the minerals required to do so. Our extraordinary reliance on foreign sources—including geopolitical rivals—for the essential minerals that underpin modern military systems has become an Achilles’ heel. While the Trump administration has taken important steps to address our glaring minerals vulnerability—including investments in ...

The Perils of Isolation: Mental health impacts and the path to substance abuse and suicide

March 19, 2026

In an increasingly digital and often disconnected world, social isolation has become a growing concern for millions. Whether due to remote lifestyles, life transitions, geographic moves, or personal challenges, lacking meaningful connections can take a heavy toll on mental well-being. Far from being just a fleeting feeling of loneliness, prolonged isolation acts as a serious risk factor, quietly eroding emotional health and opening the door to more dangerous outcomes like substance misuse and suicidal thoughts. The mental health consequences of isolation are deep and wide-ranging. ...

A talk with the kittens

March 16, 2026

“Kittens, sit down, please, and pay attention. We need to have a little talk.” “I know what it’s about,” said Alex, the smart one. “You don’t know what it’s about and don’t interrupt. Now, kittens . . .” “Yes I do. It’s about why Uncle Felix isn’t allowed inside the house anymore.” Alex stared at me in that annoying know-it-all way of his. “Well, yes, but only partly. It’s about all three of you kittens, and Uncle Felix and Aint Snit, too. You are nearly all grown up now, and growing up means Mother and I expect you to be responsible and not do bad ...

DeWine missed opportunities to address key issues in Ohio

March 14, 2026

During his final State of the State address this week, Gov. Mike DeWine declined to discuss in detail — and not at all in some cases — the main issues that are important to Ohioans today: property taxes, the electric grid, rising utility costs and the economy. But that came as little surprise as DeWine, who is serving his eighth and final year as governor, has a different agenda than his fellow Republicans, who control the state House and Senate. DeWine took an active role in property tax reform after vetoing four items in the state budget dealing with it last year. After some ...

We become what we behold

March 9, 2026

If you glance at the headshot photo which appears with this column, you may notice that I no longer look like Bob Milner. I enjoyed my brief few months of looking like Bob Milner, but in reality this is Bob Milner’s look, not mine. Which begs the question, what is my look? The Bible ...

Changing political parties has become commonplace

March 2, 2026

With the changing political climate in the Mahoning Valley, it didn’t come as a major shock that Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice, a longtime Democrat, switched political parties and filed as a Republican. But after pledging her allegiance to being a Republican, Rice withdrew from the race Tuesday, about three weeks after she filed. Having an incumbent change political parties when seeking reelection was uncommon in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. It isn’t so much anymore as Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene did it in 2024, going from a Democrat to ...