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DeWine’s final address, rightly so, focused on educating youth

Editorial

In his final State of the State address, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was right to spend so much time on education — particularly reading. If we aren’t giving our children the best start possible, it’s hard to see how public officials are going to be able to get much else right. They’ll just be playing catch-up. But there are bright spots on that horizon. DeWine’s persistence regarding the Science of Reading may be helping our youngest readers improve their reading performance. The governor and his team at the Department of Education and Workforce must be seeing evidence that has ...

Law Enforcement Accreditation Program available for agencies

Editorial

Given that Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services data shows there were 2,837 “use of force” incidents from 1,040 police agencies in the state in 2025, one would think law enforcement agencies would be clamoring to take advantage of the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Established in 2024, the program gives law enforcement agencies an opportunity to demonstrate they are meeting standards set by the state Public Safety Department. “If an agency is willingly opening their doors to criticism, that shows great leadership. Having someone else come in and ...

‘Spring forward’ of clocks mark brighter days ahead

Editorial

Spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20, but the combination of unseasonably mild temperatures and the annual “spring forward” of clocks this past weekend seemed to signal that better days are ahead. Longer days, too. Daylight Saving Time means less light in the morning, but more in the evening. It aligns with the annual feeling of renewal that comes with spring — especially this year after one of the worst winters in recent northeastern Ohio history. That doesn’t mean we’re finished with cold weather or even snow, but there is more and more light at the end of the ...

Valley sports legends remind us to dream

Editorial

In the Ohio Valley, sports heroes of the past are not just names that used to regularly appear in the newspaper. Even after they move on they remain neighbors, classmates, and hometown legends whose stories become woven into the region’s identity. In recent weeks, the Upper Ohio Valley has lost three of its most impactful sports figures — men who carried the grit and humility of this region to the highest levels of their sports: Bill Mazeroski, Bobby Douglas and Lou Holtz. Their careers and sports were different, but their Upper Ohio Valley roots — and the values they carried ...

We become what we behold

Local Columns

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 ...

Some good is coming out of DC regarding employment training

Editorial

Disappointing as much of it is, there is some work being done in Washington, D.C., that will actually make a difference for the rest of us. Ohioans, in fact, can point to the Employer-Directed Skills Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La. U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, says he has joined the effort, which would help employees get the training they need for in-demand skills that meet workforce needs. There is also a component that would help employers find potential employees based on their participation in training programs. “As Ohio continues to ...