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New tool helps all to track students’ chronic absenteeism

Editorials

It’s just common sense that students who are able to attend school regularly are more likely to perform at grade level in reading and math, and eventually graduate on time. But during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year, approximately one-fourth of Ohio students were considered chronically absent (missing two or three days per month). Addressing such a challenge will require having the information to get a handle on each student’s situations. To that end, the state has unveiled an attendance dashboard that should give schools another tool in the effort. “The goal is to spot ...

Mahoning Valley’s momentum is real — and it’s gaining steam

Editorials

In 2020, we saw a generational opportunity to grow our economy based on the number of leads for economic development projects. That year, nearly 60 leads startled us. By the way, in 2020 we also received one lead for what’s called a mega project—think Ultium Cells’ $2 billion investment and more than 1,000 jobs. We used to get about one every other year. We were told this level of activity would sustain itself for years. So, we made population and talent expansion our No. 1 priority and housing expansion our No. 2 priority. We didn’t sustain this level of interest. In ...

Ohioans have much to celebrate on this Earth Day

Editorials

On this Earth Day, it’s important to reflect on and appreciate the real-world energy advancements that are helping deliver a cleaner, more sustainable environment. In the U.S., carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are down while electricity demand has increased. Across the PJM Interconnection, which manages electric power to 65 million people in Ohio, 12 other states, and the District of Columbia, power-sector emissions have declined by nearly 50% since 2005. Reductions driven by the decisive shift to cleaner natural gas-fired power. In shale-rich Ohio and across the larger Appalachian ...

Hovis is best pick in the GOP race for commissioner

Editorials

Incumbent Denny Malloy wants a second four-year term as a Trumbull County commissioner. Michael J. Hovis, currently a two-term Bazetta Township trustee, is bidding to oust Malloy from office in the May 5 Republican primary. The winner of that race will face Democrat Kristen F. Rock, an attorney, in November’s general election. Hovis and Malloy share similarities beyond being Republicans. Hovis, 57, lives in Bazetta and Malloy, 56, also resides there. Both — questioned during endorsement interviews with this newspaper’s editorial board and a reporter — are concerned about ...

Trump, Pope Leo XIV and the gospel of ‘Pulp Fiction’

Editorials

It is hardly surprising that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s explicitly Christian monthly worship services monthly in the Pentagon have raised alarm in some quarters about the separation of church and state. But who expected to find him quoting lines of alleged scripture that were lifted from Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 cult classic “Pulp Fiction”? The flap begins with a prayer. At an April 15 worship service, Hegseth recited a prayer he said was sent to him by the lead mission planner of “Sandy One,” of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission in Iran that saved a ...

A sickness in our society is spreading

Editorials

After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, podcaster Candace Owens turned her wrath on Mr. Kirk’s widow, Erika. Owens began perpetuating conspiracy theories about Mrs. Kirk with a heavy implication that Mrs. Kirk was somehow tied to Israel, which itself was tied to Mr. Kirk’s assassination. Meanwhile, in Utah, Tyler Robinson is standing trial for Mr. Kirk’s murder. His parents and his partner will be witnesses for the prosecution. Robinson left a trail of evidence and confessions behind. He had been radicalized into transgender politics and wanted to kill Mr. Kirk because of his ...