Opinion

Surging oil costs are spurring investments in renewables

Despite continuing Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, oil shipments from the Middle East have now surpassed prewar levels. The might of the U.S. military is to thank for the recovery of oil flows through the strait itself. But the proliferation of alternative routes around the region, new production outside the Middle East and declining fuel consumption are thanks to the might of the free market. Oil flows throughout the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, up from 23.3 million before the war, according to the ship tracker Kpler. Heavier reliance on ...

Dirty tricks: Nothing new

The uproar over the Dan Sullivans stunt in Alaska is this year’s most famous political dirty trick. The Department of Justice announced last Friday it is conducting civil and criminal investigations that include possible conspiracy to dupe Alaska voters because of two Senate candidates who ...

Billionaires compensate us many times over, wealth taxes endanger that

No matter what happens in Tuesday's elections, support for wealth taxes keeps growing. Its justification is based on the idea that the very rich owe all of us something, and taxing their fortunes is collecting on that debt. We're told their success fuels inequality and that it's selfish of ...

Almanac for Nov. 3, 2026

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 3, the 307th day of 2026. There are 58 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 3, 1979, five Communist Workers Party members were killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen and neo-Nazis during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro, North Carolina, in what became known as the Greensboro massacre. State and federal trials subsequently acquitted six defendants of murder and rioting charges. Also on this date: In 1908, Republican William Howard Taft was elected president, defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan. In 1911, the Chevrolet ...

Editorial cartoon for Nov. 3, 2026

Time change a reminder to check smoke alarms

With the clocks turning back this past Sunday, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and its Bureau of Fire Services urges residents to take a few minutes to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a simple step that could save lives. As of Oct. 9, Michigan has recorded 63 fire-related deaths in 55 fatal fire incidents. Fire departments have responded to more than 14,500 structure fires statewide, including 8,118 residential fires. That averages more than 50 structure fires each day, including nearly 29 residential fires. "Every life lost to a fire is a ...