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Natural CMV immunity isn’t fully protective against reinfection

Columns

DR. ROACH WRITES: A recent column on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV, a herpes virus that is similar to EBV — the virus that causes classic mononucleosis) stated that pregnant women who’ve had CMV are protected from further infections. But an expert on CMV — Dr. Sallie Permar, MD, PhD — wrote in to say that it’s possible to reacquire CMV because natural immunity isn’t fully protective against reinfection. This is why it’s so important for pregnant women to be careful not to get exposed (or reexposed) to CMV. Since the major route of exposure is through young ...

When AI hands us lemons, states should make clean-energy lemonade

Columns

In 2026, Americans have been handed two lemons: a warming climate and an artificial intelligence data-center boom straining the nation’s electricity and water systems. Maybe it’s time to squeeze them together and make lemonade. First lemon: Temperatures are rising around the world. Western Europe suffered a record heat wave this summer. Spain, for example, recorded 61 heat wave days, with Barcelona hitting 105 F, the hottest temperature since measurements began over a century ago. Researchers suspect rapid glacial melting and unusually warm conditions contributed to a catastrophic ...

Are these promised handouts gifts or pre-election bribes?

Letters to the editor

Kimball Shinkoskey Woods Cross Our 47th president can’t convince Americans who have rational minds and good educations to accept his anti-republican policies, so he must resort to money hand-outs that look and smell a lot like bribery. Alexander of Pherae in ancient democratic Greece paid mercenary soldiers and handed out bribes to sustain his tyrannical rule. Our 47th President is doing something similar in once democratic America. For example, he made appreciation payments to active military personnel so they might think about turning their attention to domestic enemies of ...

Get real

Letters to the editor

Tim Mannello Williamsport A hoax is “a deliberate deception — a false claim or fabricated story created on purpose to mislead people.” Dismissing every problem America faces as a “hoax,” “fake news,” “a scam,” a ‘con job,” or a sign of Trump Derangement Syndrome,” and calling people who point out real problems “traitors,” and “stupid” denies obvious realities and attacks those who notice. It is like a doctor denying a patient’s symptoms. When people refuse to accept proven facts, it’s usually because they care more about staying loyal to their ...

The Buffoonery Premium

Letters to the editor

Sam Stea Cogan Station Consider the US Dollar, which was tied to gold before Nixon took us off the gold standard. Then the Dollar was tied to oil with the petrodollar system. And, of course, there is always the faith and credit of The United States and steadfastness and legacy of our political system. What now? Why are prices of everyday goods and services rising with each passing day? Blame energy, the war, tariffs, deficit spending with the Big Beautiful Bill. But it all comes down to the Buffoonery of the Trump Administration. Why, at this time, would any foreign ...

Dear Annie: Parents’ generosity has its price

Columns

Dear Annie: My fiance and I are getting married next spring, and my parents generously offered to help pay for the cost of the wedding. We were thrilled. Weddings are expensive, and money is tight. But I quickly realized that this might actually be a mistake. Their contributions come with strings attached, and my mother seems to think this is her wedding, too. She already vetoed my venue and hired a florist I never approved. Every time I talk to her, she has a new idea. I’ve gently reminded her that this is not her wedding, but she always hits me with the credit card guilt. I love ...