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Working for West Virginia

West Virginians have become accustomed to having strong representation in the U.S. Senate, by elected officials who have earned influential positions on important committees. It seems as though that influence is set to be extended — perhaps even strengthened — as U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Sen.-elect Jim Justice, R-W.Va., have been given their committee assignments for the coming year. Capito will be chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She was already chosen by her caucus to be chairwoman of the Republican Policy Committee, making ...

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

The simple greeting, “Merry Christmas,” has been the subject of one of the biggest battles society in general has faced in recent years.  In fact, in many places and in many situations, that greeting has been replaced by the all-inclusive, yet far less meaningful, “Happy Holidays.” That, however, removes the meaning of what this season is all about.    It is not just about being charitable or sharing warm and fuzzy feelings. It is not about toys or shopping for that special gift. It is not about cookies or a big home covered with hundreds of colored lights or a holiday ...

The magic lives on

The name Francis Pharcellus Church stands behind words penned that capture the secular spirit of Christmas and the joy and magic on the faces of children at this time of year.  Church was the editor of the New York Sun. During his career he wrote many editorials. Some, no doubt, took the city’s politicians to task for their decisions. Others, more than likely, pointed out good things that happened to residents of the city.  But nothing he wrote, we would argue, has had as lasting an impact as an editorial that appeared on Sept. 21, 1897. That was when Church took on the task of ...

Drive safely for the holiday season

“Over the river and through the woods” gets taken to another level in West Virginia during the holidays. No matter where they live now, the Mountain State is still “home” to thousands upon thousands of people who will be making the journey to be in the place they belong for Christmas and maybe even New Year’s Day. According to the state Parkways Authority, an estimated 1.48 million transactions is expected on the West Virginia Turnpike between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2. Of course, not all of those vehicles full of people will wind up stopping here. But plenty will. And forget ...

Make safe toy selections this holiday season

In just a few days, children will eagerly be opening new toys and other items that have been left by Santa Claus. And, while Christmas morning can be an exciting time, we remind parents and other adults that not all toys and gifts are safe for all children in all circumstances. In 2023, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 231,700 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms. Of those injuries, 45 percent were to the head and face area. CPSC numbers show 167,500 of those injuries, about 72 percent, happened to children 14 and younger. Another ...

Bowl season sure has changed

So much has changed in the world of college football during the past couple of years. The addition of name, image and likeness money has helped to transform the game, as has the transfer portal. Not only are players now compensated beyond the traditional scholarship, but if they feel a school no longer is the right fit, they are able to look elsewhere and find a new place to play — without having to wait or lose any eligibility. Then there has been conference realignment, which has turned decades and decades of tradition on its head. For example, many fans can remember when a game ...