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An alternative to harmful tariffs

Contrary to what some supporters of President Donald Trump claim and the President himself asserts, tariffs are not paid by foreign governments, but by the American people. Importers pay taxes on each part or whole product imported into the country. They then raise the price of goods to recoup the American people’s cost. The increased cost is typically not 100%, at least at first. Many companies eat into their profits first. They slow hiring and increase layoffs. They avoid a full increase in prices passed on to consumers, but it comes at the cost of jobs or rates of return to ...

Arise, America — it’s not too late

We are in a state of emergency. Most newspapers report the facts, ma’am, but shy from stating American democracy is on the line, in serious peril. Scenes from the resistance: the Lincoln Memorial, the jammed independent bookstore and the floor of Congress, where Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) parted waters by bellowing at the president midway through a 99-minute rant. These times demand swift citizen resistance, and I don’t mean passive or violent. The suffrage movement held vigils, bonfires and marches on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House gates, and never gave Woodrow Wilson ...

Voters flood town halls with fears of Social Security cuts, putting the heat on GOP over Musk and DOGE

HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) — One after another, callers on a telephone town hall with U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga pressed the Michigan Republican about possible cuts to Social Security. Among them was a retired teacher and coach from West Michigan who said he and his wife, both with disabilities, have struggled to access their benefits. The man, identified only as Michael from Allegan, said he feared that office closures and massive layoffs of federal workers — part of an effort by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to slash government spending — ...

Possible restrictions ahead for student cellphone use

By CAMILA BELLO CASTRO Capital News Service LANSING — A bill to impose statewide restrictions on cellphone use in schools has been reintroduced and is awaiting action in the House Education and Workforce Committee. The chief sponsor, Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer felt it important enough to bring up the topic in her State of the State address. “The governor understands there’s policy value here,” he said, “and with her support, this will gain positive attention and move forward.” “Then you hope for a vote on the floor,” ...

Trump and Putin will speak this week on war

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to speak this week as the U.S. tries to broker a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff. It would be the second publicized call between the two leaders since Trump began his second term in January. Trump and Putin spoke in February and agreed to start high-level talks over ending the war in Ukraine. “I think the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week,” Witkoff said Sunday on CNN’s “State ...

River runs green in Chicago

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago River is once again glowing kelly green as the city opens its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Thousands lined the river and packed bridges Saturday and erupted in cheers as members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed dye into the water from boats, carrying on a tradition they began some 63 years ago. The dyeing immediately precedes the annual downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade. The day — which falls on Monday this year — celebrates Irish culture. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is credited with having ...