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Claw marks on educational spending

A poor explanation of a federal obligation led to a panic last week that the state was going to have to give back $465 million to the U.S. Department of Education. Even the word “clawback” was used, but as it turns out, it’s not really a clawback at all, at least in the short term. But depending on negotiations with the department for a second and final waiver, the state might have to – heaven forbid – spend $465 million additional on education. And if we don’t do that, then the clawback commences. As a colleague - Mountain State Spotlight state government watchdog ...

Enjoying the changing of the seasons

It dawned on me the other morning that sunrise has been taking place a bit earlier in recent days. We’re officially entering that time where we are receiving noticeably more sunlight, with Friday being the first day of meteorological spring. I’ve noticed the return of some of our warm-weather animal friends, especially some birds, in the last week or so (although they probably regretted that after the quick snow we had last weekend). The daffodils at the house started to sprout several days ago, and I’m anticipating some buds to form soon. It all leads to the first day of ...

History in the Hills: Standing up for steel

I think, like all of us, I was shocked by the recent news that the last vestiges of Weirton’s Steel industry will be idled in April. I should rephrase, I was shocked but not surprised. I think like most who have grown up here, issues dealing with the steel industry over the years, including foreign steel imports, tariffs, dumping of steel, etc., have been in our lexicon for decades. I can’t remember a time when these things weren’t issues for our community. I am sure for some the news of the decision to idle the remaining operations at Weirton was reminiscent of the event that ...

Life’s struggles can even lead to a broken arm

I held little hope that there would be a column from me this week. It’s been a pretty difficult one. Has anyone else ever gone through a really extensive rough patch that you begin questioning if Satan has been working overtime and it’s on you that he is focusing? The thought of this brings tears to my eyes ... even now, as I sit here to write this. It is truly unfair when one person is receiving so much heartbreak. And I am speaking for everyone who feels this way. Not just me. The ones who are always struggling despite all of their continuous — yet futile, efforts. ...

Counting the days until the session ends

Starting with my first regular legislative session back as a reporter for this newspaper in 2019 (my first session back was the special session on impeachment of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in the summer of 2018), I would title my columns “Week x at the Legislature.” I haven’t done that this session. Because honestly, this session has not been worth writing about in my weekly “Reporter’s Notebook” column except in a couple instances (the Governor’s State of the State address, the bill lifting criminal liability protections from librarians). This has been ...

Voters and candidates need to prepare

We are coming into the end of February, and, thus, the beginning of March. That puts us a few weeks closer to the start of spring. It also means we are only a bit over two months before West Virginia’s primary election. We have an interesting mix of candidates this year, with many of our local incumbents facing off against candidates new to running for public office, as well as some who previously served as public officials but now are looking at different positions. There also are some who have run previously, but have never been elected. Through this newspaper, we always ...