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Make Public Schools A Top-Line Choice

We can argue about funding and vouchers, transportation and transparency, but West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty is right. There is no going backward from school choice in the Mountain State. His message last week to public school systems in the state was blunt. “You might not like what I have to say, but I don’t really care. School choice is here to stay,” Hardesty said. “Our 55 county superintendents and boards need to understand that. We are one of the school choice options. We need to make our option more accommodating to parents and ...

Politicizing Our Healthcare Hurts

Politicizing healthcare — from vaccines to research and safety net funding — has led to some dangerous changes in public health in this country. Among them is the surge in measles and whooping cough cases. Vaccine hesitancy fueled by intentional misinformation and disingenuous religious freedoms outrage has resulted in significant increases in the two potentially deadly illnesses. Across the country, there have been 1,983 measles cases in the first half of this year, according to an Ohio Capital Journal report that used U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The ...

Homeless Task Force Needs To Work

The announcement this week of a new task force to address homelessness in the city of Wheeling was met with hope from some, skepticism from others. Both of those emotions have been prevalent when it has come to previous attempts to address the issue. There are plenty of Wheeling residents who want to see those who are homeless in our city find they help they need to find homes, be it here or elsewhere. Yet there are others who don’t feel the issue has ever been addressed properly, and they’re waiting with wariness to see if this attempt is any better than they others. From what ...

Take Advantage Of West Virginia’s Trails

Looking for a way to enjoy the beautiful weather and explore our state’s natural wonders? The timing of National Trails Day couldn’t be more perfect. On Saturday, parks across our state will be hosting events including guided hikes and trail clean-ups, as part of the American Hiking Society’s effort to spur people to get outside, connect with new communities, and both enjoy and take care of our parks and trails. “We are excited to invite every West Virginian and all of the Mountain State’s visitors to take part in National Trails Day and celebrate the incredible benefits ...

Care For The Caregivers

Millions of Ohioans are caregivers for family members or neighbors in Ohio. As Ohio AARP Executive Director Jenny Carlson put it, “That’s one in four adults … holding up our healthcare system.” As public officials demand greater scrutiny over how Medicaid funds are used for at-home caregiving, AARP has conducted a study that shows many of the adults who are caring for aging parents and other family members are struggling financially, and nearing burnout. “Right now, it’s reaching a breaking point,” Carlson said in an interview with Statehouse News Bureau. When they ...

It’s Time For West Virginia To Stop Being Dead Last

Earlier this spring, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce waved some red flags regarding the state’s unemployment picture. According to WorkForce West Virginia’s numbers, total employment declined by 6,700 jobs from March 2025 to March 2026. Employment in the state sat at just 744,000 jobs. Among the noteworthy downturns was the mining industry, which lost 400 jobs during that year; manufacturing, which lost 300; and leisure and hospitality, which lost a disturbing 1,600 jobs. “With each new jobs report, we are seeing a clearer picture of where West Virginia stands and where ...