OpinionCommentary: Using AI to address school absenteeism must include guardrailsThe program currently being tested in an Albany County district isn't just tracking attendance; it's flagging families for intervention. Districts must insist on transparency and equity safeguards.By Kayla Mumtaz
OpinionCommentary: State lawmakers must step in to protect drug pricing program340B makes it possible for community health organizations to stretch scarce resources and reinvest savings where they belong — in patient care.By Perry Junjulas
OpinionDeWitt: Laying my alma mater to restAfter years of decay, the former Glenhaven Elementary School is being demolished to make way for new housing.By Karen DeWitt
OpinionCommentary: A citizen by birthrightThese 18th-century New York leaders understood that sorting people based on their parents' origins would destroy the foundations of democracy. Today's U.S. Supreme Court should take note.By David N. Gellman
OpinionLetters: Five cents isn’t enough to curb litterOther writers discuss the ongoing conversation about the Tier 6 state pension, nonprofits, and more.
OpinionLetters: Vitamin K shot protects newborns from deadly bleedingOther writers discuss the stock transfer tax, voting safeguards, climate policies and some national politics.
OpinionLetters: Beyond the flag: How our state can honor the legacy of StonewallOther writers look to the state budget process, climate policies before the Legislature, national politics and more.
OpinionLetters: Comparing Texas and New York misses the pointOther writers discuss climate change policies, NYC Mayor Mamdani, insurance rates and some national politics.
OpinionLetters: Our readers have lots to say about Chris Churchill’s columnsWhether they agree with him or really, really disagree, one thing is sure: Readers keep up with what Chris Churchill has to say.
OpinionLetters: Readers weigh in on climate change-related issuesReaders discuss changes needed to meet the standards in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and more.
OpinionEditorial: Pam Bondi's legacyFormer Attorney General Pam Bondi leaves behind a Justice Department stripped of good people and in thrall to a corrupt, vengeful president.By Times Union Editorial Board
OpinionCommentary: New Jersey has a 'Code Red.' Why doesn’t New York? As New York experiences more periods of extreme heat, we need to establish a response plan modeled after winter's "Code Blue" emergencies.By Madeleine Cierski
OpinionCommentary: Keep physician assistants under physicians' oversightAdvocates for allowing physician assistants to practice independently say the change will help improve emergency room wait times. It won't — and it will increase risks for patients.By Jeffrey Rabrich and Penelope C. Lema
OpinionCommentary: What do we owe a government that is failing us?From Thoreau to King to 'No Kings,' peaceful protest and civil disobedience can take many forms. Pick one.By James B. Kobak Jr.
OpinionEditorial: New York’s pot problemCannabis legalization has had its benefits, but rising numbers of emergency room visits and poison control calls point to problems that shouldn't be minimized.By Times Union Editorial Board
OpinionLeBrun: A sign of hope in the HudsonIn some parts of the river, more species of fish are safe to eat. But don't exhale yet.By Fred LeBrun
OpinionCommentary: How to care for an aging presidentIt's tough to care for an aging parent. It's even tougher when he's the president. Here are nine things Donald Trump Jr. should do immediately.By John Ficarra
OpinionEditorial: Don’t boost defense spendingPresident Donald J. Trump wants an unprecedented $1.5 trillion. His reckless war in Iran is only one reason why Congress should say no.By Times Union Editorial Board
OpinionStraightforward fixes to Bottle Bill would make N.Y. a recycling leader againUpdates to container law will be a win-win-win-win — for consumers, small businesses, the environment and the state.By Stacy A. Bradt
OpinionCommentary: As feds cut food aid, New Yorkers are going hungry. Will the state help?Legislature must act to protect benefits from fraud, invest in existing food programs and expand access.By Wayne Ho and Khaleel Anderson
Editorial: Tolerating intoleranceThe state Commission on Judicial Conduct went too easy on a Syracuse judge who refused to officiate at a same-sex wedding.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Immigration legal services need investment now more than everNearly 340,000 cases are pending before New York immigration courts. Without legal representation, people have few options to protect their rights.By Lauren DesRosiers
Editorial: A bad call by Albany's mayorMayor Dorcey Applyrs' decision to hire a firm that did abundant favors for her political campaign is a bad call on several levels.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Nursing homes are in crisis. Will New York state help?Thousands of nursing home beds have vanished, and more facility closures are on the horizon, as Medicaid reimbursement has failed to keep pace with the true cost of care.By Sebrina Barrett
Commentary: Don't expect local governments to shoulder the costs of Tier 6 reformsThe state must assume responsibility for the benefits it chooses to expand — and we should also be talking more about other ways to recruit and retain public employees.By Christopher A. Koetzle and Barbara Van Epps
Commentary: If we don't revamp the Farm Bill, America will keep losing young farmersAgriculture is in transition. The federal government must invest in a regional, sustainable food system.By Chris Nickell and Sea Matias
Editorial: Mr. Trump’s latest crisisThe president’s handling of the Iran war has alarming similarities to his poor performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congress must intervene.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Want to cut grocery costs? Pricing Fairness Act would help.Some big distributors charge different prices to different customers. The Consumer Grocery Pricing Fairness Act would prevent that.By Alap Vora
Editorial: New York Democrats' shameful partisan gamesDemocrats block Republican and third-party candidates for governor from accessing public campaign funds. The move will undermine public trust in the program.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Criticizing the president is a right worth fighting forIn 1942, a Bronx man who denounced the war effort was arrested and sentenced to the workhouse. With the help of the author's grandfather, the judicial system corrected its mistake. By Stephen Powers
Commentary: What if originalism comes for the death penalty?The U.S. Supreme Court may reinterpret what is considered a "cruel and unusual punishment." If they do, Albany might become a key research center for setting new guidelines. By James Acker
Editorial: Saratoga Springs’ camping ban targets people, not problemsAdvocates say the Saratoga Springs’ camping ban is selectively enforced and does little to address homelessness.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Troy should adopt a noncollusion policy for ICERefusing to assist federal immigration actions will make all residents safer, and the city can't afford to wait for the state Legislature to weigh in.By Bryan Paz-Hernandez
Commentary: Public Campaign Finance Board can't, and won't, bend rules for BlakemanA campaign that cannot meet the basic legal requirements of an application cannot be entrusted with millions of dollars in public funds.By Brian Keegan
Editorial: A way forward for the Albany DioceseThe proposed $148 million settlement to resolve hundreds of abuse lawsuits is a major step forward — but not the end of this tragic story.By Times Union Editorial Board
Editorial: Hochul's 'buffer zones' are an unconstitutional attack on speechGov. Kathy Hochul's budget includes a 'buffer zones' proposal to limit demonstrations held near houses of worship and reproductive health care facilities.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: A simple idea for lawmakers: If it’s broken, fix itState leaders should look to Albany's city leadership for pointers on revising policies that turn out not to work as intended.By Joseph Alston
Commentary: Congress must bring direct-support professionals out of the shadows Put this essential job category into the federal Standard Occupational Classification system.By Jeffery Fox
Editorial: Ground the ICE airport planPutting ICE agents in airports is a ham-handed negotiating tactic by a president who needs to brush up on the art of the deal.By Times Union Editorial Board
Commentary: Flexibility is key to strengthening New York’s mental health housing systemLegislature's proposed funding increase is welcome, but restricting how the funds can be used would limit providers’ ability to address other urgent operational costs.By Doug Cooper
