Breaking News

Opinion

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Data centers have no place in our community To the Editor: Recently, the proposals for data centers to be built across Pennsylvania have been in the news with both support and opposition. I wanted to educate myself on data centers, both advantages and disadvantages. Here is what I found. Data centers offer advantages only to the technological companies that build them. However, they have many disadvantages to the communities they infiltrate. Data centers only cost the residents in health and resources. What do data centers do? They create noise pollution, air pollution, light ...

New treatment for heart issue requires thought

Editorials

Great progress has been made in treating aortic stenosis, a heart problem that reportedly affects at least 1.5 million Americans. In severe cases of aortic stenosis, calcium buildup has narrowed the opening of the aortic valve to the point where, if left untreated, can lead to heart failure and death. There apparently have been no statistics presented publicly about the prevalence of the condition to people in the six-county Southern Alleghenies region, or even statewide, but no doubt the condition has a local presence. It might be puzzling to some people why this topic has reached ...

Dementia training could help first responders

Editorials

Legislation being drafted to require EMS personnel to undergo training to help them better interact with those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias makes sense, at first blush. Sen. Lynda Culver and House members Maureen Madden and Kyle Mullins are looking for Pennsylvania to join Virginia by requiring training to help EMS providers recognize cognitive impairment and communicate effectively during emergencies. While fire departments can take the training on their own under current law,, Culver, Madden and Mullins want to make the voluntary training a ...

In hindsight, was NFL Draft worth it to Pittsburgh?

Editorials

OK, the 2026 NFL Draft was a week ago. It’s time to ask the big question. Was it worth it? That depends on two things: Perspective and expectation. According to the NFL, the Pittsburgh draft was the most well attended in history. It dwarfed the drafts in Las Vegas, Green Bay and Detroit. People turned out in droves to celebrate their teams’ selections in a three-day riverfront revel. The first day broke opening records with 320,000 people. The 805,000 total smashed event-long numbers. There’s no doubt the draft was a success from the NFL’s standpoint — or for fans. Social ...

If they prove effective then Zyn isn't sin

Editorials

Zyns are super popular. They are little pouches people tuck into their lip to get a hit of nicotine. Zyn has competitors, like Velo and On!, but Zyn has most of the market. Young people love the pouches. They are safer than cigarettes. Their nicotine is addictive, but nicotine isn't what makes tobacco deadly. "(The) mix of chemicals -- not nicotine -- cause the serious health effects ..." says the FDA. That's why the FDA supports nicotine pouches. Still, some anti-tobacco activists oppose all nicotine use. "It's a pouch packed with problems!" Sen. Chuck ...

Hollywood can still make great movies

Editorials

"Project Hail Mary" is proof. Based upon the novel of the same name by author Andy Weir (who also wrote "The Martian"), the science fiction film released by Amazon MGM Studios has already grossed more than $600 million worldwide, on a $190 million budget. The film had the highest opening box office revenues so far this year, and the best opening for any Amazon film ever. In fact, "Project Hail Mary" has enjoyed so much success that its theatrical run has been extended before it goes to streaming. (When was the last time that happened?) This only goes to show that audiences will ...