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Legislature did little to improve state

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

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 ...

One step toward a healthier West Virginia

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 ...

He is risen!

Some 2,000 years ago, an itinerant preacher in the Middle East was crucified for, as his executioners put it, claiming to be a king. There was no immediate worldwide news coverage of the event. There were no live images beamed to televisions, tablets and cell phones around the world, no tweets, no texts, no Facebook posts carrying the news of his execution at the hands of the powerful Roman state at the request of the Hebrew state under its control. There were no 24-hour news channels and no grim-faced anchormen and women providing background, and there was no analysis from hundreds ...

Touching base with residents

West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack is certainly doing his homework. He is in the midst of a statewide tour to better understand our communities’ needs and concerns — and also hand out checks for unclaimed property. “Although it is a small state, it is a very diverse state,” he said. “Each county has its own identity and own issues.” Earlier this spring, he visited Weirton, where he met with representatives of the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, the staff of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, officials with WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center, and ...

Road conditions a constant concern

The conditions of our roads, bridges, and other infrastructural elements are always a concern as they are vital to the everyday lives of our residents, as well as the commerce of our region. While West Virginia famously launched its Roads to Prosperity campaign several years ago, leading to what officials have called significant investments, it’s become obvious that more is needed, and, unfortunately, increased costs will most likely limit what realistically can be accomplished. West Virginia’s new secretary of transportation, Todd Rumbaugh, recently took part in a virtual news ...