Paul Butler commentary

Paul Butler | Workplace Surveys 

My gym just announced its annual member survey. As members, we each received a link in our inboxes, and there are various signs around the fitness center encouraging us to

Denise Lite

Denise Lite | Our Community and Local Control

In November, I sat in a room and listened to representatives from the California Judicial Council explain their plans for an eight-story regional courthouse at McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard

Letters to the Editor

Arthur Tom | If Experience Is the Standard …

Simon Reyna (letters, June 11) criticizes The Signal’s endorsement of Spencer Pratt and argues that Pratt has “absolutely zero experience.” If experience alone is the standard, then the obvious question

Letters to the Editor

Drew Blythe | Our Car-Dependent City

Currently our city is car-dependent and is designed to put cars first, which is not a bad thing. However it makes it difficult for those using bikes and other small

Dan Walters

Dan Walters | Knotty Issues Await Next Governor

California’s next governor — most likely former Attorney General Xavier Becerra — will inherit a raft of knotty, unresolved issues. Some, such as the high rate of homelessness and high

Robert Lamoureux

Robert Lamoureux | Do loose bricks sink ships? 

Question: Good evening, Sir. What a great opportunity you provide to us readers, the ability to learn through your experience and sharing information, so that we have the confidence to try DIY. Thank you.   My question may have been answered previously, but I am a newer follower and not quite sure how to locate past information. With that said, I hope you are willing to cover the topic again, if it is a duplicate: There are columns outside my home, which are covered in brick. Unfortunately, some of the bricks have come loose and/or have fallen off.   Luckily, they are intact still, so can be reused. My problem, though, is not knowing the proper method to reinstall them properly, so that we aren’t dealing with this issue time and again. Are you able to help with this, please? Thank you so much.  — Eric J.  Answer: Eric, not a problem at all, just a bit of labor and materials for you. First, acquire quick-set mortar from a big box store. Take the loose and fallen bricks, clean them of all previous adhesives and soak them in water. Soaking them allows them to not absorb the new adhesive quite so fast.   Mix the quick-set per instructions and apply to the side of the brick that will be attached to the pillar. Allow these to dry, then add mortar in between the bricks, to finish off the job. This should take care of the problem; you may want to keep extra supplies on hand for future repairs. Best of luck.  Robert Lamoureux has more than 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses

A Pakistani official is seen during the arrival of U.S. Vice President JD Vance for talks with Iranian officials at Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11, 2026. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Getty Images

US official reveals details of tentative Iran deal 

By Ryan Morgan Contributing Writer  A senior U.S. administration official has pushed back on reports that a pending peace framework between the United States and Iran would include immediate economic relief to

Graham Platner in Belfast, Maine, on June 6, 2026, just days ahead of the state's June 9 primary. Photo by Nathan Worcester.

As Platner rises, some Mainers have questions 

By Nathan Worcester Contributing Writer  BELFAST, Maine — The streets of downtown Belfast were charged with energy: Politics was working its way through the public square.  On one corner, older men and women held

Letters to the Editor

Rob Kerchner | Long-Suffering Californians

Is it surprising that the side that abolished shame, and championed pride, has acted so shamefully while claiming the “proud Democrat” mantle? After all, we each have friends who grew

Commentary

Jon Decker | Congress and ‘Blame Someone Else Day’

Happy holidays to everyone who celebrates “National Blame Someone Else Day” — which, unintentionally, may include a handful of senators expected to introduce the “American Innovation and Choice Online Act”

World News

OPEC: Iran oil output plunges while Venezuela climbs 

By Andrew Moran Contributing Writer  Venezuela is pumping more crude oil while Iran’s output is plummeting, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a new report released on Thursday.  Total OPEC crude

National News

ActBlue CEO pleads the 5th in House panel hearing 

By Darlene McCormick Sanchez Contributing Writer  ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones invoked the Fifth Amendment on Wednesday before the House Administration Committee, surrounding reports that she may have misled Congress about how

Letters to the Editor

Jack Teoli | A Breakdown of the L.A. Election

The California primaries are still being counted, but there needs to be a deeper discussion about the Los Angeles mayoral race — not only because some Santa Clarita residents do

Byron York

Byron York | Trump Builds the Wall, as Promised

Lately, there have been news stories expressing alarm about the rapid progress the Trump administration is making building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Whatever the stories are nominally about