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Do what you can to protect children

It’s the start of a new school year — let the spreading of germs begin! If you are a parent or guardian who is not exactly enthusiastic about that prospect, it’s important to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccines — and to consider a few others. According to a report by USA Today, children across the country are still getting caught up after a gap in wellness visits to pediatricians during the COVID-19 pandemic. That can mean a gap in protection against hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type b, pneumococcal disease, ...

Even more ‘fixes’ for FAFSA

Remember the struggle last academic year as students and their families struggled to figure out the new “simplified” Free Application for Federal Student Aid? Well, the U.S. Department of Education is at it again, this time announcing a phased rollout for the 2025-26 form. That means it will be available to some students on Oct. 1, but not to everyone until Dec. 1. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, this is an attempt to fix any issues that crop up while the first batch of students is working on the form. But, it means many other students will be two months behind ...

High school football is back

Our annual football edition is included with your newspaper today, marking the return of local high school sports for 2024. The high school football season, which officially opens this week in Ohio and next week in West Virginia, will be the topic of many conversations and will occupy the hearts and minds of fans from all parts of the region for at least the next 10 weeks — and, hopefully, beyond. With all of that in mind, members of our local sports staff, led by Sports Editor Andrew Grimm, have spent much of the last several weeks conducting interviews, taking photographs, ...

Standing at the edge of a cliff…again

West Virginia officials are developing a reputation for knowing — for a year or more — that a deadline is coming and sitting on their hands until it is time to act stunned there might be consequences for inaction. This time around, our state’s child care facilities are anxiously awaiting news that another $23 million in funding for child care reimbursements will come their way, to meet the requirements of new federal rules that take effect Sept. 1. Some have decided already to shut down, rather than continue to be at the mercy of those in Charleston. Lawmakers say this has ...

Data show there’s more work to do

School is starting in West Virginia, and if there’s one thing that needs to be on the agenda throughout the Mountain State, it’s this: We need to do better in preparing our students for the future. When you look at the latest assessment test scores released Wednesday, it’s clear, as a state, that we’re failing. According to the data, the only grade level statewide to score above 50% in mathematics proficiency is the third grade (53% proficiency). The lowest proficiency level in math came from last year’s 11th grade class, at 18%. Let’s narrow down to just the high ...

Be cautious on the roads

Area motorists, be alert. School children are heading back to Tri-State Area classrooms, and drivers need to heighten their awareness in the coming days. Drivers need to be extra vigilant in the early mornings and mid-afternoons when children are walking to and from schools or bus stops. And remember, it’s the start of a school year, so children will be excited to see friends they haven’t seen in a few months. They may be scurrying to greet classmates and could easily dart out into traffic. With that in mind, there are some basic safety measures all drivers should follow. ...