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How Pittsburgh became the early alarm bell for the DSA’s rise

The rise of the Democratic left in Pittsburgh did not happen overnight. It was built over years through patient organizing, disciplined recruiting and a clear-eyed focus on the races that mattered most: low-turnout primaries where entrenched power was vulnerable. Mik Pappas’ 2017 race for Pennsylvania’s 31st Magisterial District judge offered an early hint that the local Democratic establishment was losing its grip on some of the contests it had once taken for granted. He was underfunded, openly aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America and not expected to mount a serious ...

Even in conservative North Dakota, some socialist institutions thrive

Candidates affiliated with Democratic Socialists of America, an organization well to the left of the Democratic Party, have scored wins in several of the party’s competitive primaries. It’s very likely that they will win House seats in the November 2026 elections since the candidates reside in progressive strongholds. Although those candidates have drawn much attention, this is hardly a new trend. Bernie Sanders, the nation’s most prominent identified democratic socialist, has represented Vermont in the House or the Senate since 1990. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New ...

Dear Annie: Seeing my future in hers

Dear Annie: I’m 58, never married, no kids, no siblings, no nieces or nephews. A neighbor of mine is very ill and in a nursing home. She has a daughter, but the daughter barely even bothers to visit her, and it breaks my heart. I call my neighbor often to try to lift her spirits. At the same time, I’ve been dealing with some depression myself. I keep thinking about how I will be 70 one day — and who will be there to visit me? I have health problems, but I stay on top of my appointments. I’m terrified I’ll end up like my neighbor, alone in a home with no one around to show up. ...

Capgras syndrome causes woman to believe spouse is dead

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom has Capgras syndrome and firmly believes that her husband (my dad) is dead. She thinks that there’s someone whom I snuck in and built a lie around, and she tells everyone that this man is the same man. It’s really difficult for us, especially my dad. I understand that Capgras cannot be cured, but there are medications that help with the situation. She won’t go see any medical professionals (since they believe that she has Capgras and her husband isn’t dead). There are some other wild stories she tells/believes that absolutely aren’t true. What can a ...

Closed primaries are driving America crazy

How could Donald Trump with bottom-scraping approval ratings decide who would represent the Republican Party in the upcoming Texas senatorial race? The primary system offers an explanation. A simple open primary system would have let the broader public choose — and, ironically, save Republicans from a very possible loss in November. Open primaries let registered voters cast a ballot without being members of the party. Closed primaries allow only party members to vote. About 15 states now run genuinely open primaries. There are mixed systems that still help small numbers of voters ...

The Hamas ‘deal’

President Trump and members of his administration are (pick your metaphor) whistling past the graveyard, engaging in wishful thinking and/or deluding themselves into believing a demon can be transformed into an angel. The Trump administration has announced a “deal” has been reached between the terrorist group Hamas that has occupied Gaza for years and Israel that will lead to Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the strip. What would supposedly follow is a rebuilding of Gaza, which has been reduced to rubble. Much of the world and its media blame Israel ...