News reports are constantly ringing the doom-and-gloom bell.

There’s good reasons.

Inflation is on the rise, people are still without electricity after the hurricane, and the mosquitoes have multiplied faster than lightning.

As depressing as these realities are, there’s some recent news that hit a little closer.

I don’t want to believe Houston writer and columnist Ken Hoffman died.

When we first moved to Houston 30 years ago, we subscribed to the Houston Post. At that time, Hoffman was a breath of fresh air.

The columnist wrote about everyday problems and annoyances, always taking a humorous spin. He wrote about the best kind of fast food to eat in the car, food reviews about affordable places people visited and finding the tastiest carnival food.

Hoffman regularly profiled a dog needing to be adopted, and the pups he profiled had a 100 percent adoption rate.

He published a book, “You Want Fries With That?” and, as usual, poked good-natured fun at the trials and tribulations of maneuvering through life.

His take on the human condition was spot on, and I don’t want to believe he’s no longer with us.

I don’t want to believe exercise guru Richard Simmons has passed away. I remember when the sequin-draped Simmons burst on the exercise scene back in the 80s.

He was funny, relatable and his routines were easy to follow. On his television show, he wasn’t afraid to cover touchy subjects about weight and body image.

He readily shared his painful journey of being an overweight teenager and the tough struggle to establish himself as a serious celebrity. I loved watching his exercise videos, Sweatin’ to the Oldies, and laughing at his self-deprecating humor.

He had become a recluse and was in poor health, and his passing leaves a void in the world.

I don’t want to believe Dr. Ruth Westheimer is gone.

The respected author, sex therapist and talk show host was a pioneer forty years ago when only men dominated the air waves and the therapist’s office.

She answered questions about sex honestly and didn’t back away from sensitive subjects.

Dr. Ruth was a tiny Jewish grandmother, an immigrant to this country who worked as a maid to help pay for her education. She was the last person you’d think could give out advice about intimacy, but she did so in a way that made people feel comfortable talking about sex.

I don’t want to believe someone tried to assassinate a former U.S. president, a current presidential candidate.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or someone who abstains from politics.

Shooting at someone while they’re surrounded by innocent people, simply because you disagree with what they’re saying, is unacceptable.

Shooting at children while they’re in a classroom is intolerable.

Shooting at people while they’re praying in church is evil.

Shooting innocent people, no matter where they are, when they are or who they are, is an abomination.

Period.

I can’t believe we even have to make that declaration.

But we do.

I want to believe we are better than the lowest common denominator of society.

I want to believe writers like Ken Hoffman will be remembered for the smiles and laughter he brought to the world.

I want to believe Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth Westheimer will be remembered for helping people feel better.

Despite the pessimism, sad news and anger in the world, I don’t want to accept this is the best we can offer the world.

We’re capable of being better.

We need to make that change now.

This column was originally published in The Fort Bend Herald.