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Editorials and columns

Florida is the new ground zero for both political parties’ civil wars

Florida, you might have heard, is no longer a swing state. Since Ron DeSantis became governor, Republicans have gained nearly 2 million registered voters on Democrats in the Sunshine State. It is an astonishing change in partisanship for the state that famously decided the 2000 presidential election by 537 votes. The outcome of the statewide races in Florida this November, such as those for governor and U.S. senator, are therefore not in much doubt. Democrats might dream about making Florida competitive again, but they might as well believe in the tooth fairy. But if Florida isn't ...

Todd Blanche’s one promise: Dishonesty

Todd Blanche was Donald Trump's personal attorney, so it was natural that when he was elevated to attorney general, a journalist asked whether he would "pledge that the Justice Department will always act independently of the White House?" The correct answer to such a question is obvious: The ...

An app a day keeps the parents away

Well, it's back-to-school season again, and parents across the country know what that means: It's time to download some new apps. Yes, you already have 10 apps; that's true. There's one for the park district, one for summer camp, one for your oldest kid's teacher to post weekly updates, ...

A dog, a creek, and an environmental plan

Sometimes being a nice guy leaves you – well – hanging in a precarious position. Such was the case with Luke, a dog we never aspired to own, but that changed when we took one off the hands of friends who could no longer afford to keep him. Luke spent most of his days outside, as was the ...

Life Isn’t a race. My husband’s college degree reminded me why

My husband graduated with his bachelor's degree this summer at the age of 56. We ordered a cake and celebrated with friends and family. He had earned his associate's degree in accounting literally decades ago and had plans to continue his education, but life detoured him, as it likes to do. Then, a few years ago, his employer told him there would be no more promotions without earning his bachelor's degree. It felt like an empty box on his resume that just needed to be checked. Not having that diploma became a persistent barrier. College is expensive and time-consuming. So many ...

When postpartum becomes clickbait

Two stories have dragged the subject of postpartum depression into the center of the national conversation this week. First was the death of actress Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36, not long after speaking openly about her struggle with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter. Second was the trial of Lindsay Clancy in Massachusetts for the horrific killing of her three young children, with her defense claiming that she had been suffering from severe postpartum psychosis. And inevitably, social media has responded in the way social media always does: Everyone is ...