OPINION

Feb 15 2026OPINION

Hope: The Power That Keeps Leaders Moving

People today face job worries, political fights and fast‑moving tech changes. The result is fatigue, and many start to question whether anything matters at all. Instead of giving in to doubt, a new choice is possible: hope. Hope is more than a soft feeling. Studies from the University of Missouri s

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

“City’s Money, Team’s Future: A Closer Look at the Moda Center Deal”

The city owns a 30‑year‑old arena that the Portland Trail Blazers call home. It is in need of a makeover to keep up with NBA standards. The mayor says the renovation will be energy‑efficient, but that is a side note to the main goal: upgrading the venue. The plan would use $75 million from a clea

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Parents Decide: Why Louisiana Should Fund the GATOR Program

The idea is simple: parents should guide their children’s schooling, not the state. Louisiana lawmakers are urged to approve Governor Landry’s request for full funding of the GATOR initiative, a popular school‑choice program. Last year, the Senate President hesitated to meet the budget request, but

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Neighbors United: How Two Maine Towns Showed Love and Action

The recent winter brought more than snow to Lewiston and Portland. A sudden increase in ICE patrols sparked fear among immigrant families, especially those from Somalia, Afghanistan, the Congo, Angola and Ukraine. Their worries were clear in hushed conversations and hurried steps through town street

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Maine’s Future: Energy Power or Vacation Spot?

The idea that Maine could become a cheap source of clean power for the rest of New England is not new. In the past, rail companies and later highways turned the state into a getaway for city folk. That model has worked well for tourism, but it left most of Maine’s natural beauty in private hands and

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Kansas Tax Cuts Show Why Spending Matters

In 2012, Kansas lawmakers slashed income‑tax brackets and even set the rate for many small businesses to zero. The plan sounded like a boost for growth, but it left the state’s coffers thin. By 2014, general‑fund receipts had dropped by about $600 million – a hit that the state could not recover wit

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

A 35‑Year‑Old Film Faces Modern Critique

The movie that first hit theaters on February 14, 1991, is now thirty‑five years old. That film, a landmark in psychological horror, has recently sparked debate among its creators about how it handled a character linked to transgender themes. One actor, who portrayed the infamous serial killer, s

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

A. I. in College: A New Threat or a Tool?

Artificial intelligence is growing fast inside universities. Students now use A. I. for homework, research and even job interviews. But the new tools are not always good for learning. Many schools partner with A. I. firms to stay modern or avoid being left behind. These companies often cha

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

South Portland’s Housing Dilemma: Why the Mahoney Center Wins Over Homes

South Portland’s city council set a 2025 plan to turn the old Mahoney Middle School into a community hub, while also aiming to add more affordable homes for middle‑income families. The 2026 agenda repeated the housing push and added a bond vote for city buildings in November. In practice, the Mahon

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

The Harsh Truth of Immigrant Detention Under Trump

The U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently backed the Trump administration's policy of mandatory and indefinite detention for immigrants held by ICE or Customs and Border Protection. This policy is harsh and unfair. It affects thousands of immigrants who have not been convicted of any

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