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Pulling a plumb out of the pie

Columnists

"The communists," the President blurted out, "already control the three major networks and forty major outlets of communication." But some of you believe Donald Trump said this, but actually, these words come from Lyndon Johnson's mouth in July 1965, reflecting his frustration with Vietnam. No doubt Trump has bandied around the Communist label when referring to the press and is equally frustrated by the fourth estate's coverage of Iran. Difference: LBJ said it in private, Trump tends to do it on Truth Social. Therein lies the rub. While visiting Xi Jinping, Trump has to be careful in ...

Pepperoni Roll Pop-up

Columnists

We never really know what creative ideas may pop up to help make learning activities available to more local students at Kump Education Center. The “Pepperoni Roll Pop-up” this Saturday was Laura Santmyer’s idea to help local students who might not have funding to pay full tuition for Spanish Camp. Pepperoni rolls from Gino’s Pizza will be on sale, Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm in the old IGA parking lot. This parking lot now serves the Randolph County Commission Annex where early voting has been taking place. The pepperoni roll lunches will include two sides, a cookie, and a ...

Harman leader stepping away

Letters to the Editor

Dear Members of the Harman community, It is with a full and grateful heart that I write to formally step down from my role as an advisor and advocate for Harman School and its future educational pathways. Serving in this capacity has been deeply meaningful to me. Harman is more than a place, it is a community defined by resilience, care, and an unwavering commitment to its children. I have been honored to contribute, even in a small way, to conversations about how we can best support the next generation and strengthen opportunities for students and families here. This decision has ...

Pedaling towards nowhere

Columnists

Donald Trump's second term has been marked by erratic and eccentric behavior. He no sooner took the oath of office than he proceeded with a campaign of revenge against his enemies. From shock and awe led by Elon Musk to his liberation day, introducing unpopular tariffs, Trump seemed more addicted to drama than governing. Add to that the suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state and Greenland be annexed, and he has succeeded in raising the national blood pressure by the second. Despite all this peripatetic action, Trump seemed furiously pedaling towards nowhere. Despite his ...

Babydog vs. data centers?

Letters to the Editor

I frankly loved the innocent comedy of two juxtaposed stories. One was a detailed discussion of whether a former chairman of the Capitol Building Commission violated process and transparency on a Capitol mural project where the former governor's dog, “Babydog,” suddenly appeared in a mural. The other was a live Arts Center discussion of a bill establishing data centers (HB 2014) while simultaneously robbing any county or community of input or information regarding pollution or other impacts where the relevant legislators running for office spoke only about potential financial ...

How to Close the Game

Columnists

Donald Trump declares that the United States "has all the cards" in its dispute with Iran. However, it begs the question of just how Trump is playing them. For a man who holds a superior hand, he seems ever so eager to announce his advantage. Despite nearly 10 weeks of his "quasi-war" with Iran, Trump is doing nothing to close the game. Richard Nixon offered insight into what negotiations should look like when he addressed Southern delegates at the Republican convention on Aug. 7, 1968. In some cases, particularly with the "madman theory" Trump shares with Nixon, a preference for ...