Editorials

States stress need for vaccines as children return to schools

As several area school districts start classes this week, there’s been some recent disquieting developments concerning childhood vaccinations. The Associated Press reported a week ago that U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates inched down again last year and the share of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data. The fraction of kids exempted from vaccine requirements reached 4.2%, up from 3.6% the year before. That’s an estimated 155,000 children nationally during the 2025-2026 school year, according to AP. It’s the fourth consecutive year ...

Editorial cartoon for Aug. 24, 2026

Let voters decide Cambensy’s candidacy

We are pleased that the Michigan Board of Canvassers has seen fit to approve the petitions submitted by Sara Cambensy to appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate for the state Senate. The decision Monday reflected a staff recommendation from the previous week. The state board, in effect, sent Cambensy’s candidacy for the 38th state Senate district to the voters to decide. In our opinion, that’s exactly who should decide. All of this can trace its roots — publicly, at least — to local resident Linda Donckers, who submitted a challenge to Cambensy’s candidacy ...

Editorial cartoon for Aug. 22, 2026

Editorial cartoon for Aug. 21, 2026

Kids going back to school – drivers beware

Driving in and around the region is about to become more challenging, courtesy of children of all ages returning to the classroom School buses will soon be picking up passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings and harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present — especially before and after school. Here are a handful of common sense rules and practices suggested by law enforcement that motorists should consider: If dropping off Schools ...