U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses employees and families during a meet-and-greet at the U.S. Embassy in Panama City on Feb. 2, 2025. The following day, President Donald Trump appointed Rubio as acting director iof the U.S. Agency for International Development. Pool photo by Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images.

State Department cancels most USAID contracts 

By Zachary Stieber Contributing Writer  The U.S. State Department has canceled some 83% of United States Agency for International Development contracts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday.  “The 5,200

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin addresses the court at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis on June 25, 2021. Court TV via AP, Pool photo.

Trump not considering pardon for Chauvin 

By Tom Ozimek Contributing Writer  President Donald Trump said that he is not considering pardoning Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer serving a multi-decade sentence on a range of charges

As the tax deadline draws closer, taxpayers hoping to make the process as smooth as possible can consider these frequently asked questions and answers. ©ADOBE STOCK

FAQs About Taxes as the Filing Deadline Nears

Some people look forward to filing their tax returns, while others recoil at the thought of paying what they owe. Regardless of which camp taxpayers are in, come April most

Binge drinking may not be a behavior people associate with individuals over 50, but this behavior is on the rise among aging men and women. ©ADOBE STOCK

What to Know About Alcohol Consumption After 50

Patients are asked several routine questions during annual wellness exams. Among those queries are a subsection of questions regarding alcohol consumption. Doctors ask these questions to identify how much alcohol

Using outdoor spaces to improve your well-being is a top focus for many people today.

‘Back to Basics’ 2025 Outdoor Design Trends

Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces — and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important

David Hegg

David Hegg | Mr. Anonymous, Who Are You?

By David Hegg Why are we more prone to act poorly if we think we’re anonymous? Occasionally, we hear news reports of hurtful things speakers have said, thinking their mics

Richard Budman

Richard Budman | Doubling Down Against Name-Calling

In recent years, our nation and the Santa Clarita Valley have become increasingly divided.  Political disagreements have escalated into personal attacks, social media has amplified hostility, and community discussions within

Letters to the Editor

Brian Richards | Duped Again!

I look forward to an onslaught of letters from the Donald Trump haters in Santa Clarita praising his actions on finally closing the border. Depending on which numbers you look

Letters to the Editor

Ron Perry | A Letter to Donald Trump

Dear Mr. President, Thank you for closing the borders! This was the most important thing you could have done to keep us safe. However, the next step needs to be

Letters to the Editor

Larry Moore | A Coldhearted Low

Watching President Donald Trump’s address to the joint houses of Congress, I was struck at how cold-hearted the Democratic (representatives) were.  They wouldn’t stand for the parents whose children were

Letters to the Editor

Monica Estrada | A Dangerous Short Cut

Today our vehicle was hit, while parked in front of the house. This is the third hit-and-run to our cars since the cul-de-sac was opened. The street that opened up

Letters to the Editor

Rick Barker | On a Lighter Note …

Thought I’d lighten things up a bit from all the political battling going on here. Awhile back I wrote a letter pointing out that only two countries in the modern