Local Opinion

I spent a considerable amount of time in my childhood trying hard not to be a girl.

“Where do I begin?” This is the quote of the week, an award I often dole out for a wide variety of reasons. Those reasons can be the source of great pride or shame. Profound meaning or comedic genius are both favorite categories of the esteemed accolade. It is rarely awarded to someone for achieving an “own” of someone on whatever social media platform.

The Mill Race Marathon is among our region’s marquee participatory events, drawing thousands of runners from near and far to the streets of Columbus every fall. And for dedicated distance runners, the event this year on Sept. 23 is making changes for the better.

I have served on the Eastern Bartholomew Water Corporation for 15 years and as president for the last six years.

Indiana has always been a state fueled by sports — from its place in auto racing history to its basketball worship. From youth sports to the professional ranks, sports is big business.

Every spring I have the opportunity to serve as a judge in the American Legion’s national oratorical contest. This contest began in 1938 to encourage knowledge of the Constitution among high school students. Contestants are sponsored by local American Legion posts and compete at ascending levels beginning with the district, zone and state levels. State winners compete at the national level. More than $200,000 in scholarships are awarded each year across the levels.

Every Hoosier kid, from Michigan City to Marion and south to Madison deserves caring, qualified and committed educators. And every educator needs the support and resources to inspire imagination, curiosity and a love of learning, as well as to provide the skills students need to thrive and pursue the jobs and careers they want.

In the pantheon of writings about Congress, California Rep. Katie Porter’s new book will almost certainly draw attention for her unvarnished takes on the institution and her colleagues. In “I Swear: Politics is Messier Than My Minivan,” Porter finds plenty of targets, including her fellow House members, staffers, lobbyists — and how a seat in Congress is increasingly out of reach for ordinary Americans.

We have all been through something that years ago most of us probably never thought we would endure — a society-shuttering global pandemic — that mercifully has subsided to a manageable but still potentially dangerous communicable disease.

The Indiana General Assembly adjourned its 2023 session April 28. This session was marked with some important advancements along with some disappointments in medically related legislation. Here is my take from the perspective of a family physician and former public health official.