Columnists

This last Saturday, we staged a long-overdue cleaning of Carrie’s closet.  We have lived in our home for nearly 38 years, and over time things accumulate. Almost nothing in that

Just before New Year’s, our Mighty Signal posted my first five Top Ten legislative wishes for 2026.  These include mandating manufacturers to develop products that enable comprehensive recycling, changing residency

By David Hegg “How did that happen?” I find myself asking that question far too often these days. How did a good guy get involved in illegal activity? How did

Once I had the neatest conversation with Chuck Norris. You know. Karate guy? Movie and TV star? One of Earth’s toughest people? I was sports editor then and it couldn’t

Tuesday’s Signal was a masterclass in why a vibrant local newspaper is still essential to civic life and democracy. That edition was chock-a-block with insights, from hard news to opinion

Happy New Year, readers! I hope you had a wonderful celebration over the holiday, and enjoyed moments of peace, joy and love with family, pets, or really whatever your style

Like most Americans, I was appalled to learn about the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Her actions were not a capital

By David Hegg When we ask the question of what distinguishes mankind from the rest of creation, one of the more precise answers usually included is the presence and activity

The academic in me has always been fascinated by the judicial system. A co-equal branch of government, independent and crafted to be the safeguard against the potential tyranny of unchecked

Like many of you, our wish is to ring in the New Year with energy and optimism. Unfortunately, last January began with the destructive Hurst and Hughes fires surrounding Santa

Years ago, I borrowed a wonderful and highly recommended book from my daughter’s teacher. Ken Lavner was light years beyond a gifted mentor — brilliant, light-hearted, unbudgingly firm, strong and

On April 4, 1968, I was in the Navy. I was at that time only a third of the way through basic training. Upon arrival at boot camp, a month

Everything has already been said.  Every argument has been made. Every scandal has been aired in public. Every outrage has been explained, countered, debunked, reaffirmed and recycled. And yet nothing

Before being elected to the state Assembly, I was an advocate for nurses for many years. In many of our fights to provide health care, we went up against huge

One year ago, Southern California experienced one of the most devastating wildfire disasters in American history.  Over the days and weeks that followed, 14 fires erupted in and around L.A.

By David Hegg Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a monumental amount hypocrisy in society. We’ve read shocking news that those we trusted were living double lives. Those we

I’ve always been a night owl and find peace in small hours when milk men and vampires stir. The Saugus Café was sanctuary, back when it was famous for being

It didn’t take long for the new year to get interesting.  Donald Trump wasted no time asserting himself as the strong man of the world, allies and competitors be damned.

The Service Employees International Union recently filed an initiative with the California Attorney General’s Office called the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act. It is possible that the SEIU could obtain a

By David Hegg As the New Year has arrived, I’ve been pondering the idea of “stepping out of my comfort zone.” Like me, you’ve heard this many times. “Step out