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To Build or Not To Build … Are We Even Permitted?

Appalachia is an American energy powerhouse, supplying the natural gas that underpins U.S. energy security, national security and our nation’s leading role in reducing carbon emissions. These are truths widely recognized and fiercely defended by residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, so much so that candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign walked back her opposition of the industry to appeal to voters in the area. Although the debate over “fracking bans” has dominated headlines, it’s a red herring in the broader battle for U.S. energy leadership and environmental ...

Justice Family Business Woes Back in Spotlight

It has been nearly impossible to keep up with all of the business issues that Gov. Jim Justice is having. And make no mistake: These are the governor’s issues, not his adult children’s issues. Nearly every organizational chart for Justice-owned businesses continues to list him at the top of the pyramid or with a majority of control of the now 108 businesses that Justice lists on his 2024 financial disclosure report with the state Ethics Commission. And only eight of those businesses are in blind trusts, which takes the governor out of the management of those specific ...

Bus Routes Released; Healy Talks Parks; and Lions Look Ahead

The bus routes for the 2024-25 academic year have been posted on the Marshall County Schools website: Boe.mars.k12.wv.us. The complete list can be found under the Links tab at the web page. Click on Transportation and then Bus Routes. Choose a bus number to download a schedule. If you’re not sure what bus your child should ride, call the MCS Transportation Department at 304-843-4422. Each morning, make sure your child is at the bus stop a minimum of five minutes prior to the time listed. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the one assigned to their home address, ...

Should Gov. Justice Get the Tax Cut He Wants?

Should West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Get The Tax Cut He Wants? No one likes taxes — that much is for sure. However, the difference between the federal government and the West Virginia state government is that the state must operate on a balanced budget — something that is simply unheard of in Washington, D.C. The first round of personal tax cuts that were contained in House Bill 2526 cut personal income taxes by 21.25% and contains a trigger that will slice an additional 4% come January 2025. The problem for Jimmy, Jim or James, and Baby Dog, is that the 2023 tax cut ...

Sunday Is 811 Day. Remember To Call Before You Dig!

Every Aug. 11 the calendar page reminds us to call 811 before digging. WV811 is a free service that coordinates with utilities to locate underground pipes and wires before you put a shovel in the ground. You are required by state law to call 811 at least 48 hours before you excavate. In our state, the One Call law is enforced by the West Virginia Damage Prevention Board (DPB). The Public Service Commission is designated as an active member of the DPB. The DPB aggressively investigates every reported violation of the One Call law. Anyone can report a suspected violation at ...

Should Justice Get the Tax Cuts He Wants?

It appears as we get closer to the end of Gov. Jim Justice’s final five months as the chief executive of the State of West Virginia, he may be ending his tenure the same way he began it: with a showdown with the Legislature. Of course, there are differences between now and the 2017 legislative session. Then, the governor was a Democrat dealing with a Republican legislative majority and even a Democratic minority who all were distrustful of Justice at the time. Democratic lawmakers were reluctant to follow his lead, and Republicans had no reason to. Now, Justice is on his way out ...