Opinion

Almanac for July 8, 2026

Today is Wednesday, July 8, the 189th day of 2026. There are 176 days left in the year. Today in History: In 2018, divers rescued four of the 12 boys who had been trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand with their soccer coach for more than two weeks. (The remaining eight boys and their coach were rescued over the next two days.) Also on this date: In 1776, Col. John Nixon gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, outside the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. In 1853, an expedition led by U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Edo ...

Sanders: Platner should end Senate bid after new sexual assault claim

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday became the latest and most notable lawmaker to pull support for Maine Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner after an allegation of sexual assault, adding to a chorus of calls for him to step aside as party leaders scramble to ...

America’s multicultural miracle

The welcoming reception that so many European soccer fans have received as they have crossed the nation in pursuit of World Cup games has struck many as a happy surprise of the summer of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. “The World Cup is at our shores, and all these ...

Editorial cartoon for July 7, 2026

NATO chief demands plans to reach defense spending targets

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday demanded that members put forward “clear, concrete and credible plans” to reach the organization’s defense spending targets at its annual summit in Ankara. Rutte spoke in the Turkish capital ahead of the two-day summit ...

DATA transportation transparency

Like many residents, I believe public transportation is an important service for our community. Seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities and others depend upon it for medical appointments, groceries, work and maintaining their independence. If the facts show that these essential services would truly be lost without additional taxpayer support, my vote would be yes. That is why I believe voters deserve clear, complete and timely information before making an eight-year commitment. The signs placed throughout Delta County sending messages like “if transit ends, lives will end” ...