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Guest column: Improving health outcomes for West Virginia’s veterans

Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy affecting people exposed to asbestos. Each year, across all cancer diagnoses, mesothelioma accounts for fewer than 3,000 cases. As a result, research interest in this condition is limited, with dire consequences for patients. Of all cases identified, veterans account for a substantial portion, as during the Cold War era, asbestos was extensively used by the U.S. Military throughout all its divisions. Among these, Navy veterans carry the highest burden of asbestos-related diseases, as they often worked in confined spaces below decks, where the ...

Guest column: Happy birthday, America

Happy birthday, America. I always look forward to the Fourth of July celebrations and festivities, including family get-togethers and long-lasting picnics. This year, I hope for additional prosperity for our state and a revival of traditional industries that have made us strong. Among those is the coal industry. Coal remains essential to the production of electric power in West Virginia. And for that matter, to the entire eastern United States. Coal continues to underpin our economy, and the industry is one of the largest employers in the state. As I have said in the past, ...

We blinked … and more than half the year is gone

I cannot believe that on Friday, it will be the Fourth of July. How has more than half of the year already passed us by? Evidently, we blinked. You know, I may have to super glue my eyes open so that life slows down a little. How can it be that when you are young, the days, the weeks, the years drag on and on? Why does it seem like time moves so slowly? When you are young, it’s as if the hands on the clock stand still or are stuck in the same position, day in, day out. And then, when we are older, we can never get those same clock hands to slow down? Not for a ...

Morrisey’s punching down helps no one

At what point does one quit trying to keep winning the last political party primary? At one point does one stop trying to play to the perceived whims of a base and simply just govern? Gov. Patrick Morrisey won the 2024 GOP primary with 33.3% of the vote in a six-person primary. Albeit Morrisey didn’t win a clear majority and his closest competitor – former House Judiciary Committee Chairman Moore Capito – was only about five points behind Morrisey, but he did win. Turning to the general election, Morrisey carried the state last November with nearly 62% of the vote – a more ...

Remember what makes West Virginia grand

Friday was West Virginia Day – the observance of the anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood on June 20, 1863. West Virginia is a special place. Born of rebellion in the midst of the American Civil War, made of a proud people who were known to live for themselves and their communities, fighting for their rights and freedoms and not falling down before authorities. We are a hard-working people who cherish the beauty of our state and the traditions of our history. In a time when so much about society has been built to divide us, let us take some time to think about some of the ...

Guest column: Beware — scammers are on the prowl

We have all heard that there are plenty of scammers out there, but we don’t usually know when they are zeroing in on us. Alice was in the midst of selling vintage family clothing on a free website that listed items for sale. It was easy to use, and she was happy to think of making some money. One morning she got a response about selling a lightweight lady’s jacket. A person named Paul Harton said it was a very good price, and he wanted to buy it. She wondered why a man would want the jacket, but didn’t ask him. When Alice replied that she could meet in a public ...