When I was a cub reporter, my editor told me — as editors have told cub reporters throughout the eons — that journalism aims to hold a mirror up to the community. It’s one of journalism’s most oft-repeated metaphors, aiming to depict our desire to show our communities exactly as they ...
This is in response to the letter titled “Don’t be misled about government shut down,” published Feb. 2. I will agree on one point with the writer, “the sole purpose was politics.” Yes indeed, the Democratic Party has placed politics far above the welfare of the American people. ...
Congratulations to Bronwyn Woolman, who was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year Thursday at the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. Those who know Woolman will understand just how perfect she is for that award. Tirelessly, she volunteers countless hours each week to make her ...
Do not feel sad or defeated this Valentine’s Day just because you do not have a romantic partner to share this Hallmark holiday with. Do not feel envy when you see happy couples posting on social media about their romantic gifts or outinings. Instead, feel proud and hopeful that you ...
Come Heller high water ... ∫ I’m curious what others thought of Consumers Energy’s Super Bowl apology commercial. Nice of them? Self-serving? Sincere and heartfelt? Insult to injury, in that you and I will end up paying for whatever they spent on the spot? Where do you come down on ...
After five years and $2 million in legal fees, the water price dispute between the city and township is still ongoing and in court again. I understand our elected officials, the city mayor and council, and township supervisor and trustees, are working on a settlement, with no outside legal ...
Alcona County faces many challenges. Yet, county Commissioners Craig Johnston (chair), Daniel Gauthier, Carolyn Brummund, Adam Brege, and Gary Wnuk thought it important to use their official time to pass a toothless resolution opposing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order prohibiting ...
I am writing in support of the City of Alpena permitting local sales of medical and recreational marijuna. I will soon be receiving my card from the state. Why should I or others have to travel three or more hours to make that purchase? I don’t travel for other medications. Alpena’s ...
If anyone questioned the moral fiber of the Democratic Party, their recent actions and votes should give the answer. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made it legal for abortion for anytime of pregnancy, even in the ninth month. The idea of killing an unborn baby was so exhilarating, Cuomo and the ...
The question this week comes from a local company who operates a commercial business but only has a standard panel van. The question is, “I do not have any vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds, only a standard panel van. Can I legally use a hand-held cell phone while ...
President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un are planning a second summit meeting. The question the two will discuss is clear: Is Kim keeping his pledge to dial back on North Korea’s runaway militarism? North Korea already possesses nuclear weapons and long-range ...
Tax filing season has officially opened in Michigan and nationwide. On Monday, Jan. 28, the Internal Revenue Service started accepting paper and electronic returns — despite the temporary government shutdown. As everyone groans and starts collecting their W-2s and other various forms, ...
Gov. Ralph Northam has posed a series of questions to Virginians: Is our governor racially insensitive? Is he dishonest? If he is neither, what, exactly, happened in 1984? Northam made headlines first last week when he was asked about a proposed change in Virginia’s limits on abortion. If ...
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.” That’s information we need. Once again, the time has come to engage The Shadow. And to put in a call for Sgt. Preston of the Yukon and his wonder dog, King. “Why not the Lone Ranger and Tonto?” you may ask. ...
Something clearly changed between the time of World War II and this past week, when citizens were asked to make a personal sacrifice for the good of everybody. During the war, citizens responded en mass when told to ration food, gas, rubber, nylons, and what-not. And, human nature being what ...
President Donald Trump may have much to say on a great number of topics tonight when he delivers his postponed State of the Union speech. But many listeners, perhaps including the woman who will be seated directly behind Trump, will be listening closely for comments on a single subject: “the ...
In the midst of last week’s historic arctic blast and heavy snowfall, a Wednesday fire at a Consumers Energy natural gas compressor station in Macomb County threw the state’s supply of that home-heating fuel into question. Michiganders across the state were awoken by a screeching ...
“Fix the damn roads.” Many Michigan residents grew tired of that phrase last summer and fall as now-Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used it at every campaign stop she made. Now in office for a month, residents will look to her in the weeks and months ahead to see just what is her plan is to make ...
The STORY about the Native American activist on Page 2 of The News (Jan. 25) is fiction. May I suggest you go online and watch THE WHOLE LONG video? It will show you that everything he said about the kids from Kentucky is false. Initially, we see and hear the Black Israelite group (listed ...
For the past several weeks, I have been training a brand-new criminal justice reporter to work a brand-new criminal justice/cops-and-courts beat at The News. It’s given me the opportunity to wax philosophical about why we do what we do the ways we do it on such stories. It’s been ...