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Pride isn't about labels. It's about making sure our kids feel loved

Editorials and columns

Last weekend, our family participated in the local pride parade with a group from my husband's work. Before the parade, our son wanted to get a pride flag to wave. He has always loved flags and can identify the flags for most countries of the world. Flags are powerful symbols of identity, which is why the artist Gilbert Baker chose to make a rainbow flag the symbol of gay pride in 1978. It wasn't until the 1990s that pride flags multiplied and got more specific. Like most human traits, sexuality and gender identification exists on a spectrum. So having different pride flags is a great ...

Thoughts on potential APS bond issue

Letters to the Editor

Soliciting and publishing (6/23/26) comments from a few APS board members about the tax bond issue up for vote next year was premature and stirred up unneeded speculation and ill informed opinions in Alpena. At this time APS staff and consultants are developing the detailed scope of work needed and or options to deal with maintaining the aging school infrastructure. In addition there is the need to address the impact of the declining student enrollment. A detailed plan is not complete. Comments at this time only encourage those ill informed opinions form the public that will vote on the ...

Celebrating life's magic moments

Editorials and columns

Life is full of milestones. They are the opportunities to push pause on the daily grind, and to reflect on the journey. Last weekend, our oldest daughter turned 16 (on Mother’s Day at that!). It’s an important checkpoint in the parenting stage. Our child is quickly becoming an adult, and ...

No middle ground on data centers

Editorials and columns

"Don't confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up." That poignant little phase has been part of our political fabric for years. You name the issue and it applies. Someone against something knows they are right and those in favor feel the same way. For example back when one of the growth ...

Minimum wage fail

Editorials and columns

Not long ago, new kinds of jobs appeared: app-based gig work. They include jobs like dog walking on Rover, Taskrabbit work, DoorDash food delivery, Uber and Lyft driving ... Lots of people like gig work. It's flexible. You work when you want to work. But "workers' rights" activists and ...