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Ohio falls short of education success

Editorials

Despite Ohio policymakers’ continued effort to meddle with education — at all levels — a recent study suggests there has been limited success on a national scale. “Most and Least Educated States in America (2026)” by WalletHub doesn’t even place the Buckeye State in the top half of states. We are 35th. That’s not a good look for a state that has worked diligently to attract large employers looking for a well-educated and well-trained workforce. Ohio is 36th for educational attainment, though 19th for the quality of education. Further, it was bundled into the worst ...

Street conditions: salty

Letters to the Editor

Wednesday’s (Feb. 18) Marietta Times front page article carries a story of the lamentable state of our brick streets. They served us well for decades until: SALT. Salt attracts water. Salt water seeps down between the bricks, attracting more moisture. This turns to mud, the bricks sink, and we’ve got a rough road. In Marietta, the damage is done, leaving only one cure; pull up the bricks and start again. Also, the Putnam Street concrete bridge will have to be replaced in 40 or 50 years. Yes, again due to salt. Every homeowner knows that salt on his sidewalk ruins it. Brine ...

Celebrating and preserving Black History

Editorials

With the passing of a civil rights giant such as the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, this Black History Month took on even greater importance. It was a reminder that so many who fought for so much have left us — and that understanding our history is perhaps more important than ever. In this era where so many of the sentiments (and horrors) we thought were long buried are, in fact, rearing their ugly heads again — when some are once again under the mistaken impression that it is safe to show us the worst of themselves — this month is essential as “a time when the culture and ...

Join effort to protect seniors from abuse, exploitation

Editorials

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced earlier this month that his office is partnering with the Ohio Bankers League and the Ohio Health Care Association on a statewide campaign to increase awareness about elder abuse AND intercept financial exploitation before it ever does its damage. The Ohio Pharmacists Association is already part of the group, which will help front-line professionals learn how to spot abuse. That kind of training is important if we are to support a population that can be more vulnerable to scams, fraud and exploitation. “Elder abuse doesn’t always leave ...

Post-secondary education needs support

Editorials

Not every student has the same path to follow after high school graduation. They don’t have the same skill sets, interests or aspirations. So why would we limit the options they have for assessing their readiness to proceed on those paths? In Ohio, there may be other options available if lawmakers give serious consideration to state House Bill 326, introduced by Reps. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, and Johnathan Newman, R-Troy. “Regarding the use of nationally standardized assessments in public and chartered nonpublic schools and state institutions of higher education,” it would allow ...

Japanese investments impact Ohio

Editorials

Good news came this week out of the U.S. Commerce Department, which says Japan is planning to fund three projects totaling approximately $36 billion in the coming years — one each in Ohio, Texas and Georgia. According to Reuters, this is the first wave of investments in the planned $550 billion reportedly pledged as part of a trade deal with the U.S. The Ohio project is expected to be a $33 billion natural gas-fired power plant in Portsmouth — perhaps the largest ever, according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Reuters reports Lutnick said the plant would have a ...