Jourgensen: Take a trip back to 1982 when no jobs went begging
COVID-19 has sidelined millions of American workers or sent them down the employment exit ramp, and coined “The Great Resignation” and other phrases... Read more.
Jourgensen: Sadness and a shot of inspiration are easy to find
We try our best to fill The Daily Item’s front page and itemlive.com with interesting and important local news. But I think a nondescript page in the back... Read more.
Jourgensen: Wouldn’t budge? I called Pudge
James T. “Pudgy” Kasper started repairing my cars more than 30 years ago and I never called him James or Jim once in all those years. Everyone called... Read more.
Jourgensen: One year ago today: Another day that will live in infamy
One year ago today, Americans saw their afternoon soap operas and talk shows vanish from television screens to be replaced with screaming, flag-waving fellow Americans... Read more.
DA Blodgett will not run for sixth term
SALEM — Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett announced on Wednesday he is not running for a sixth term this year, instead deciding to cap off a 20-year... Read more.
Jourgensen: They shed light on a dark year
I could wrap up my thoughts for 2021 by expounding on COVID-19’s relentless slaughter and the widening American political chasm — but who really wants to... Read more.
Help Santa ease their pain
A health crisis is a burden enough for most people, but the weight presses down even harder on families facing economic hardship, especially during the holidays. ... Read more.
Jourgensen: When the social services net was a black hole
I am old enough to straddle two eras in American society: The one we live in now when words like “wellness,” “self-care,” “equity”... Read more.
Jourgensen: It’s time for Biden to call out Manchin
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin reminds me of that mean kid everyone knew growing up who liked to sit by ant piles with a barbecue lighter and gleefully ignite the scurrying... Read more.
Jourgensen: Me and thee and the Christmas tree
The season is upon us, and it is time again to pit human beings in a contest against needle- and sap-shedding trees, to see if mere mortals can manage to coax a... Read more.