Opinion

Almanac for March 6, 2026

Today is Friday, March 6, the 65th day of 2026. There are 300 days left in the year. Today in history: In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, ruled 7-2 that Scott, an enslaved person, was not a U.S. citizen and therefore could not sue for his freedom in federal court; it also ruled that slavery could not be banned from any federal territory. The decision deepened the national divide over slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War. Also on this date: In 1820, President James Monroe signed the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Missouri to join ...

Editorial cartoon for March 6, 2026

IRS warns of ‘Dirty Dozen’ tax scams

For National Slam the Scam Day, the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday released its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2026 that threaten the tax and financial information of taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals. The Dirty Dozen is part of a broader campaign conducted through the Security Summit, a partnership among the IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax industry, according to an IRS news release. The IRS advises all taxpayers to remain cautious year-round, as criminals will always be on the lookout for new ways to obtain money, personal identifiable ...

Homeland Security funding bill falters again in Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans invoked the war in Iran and the prospect of retaliatory terrorist attacks as they made another unsuccessful effort Thursday to pass a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are insisting on changes to immigration enforcement operations as ...

All US elections need reforming

Legislators who do not vote for proof of citizenship and photo I.D. in order to vote in our elections are an obvious threat to democracy. Legislators who say it isn’t fair to blacks are racist, not fair to women, chauvinistic bigots. It suggests that blacks and women are not smart enough or incapable of acquiring an I.D. for the most important reason a citizen could have for procuring one. They don’t have any trouble getting a photo I.D. for collecting food stamps, buying beer, plane tickets or any other reason people need a photo I.D. It’s ironic that the most racist people in ...

California's inferno of regulations

Last year, California wildfires destroyed 13,000 homes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced: "We are 100% committed to getting this neighborhood rebuilt again!" Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed that, saying his officials were "responding to it at scale, with efficiency ... addressing building ...