It’s that time of year again, when we find ourselves making the journey home or to the houses of loved ones to gather for The Great Feast. Thanksgiving. Some of those ones are harder to love than others, however, especially during these trying times.

It was the mid nineties, and I was a college sophomore. One of the courses that was part of my General Education requirement that year examined writings and beliefs from different cultures. One day in class we talked about multiculturalism in America, and I remember my professor saying that the older view of America as a giant melting pot where everyone assimilated to one culture was being replaced by a different view - one that embraced multiculturalism and the understandin

As food prices climb and government programs face uncertainty, local communities are stepping up to care for one another. Across Scioto County, neighbors are filling crucial gaps through no-barrier pantries and mutual aid networks, ensuring everyone has access to food, dignity, and support.

From Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day Each year on the second Monday of October, Americans have traditionally celebrated Columbus...

Commissioner Bryan Davis must resign. On August 22, 2025, Commissioner Davis and his wife were indicted on 13 felony counts including theft in office, money laundering, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity connected to the Southern Ohio Aeronautical Regional Business Park scandal. These charges come after he and another commissioner reinstated former Economic Development Director Robert Horton against legal advice—a decision that has now been proven reckless...

Yard sign with blue text reading "YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE COUNTY," surrounded by plants and leaves, creating a supportive vibe.

A backyard garden might not look like much. A few raised beds. Some herbs on a porch. Maybe tomatoes clinging to wire cages that sag a...

We’ve all been in those conversations — tense, loaded, and fragile. Maybe it’s with a friend, a relative, a stranger in a meeting, or someone online. The topic is real: safety, addiction, fairness, accountability. Something that matters. But instead of clarity, the conversation derails. We stop engaging with what the other person actually said and start reacting to what we think they meant. We’re no longer responding to a real argument — we’re swinging at something we’ve imag

Aside from the righteousness of its cause, one of the lessons we can take from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s is how carefully planned, disciplined, and visually powerful its protests were.  These were never spontaneous eruptions—they were thoughtfully and meaningfully orchestrated actions, aimed not only at resisting injustice but also at opening and ultimately winning over the hearts and minds of the broader public.    Today, as movements like the No Kings and anti

On June 14th, nearly 400 people gathered at Tracy Park in Portsmouth, Ohio, to take a united stand for democracy at the No King Protest. Led by Scioto Peace and Justice and the Scioto County Democratic Party, this event was a powerful act of nonviolent resistance against growing authoritarianism and threats to our democratic institutions. Alongside the protest, the community came together in an inspiring show of generosity through a very successful food drive.

In the fight for democracy, silence is not an option. If we want to see real progress in Scioto County, and across Ohio, we need more than social media posts and quiet support. We will need people who are willing to step up, speak out, and be heard. As a former editor of the local newspaper, I know that one of the most effective ways to do that is by writing a letter to the editor.

When I first decided to write this article, I talked about the melting pot making the United States the great place it is to live but...

“For those who come after.” These four words echo throughout Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the popular role-playing video game released this past April. At first glance, it’s a thrilling tale of a brave group on a quest to save their people; but deeper down it’s a meditation on legacy, collective responsibility, and hope for future generations. These very same values are at the heart of our democratic ideals.

OPINION: Welcome to Scioto County — “Where Southern Hospitality Begins.” You’ll find those words painted proudly on Portsmouth’s floodwall, part of over 2,000 feet of murals celebrating over 2,000 years of local history. It’s more than just a tagline — it’s the city’s official slogan, and has been for decades. A sweet little phrase that sounds like a hug wrapped in a warm, buttery biscuit. But if you live here, you might feel that “Southern Hospitality” often feels more like

Summer is approaching and with it comes the unofficial protest season. As you're gearing up for a protest get ready to stand in solidarity with your community. Whether it’s for LGBTQIA2S+ equality, racial justice, reproductive rights, or simply to remind the world that kindness and joy is revolutionary. But hang on! You need a sign! Not just any sign—a sign that lets folks know what you stand for. Here is a guide to crafting a protest sign that’s as impactful as the caus

As someone who grew up in Southern Ohio, the tales of Appalachian labor history were all around. Learning about the miners who risked their livelihood as well as their very lives to win the right to organize, I can’t help but see the parallels of the current administration echoing the dangerous and exploitative past.

Protest is as American as apple pie; our country was built on it—literally! From the Boston Tea Party in 1773 to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and more recently the Women’s March in 2017 and the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the right to protest has always been one of our most important tools for change. When the government isn’t listening to the will of the people, when elected officials fail us, when faced with injustice—Americans take to the streets.

On March 27 of 2025 the Scioto County Democratic voted unanimously to endorse the renewal levy for the Board of Developmental...