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Child safety must come first

Editorials

Remember back in June 2022, when West Virginia lawmakers contracted with McChrystal Group for a thorough assessment of what was then the state Department of Health and Human Resources? The group was supposed to come up with a strategic plan for the agency, and was paid $1.08 million to do so. But then, the legislature didn’t like what McChrystal presented as a plan of action for DHHR. “Our recommendation steers towards keeping a single DHHR with a sub-structure, with the goal being — at the lowest cost and quickest efficiency — getting good results for the citizens of West ...

Legislature did little to improve state

Editorials

When it comes to the recently completed 60-day legislative session, if the only goal was to potentially bring data centers to West Virginia that are powered by microgrids, then perhaps lawmakers should get an A. Other than that — and let’s be clear, data centers and microgrids might create property tax revenue but they do nothing for jobs — the Legislature has little to show from this session that will help Gov. Patrick Morrisey in his quest to win an economic backyard brawl with West Virginia’s neighboring states. At best, they get a D. Morrisey this past week did tout that ...

We all can do something to save the planet

Editorials

Today is an important day for our planet — it’s Earth Day. The theme of this year’s recognition is “Our Power, Our Plant,” with a focus on uniting around the efforts to grow renewable energy and the goal of tripling the amount of electricity generated by renewable sources by 2030, according to Earthday.org. The Washington, D.C.-based organization notes that, in 2023, the U.S. produced more solar power than ever before, led by projects in California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada, and Arizona. Texas, the organization reports, leads the nation in wind energy ...

Following the golden rule works everywhere

Local Columns

I try not to write angry. As I’ve said before, this column is not just a place for me to spew an opinion. I really do try to use this space to take you behind-the-scenes into how I choose the stories I cover, analysis of the political actions of others, and tidbits of items I can’t fit into stories. But after bearing witness to the actions of the West Virginia Senate on the last night of the 2025 legislative session, I was pretty flabbergasted. I had already turned in last week’s column Saturday afternoon and had considered having my editors toss that in order to write a new ...

One step toward a healthier West Virginia

Editorials

Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey ramped up his health initiatives with a new challenge for West Virginians — get out and walk in our beautiful state. His Mountaineer Mile challenge has expanded to include 32 of our state parks, in which it is fairly easy to find incredible places to walk (at least) a mile each day. “As we’re getting out and getting active, what better place to kick off the Mountaineer Mile than in one of our beautiful West Virginia state parks,” Morrisey said. “That’s why today I’m announcing that we will be designating a Mountaineer Mile trail in each ...

How will you express your thanks this Easter?

Local Columns

I could not possibly let this Sunday go by without telling all of you, who continue to read this little section of the newspaper, that I hope your Easter will be a beautiful one. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s spring. Everything is once again in bloom. For some reason, nature appears prettier on this particular day. As if everything is brand new. Like everything is going to be alright. Easter just gives us that feeling –– like the world is a little more beautiful today than on any other day of the year. Yes, this holiday does bring up a few depressing, personal reminders ...