Breaking News

Local Columns

School-Based Health Centers a Win for Ohio Families

Throughout Ohio, children are heading back to school for a new academic year. Students are excited to be with their classmates and teachers to learn and grow. But for kids to really excel, they need to feel their best to be able to learn at their best. That’s why school-based health centers are so important. School-based health centers provide an opportunity for children to receive healthcare right in their school building. By having health services available on school grounds, students can schedule appointments with healthcare professionals or walk right in if they are ...

Some Pressing Issues

We reporters like to think we have a thick skin. Being yelled at by politicians or their supporters, sometimes anonymously on social media, is par for the course in this business. Cat-and-mouse games between administrations, departments and lawmakers is common. But I’m kind of at my wit’s end. The attitude by Gov. Jim Justice and the communications officials in his administration and his departments toward the press, especially regarding issues within the governor’s control, has reached nearly a point of no return and I’m not sure what they can do to repair things beyond ...

It’s Time for America To Remember How To Laugh

Traditional comedy has always been based on situations that all of us face during our daily affairs at home, work, and play. We need to return to such humanistic humor. The problem with some segments of society today is taking humor too seriously, feeling offended. Laughter is important to our mental health. And we need to be able to laugh at ourselves. It is good for the human spirit. Likewise, we are witnessing contemporary comedy that is based on “hate humor” focused specifically on individuals and various groups. This comedic approach is truly hurtful, biased, and ...

Marshall Memo: Creating an Ecosystem; Grand Vue Park; and Fall Festival

Five months ago, the Marshall County Commission made a 3-year commitment to people in Marshall County to develop a first of its kind Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The Commission has partnered with Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Experts, Regional Economic Development Partnership, the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, First Microloan of WV, and the West Virgnia Small Business Development Center to develop this program. The ecosystrem is launching this month, with team experts gathering data, interviewing business owners, and holding networking events to gather information and determine ...

Understanding the Inner Workings of the W.Va. PSC

The Public Service Commission includes more than me and my fellow commissioners. In addition to the three of us, the agency has a number of divisions to carry out all the things that allow us to supervise public utilities. We have lawyers, accountants, and engineers who each contribute specialized skills to the overall effort. There are also secretaries, inspectors, and the friendly staff at the front desk who receive your comments or complaints. One part of the commission that you might come in contact with if you ever need to file a formal complaint is our Administrative Law Judges ...

Playing the Special Session Waiting Game

Pick up a flower, assuming you have any after this dry summer. Begin picking off the petals and with each one, alternate between “there will be a special session next week” and “there won’t be a special session next week.” Signs as of today, according to the Magic 8-ball that is my brain, point to no. Speaking Friday with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, he is skeptical but keeping his options open. “At this point, we have not received a call and at this point I’m not necessarily expecting one for August,” Hanshaw said. “That could change on a dime ...