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The Debt Burden in Ohio

Across the country, families are struggling to keep their heads above water with varying degrees of success. Some states are in better shape than others. So WalletHub took a look at “Cities Paying Off the Most Household Debt,” in a recent report. Those living in some California cities appear to be having the most success. If your own household debt situation is giving you a sinking feeling about how well Ohio cities performed, you see where this is going. In the report listing 182 cities, Ohio had three in the bottom 10 (Akron at 174, Toledo at 179 and Cleveland at 181). Columbus ...

Will New Steel Tariffs End Up Backfiring?

The best that can be said about President Trump’s blessing of Nippon Steel’s purchase of U.S. Steel is that it blocks Cleveland-Cliffs’ play to buy U.S. Steel instead. The worst is that the purchase has become another opening to make U.S. companies less competitive with higher tariff walls on foreign steel. Trump, while in West Mifflin, Pa. to discuss the Nippon deal, announced a consolation prize to United Steelworkers boss David McCall, who had opposed the deal: Doubling steel tariffs to 50%. The President boasted about Nippon Steel’s commitment to invest $14 billion in ...

Create Real Future for Southern W.Va.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey arrived in Welch, W.Va., late last month with a determination to let the people of McDowell County know they have not been forgotten. In addition to announcements regarding money for other parts of the state, Morrisey touted the awarding of $1 million to address sewer system deficiencies in Bradshaw, in McDowell County. “Every man, woman, and child should have access to safe, clean drinking water,” Morrisey said. “Every business owner should have the opportunity to operate in a town with modern utilities, and every county should be part of our state success ...

Follow-Through on Mailers Right Move

Free, fair and trusted elections are integral to making our nation work. When that system comes under attack, it truly is necessary to identify those involved and allow the matter to work through the system. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office and Wetzel County Prosecutor Timothy Haught deserve credit for seeing through a local case in which illegal mailers were sent to thousands of voters during Wheeling’s municipal election. Just recently, Haught, a special prosecutor in the case, brought 22 misdemeanor charges against 41-year-old Anand Patel of Wheeling over his ...

Center Wheeling’s Future Must Be a Priority Today

A comment earlier this week from Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron on employee parking for those working at businesses in Center Wheeling illustrates why city officials must start discussions now on a realistic long-term plan for that neighborhood’s future. “We’ve already had inquiries for about half of the (parking) spaces (available at the former Center Wheeling parking garage site). I’ve had a number of building owners tell me that their employees were feeding the meters. When the parking structure was there, it had monthly parking,” Herron told members of City Council ...

Stepping Forward for State’s Future

The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce’s scheduled speaker at next week’s Lunch With Leaders program — Marshall University President Brad Smith — should be a big hit locally, particularly as Wheeling works through the process of identifying a path toward a new future. Smith is expected to speak on the happenings at Marshall — and how the university is helping West Virginia to form its own vision for the future. Smith, a Kenova native, brings a non-traditional career path to the top post at Marshall. He was a longtime executive at Intuit, serving as the tech company’s CEO ...