Front Pages from All America 8/24

Every day, I comb through the front pages of all the daily papers in America (provided via The Freedom Forum) and will highlight 5-10 front page items that have national significance, with my quick commentary

The Columbian (Oregon and Washington)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Gov. Kotek Begins Meetings to Save Portland

WHY IT MATTERS: Portland is one of the most devastated cities in the wake of widespread lawlessness and homeless convergence since 2020.

THE TAKEAWAY: While Kotek is a new governor, the fact is that politicians have caused this problem and only they can fix it by worrying less about virtue signaling and more about public safety. I feel for the business owners who will have to tell their harrowing stories to politicians who may or may not even listen to them... but will pretend they did either way.

The Richmond Times Dispatch (Virginia)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Youngkin 'Can Live with' Compromise

WHY IT MATTERS: Virginia has been locked in a political battle over proposed tax cuts for months.

THE TAKEAWAY: Instead of favoring a more permanent tax cut, Virginia Democrats are willing to support a tax rebate plan that Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he can agree to. Hey look! Somebody in politics is making a common sense compromise!

The Brattleboro Reformer (Vermont)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Sarandon is Suing a Clarksburg Contractor

WHY IT MATTERS: This is a case of a big Hollywood celebrity an activist going up against a smalltime business in a small town.

THE TAKEAWAY: Sarandon may want to rethink this lawsuit. She says she wanted this contractor to build her a completely "off the grid," energy-neutral home. It's very likely that the takeaway many professionals and amateurs will get from this case is that such a project is impossible, and that's why the work was unsatisfactory in Sarandon's eyes.

The Waco Tribune Herald (Texas)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: 4-Day Week Already Bringing Benefits

WHY IT MATTERS: One Waco-area school system has moved to a four-day school week. Many other school systems nationwide are also trying or considering that move.

THE TAKEAWAY: This is mostly a money-saving and teacher retention strategy, and not exactly being done with the kids in mind. Look for school districts to declare victory on this... until test scores and other problems from idling kids arise.

The Knoxville News Sentinel (Tennessee)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Tennessee Smashes Enrollment Record

WHY IT MATTERS: While so many other colleges are seeing shrinking enrollment, UT is overflowing with students.

THE TAKEAWAY: Much of this is the result of a cultural shift. Reality shows and social media accounts showing off the lifestyle at Southern schools have made colleges like Tennessee, Alabama, etc. much more popular among high school applicants, especially from the Northeast.

The Times Record News (Texas)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Panda Biotech Wants More Time on Plant Hiring Promise

WHY IT MATTERS: In another example of big promises from legal pot businesses that don't necessarily come true, we have a major hemp processing plant in Wichita Falls that can't seem to even hire 50 people as it promised when it got a $2.8 million tax break.

THE TAKEAWAY: If pot related businesses don't live up to even modest economic projections, why are we risking the health and safety of our towns for them?

The Portage Daily Register (Wisconsin)

THE FRONT PAGE STORY: Taste of Portage Celebration Back this Weekend

WHY IT MATTERS: Many smaller and larger towns across the USA are wrapping up their summer outdoor festivals and activities.

THE TAKEAWAY: The obvious question is WHY do these events only take place in the summer. Anything that gets people out of their homes and cars and supports local businesses is great for a town's quality of life. Other than the harshest weather days of the year, this kinds of events should be scheduled all the time.