Breaking News

Opinion

The illusion of strength: America’s fragile economy

Columns

There is a difference between confidence and comfort, between projecting strength and actually possessing it. In today’s American economy, that difference is becoming harder to ignore. President Donald Trump speaks often of resilience, growth and dominance. The language is bold, the tone unwavering. But beneath that optimism lies a more fragile reality, one that millions of Americans feel every day, even if it is not always acknowledged from the podium. An economy is not measured by its headlines. It is measured by its households. And across this country, the warning signs are ...

Dear Annie: Retired husband is rewriting house rules

Columns

Dear Annie: My husband retired eight months ago, and ever since then, our home has felt less like a place to relax and more like a company he has decided to manage. After years of leaving early, coming home late and barely noticing whether the bath towels matched, he is suddenly very interested in how everything is done and has strong opinions about all of it. He has started announcing new “house rules” as though he is issuing office memos. Shoes may no longer be left by the door. The dishwasher must be run only at night. Lunch should not be eaten in the den. The mail must be opened ...

Weighing whether a nerve block is right for a case of arthritis

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have bad knee arthritis. My doctor is suggesting a genicular nerve block. Is this a good idea? Will it fix the problem? — P.O.V. ANSWER: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common problem in middle-aged and older adults. Before a person receives treatment, the diagnosis should be confirmed by an X-ray. First-line treatments are exercise and anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen (orally) or diclofenac (topically). When first-line treatments are ineffective, there are other options. Knee injections with steroids have long been used, but recent studies ...

Faith among young people surges, providing a missing anchor

Columns

Last September, Pastor Jason Howard of the Sanctuary Church in Pittsburgh saw a surge of young people flocking to his Christian congregation, the week after Charlie Kirk was murdered. Howard knew that something had shifted. Yes, their congregation had always been predominantly youth-driven, but this was different. Lines began to form for their services. Public transportation was dropping off children by the busload from campuses across the city, and he knew that he had an obligation to expand. Howard teamed up with local college students at the University of Pittsburgh, and a revival ...

Huntington’s Disease Day of Action is April 13

Letters to the editor

K. Miller Howard For decades, families affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) have faced a relentless neurological illness with no treatment to slow or stop its progression. Today, that may be changing—but whether scientific progress becomes real hope will depend on federal leadership. On Huntington’s Disease Day of Action, April 13, 2026, advocates nationwide are urging policymakers to act with the urgency this moment demands. Huntington’s disease is a rare, inherited and ultimately fatal brain disorder that often strikes in midlife. From symptom onset to death, it ...

In a world of war and wonder, attention is your greatest power

Columns

Watching the Artemis II space flight has filled my days with awe and wonder. From pilot Victor Glover’s poignant Easter message and mission specialist Christina Koch’s “space plumber” story to the crew naming a moon crater for commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife. Artemis II really shows us what humanity is capable of. All of this took place with the backdrop of war in Iran and horrid threats spewed from President Donald Trump on Truth Social. It all serves as a great reminder that on any given day, we simultaneously exist in a world of tragedy and wonder. The good news is ...