Opinion

In Our Opinion January 3, 2026

“Newspapers are the vehicles of useful information. The intelligence and character of the citizens of any given section of our county may be readily ascertained from the number and character of the newspapers that circulate in it.” Adolphus Fletcher, Volume 1, Edition 1 of the Jamestown Journal. On June 21, 1826, Adolphus Fletcher published the first edition of the Jamestown Journal. That means we’ve been here almost as long as Jamestown itself, first publishing near the current location of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on North Main Street. Fletcher built a two-story wooden ...

State Needs Diversity In Energy

Local Commentaries January 3, 2026

For manufacturers across New York, abundant and reliable energy is not a luxury or a choice. Around the clock power, 365 days a year, drives daily operations, keeps us competitive and allows us to grow our workforce and continue investing in communities. This is why we strongly support an all-of-the-above approach to energy policy—one that embraces natural gas, nuclear energy, emerging clean technologies, and above all, the core principles of affordability and reliability. This approach is critical now more than ever. New York’s energy systems are facing unprecedented challenges. ...

Unfairness Can Befall Us Tomorrow

Local Commentaries January 2, 2026

JAMESTOWN — Let’s pick up where we left off 60 weeks ago when we first considered ultimately successful efforts to save Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church in Jamestown from closure. • • • The Diocese of Buffalo has tough, unenviable decisions to make in addressing issues that Catholics aren’t alone in facing, such as attendance, finances, and clergy-shortages. Then there are the claims particularly—though not solely—impacting Catholics. For such claims, New York state government legislatively, temporarily extended the expired statute of limitations. No one ...

U.S. Deserves Answers About Venezuela

In Our Opinion January 2, 2026

What does “America First ” mean? It’s a question that President Donald Trump may have to finally answer in his escalating campaign against Venezuela. The stakes for Americans couldn’t be higher. Across Trump’s runs for the presidency, he appealed directly to Americans who were tired of high-minded talk of defending the “international order,” nation building, regime change and spreading American values abroad. He tapped into popular discontent about the long, difficult wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He vowed to put America first. But that simple phrase could mean very ...

Embracing The Possibilities 2026 Holds

In Our Opinion December 31, 2025

We’ve done it. We’ve reached the end of 2025 and are looking ahead to all the possibilities 2026 holds. Some may be planning to put 2025 firmly behind them and not look back, others may have much upon which to build from one year to the next. Whatever the case — whether our dreams include making a national project of the year or just working harder on being the best we can be for ourselves and those around us — most of us can agree we are hoping for a year in which we are able to lift up one another and work toward the good of all. On a personal level, there may be ...

There Never Will Be Consensus On Medical Aid In Dying Law

In Our Opinion December 30, 2025

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature on legislation approving Medical Aid In Dying was, to put it nicely, not universally approved. Many state lawmakers didn’t like the decision. More importantly, tens of millions of state residents didn’t like it either. And the chances are they won’t change their mind. We won’t sit here behind our collective keyboard and try to sway anyone on either side of the issue. People have their own, perfectly logical, reasons for their views on medical aid in dying whether they’re for or against. What we can say is that the legislation that will ...