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As midterms approach, it’s up to county election officials to protect the vote

Columns

When Pennsylvania gave all eligible voters the choice to vote by mail starting in 2019, it was a huge victory for democracy. Single parents, people who work multiple jobs, individuals with disabilities and mobility issues suddenly had a greater opportunity to participate in our democratic process by voting at their convenience. But as tens of thousands of Pennsylvania voters turned to mail ballots, the new option to vote brought new challenges. It quickly became clear that minor clerical errors prevented otherwise eligible ballots from being counted. As humans do, some voters ...

Patient with family history of lymphoma questions drug for RA

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DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 72 years old, and I have been prescribed azathioprine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I have only mild discomfort in my hands and wrist, which came on suddenly. While researching this medicine, I saw that the extended use of it increases the risk of lymphoma. My brother has been treated for lymphoma for 12 years, and my sister has leukopenia. When questioned about this, my rheumatologist said that this history in my family doesn’t necessarily increase my odds of getting lymphoma. My doctor also said that once I start the medication for RA, I would have to stay on ...

Four fallacies behind Trump’s post-SCOTUS-ruling tariffs

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Within hours of the Supreme Court ruling that the White House’s widespread “emergency” tariffs were illegal, President Donald Trump moved to install 10% across-the-board tariffs under a different alleged authority. He later said he would raise that rate to 15% and delivered a combative response in the State of the Union. The trade war isn’t ending. It’s just changing ZIP codes. What won’t change is the propaganda coming from the White House, which insists that Americans don’t pay the costs. Consider what follows as a guide to the fallacy-filled arguments that you’ll ...

A family wedding, minus one

Columns

Dear Annie: Am I being too sensitive? My niece’s son is getting married this year. I always believed I was close to her family, but when the “save the date” and shower invitations went out, my daughter was not included — although all the other cousins were. My daughter rarely attends family functions, so when one of my sisters asked why “Charlotte” wasn’t invited, the answer was, “We didn’t think she would come.” Charlotte is my only daughter, and I feel that the least they could have done was mention this to me beforehand. Instead, I stood at a family gathering and ...

Dear Annie: Living under the threat of divorce

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Dear Annie: I am a 69-year-old man who is still totally and madly in love with my wife of 49 years. I know many people would say I’m foolish for feeling this way after she cheated on me several times during the early years of our marriage. At the time, I blamed myself. We were young, I felt responsible for providing for our growing family, and I threw myself into work. I came from a broken home, and my wife came from poverty. I was determined that neither of us would ever go through that again. Looking back, I think my long hours may have left her feeling lonely. After that, I made ...

Introducing more fiber into the diet to help with diverticulosis

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DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 75 and have not been able to eat beef or dairy products since my mid-20s. A colonoscopy revealed that I have diverticulosis, but I am generally not bothered if I stay away from all products that come from cows. My doctor suggested adding more fiber to my diet. I already eat a diet of salads, fresh vegetables, fish, chicken and some pork; I could eat more fruit and grain. What will fiber supplements like Benefiber do for me? I am not looking to ever add products from cows back into my diet, but would adding this type of fiber supplement benefit me? Can too much ...