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Politicians must prove they want better for our kids

Children’s Defense Fund says an unfathomable one in seven children in the U.S. lives in poverty. In this land of the free and home of the brave, a child is abused or neglected every 54 seconds. As WalletHub researchers pointed out (because they are a financial website, after all), even if you aren’t moved by the plight of that many children living an American nightmare, perhaps you will be moved to act by the $592 billion in lifetime economic costs from just one year’s worth of child maltreatment cases. And the thing is, those are the averages. In West Virginia and Ohio, the ...

Poverty: Politicians must prove they want better for kids

Children’s Defense Fund says an unfathomable one in seven children in the U.S. lives in poverty. In this land of the free and home of the brave, a child is abused or neglected every 54 seconds. As WalletHub researchers pointed out (because they are a financial website, after all), even if you aren’t moved by the plight of that many children living an American nightmare, perhaps you will be moved to act by the $592 billion in lifetime economic costs from just one year’s worth of child maltreatment cases. And the thing is, those are the averages. In West Virginia and Ohio, the ...

Consider serving as a poll worker in Ohio

On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day earlier this week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose rightly seized the opportunity. It’s hard to overestimate the importance of a robust team of volunteers willing not only to ensure the security of our elections, but to guide those seeking to cast their ballots and generally make sure the day runs smoothly. “Every election depends on dedicated Ohioans who are willing to serve their communities,” LaRose said. “This November, voters across the state will be casting ballots in important races that will shape Ohio’s future. Poll workers ...

GoPacks helps now and in the future

A bag of groceries is one of the most ordinary things a family can buy. But, for many households, filling that bag has become a checkbook-balancing act. Meat or fresh produce? Food or medicine? Groceries or the utility bill? Grocery prices were 2.7% higher in June than they were in the same month a year ago, while fruit and vegetable prices increased 5.3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For parents already living on the edge, even a small increase in costs can leave less food in the refrigerator between paychecks — and those are not small increases. This is ...

Community support essential for BrAva event (editorial for 8/10)

It’s a wonderful thing when community members can have fun while they are supporting an important local organization. That’s exactly what happens each year at the annual BrAva Fight benefit golf scramble. At the 11th annual event July 25, the organization raised more than $21,000 toward increasing awareness of childhood cancers, supporting local families and searching for cures. "I support the BrAva golf outing because childhood cancer is a terrible thing to fight alone," said Aaron Clark, part of the winning foursome, who has golfed in the outing for the past five years. "It ...

Fracking: Local concern gaining national attention (editorial for 8-8)

Marietta has been getting a lot of attention lately. According to Ohio Magazine, it is a 2026 Best Hometown — and few who live there would doubt it. But according to a report by The New York Times, it is facing a challenge that has been creeping into our awareness for years, but may now be truly bubbling to the surface. When a national news outlet shines a light on a rural community’s concerns, it is a sign there is a bigger story than just what is unfolding in Washington County. Fracking wastewater injection wells permeate Ohio — there are as many in Marietta alone as there are ...