MY VIEW

Public safety and privacy

Recent reporting about opposition to Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPRs) has renewed an important debate in Pennsylvania: How do we protect individual privacy while …

Counterpoint: Republicans bet on big government policies—and lost

After a big loss, there’s always plenty of finger-pointing. Well, get ready because I have eight fingers (and two thumbs) to point. Republicans who borrowed big-government ideas from the left …

Point: Americans rejected MAGA’s broken promises

Since August, President Trump told voters in places like Texas, Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina to vote as if he were on the ballot. They did. Last night, their message was unequivocal: …

Photo by Raphael Renter | @raphi_rawr on Unsplash

Trans Awareness Month 2026

November is Transgender Awareness Month. The 1998 murder of Rita Hester, a Black transgender woman in Massachusetts, inspired transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith to organize the first …

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The midterms

So, I have been receiving multiple messages by email since we lost the midterm elections on Tuesday. They ask, "Governor Hochul, where do you stand?" The messages allege that New Yorkers cannot …

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Letters to the editor

Congratulations, PA candidates

The Democracy Defense Foundation Pennsylvania board congratulates all of the candidates who won on Election Day. We recognize the effort it takes to run for office and the honor that comes with …

Voting matters

The election is over, and some candidates I supported won and some lost. I suspect that is true for most of us. It is what happens in a democracy. Regardless …

What’s driving electricity costs in PA?

Josh Shapiro talks constantly about electricity affordability. Yet Pennsylvania’s alternative energy laws cost families over $700 million annually in overpriced electricity bills. These …

Oberacker on the election results

A short time ago, I called Congressman Riley to congratulate him on his victory. The voters of the 19th District have spoken, and I respect their decision. I would like to thank my wife and our …

On the election results

I called Tom DiNapoli to congratulate him. New Yorkers have spoken, and I respect their decision. In 1776, George Washington lost New York. Seven years later, on Evacuation Day, he …

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OPINION

Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash

This Halloween For Trick or Treat

I suggest to my spouse, Let’s walk the neighborhood with our grandkids (they are nine and five years old). He says, Sure. Of course, no skin off. So we call to see if we could join in …

Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Not Annemarie.

If you’re going to write…

Dear beloved readers of the opinion pages, If you’re going to write us letters about the upcoming midterms, please please please get them to me by the end of the day on Thursday, October 22. …

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COLUMNS

river talk

Fall deer encounters on the road

ramblings of a catskill fly fisher

Fishing Lolo Creek in Montana

in my humble opinion

The time machine

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK

On our way to the ocean

I like to think about watersheds. I am often intrigued when I get to the top of a hill that water collected there goes off in two different directions. It just depends on which side of the hill …

Democracy is alive

It's always a good thing to know what you are talking about. It's also important to understand the nuances of any situation and fundamental to that is education. We, at the River …

In real life

When it's all said and done. Relationship is everything. How we treat other people, how we step out of our own orbit and include others is what is remembered. It is what is important. …

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BLOGS

Lost in the hallways

I am lost in the maze of hallways. Trying to find my way to the NICU unit because I heard a Code Blue announced over the loudspeaker, I am standing at a crossroads, wondering which way to turn. A …

The hard choice

I have often been told that misery loves company, and agony can be your best teacher. Not surprisingly, according to psychologist Noam Shpancer, the outcome of a tough dilemma is predicated on our …

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