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Limiting access to help our youth

Editorials

Though a step behind some of our neighboring states, lawmakers and Gov. Patrick Morrisey did an important thing with House Bill 2003 this year. It bans the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in K-12 classrooms during instructional time, and requires county boards of education to implement policies for storage of those devices during the school day and establish consequences for breaking the rules. “I think this is going to make a significant difference for teachers and students,” Morrisey said Tuesday. “We know that the use of personal electronic devices in ...

The Red Cross is ready to help

Editorials

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergencies. And, as federal officials tell states more frequently that they are on their own after flooding and catastrophic storms, the assistance we can expect is changing. But while states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Washington are figuring out how they will fend for themselves, residents know one thing is not changing. The Red Cross will be there to help. The American Red Cross depends on people helping people — mostly volunteers willing to do the work, lend a hand, and be there when someone else is in need. And ...

The freedom to practice our faith

Editorials

Americans of all faiths will gather Thursday to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer. Held on the first Thursday of May, the event has been set aside as a day to ask for God’s help for our communities, our states and our nation. The annual commemoration has been held nationally since 1952, with local events in our area being held for many decades. Local observances are set for several locations. They will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Wintersville, outside of the village’s Municipal Building at 200 Grove St. Then, at noon, Weirton residents will gather in front of the ...

A home run for youth baseball

Editorials

Oftentimes, it takes a community to get things done. No better example of this was in the launch of this year’s season of the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, which was in danger of not being able to have a season at all after the discovery of missing funds – allegedly the result of embezzlement by a former league official. When word got out, the community came together, with parents and coaches reaching out to area residents and business owners for support. Donations came in with the hope of refilling the league’s coffers before it was time for the youthful ...

Keep up with a safe workplace

Editorials

While, these days, we’re all used to efforts to keep workers safe, no matter the environment, we also remember that it wasn’t always that way. Today, April 28, is observed as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, and it would be good for all of us to take time – today and every day after – to remember the efforts to protect ourselves and our coworkers, and just how far it’s all come. We live in an area prized for its industrial past, where steel mills, glass factories, potteries and more dotted the landscape. Weirton Steel, along with its successors, has witnessed ...

Learning some new tools of the trade

Local Columns

I had the great pleasure to go to the Media Innovation Center at West Virginia University last week and attend an enlightening presentation on the use of AI (artificial intelligence) in new reporting. You hear a lot today about artificial intelligence, or AI. Just about every digital product or electronic device advertises some AI feature. There are AI-generated news stories now, AI-generated images, videos, and even podcasts. AI has the same problem that many different phrases have in that it has become an empty bag one can put whatever they want into it. Ask five people what AI is ...