Dear Heloise: A recent column of yours appropriately points out how Americans botch both written and spoken English. Over the past 20 years, I’ve noticed that attorneys are offenders against correct English. The standards of law schools have degenerated so badly that many no longer require the law school admission test. The results are students who have a poor understanding of correct grammar. — Mark R., in Upland, California

Mark, grammar has changed in this country, and it’s difficult to say how or why. How do the rest of my readers feel about this? Let us know at Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Newscaster voices

Dear Heloise: Regarding Beverly G.’s letter, most news watchers and listeners are 60 and over. The younger ones use their phones for the news if they’re interested. Since the upper-hearing registers are the first to go, a newscaster with a high-pitched voice or one whose diction or delivery is flawed will be one who isn’t being watched or listened to by the target audience. — Linda S., via email

Printed newspapers

Dear Heloise: I feel like the deck is being stacked against physical newspapers. Again, today, we read another letter espousing digital news devices. For all of the reasons that you clearly stated in a recent column — and more — my husband and I hope and pray that we’ll continue to have the choice of getting to read the good ol’ newspaper on paper.

I’m happy that those who prefer to read it digitally can get it this way, but we paper lovers should also continue to have a choice. Losing the newspaper experience would truly be the end of an era — an important era in America. Thank you, Benjamin Franklin!

As you stated, the experience is about so much more than just the news itself. Thank you for expressing our side’s enjoyment of newspapers so well in your column. Please continue to supply us with a fair and equal amount of space in your columns to defend and support paper newspapers. People need to know that there are lots of us paper lovers who would dearly miss the daily experience.

And by the way, we still get excellent delivery service! — Carol A., in Corona, California

Safe walking

Dear Heloise: To the reader who wrote the letter titled “Walk With Me,” talk to your husband! Maybe he should take a look at all the crime shows on TV where people are molested, sexually assaulted or dragged off into the woods while walking. You should tell him that he should walk with you for your safety!

You should also carry a phone that has a camera. There have been people who were found dead in fairly safe towns and outskirts of neighboring towns that I live near. — Terry, in Upper Virginia

Terry, in some of the nicest towns in this country, people have had terrible things happen to them and had no one to help them. Readers, if your spouse won’t go with you (even if he needs the exercise), you need to find a walking partner. Take your phone along, as well as some pepper spray.

I have a heavy metal flashlight that I use on hot summer nights, and if need be, I could use it as a weapon. Some people take their dog along or have a walking partner or two. Do what you need to do to protect yourself, and don’t forget to wear a day-glow vest at night so that cars can see you. — Heloise

Send a great hint to: Heloise@Heloise.com. Copyright 2026 by King Features Syndicate Inc.