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Better protections a necessity

Editorials

West Virginians got a horrific reminder last week of the depth from which those trying to reform the work of the state Department of Human Services are trying to climb, with news that on Feb. 15, 2025, 11-year-old Miana Moran of Taylor County died in a case that has led to murder charges for her primary custodian. Miana was a sixth grader in virtual schooling through Upshur County Schools, according to a report by WCHS. A criminal complaint filed in Taylor County Magistrate Court said she weighed 43 pounds at her death. According to the WCHS report, Miana was wearing a pull-up diaper ...

A fix is needed for our school districts

Editorials

The state taking over local school districts, such as what happened recently in Hancock County, has become more common in West Virginia in recent years. With the state’s takeover of Hancock County Schools, there are now 10 county school districts out of the state’s 55 that are under some form of state control, whether that’s a complete take over or a state of emergency, where the county and state are working together to stave off that full takeover. So nearly one-fifth of all West Virginia school districts are in such peril that the state is either monitoring their decisions ...

Going after the empty buildings

Editorials

The City of Weirton is taking another step in its efforts to address blight and encourage new development in the city, although we imagine not everyone will be happy with this approach. As part of its regular meeting earlier this month, Weirton Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to establish a vacant building registration program. There are those who have acquired a vast number of buildings in our community over the years, and, for whatever reason, have left them to rot and decay, with no maintenance or improvements, and with no occupancy. Some live in ...

W.Va. Cold War: Justice versus Morrisey

Local Columns

Since former governor Jim Justice took his oath of office as a U.S. senator last year and former attorney general Patrick Morrisey was sworn in as West Virginia’s 37th governor, there has been somewhat of a cold war between the two officials. I won’t go over the entire history of the cold war, but the most recent incident involves the announcement by the Morrisey administration last week that Arizona-based Frontieras North America finally closed on the purchase of 183 acres in Mason County to move forward with a proposed $850 million investment in the state to construct a new coal ...

Waiting for the ballot to start filling up

Local Columns

We have about one week remaining until the filing deadline for West Virginia’s May 12 primary election, and...honestly...I’m a little disappointed in what I’ve been seeing so far. I’ve mentioned it before, but, while having more candidates does tend to mean more work for your local journalists covering these elections, it also means more choice for you, the voters. I prefer to see more names on the ballot no matter the election, because it means options. There’s so much talk about wanting change, but how can that happen if only the incumbets are running for the ...

I want you to know that it really does get better

Local Columns

If you are anything like me, you are sitting there this morning with your usual cup of coffee. The house is quiet. And the Sunday newspaper is spread out before you on the bed or kitchen table. There is a specific kind of comfort in these pages. It is a sense of connection, a way to get in touch with the community that you just cannot seem to find anywhere else. I realize, of course, that I am likely talking to a specific group of people. We are the ones who still value the feel of the newsprint. Although I know many of you are reading this on a computer screen, smartphone ...