Opinion

Almanac for Sept. 16, 2026

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 16, the 259th day of 2026. There are 106 days left in the year. On Sept. 16, 1893, the largest land run in U.S. history occurred as more than 100,000 white settlers rushed to claim over more than 6 million acres of land in what is now northern Oklahoma. The land had been acquired by the forcibly displaced Cherokee Nation, which came under U.S. pressure to sell land rights before the run. Also on this date: In 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla called on his parishioners to join him in a rebellion against Spanish rule, marking the beginning of ...

Still early but flu shots should not be forgotten

We know it's still early but we want to remind readers that experts say staying up to date on all vaccinations including the annual flu vaccine continues to be important. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu, a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different and flu can affect people differently, but during typical flu seasons, millions of people get flu, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of ...

Vance Called El-Sayed Evil -- He's One to Talk

In a year when Democrats have the wind at their backs and a shot at winning even in Texas, primary voters in Michigan have chosen a Senate candidate in Abdul El-Sayed who needlessly alienates many voters. But of all the Republican politicians to criticize El-Sayed, JD Vance may be the least ...

Almanac for Sept. 15, 2026

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 15, the 258th day of 2026. There are 107 days left in the year. On Sept. 15, 1963, four Black girls were killed when a bomb went off during Sunday services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. (Three Ku Klux Klansmen were eventually convicted for their roles in the blast.) Also on this date: In 1835, Charles Darwin reached the Galápagos Islands aboard the HMS Beagle. In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were enacted in Nazi Germany, depriving German Jews of their citizenship. In 1940, the tide turned in the Battle of Britain in World War II, ...

When stinging insects become a painful problem

It's the time of years when stinging insects that normally keep their distance can become a problem. Late summer is peak season for bee, wasp and hornet activity - and the time of year when stinging insects can be at their most aggressive, Emplify Health by Bellin warns. Stinging insect colonies have grown to their largest size and are at their most active as they transition toward nest defense ahead of winter. This transition triggers a more aggressive and defensive behavior toward anything they perceive as a threat, Emplify Health advised in a news release. At the same time, as ...

Editorial cartoon for Sept. 15, 2026