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We’ll believe it when we see it

Most of us know to brace ourselves when we read an anticipated response that begins with “after careful consideration.” That was certainly necessary for Licking County residents after Microsoft followed those words with “we will not be moving forward at this time with our plans to build data centers at the Licking County sites.” Microsoft confirmed earlier this week that it has decided against the development, proving Licking County Commission President Tim Bubb wise to have told WCMH nearly two years ago, “We’ll believe it when we see it.” To be fair, Microsoft said it ...

Untapped potential in Ohio

Ohio lawmakers have until the end of June to pass a budget. But already, members of the House of Representatives have adopted a version that ignores initiatives proposed by other lawmakers and Gov. Mike DeWine to help address the child care challenges faced by many Buckeye State families. Failure to act on this front will perpetuate a vicious cycle that is hurting families and employers, according to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Groundwork Ohio, “Untapped Potential in Ohio.” In fact, it is costing approximately $5.48 ...

Liv’s Law now in effect

Today in Ohio the penalties for operating a vehicle while under the influence have gotten harsher. Liv’s Law (House Bill 37) is now in effect. It was born of tragedy, when Olivia Wright was killed by a drunk driver, and her father decided to act. “A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said state Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe. “He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation in an attempt to try and ...

What has gone wrong here

Infant mortality in Ohio is a matter of great concern for policymakers who understand we must give our best effort to reverse alarming trends. Here, the overall infant mortality rate is 7.1 per 1,000 births (using the most recent data available, from 2022). The national average for that year was 5.6 per 1,000. Even worse, black infants in Ohio are 2.4 times more likely to die than white infants. “While other states have made significant strides in reducing infant mortality and addressing disparities in birth outcomes, progress in Ohio has stagnated,” wrote the authors of a report ...

We must step up

Local residents answered the call last month when Belpre Area Veterans hosted a spring food drive to benefit the Belpre Area Ministries. It wasn’t just those who brought in enough food to fill several totes, it was also those who brought in cash donations who made a big difference for the food pantry. “This is great this time of year,” said Judy Frum, co-vice president of the Belpre Area Ministries board. “We appreciate these guys.” Shelves do not stay full for long at the Belpre Area Ministries pantry, which serves an average of 125 families per month. (A year ago, that ...

Success looks different for everyone

No two Ohioans’ life and career paths look the same. Every individual finds their own way. And what qualifies as “success” to one person might mean nothing to another. Ask any classroom teacher whether a one-size-fits-all approach to helping students succeed will work and they may well laugh. But state Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, doesn’t see it that way. He introduced Senate Bill 156, which would require integration of the “success sequence” in the required curriculum for middle and high school students. The idea is for students to be taught that the proper order in ...