Taming the robber barons of the Internet: Facebook and Google

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Let’s take a week off from politics and talk about….The Internet! (foreboding music plays). Well, actually not the whole Internet (do not ask me about being a cat on Zoom, I have no clue — I consider Zoom to be an insecure platform and only use it very reluctantly to watch county commission meetings), just Facebook and Google, who are the two worst...

The end of shared truth starts with the death of local news

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Hopefully, everyone survived Thanksgiving without finding themselves in a political tussle with friends and family. While much is wrong with our world and country, it is important to remember the things we all share, such as the love of friends and family, are something we all cherish. We all want to be financially secure, safe, healthy and have a true purpose in life....

Sunday Punch: Did some local Democrats sell us out on the Pipeline?

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Minus a gallbladder and feeling moderately human for the first time since before the Super Bowl, in the first Sunday Punch of April, we look at lots of fun stuff: wind turbine cancer, jumping to conclusions, how we all hate social media but can’t quit it and of course, the impressive ability of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We’ll start with...

Letter From The Editor: Tough times in the media world

Dear Readers, I probably don’t have to tell you what a challenging time it is for us in the small-time, local media. The old advertising model is broken, a new one hasn’t really replaced it and readers like you increasingly don’t want to have to pay for content. It’s that vise that has seen our readership hold steady, yet revenue decline for three straight years.

Costello’s withdrawal leaves GOP in a tough spot

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Well, okay, then. By now those of you following local politics know that U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello announced he would not seek reelection and then withdrew from the May 15 primary. He’s been on TV and offered print interviews blaming President Donald Trump, liberals, redistricting and so on as being to blame. Whatever. Regardless of the why, Costello’s departure...