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Michael Reagan’s death reminds us of his dad’s legacy

Recently, Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, passed away at age 80. His passing was duly eulogized by the Reagan Foundation and the Young America’s Foundation at the Reagan Ranch. Both noted that Michael, whom I had the privilege to know, devoted his life to writing and speaking about the American principles that so defined his father. No death is ever timely. But there seems something fitting that President Reagan’s legacy would be closed out with the passing of his oldest son in the year of the 250th birthday of our nation. At this time of such ...

Ohio’s prison system faces staff shortage

According to a recent report by the Dayton Daily News, the Ohio state prison system was short more than 500 corrections officers at the end of last year. The Daily News conducted its investigation because Dayton Correctional Institution has the highest rate of openings, at 18.8%. Lebanon Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 11.5% and Warren Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 2.4%, the newspaper found. Those numbers are an improvement over the worst period in 2022, but still a significant problem for the system. Of course, state officials were eager to put a ...

Yes, Trump has faults, but Dem alternative is worse

The last two weeks have been, like the preceding weeks, nuts. The president insisted the United States must own Greenland, and he would not rule out military force, if necessary, to take the island. He imposed tariffs on the NATO allies who oppose his territorial lust. Then he walked it all back for the framework of a deal. The reality is, President Donald Trump has a knack for getting things he could have gotten without all the drama, but the drama is salesmanship for his base. They insist it is the art of the deal, he is the best negotiator, and the deal is amazing. Most often, the ...

Trump’s contempt for democratic norms grows stronger

Throughout 2017 and into 2018, I hoped that a moment would come when Republicans would see Donald Trump clearly. But years ago, I accepted that the scales-falling-from-the-eyes revelation will never come for the MAGA faithful. They are too invested. Still, as a recent Chicago Tribune report found, a small but significant percentage of 2024 Trump voters either regret their vote or have serious concerns about the way things are going. When elections are decided by just a few hundred thousand votes in seven states, those defections are crucial. It’s entirely possible that those swing ...

Orchids & onions

ORCHID: To Ashley Morrow of Bristolville for organizing a meeting designed to gather support for lobbying local community officials for stricter ordinances governing the care and treatment of companion animals. Morrow discussed strategies at a recent organizational meeting in Southington and plans another meeting March 28. Morrow rightly pointed to Campbell, to which we’ve awarded orchids for its strict and comprehensive animal welfare laws, as a model for other communities throughout the Mahoning Valley and the state. Campbell’s taut regulations require that animals not be tethered ...

Work to end stalemate on death penalty

At the starting gate this month to the second session of the 136th Ohio General Assembly, hopes run low that this will be a banner year for enactment of significant milestone legislation. After all, 2026 rises as a hotly contested political year for 99 representatives, 17 senators as well as a slew of state executive officers, including governor. If past is prologue, much of their activity will focus inward on politicking at the expense of public service. That likely means sidestepping controversial and divisive issues that could affect their reelection prospects. To be sure, ...