Big job awaits Pope Francis
Editorial
The 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world have a new leader, Pope Francis, whose election was somewhat surprising as well as swift.
Deerfield eyes move to GHSA
Editorial
On March 21, members of the Board of Trustees at Deerfield-Windsor School are expected to make one of the most significant decisions in the history of Southwest Georgia's most accomplished independent school.
Paul filibusters the old-fashioned way
Editorial
While it has come under fire over the past few years, the filibuster in the U.S. Senate still may be one of the finest examples of freedom of speech in America. At least that's the case in the way it was used last week.
China the key to taming North Korea
Editorial
It's getting more clear that the nation with the best chance to get North Korea to behave is China. The question is, when will the Chinese get tired enough of the theatrics Pyongyang to act?
Westover continues its impressive run
Editorial
Westover High School has won its third consecutive region championship and is preparing to defend its state title.
Chavez death unlikely to improve U.S.-Venezuela relations
The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose dictatorial rule included frequent slams of the United States, likely won’t result in any immediate improvement in relations between our two nations.
Case of HIV cure holds promise
Editorial
The world is still a long way from conquering the disease known as AIDS, but the possibility took one more step closer to reality Sunday with the announcement that, for the first time, someone has been cured of an HIV infection.
Southern hospitality can take the chill off
Editorial
Albany is hosting a lot of visitors on this chilly morning as the annual Snickers Marathon Bar Marathon and the Mardi Gras weekend brings thousands of people downtown.
Sequester Day is nearly here
Editorial
Apparently Washington works on a different calendar than the rest of the country.
Traveling season may be robust
Editorial
On Tuesday, AAA The Auto Club released its predictions on upcoming travel plans, projecting numbers it described as robust.
Names for new column coming in
Editorial
Last week, we asked Albany Herald readers to come up with suggestions for a new column we plan to publish starting in March — a daily compilation of reader-submitted observations that focus on positive things going on in the metro Albany area.
More isn’t always better in medicine
Editorial
There’s an old adage we all have heard: Just because one pill is good for you, it doesn’t mean two pills are better.
Strategic spending cuts can prevent sequestration
Editorial
As the finger pointing and accusations continue on sequestration — with many of those being pointed from home districts since the House and Senate were in recess this week despite this issue bearing down on them — one number that should be remembered is this: $44 billion.
Program promotes Georgia food crops
Editorial
Georgia is known for is its high-quality agricultural products. But it never hurts to be reminded of this.
High court ruling leaves uncertainty
Editorial
After the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County’s $195 million acquisition of the former Palmyra Medical Center, the question on a lot of people’s lips today is, “What does it mean?”
Gas pump prices springing ahead
Editorial
If you’re looking to do traveling over the next few months, you might want to budget more for filling up your gas tank. We’re still in what passes for spring in Southwest Georgia, but gas pumps definitely have a springy look to them, at least as far as the cost per gallon.
Lawmakers find focus on taxing Internet sales
Editorial
One of the aspects of buying over the Internet has been the fact that, as a consumer, you’re getting a discount from what that same item would cost in a brick-and-mortar store.
Jackson's work with children honors her brother
Editorial
When Pamela Green-Jackson began her battle against childhood obesity almost a decade ago, she never imagined her efforts would be so fruitful. Nor could she dream it would bring attention to her and her efforts at the nation's highest level
Gunman’s rampage ends in fiery blaze
Editorial
The weeklong run by a fugitive ex-police officer, accused of four murders, appears to have come to a violent end in a smoldering mountain cabin on a snowy hillside in San Bernadino National Forest.
Pope's decision inspiring lesson
Editorial
The surprise announcement Monday that Pope Benedict XVI was retiring at the end of the month sent shockwaves around the world, and also sparked many questions.
HOPE GPA change gives technical colleges a boost
Editorial
Like many other aspects of state spending, education has taken a hit as economic hardships have forced state officials to take steps to cut costs to enable Georgia to maintain its constitutionally mandated balanced budget.
Attacks against newspaper editor can’t be tolerated
Editorial
To say that the recent violent events in Ashburn that have been aimed at the editor of that community’s weekly newspaper gives pause for concern is an understatement. The attacks on Ben Baker, editor of the Wiregrass Farmer weekly newspaper, are attacks on the First Amendment.
Congress has lost its way
Editorial
Even with a decidedly partisan overtone, a comment Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on the congressional-created monster sequestration that is looking more and more like the mythical hydra, makes a point.
Juvenile justice should be a focus for Georgia
In her final State of the Judiciary address before the General Assembly today, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Carol Hunstein is expected to focus on an issue that needs serious thought in our state — juvenile justice.
Today is a special birthday for rescued Alabama boy
For a boy in Alabama, the celebration of his sixth birthday will have more meaning than most people can imagine.
Act of courage helped changed nation
Rosa Parks, when she was growing up, probably never imagined the impact she would have on her country. And it’s safe to assume that she would not have expected the honor she received Monday on the 100th anniversary of her birth.
School closings a necessary action
Editorial
We could know as early as Feb. 11 whether the Dougherty County School System will close two schools and use a third one to house a group of programs.
Naming U.S. 19 for Sutton a fitting honor
Editorial
An effort to have the stretch of U.S. Highway 19 in Lee County named in memory of the late Lance Cpl. Steve Sutton is one that local officials should pursue.
Kerry breezes through confirmation
Editorial
A dozen years ago, a Democratic presidential candidate asked a relatively unknown Midwestern senator to give the keynote speech at the party’s national convention.
North Korea flexing its muscles again
When Kim Jong Il died in 2011, there was slight hope that North Korea would go in a new direction, one that didn’t aim to antagonize and destabilize.
Sen. Chambliss' voice will be missed in the Senate
Editorial
The political posturing in Georgia broke into high gear on Friday when U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Moultrie, announced that he will not be seeking a third term in the Senate.
Facebookers get case of virtual envy
One thing Facebook has managed to do is take the personal out of personal relationships.
Government has plenty of work ahead
OK, the party’s over. Now, lawmakers and the White House need to get back to work.
Martin Luther King’s dream worthy of pursuit
Editorial
On Monday, America will again reflect on one of its most influential sons — the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The gun control debate will be with us for some time
Besides abortion, the right to bear arms may be the most polarizing issue in the United States.
Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace is a painful one
Editorial
Of the athletes who have fallen from grace over the past several years, the Lance Armstrong story may be the most painful.
Military suicides concern for all of us
Editorial
Suicides in the U.S. military hit a record high of 349 in 2012, and some experts are afraid that number will go up.
Clock finally ticking on Afghanistan exit
Editorial
There's an ending in sight to the war in Afghanistan.
Baseball Hall of Fame doors remain locked this year
Editorial
Seven might be a lucky number, but it wasn't good enough for a Hall pass on Wednesday.
School Board faces two important decisions today
editorial
When the Dougherty County School Board meets this morning in a special session -- its first meeting of the new year -- it is expected to take up two important issues: selecting an interim school superintendent and the a board chair.
Hagel finding waters choppy
Editorial
The U.S. Senate has long been described as America’s most exclusive club.
Washington must address spending
Now that the fiscal cliff that caused much concern last last year — a creature, by the way, created by Congress — has been averted, we’ll see just how serious Democrats are about getting the country’s fiscal house in order.
