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Everyone is campaigning on ‘affordability’ that no one can deliver

Columns

Remember “affordability” mania? The time was 2025. A young, charismatic democratic socialist candidate for New York City mayor named Zohran Mamdani became a viral sensation. His secret? “Affordability.” Ask him about almost anything and he’d turn the conversation to affordability. When a reporter asked Mamdani to respond to President Trump’s claim that he was the better-looking politician, Mamdani responded, “My focus is on the cost-of-living crisis, bro.” Queried about whether Hamas, the terrorist organization, should disarm, he began with “I believe that any ...

Dear Annie: The old ways don’t need to change

Columns

Dear Annie: I know I am stuck in the “old ways,” but I am trying to adapt to changing times. It is becoming very common for couples to live together before marriage. While I have come to accept traditional and extravagant weddings as an occasion to finally declare their commitment before church and family, what I still struggle with are the bridal showers. This tradition is to gift the bride (and groom) with the necessities to set up their home as they begin their married life together. Many couples now have lived together for years in a furnished home. I doubt they are living ...

16% of Pennsylvania teens have considered suicide – but everyday connection may help

Columns

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text, or via chat at 988lifeline.org. What comes to mind when you think about preventing teen suicide? Crisis hotlines, maybe. Emergency interventions. Those matter — but prevention often starts earlier, in everyday relationships at home, school and in the community. A parent asking about a teenager’s day over dinner, for instance. Or a teacher helping a student find purpose in what they’re learning. Or even neighbors cheering on teens at a Friday night ...

Vintage board game sets balance utility, fun

Columns

As summer winds down and a new school year begins, it’s time to take on some intellectual challenges. That doesn’t mean giving up fun and games. Some of the earliest manufactured toys, dating to the 18th century, had educational purposes. These included “Sunday toys” that taught Bible ...

Dear Annie: No more hemming and hawing

Columns

Dear Annie: I have a friend, “Rosie,” who kicked me out to the curb (metaphorically speaking) when her sister moved into her mobile home park. Prior to her sister’s moving into the neighborhood, Rosie and I saw a lot of each other. I was always sewing for Rosie, her husband and her mother-in-law at little or no cost. I sent food to her after her surgery. I helped Rosie’s sister with planning Rosie’s 60th birthday party. Meanwhile, when I had health issues and told her, she didn’t contact me afterward to see how I was. When I had a baby shower for my daughter, she did not ...

ICE wants our emails

Columns

When a government agency comes to an internet service provider demanding information about Americans because of what they have said on social media, the provider should discard the demand, close the door or hang up the phone. The government is not entitled to rummage through the political opinions, associations, criticisms and angry rhetoric of anyone merely because a government official finds those opinions offensive, threatening to an agency’s reputation or inconvenient to its mission. Recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dramatically expanded its monitoring of ...