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The difference between consuming news, being influenced

During an age in which a universe of information is at most people’s fingertips, it is no surprise to learn some are changing their approach to how they consume what they consider to be news. In fact, Pew Research Center analysts, with funding from the Knight Foundation, reported earlier this week a study showing approximately 20% of Americans say they regularly get what they consider to be news from digital influencers — most of whom (85%) are found on Elon Musk’s social media platform X. Only a slightly higher number of those who responded said they were Republicans than ...

No toleration for repugnant ideologies

Letter writers to The Columbus Dispatch were spot on earlier this week with a response to a neo-Nazi march in the Short North neighborhood of our state’s capital Nov. 16. “The variety of people living and enjoying themselves in each other’s company in this neighborhood must feel to them like a constant repudiation of their goals and fantasies. Let’s keep it up,” wrote Justin D’Arms and Joanne Goldhand in a letter the Dispatch published Tuesday. Other city and state officials rightly jumped to denounce the tiny gathering of those so covered in clothing and masks it was ...

Live up to the spirit of the season

Across our communities, some businesses and retail establishments have chosen to host Salvation Army Angel Trees this season. They are tangible reminders that each tag hanging from a branch is a child who, without you, might not have as merry and bright a Christmas morning this year. But with your help, so much is possible. Each tag is a child whose parents aren’t in a position to ask Santa to fulfill a wish list so long the gifts under the tree spill over into the next room. But just maybe, with you acting as go-between, there will be a few new toys, clothing, shoes, books, games ...

Remember hunting safety

Though our region includes a range of start dates for various hunting categories, for many local hunters, the big dates on the calendar are the start of buck gun season on Nov. 25 in West Virginia and deer gun season on Dec. 2 in Ohio. For many, that date is about more than hunting. It’s about tradition, family — maybe time alone in the woods or with friends at a deer camp. That’s why it is so important to head into these seasons with safety in mind. “Hunting is a time-honored tradition in West Virginia and it is essential that all hunters follow established safety guidelines ...

An effort of which Ohio can be proud

Ohio has played a significant role in our country’s history on many levels — from the Underground Railroad to conquering the skies (and space). It’s no surprise the Buckeye State played a significant role in the women’s suffrage movement, too. Beginning as early as the 1850s, there were women’s rights conventions hosted here. In Akron, Sojourner Truth gave her “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech during the second Ohio Women’s Convention. The Ohio Women’s Rights Association was founded in 1853. But it wasn’t until June 16, 1919, that Ohio ratified the 19th Amendment to the ...

There is always room to aim higher

Local residents turn out better on Election Day than do those in most other parts of our states. While the voter turnout percentage for West Virginia on Nov. 5 was 63.35%, according to the Secretary of State’s office, turnout in Wood County was 67.19%. And while unofficial turnout in Ohio on Nov. 5 was 69.69%, according to the Secretary of State’s office, in Washington County turnout was 72.02%. Registered voters should not look at such figures and believe they are justified if they sat this one out, or that there’s no need for them to show up next time. Sure, with that kind of ...