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Editorials and columns

Grief and labor: What winter can teach us.

As we wade into spring I must reflect upon the last few months … this has been a rough winter. I went for a walk with a friend this month and we chatted about how this winter has been particularly difficult emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I told her that as winter was approaching ...

Data shines a light on community needs

Every December, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates. This large dataset provides the public with a useful tool for lawmakers, state officials and local leaders to determine the needs of their communities and craft strong public policy. The ...

Trump wants more guns — and should get them

If he has to choose between guns and butter, President Trump has made it clear he wants the guns. This is the right choice for our national security, and reflects, as well, a correct assessment of what should be the federal government's top priority -- not funding social services, but ...

What self-care and vehicles have in common

My 1990 Jeep Comanche is a beauty—but it will not move. It has air in the tires, gasoline in the tank, and everything it needs for a road trip. The engine is sound, but it still will not start. Why? Because the battery is drained. At times, we can appear ready—even capable—yet still lack ...

How to help young men

Society has done a terrible job guiding teenage boys as they grow into men. Local communities and society more broadly have something important to offer teenagers -- guidance. A 15-year-old has never been 35 or 45. Swamped with hormones and a still-developing brain, he has a poor ...

Faith among young people surges, providing a missing anchor

Last September, Pastor Jason Howard of the Sanctuary Church in Pittsburgh saw a surge of young people flocking to his Christian congregation, the week after Charlie Kirk was murdered. Howard knew that something had shifted. Yes, their congregation had always been predominantly youth-driven, ...