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We must break China’s grip on U.S. defense supply chains

Local Columns

China’s Xi Jinping appeared supremely confident at a recent military parade in Beijing with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Xi’s assurance likely isn’t just a reflection of China’s growing military might. It’s also that China now holds the U.S. defense industrial base in the palm of its hand. Xi is well aware that China’s dominance of global mineral supply chains has ensnared both the U.S. economy and America’s military. According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 80,000 parts used in America’s weapons systems are manufactured with ...

Marking the anniversary of a tragic day in history

Editorial

Today marks the 24th anniversary of one of the most horrific days in the history of the United States. Yes, it has been that long already. If you need to be told exactly what significant, nation-altering event we are observing then, well, you are not much of an American. Period. Tributes and memorials will mark today — nearly a quarter-century since acts of terrorism across our skies had planes plunging to earth and creating mass casualties. We remember the tragedies of that day. We remember the sacrifices and acts of heroism. Local tributes will be paid throughout our region. Our ...

The swelling was excessive

Editorial

After undergoing facial surgery for skin cancer on Wednesday, I texted a selfie of my swollen, stitched-up face to my racquetball buddies. “I want to know what the other guy looks like,” said Steverino. “Me, too,” said Roger Dodger. “I don’t know,” I replied. “He was wearing a mask. He had a knife.” Family members were stunned and repulsed by my appearance but tried to show sympathy. The 747, our youngest grandson, gazed in wonder at the dried blood, the stitches angling across my cheek like a dueling scar, and the bulging purple bag under my eye. He said, ...

Wealth, political party play pivotal roles in judge races

Local Columns

Running for the court of appeals — particularly for the first time and especially for an open seat — is an expensive venture. When Katelyn Dickey ran in 2024 for a vacant seat on the Youngstown-based 7th District Court of Appeals, she loaned $205,000 to her campaign fund with her husband providing $150,000. Dickey raised only $5,800 for the campaign from outside donors with $5,000 coming from the Columbiana County Republican Party. Judicial candidates need to use their personal wealth to fund campaigns because they are prohibited from receiving campaign contributions until 180 ...

Walking out on the truth won’t change it from being the truth

Editorial

This article will hit a vast majority of Christians and non-Christians alike. I warn you ahead of time that I will use a Bible verse from God that each and every one of us lives in daily. The Bible verse is Genesis 4:6-7: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’” This verse proves that God is omniscient (He knows all things). God knew that Cain was upset with his brother Abel ...

Carbon Capture and Sequestration Hub is risky

Letters To The Editor

To the editor: I’ve lived in the Ohio River Valley for 70 years, in both Jefferson and Harrison Counties. For decades the residents of the Ohio Valley have been paying for the aftermath of extractive industries. That “beautiful clean coal” Trump refers to took lives, and left a legacy of mine shafts and acid mine run-off. Taxpayers continue to foot the bills to plug orphan oil and gas wells, and clean-up un-reclaimed strip mined lands. Recently, the Ohio River Valley was targeted to become a Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Hub. This CCS Hub will consist of a series of ...