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Dispatches From The Greenbrier Resort

I’m writing this week’s column sitting at a fancy writing desk off of the lobby of the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. No, I am not staying at the Greenbrier. I’m just a humble newspaper reporter who is staying at a nearby Super 8. But I have been attending the 88th West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business Summit. The Business Summit is probably one of my favorite events to cover. My beat is covering state government, but my beat often intersects with business, whether that means lawmakers crafting bills to draw more businesses here, ...

Inflation Reduction Act’s Drug Price Negotiations Will Save Billions

President Biden says that the ability to afford needed medicines is about dignity, hope, and fairness. Those words embody the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to implement the President’s lower cost prescription drug law, also known as the Inflation Reduction Act. This month marks a historic milestone, as the Biden-Harris Administration announced new, lower prices for 10 drugs selected for the first cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations. As Regional Director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), part of my job is to spread the word throughout West Virginia ...

Marshall Memo: Schools; Calling New Lions; ‘LOOK’; and ‘Fool’s Parade’ Showing

Several personnel matters were approved by the Marshall County Board of Education at this past Tuesday’s meeting meeting. They were: Kylie Clatterbuck from Teacher of English, Moundsville School to Teacher of Multi-Cat w/Autism and English, Moundsville Middle School. Courtney Blake from Custodian Elementary, to Aide/Autism Moundsville Middle School. William Williams from Bus Operator, Route 71 to Custodian III, John Marshall High School. James Higginson from Bus Operator, Route 3 (half day) to bus Operator, Route 55, Glen Dale/Sherrard. Jerry Wade, Volunteer Assistant Coach ...

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 ...