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Having to say goodbye never gets easier

There is a silence unlike any other when a certain heartbeat stops. It is a specific kind of quiet. One that seems to settle into the floorboards. And it remains a part of our home forever. It is a quiet so heavy that it feels as if it has its very own weight to it. How can air feel so heavy? We tell ourselves when we bring them home — those tumbling little balls of fur who trip over their own paws — that we are ready for the end. We tell ourselves that we understand the math. We convince ourselves that we realize there is not a lot of time when it comes to the life ...

History in the Hills: A look back at WW I

I am very proud of all my children, especially my oldest son, Paulie. He is smart, compassionate and is growing into a fine young man. What’s gratifying to me, though, is that he is developing a genuine love for history. As a child of two historians, he has always been exposed to our past, either through TV shows, books, trips to historic sites or the constant chatter from my wife and I about what we remember from the past and how things have changed. He likes to tease us when we start a story with the phrase “well, back in my day …” A huge part of his interest in so many ...

W.Va. Cold War: Justice versus Morrisey

Since former governor Jim Justice took his oath of office as a U.S. senator last year and former attorney general Patrick Morrisey was sworn in as West Virginia’s 37th governor, there has been somewhat of a cold war between the two officials. I won’t go over the entire history of the cold war, but the most recent incident involves the announcement by the Morrisey administration last week that Arizona-based Frontieras North America finally closed on the purchase of 183 acres in Mason County to move forward with a proposed $850 million investment in the state to construct a new coal ...

Waiting for the ballot to start filling up

We have about one week remaining until the filing deadline for West Virginia’s May 12 primary election, and...honestly...I’m a little disappointed in what I’ve been seeing so far. I’ve mentioned it before, but, while having more candidates does tend to mean more work for your local journalists covering these elections, it also means more choice for you, the voters. I prefer to see more names on the ballot no matter the election, because it means options. There’s so much talk about wanting change, but how can that happen if only the incumbets are running for the ...

The critical role of childcare in development

Charleston, W.Va. – Childcare sits at the crossroads of economic growth, community stability, early childhood education, and family well‑ being. Reliable and available daycare is not a convenience for many working parents. And affordable daycare in all 55 counties has become a major issue that affects economic and community development throughout the state. When families cannot access affordable, quality childcare, businesses lose workers, communities lose productivity, and children lose crucial early‑ development opportunities. West Virginia, like much of the nation, faces ...

Find a fix for America’s drug pricing system

Millions of older Americans struggle every day to afford the medications they need. Too often, they make impossible choices: Splitting pills, skipping doses or forgoing prescriptions altogether because of the price. President Donald Trump recognizes the problem. His administration is weighing whether Medicare should cover GLP-1 medications for weight loss, a decision that could have major implications for access and cost. The White House has also recently worked with several pharmaceutical companies on voluntary “most favored nation” deals, which will secure more affordable ...