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Letters to the editor

Governors must protect state control of elections

Karen Stoehr State College As a concerned citizen, I urge our nation’s governors to stand firm against calls to federalize control of American elections. The Constitution deliberately assigns the administration of elections to the states. The Founders understood that decentralizing this power would prevent dangerous concentrations of authority and safeguard democratic self-government. For more than two centuries, governors and state officials of both parties have upheld that system. Recent calls by President Donald Trump to “take over” or “nationalize” elections in ...

A giant among journalists

R. Thomas Berner Bellefonte Your recent post about the number of women running the Express reminded me of one of my favorite editors of yore, the late Becky Gross. She was a giant in the industry.

Are you getting hosed?

Stephen Poorman Lock Haven Lock Haven City mailed Jan. 19, 2026 letters asking people to change-up water meters. On first reading, the request sounds fair. But let’s look deeper into the plea and question the alleged benefit for you to pay money for a meter the city will own. Admittedly, after uncovering sneaky accounting tricks, I’m skeptical. Yet, city residents aren’t hearing the full story. One must query… why? The PUC (Public Utility Commission) approved the city’s request for changes effective March 2 to modify its rate structure that would reduce the base ...

Election meddling

Brian Alterio Bellefonte Rep. Thompson voted in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Thompson just voted to disenfranchise more people at one time than has ever occurred in our nation’s history. Now, he and the others in the House who voted for the Act say its provisions shouldn’t be a problem to “legitimate voters,” whom they say, only need to present a passport or birth certificate to prove they are who they say they are to re-register to vote. That’s right folks. Under the SAVE Act, EVERYONE will be required to re-register to vote. That won’t ...

Regional Air Service and the Fly State College Fund

Ralph W. Stewart State College Strong air service is not a luxury for our region — it is a necessity. It is one of the most direct ways we stay connected to national markets, attract investment, retain talent and remain competitive in an increasingly connected economy. Air service growth supports the industries that drive our regional economy. It strengthens our colleges and universities’ ability to attract research partners, conferences, and visitors. It supports healthcare systems that depend on visiting specialists and time-sensitive travel. It fuels tourism, outdoor ...

Protect the Fourth Amendment

Lassie MacDonald State College The Fourth Amendment guarantees “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Most Americans are not subjected to constant suspicion, arbitrary searches or the fear of armed intrusions into their private sanctuaries. These practices obliterate personal security and freedom. Yet the Fourth Amendment is applied far more loosely in the border zone, where federal agents wield “extraordinary” authority. In this zone, agents may conduct warrantless searches of ...