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Remember what holiday represents

On America’s political front, 2024 might end up being the most divisive year people of this nation will witness and experience in their lifetime. Many Americans already are longing for the day when the presidential election will have come and gone and, on that note some already are looking forward to winter, even if winter has not been their favorite season up to now. Most Americans want harmony and cohesiveness, even if they harbor differences of opinion on certain major or not-so-major issues. The kind of disrespect being lobbed virtually non-stop within and from virtually ...

Pa. lawmakers must join the fight vs. hospital fees

Thirteen states have taken action to ban the charges and protect consumers. In Harrisburg, a similar proposal has stalled in the General Assembly. There’s so much unfairness in America today that it shouldn’t be surprising to see people take to the streets in protest because they no longer believe needed changes will ever occur if left to the broken political system that’s supposed to ensure right ultimately beats wrong. What’s unfair? How about going to your doctor for years and only being charged your health insurance copay, and then getting a bill in the mail after ...

A ‘smoke-free’ generation? Britain says it’s worth trying

It’s not just a United States thing; there are smokers around the world who wish they never had taken “that first puff” of a cigarette — for health or other reasons, including the cost of continuing what many call a habit. Regardless, smokers throughout this planet who have access to world news — and who pay attention to what is going on — are likely to be interested in following a story emanating from the halls of the British government about an attempt to eventually ban smoking. However, three important questions hang over the United Kingdom effort to create what ...

Postal service must practice better safety

Winding its way through Congress is legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service to track crashes of vehicles carrying mail. The legislation, which carries the name Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act, and which passed the House on May 6, also would punish USPS contractors that fail to report accidents. Additionally, the Postal Service would be required to publish a yearly report focusing on its highway safety record. Are you surprised that the postal agency has not routinely been doing those things? So were many other people of this country when they learned about a Wall ...

Reducing the harm of opioids

New Department of Health data released this week shows opioid-related overdose deaths in Vermont have decreased for the first time since 2019. According to the annual Fatal Overdose Report, 231 Vermonters died of opioid-related overdoses in 2023, a 5% drop from 244 in 2022. The report includes a caveat that the data is preliminary and there are 15 pending death certificates, so the final figure could still change. Ninety percent of all drug overdose fatalities in Vermont involved opioids, the report states, noting fentanyl accounted for 95% of opioid fatalities last year. Xylazine, ...

How to keep local graduates in Juniata Valley

If there’s a common theme that’s shared by the education and business communities, it’s how to keep local graduates working in the Juniata Valley. There were two examples this week of how to do exactly that with Free Wheeling Day, sponsored by the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Signing Day at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology. Free Wheeling Day allowed elementary school students to learn about the different careers in law enforcement and the medical fields, including emergency medical services and hospital care. Officers served as the ...