THERE MIGHT BE NO SINGLE ISSUE in the United States that affects more areas than mental health problems. They can be caused by physical health issues, such as chronic pain or a dire diagnosis. But the...

SHOULD A VOTER BE REQUIRED to prove identity to cast a ballot? It’s a question that has been argued in Pennsylvania for years — just like it has in other states. A recent Spotlight PA and Votebeat art...

The thing I admire most about liberals is their balls-to-thewall bravery. This past weekend, for example, CBS’s Scott Pelley called Trump a “felon,” making him, quite simply, the finest investigative ...

To the Editor: Conservatives want to stop the clock. Reactionaries want to turn it back. Trump and Co. are reactionaries. So it came to pass during the reign of King Donald I, a high stone wall was bu...

We’ve gotten a new tidbit of information about efforts by the Biden White House and some in the press to cover up President Joe Biden’s age-related infirmity. It comes from a new book, 2024: How Trump...

To the Editor: For nearly four decades I have lived a short walk from the Kelly Run landfill. As a legislator from 1985-2010, I served on the Environmental Resources Committee where I helped write law...

PETS ARE NOT JUST ANIMALS that live in our homes. For many people, their cats and dogs, birds and ferrets and other critters are a part of the family. There are 59.8 million American homes with at lea...

Despite the media hysteria, President Donald Trump’s counterrevolution remains on course. Its ultimate fate will probably rest with the state of the economy by the November 2026 midterm elections. But...

The editorial department of the Mon Valley Independent encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be no more than 500 words, must be in good taste and must include the author’s name, town of resid...

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK is celebrated in the first full week of May, and is when teachers get the credit they deserve. The big day was Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5, but teachers are just so gre...

Habemus chimney. “Habemus papem” (“We have a pope”) are the actual words the world will be hearing before too long when a new pope is elected by the College of Cardinals in their conclave at the Vatic...

SEBASTIAN, Florida — Florida used to be an eastern political version of Nevada. Now it is a southern political version of Idaho. Florida once was regarded as the prototypical swing state, much like Ne...

By ERIC TUCKER and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s removal of national security adviser Mike Waltz brings further disruption to a national security team that ...

To the Editor: Your anniversary article gave an excellent explanation of the need for newspapers and the coverage you provide. My thanks, and hopefully the Valley’s thanks, to your owners and staff fo...

In an interview with Time magazine, President Trump explained how he approaches tariffs and trade negotiations. I use the word “explained” with some trepidation because explanations imply a certain de...

Prom season is in high gear around the Mon Valley. Dressing up, dancing the night away and having a blast with friends are all part of the prom experience. Prom is seen as a right of passage for teens...

As Donald Trump’s second term hit the 100-day mark, a slew of national polls all reflected his plunging popularity. The Washington Post/ABC survey, for example, gave him an approval rating of 39%, the...

By WILLIAM M. COTTER President and CEO Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association A developer wants to rezone a public park to allow high-density housing. The local school board weighs a plan to close an elem...

Editor’s Note: To commemorate our 9th anniversary, we are republishing our editorial from our first edition, published on May 2, 2016. ON DEC. 31, 2015, when The Valley Independent published its final...

WESTMORELAND COUNTY PRISON’S population has been on the rise. The jail has a capacity of 720. Last week, there were 708 inmates. It isn’t an anomalous spike. The March population averaged 695 inmates....