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Editorial

Long-ago sacrifices helped build nation, must be recalled

Today marks the 83rd anniversary of what is arguably the 20th century’s single-most most significant event, at least as far as the United States is concerned. It was 83 years ago this morning that more than 350 carrier-based warplanes of the Empire of Japan paid an unannounced visit to the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Several hours later, four battleships had been sunk, four others damaged and an array of other ships damaged or destroyed. More than 2,300 service personnel were killed and another 1,300 wounded. The event plunged America head long into World ...

No easy answers when it comes to social media

Is social media harmful to our youth? Australia sure seems to think so. It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to ...

Christmas is coming but still time to shop local merchants

Christmas is about three weeks away and we know there are quite a few people who haven’t yet finished checking off all the names on their holiday shopping lists. We encourage everyone to consider buying local rather than from a faraway online e-shop with express shipping. Those dollars spent locally are a huge boost to the community, giving return in keeping these local shops open and helping to keep your neighbors employed. A study from Michigan State University reports that $73 of every $100 at a local business stays in the community compared to $43 remaining in the area when ...

Beware of credit card ‘skimming devices at gas pump

With the holiday travel season at hand, state officials are recommending ways to avoid having unnecessary pain at the pumps. While gas prices are generally down across the U.S., scammers have developed the means to still make filling up a more costly experience down the road. Consumers, drivers and visitors are advised to stay alert for potential credit card “skimming,” where criminals use hidden devices inside fuel pump card readers to steal credit and debit card information, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD. “As ...

National Civics Bee open to U.P. students

The National Civics Bee is aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The Michigan Chamber Foundation, along with local chambers, will host community bees statewide in 2025. All Michigan students in sixth, seventh and eighth graders from any public, private, charter or home schools are encouraged to participate. In the first phase, students are required to submit essays by Feb. 4. After a panel of judges review the 750-word essays, the top 20 students from each competition will move on to the next round, a live quiz event in the ...

Attention community: 2024 Cheer Club needs help

Now that we’ve all had our share, or probably more than our share, of turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving, the holiday season can really get into full swing. As we like to do every year down here at The Mining Journal, spreading cheer becomes a major focus in the weeks after Thanksgiving and leading up to Christmas. The Mining Journal Cheer Club, a partnership between the Journal, the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul that aims to provide children with toys and other gifts for the holidays, has been going on for the past week. Speaking frankly, this holiday effort needs help ...