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Add to Ohio supports for Gold Star families

State Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, has introduced a bill in Ohio that is reportedly also gaining interest in West Virginia. The proposal would allow Gold Star family members to get special driver’s licenses that would identify them quickly when they are claiming benefits, rather than forcing them to present a death certificate. “I met a couple of different Gold Star Families over the last six months and in speaking with them the one thing that stuck with me was to claim any benefits their son or daughter earned before being killed in the military, they have to actually have to ...

Ohio full of summer vacation options

State officials celebrated Tourism Day at the Ohio Statehouse earlier this week. As they did so, they highlighted many of the destinations and experiences that make the Buckeye State the heart of it all. Surely, there are Ohio destinations that are known all over the country — maybe even around the world — such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland or Cedar Point in Sandusky. But our lesser known gems are what really makes Ohio worth the trip. “Summer in Ohio means county fairs, lake trips, family road trips, baseball games, ...

Grateful for scholarship support

Should there be any doubt of the wide range of Mid-Ohio Valley residents who look for all the ways they can do good for their communities, the Marietta Community Foundation’s list of scholarships awarded for 2026 should put it to rest. Approximately $550,000 across dozens of different scholarships was awarded because of the generosity of those who set up scholarship funds AND those who choose to support them and the foundation. From graduates of specific high schools pursuing specific fields of study to the children of employees of certain companies and those who have excelled ...

DeWine chose wisely for AG post

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed two important decisions earlier this week. The most obvious was his choice of Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety Andy Wilson to replace outgoing state Attorney General Dave Yost. But the other was his determination to avoid dismissing the will of Ohio voters — and altering the nature of several state-level elections in November — by appointing Keith Faber to fill the post instead. Faber is state auditor, and is the Republican nominee for the state attorney general seat. Had DeWine appointed Faber, it would have created a vacancy for ...

Honoring those who serve and protect

National Police Week presents an opportunity to reflect on the dedication it takes for a person to decide to protect and serve the rest of us. And on days such as Peace Officers Memorial Day Friday, we also have a chance to honor those who gave their lives to do so. “National Police Week is a time to reflect on the immense bravery and dedication of our law enforcement partners,” said Jack McNeely, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Every day, these men and women put themselves at risk to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone. Their commitment to enforcing ...

Ending gerrymandering

In the debate over redistricting, one truth is too often buried beneath legal jargon and partisan maneuvering: Gerrymandering is, at its core, about voter dilution. It is the quiet engineering of political outcomes, line by line, until communities that should speak with strength are instead reduced to whispers. For decades, one of the most consequential tactics has been "cracking," splitting cohesive communities, often made up of Black voters, across multiple districts so they become a minority everywhere and a majority nowhere. The impact is profound. A population large enough to ...