Breaking News

Editorials

‘Rugged Individualism’ leads to community

The most fertile soil for collectivism is isolation. During his inaugural address, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” Many people have skewered the second part of that statement -- and rightfully so. For those who’ve endured it, the warmth of collectivism feels like hell on earth. In the last century, communist regimes slaughtered more than 150 million people. Hundreds of millions more have suffered through scarcity and oppression. Collectivist regimes struggle to keep the lights on ...

The quiet climb of utility costs

Utility bills rarely arrive with drama. They come folded, routine, and quiet, tucked between grocery flyers and credit card offers. Most months, people glance at the total, sigh, and move on. That’s how rate increases tend to land here. One at a time. Separately. Easy to miss until they aren’t. Across Mifflin and Juniata counties, there’s been no single moment when utility costs exploded. What residents have experienced instead is something more subtle. Sewer rates climb in one township. Water billing structures shift in another. Electric supply prices are rising statewide. Plans ...

Campaign spending requires voters’ attention

Pennsylvania’s judicial-retention balloting last year was an eye-opener, but not because of which candidates’ retention bids were successful. Rather, what was remarkable — and troubling to many people of this commonwealth — was the total amount in cash and the value of other support dumped into the campaigns on behalf of those seeking the voters’ ballot-box approval. According to a Spotlight PA article, at least $18.7 million was poured into the state Supreme Court election, and the Keystone State’s 2025 retention races were deemed likely to be among the five most ...

Affordable housing a necessity

Finding affordable housing in Frederick County and indeed all of Maryland can be difficult and frustrating, and political leaders have identified it as a major problem. The solution, as any economist will tell you, is to build more homes. The affordability issue is caused by a shortage of housing. Scarcity equals higher prices in housing as in any other product. A state report published this month says Frederick County should produce 16,000 new housing units in the next four years to meet demand. The county is doing its own study, with results expected later this month, but the ...

Stay alert to utility scams before they hit home

Scammers never take a day off, and this winter they have turned their sights toward Pennsylvania’s utility customers. The state Attorney General’s Office is warning residents to be wary of fake websites, misleading ads, and fraudulent phone numbers pretending to represent legitimate utility companies. It’s a reminder anyone can be a target, especially when the bill is due, and the fear of losing heat or lights makes people act fast. Attorney General Dave Sunday said his office has seen a rise in impersonation scams that prey on urgency and confusion. “We are hearing of ...

Can we talk? Colleges invest in civil discourse

Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh are spending nearly $5 million to teach students how to talk to one another. IUP received a $2.29 million federal grant to create a Center for Dialogue and Civic Life. Pitt was awarded about $2.7 million to build a regional model for civil discourse and civic leadership. Both efforts are multiyear and staff-heavy. Faculty say they are responding to a growing problem: Students increasingly avoid disagreement, not because they lack opinions, but because they fear engaging at all. Those investments may be smart. They ...