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Pandemic Aid Confusion Impacts Budget Process

A poor explanation of a federal obligation led to a panic last week that the state of West Virginia was going to have to give back $465 million to the U.S. Department of Education. Even the word “clawback” was used, but as it turns out, it’s not really a clawback at all, at least in the short term. But depending on negotiations with the department for a second and final waiver, the state might have to — heaven forbid — spend an additional $465 million on education. And if we don’t do that, then the clawback commences. As a colleague — Mountain State Spotlight state ...

Asking Our Veterans To Serve Us Once Again

Democracy runs on elections. And elections run on volunteer poll workers. In spite of the importance of these volunteers, in the past three national elections, our nation has seen a critical shortage of volunteer election workers all across the country. This lack of volunteers has forced election officials in several states to make tough decisions, such as combining voter locations and having fewer voter check in tables available. These changes created situations that often made it difficult for many Americans to exercise their right to vote. In every statewide election held in ...

Marshall Memo: Activity Passes; Supporting Music; and Lifeguards

If you are a Marshall County resident and didn’t obtain a Marshall County Free Activity Pass, you will be able to get one by going to the Board of Education Office in Moundsville on Monday, March 11 or Tuesday March 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to have your picture taken for the pass. The Activity Pass can be used to attend every Marshall County Schools sponsored event. The pass is good for admission to the event only, and does not cover additional fees. Those with questions should call the Board of Education Office at 304-843-4400. --- Marshall County Schools Superintendent Shelby ...

Capito, Manchin Must Continue Policy To Help West Virginians

While we’ve become accustomed to hearing about the contention and gridlock in our political system, something remarkable happened in Congress at the end of January: A large, bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. This bill would temporarily expand the Child Tax Credit families rely on while also providing tax relief to businesses. Its passage through the Senate, which would make it law, would be an enormous boost to West Virginia families. The CTC was temporarily expanded during the early months ...

Counting Down the Days at the Capitol

Starting with my first regular legislative session back as a reporter for this newspaper in 2019 (my first session back was the special session on impeachment of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in the summer of 2018), I would title my columns “Week x at the Legislature.” I haven’t done that this session. Because honestly, this session has not been worth writing about in my weekly “Reporter’s Notebook” column except in a couple instances (the governor’s State of the State address, the bill lifting criminal liability protections from librarians). This has been ...

Channeling Alice Parker To Warm Away Nightmares

As many of you know one of the churches that I am blessed to lead stepped out and purchased what I like to call the, “North Wheeling Community Dream Center.” Due to all the problems, challenges, and difficulties we have had since its purchase in February 2016, some members call the building the, “North Wheeling Community Nightmare.” I understand it, but I don’t like it. I have been told that I am too transparent, and that I share way too much about my life and ministry. It is very possible, this may be more evidence they can use against me, about sharing too much. No ...