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A potpourri of random W.Va. thoughts

West Virginians awaiting U.S. Senate confirmations will have to wait a little bit longer. Due to Senate Democrats dragging out votes on President Donald Trump’s appointees, the Republican majority has begun approving appointees in large batches. On Thursday, the Senate approved 48 Trump appointees. The next big block of appointees (hat tip Frank Thorp V at NBC News) will likely occur at the beginning of October, assuming the nation is not dealing with a government shutdown. The next block consists of 59 names, including three West Virginians. State Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, ...

Area businesses will benefit from ‘bootcamp’

The “Business Bootcamp” series kicked off this past week with a session which would have been good for anyone looking to start their own business. Organized by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the City of Weirton, Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, and First Microloan of West Virginia, the Bootcamp series was designed with the business community in mind – those who are looking to start their own business, as well as those who have been established for some time. (Here’s the part where I note my involvement in the Chamber as a matter ...

Guest Opinion: Protecting West Virginia’s youngest eyes

As an optometrist, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how clear vision opens doors to learning, discovery, and confidence. But I’ve also seen the heartbreak that comes when vision problems go undetected until it’s too late. That’s why I want to bring greater awareness to an often-overlooked issue: the eye health of our infants. The first year of life is the most critical stage for vision development. During this time, a baby’s eyes and brain work together to learn how to interpret the world. If vision problems are missed, the effects can last a lifetime—sometimes ...

Guest Opinion: West Virginia must act now and implement IDD rate increases

West Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) deserve the opportunity to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities. The services that make this possible — provided by dedicated professionals across our state — are at risk. Unless the state implements rate increases for IDD services on October 1, 2025, more providers will be forced to close their doors, and families will lose the critical support they depend on every day. This is not a new issue. A 2023 rate study recommended a 31% increase to IDD home and community-based service rates. Providers ...

Guest Opinion: Environmental decisions affecting coal

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has been at the forefront of discussions on the importance of having a reliable energy source for this nation. While never downplaying the importance of all fuels, we consistently advocate for having energy that doesn’t falter when there’s no wind or no sun shining. We’ve found that coal and natural gas, both abundant in the Mountain State, are reliable sources for powering electric generation plants. In support of this idea, the administration in Washington declared a national energy emergency soon after it came into ...

Guest Opinion: Protecting Medicare Advantage means protecting seniors’ health and well-being

Before, during and after my time in the West Virginia Senate, I’ve been proud to advocate for mental health. The best way to fight illness, physical or mental, is to prevent it before it takes hold. That’s why I believe so strongly in protecting Medicare Advantage and the benefits it brings to our seniors. Medicare Advantage isn’t just another insurance program. It’s a lifeline for more than 34 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of West Virginia seniors and people with disabilities. Unlike traditional, fee-for-service Medicare, it covers services that keep ...