Travis: How do teachers savor their summer? Let’s count the ways

In just a few days, the school year for Newton County children will be over. We'll see pictures of them rushing out of the schools' doors, cheering.

Yarbrough: They’re schools, not businesses, as teachers know well

Dear Public School Teachers in Georgia:

McCoy: Where am I? Brain is not playing fair

It's not cool to keep silent

I remember the first time I ran away from home. I was in sixth grade and I had been wronged in some way. I was sure my parents loved my sister more or denied me some privilege, and I was having none of that. I stayed home when my parents left for work, skipped school, packed a bag and took my bike to this little secluded spot by the river, thinking that was an awesome place to live. I was home before my parents.

Credit report coding trips up buyers

Are large numbers of homeowners who have negotiated short sales with lenders at risk because of a startling omission in the American credit system? Do their credit reports and scores indicate that they were foreclosed upon, rather than having negotiated a mutually agreeable resolution with their lenders?

Sometimes, perspective changes things

Single and lonely in a new neighborhood, a guy invites his neighbors to a drop-in party. With ample food and drink, he sits alone as party time comes and goes.

Who's teaching students to hate U.S.?

Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who are accused of setting the bombs that exploded at the Boston Marathon, attended the University of Massachusetts. Maybe they hated our nation before college, but if you want lessons on hating America, college attendance might be a good start. Let's look at it.

Where am I? Brain isn't playing fair

Last week, while out of town and staying in a hotel, I had a most exasperating experience.

Property tax proposal doesn’t add up

The word tax is a three-letter word that might as well be a four-letter word these days.

Cushman: Crisis management

My graduate course in crisis management was the 2012 Republican presidential primaries as a senior advisory and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich.

Crosswalk confusion is rampant

I try to walk at least five days or more a week for close to an hour.

Dalton mayor mulls run against Deal

David Pennington, the mayor of Dalton, is making noises about challenging incumbent Gov. Nathan Deal in the 2014 Republican primary. Say what?

Carter: Character, integrity are true pillars of society

I was conversing with a couple of friends this week, each of whom expressed frustration and disappointment at having been wronged recently in a business transaction.

McCoy: Men, watch your step at weddings

If you're a man who's been invited to a wedding, you need to heed my advice so you know what to do at these alien affairs.

How home sellers shoot themselves in the foot

With full-fledged sellers' markets underway in dozens of metropolitan areas around the country, new research has found curious statistical patterns emerging: Even in cities where listings get multiple offers within days or hours, significant numbers of homes are sitting on the market for six months, 12 months or more with no takers.

Morgan: Of Love, loyalty and Sinatra

It's the season of hearts and flowers, wine and chocolate, mushy cards or, better yet, jewelry.

Giddens: Why can’t we be friends?

The conversation is engaged and ongoing at our Facebook site, and we thank you. It's where issues and fun stuff gets discussed, news tips are shared, rumors are squelched or confirmed, and you can talk with us or amongst yourselves. It's an electronic community forum, and we're grateful for your interest and input. Items that may not make it into print can be answered here. For instance, last week folks were curious about why emergency ...

Yarbrough: Some thoughts at random

State Rep. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna) is one of the more able members of the Georgia General Assembly and a serious young man not given to hyperbole.

Giddens: Grave concerns a lifetime interest

I spent part of the chilled, gloomy first day of February in an appropriate place, Oxford's historic cemetery.

Harwell: Indeed, what would Ronald Reagan do?

Today is the late President Ronald Wilson Reagan's 100th birthday.

Tudor: Know thy Legislator

If you happen to be in the minority and can name both your state representative and state senator, congratulations.

Cushman: Reagan’s message resonates

Sunday will mark the 100th birthday of Ronald Reagan. Many will be celebrating his birth, his life, and the legacy he left our country and the conservative movement. To celebrate, take a few minutes to watch two of his speeches - his 1964 speech in support of Barry Goldwater and his 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate - and you will remember why Reagan was called the ...

Blackwood: DUI no way to spend Super Sunday

The Super Bowl party has become as popular as the Fourth of July picnic. Go in any supermarket and you'll see a football-themed display of everything from chips and salsa to soft drinks. There is nothing quite like the biggest sporting and television event of the year.

Morgan: SPLOST nothing new

Civic duty calls, and I find myself a member of the citizens committee created to push for the continuation of the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax on March 15.

Yarbrough: House leader seeks teacher input

House Majority Whip Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta) and I decided to quit lobbing mortars at each other and do what we should have done earlier - talk about his proposed legislation to evaluate teachers.

Looking for gold under the Dome

"Don't Tell Momma I'm A Lobbyist, She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Bordello," or words to the similar adorned a button that made the rounds at the State Capitol a few years back. Although funny, it really did capture the tone that many people may hear when the "L Word" is mentioned. Exactly what is a lobbyist and what do they do? When my friend and fellow Rotarian Pat Cavannaugh (yes ...

Harwell: “The Sputnik Moment”

The State of the Union address and the events leading up to it Tuesday personified the adage teaching "war and politics makes for strange bedfellows."

Cushman: Rhetoric obscures values gap

Have you ever had a friendly debate that seems to run in circles? On the surface, it sounds as though you agree, but as the conversation unfolds, it becomes apparent that you and your opponent are using the same words, but the meanings are entirely different. You have fundamental disagreements that cannot be bridged.

Morgan: Ethics lax under Gold Dome

The maddening goings-on in Congress are often blamed on "Inside the Beltway" thinking, meaning people who live and work inside the road that encircles Washington are out of touch with the rest of America.

Giddens: Help us get into your business

We want to get into your business here at The Covington News. To that end, we're starting a new feature, a business page, beginning Friday. We're kicking it off with a behind-the-scenes look at General Mills from Business Reporter Gabe Khouli as he talks with several workers about one of the perks of employment there, a chance to taste test its products. There's more to it than munching on Chex ...