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History in the Hills: Captains of industry

My wife and I met in Pittsburgh. At that time we were both in graduate school for our master’s in public history. Our interests were pretty much aligned, and we took all the same classes together which was easy to do in our small program at Duquesne University. Part of our program was to complete internships and we had the choice of the area’s historic sites. My wife was an intern at the Andy Warhol Museum as part of the Carnegie Museums. I remember the first time I heard her pronounce the name Carnegie. She pronounced it the way New Yorkers say it, with the emphasis on the first ...

There are times when life is simply a game

I’ve had a pretty bad year so far. This is not anything new, of course. I am usually having a pretty bad year. But for some reason, this one in particular has really gotten to me. There were moments amid the anger and tears when I often caught myself saying, “I just can’t win.” As I reflect back on that statement, I realize that I actually say this quite often. “I can’t win.” On those days when things just aren’t going your way and you begin to wonder if anyone else anywhere in the world has to deal with the same struggles you have? “I can’t win.” I ...

A change of address for the State of the State

I’ve had several days now to talk with lawmakers, lobbyists and other Capitol dwellers regarding Gov. Jim Justice’s eighth and final State of the State address. On the whole, most said Justice’s speech left much to be desired. It was a longer-than-normal speech. State of the State addresses traditionally last between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Justice blew up that tradition a long time ago. As someone who shuns prepared speeches written ahead of time and teleprompters, Justice’s speeches have always had an element of improv, making it hard to keep to a specific time. Given that this ...

Send in the 2024 candidates

We’re wrapping up the first week of candidate filings in West Virginia, and, while we’ve certainly heard from many individuals who said they would be seeking office in recent months, so far, they’ve been a little slow getting in there. We still have plenty of time, though, so I’m not that worried. As I’m writing this, I’m awaiting a requested list of candidates for the City of Weirton, but I’ve already heard of at least a few of the individuals who intend to seek office there. This is what I will say for right now, the race for mayor has the potential to be one of the ...

How to file a comment with the West Virginia Public Service Commission

I want you to know that here at the Public Service Commission, we suffer through the same concerns that many of you do about the cost of gasoline, water and power bills, groceries, and every other budget item. The Commission wants to hear your concerns, and we take your comments very seriously. We have simple means for you to express your thoughts. You can mail comments to us at 201 Brooks St., Charleston, WV 25301. But the easiest way is to simply use your computer. Take a look at our website at www.psc.state.wv.us. Look in the yellow field to the left of the pictures of the ...

The race is officially on for the ‘24 election

Fire the metaphorical starter pistol, because the 2024 primary and general election season begins now as you are reading this. The candidate filing period for statewide candidates continues through midnight Saturday, Jan. 27. Races on the statewide ballot include: U.S. president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, agricultural commissioner, attorney general, Supreme Court of Appeals, Intermediate Court of Appeals, state Senate and House of Delegates. The candidate filing period always is an interesting time, ...