Breaking News

Local Columns

The View From 42

Today’s column is going to be a hodgepodge of things, because I turned 42 on Thursday and my mind has been in reminiscing mode. I was 22 in the summer of 2004. I was a college dropout from Ohio Valley University for more than a year at that point. I was living on the campus of Parkersburg Bible College with my friend (and now Rev. Stephen Kuntzman, who officiated my wedding in 2016). I attended church at Spreading Truth Ministries and played bass guitar and sang in the worship band. At that point, I assumed the likelihood of a journalism career was quite remote. I was donating ...

We Must Learn To Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

This past week I was invited to speak and give the benediction at the OVAC Evening with the Stars Dinner at the White Palace in Wheeling. This is the time when the All-Star Football players from the state of Ohio play against the All-Star Football players of West Virginia. They also include the All-Star Cheerleaders of each state and the Queen of Queens from each state. I am not sure, but I thought one of our sons played or was asked to play years ago. I know one of our daughters was an All-Star Cheerleader and another one of our daughters was a part of the Queen of Queens ...

Let’s Use Moment To Truly Become ‘United’ States of America

Editor’s note: This statement from Sen. Joe Manchin was released the day after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Our nation stands at a critical moment in our history. I love my country and I cannot stand by and watch these events unfold without trying to use my voice. The horrible actions of yesterday are the actions of one man, but they should surprise no one in the toxic political environment we find ourselves in today. On both sides of the political spectrum, politics has become a race to the extremes. While it takes different forms on the right and ...

Marshall Memo: A Visit from Gordon Gee; SpongeBob; and the Fair

Marshall County Commissioners Mike Ferro, John Gruzinskas and Scott Varner hosted WVU President Gordon Gee Tuesday to discuss the numerous challenges West Virginians have faced over the years. Drawing on his experiences at various universities, he highlighted what it means to be a West Virginian. He stressed that collaboration, leadership and education have significantly impacted West Virginia’s economy. Although there is much work to be done, Gee believes West Virginia is poised for greatness and can become a leader in the nation. The resilience, loyalty, faith, and patriotism of ...

Election Integrity Must Be Nation’s Priority as We Head to November

Silencing election integrity advocates does not increase voter confidence. The attempted assassination of former President Trump crystalizes the extreme political division within our country. The temperature must be lowered, but that will only begin to be accomplished by an open dialogue. On July 12th, the nation’s secretaries of state concluded our final national conference prior to the 2024 election. With our country as divided as it’s been in 150 years and with concern over election integrity being at its peak, the National Association of Secretaries of State failed to discuss ...

Money Matters

Elections are never over until they are over. As the old saying goes, the only poll that matters is the poll voters take on Election Day. But fundraising is important. Sure, an argument can be made that there is too much money in politics. I have never really subscribed to that. If that panhandler is allowed to sit outside my car window at the local stoplight and that be protected by the 1st Amendment, then money donated to political candidates should be every bit as protected. The only thing I ask is that I have full transparency in who donates. I enjoy going through campaign ...