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Editorials

Priorities misplaced in SSAC debacle

Across West Virginia, boards of education are showing students where their priorities lie — and the rest of the country can see it, too. Movement to address chronically low performance — bottom of the barrel in a significant number of categories for so many years that it has become a running joke — has come at a pace that gives lawmakers time and reason to expand access to charter and non-public schools. Meanwhile, some could argue the flurry of legal filings that has led to this week’s mess in high school sports could have come at the beginning or at any point in the season. ...

Chaos in our high school sports

Chaotic. Is there a better term right now to describe the situation with high school sports in West Virginia, where the start — and the matchups — of both the football playoffs and the small-school volleyball tournament remain in doubt? Who would have imagined that, in 2024, local judges would be asked by county boards of education to order the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to not only change its rating system to determine the playoffs pairings, but also to determine exactly which teams make postseason play? Who would have imagined that these judges — ...

Warner credited for state’s elections

It’s hard here in West Virginia to understand how states such as Arizona and Nevada, days after the polls officially closed, still are counting votes. Viewing the process from afar, it becomes clear that those states lack good, solid leadership when it comes to running their elections. Consider: President-elect Donald Trump was named the winner in Nevada Friday afternoon, but Arizona remained uncalled until over the weekend. Every other state was called by the end of day Wednesday. How is it our small state, with its geographic and connectivity challenges, is able to get 95-plus ...

Always remember to recognize their service

The names of the battlefields America’s men and women have fought on have changed many times during the years, but we must always remember the sacrifices they have made in those faraway places. That’s why we want every reader to take a moment on this Veterans Day weekend to remember all who have served and all who continue to serve. It’s the least we can do to thank those who have for generations been willing to put their lives on hold to protect and defend our country. They come from all walks of life and all races. They practice different faiths and are representative of all ...

Make a difference for the children

Forget for a moment about those who hope to score political points by showing off their deep concern for the wellbeing of babies and children, most West Virginians are truly concerned with ensuring ALL Mountain State kids are happy, healthy and safe. We just don’t always know what we can do to make it happen. In the case of the 6,008 children in state custody of West Virginia, there are options such as providing a foster home or adoption. During this national Adoption Awareness Month, the West Virginia Department of Human Services Bureau for Social Services is recognizing not only ...

Trying to get back into the light

All over the world, vulnerable populations have cheered the news that U.S. and United Nations elections monitors would be on hand to safeguard their voting processes. Here in the United States, the Department of Justice’s election monitors have for decades observed elections and polling conditions across the country — particularly when official conduct has led to requests for outside observation. Ahead of the 2024 General Election, the DOJ announced it would be deploying election monitors in 86 jurisdictions across 27 states. It is indicative of how warped some officials’ ...