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Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Men should not be in women’s sports To the Editor: Why do we have women’s sports? Because most rational people understand there are differences between men and women. The Bible states that when God created people He made them male and female. Yet all are made in His image and have equal worth and deserve to be treated with the utmost of respect. In recent years the idea that there are two sexes has been brought into question by supposedly intelligent people. The latest Supreme Court Justice said she couldn’t define what a woman is because she isn’t a biologist. Yet most ...

Juvenile crime more opaque by design

Editorials

As Williamsport and Lycoming County debate juvenile crime and misbehavior, we must remind the public how difficult it is to understand how extensive or not these problems can be. Juvenile court records are sealed — unlike our reporting on felonies and misdemeanors for which adults are prosecuted, officials are prohibited from releasing the affidavits, sentencing reports and other documentation that sheds light on crimes in our region committed by adults. Thus, details about crimes committed by juveniles — regardless of whether neighbors are concerned about the teenagers circling ...

Education as economic investment

Editorials

College is many things to many people. It may be the next logical step after high school. It may be a career change. What we often focus on is the financial weight of it. College comes with an increasingly high price tag that can mean years, if not decades, of student loan debt. But there is something else to consider: the return on that investment. Not for the students. For the state. Pennsylvania is noted for its place on the high end of tuition costs. The Education Data Initiative puts the state at third highest in-state public tuition, tied with New Jersey, behind only Vermont ...

Lunch shaming has no place in our schools

Editorials

June is the month when Pennsylvania public school districts finalize work on their budgets for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. It’s a busy time consisting of trying to grasp the best possible final estimates of incoming and outgoing revenue for the new fiscal calendar, settling on tax rates for the upcoming 12 months and identifying and implementing internal funds moves to ensure that, at least on paper, the budget has the semblance of balance. It’s also a time for reflecting on the fiscal/school year ending and the one that will be getting underway. Amid that exercise, ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

June 11 letter missed importance of right to vote To the Editor: After reading Ms. Logan’s letter on June 11, I think she missed the point! I served my country and paid my taxes. I should have the right to vote for anyone and any party. I voted for the person running for office, never voted along party lines. One reason is because most of the time I didn’t agree with some of their positions on certain issues. For example, in the past three presidential elections I didn’t vote for any person running for the office. I didn’t think anyone running was capable of running this ...

Decision means lawmakers must regulate games

Editorials

Did a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling just change the game for Pennsylvania’s gambling industry? No, lawmakers did. Skill games are gaming machines that might look at home in an arcade or a casino. For years, they have lived in a legal midway point. They make money like a slot machine but aren’t regulated as one. Recently, the court changed that, deciding they are slots under existing state law and must be treated accordingly. The state Legislature has four months to figure out what to do next. Does it finally write laws that address the situation, or does it let the Supreme ...