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New Twist in West Virginia Attorney General Race

I have to admit, when I first heard the rumors last week that State Auditor J.B. McCuskey was going to jump out of the Republican race for governor of West Virginia and into the attorney general’s race, I didn’t believe it. I was told last week by sources there was a poll out in the field with the hypothetical scenario of McCuskey as a candidate for attorney general, but I just couldn’t believe it. For one, I had been on the phone with McCuskey on July 19 arranging for an interview for a series I’m working on the Republican candidates for governor. While several people had ...

Charting Wheeling’s Accomplishments

As Mayor Glenn Elliott concluded his seventh and final State of the City address on July 25th, I couldn’t help but be grateful and thankful for the community we live in. Over the last seven years we have seen significant progress take place all over the city of Wheeling. Around 450 streets and alleys have been paved, almost 30 parks and playgrounds have seen investment and there are currently around 30 projects taking place in or around downtown, representing more than $200 million of investment. We have new housing options planned for downtown to meet the demand developers are ...

Extremists From Both Sides Threaten Nation’s Future

Throughout my career in public service, especially as West Virginia’s governor and U.S. senator, I have looked for every opportunity possible to change my state and country for the better by bringing everyone to the negotiating table, no matter their political beliefs. As part of that mission, and for more than a decade, I have fully embraced the unique role I play as a centrist because, like so many Americans, I believe that our partisan politics are tearing this nation apart at the seams. And like so many Americans, I’m sick and tired of it, and it’s why I spoke at a No Labels ...

Local News Is Good for Small Businesses, Communities

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the “Community News & Small Business Support Act,” that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to both newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the ...

Manchin Faces Difficult Choice

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin is between a rock and a hard place. I don’t envy the choice he will ultimately have to make, likely as soon as the end of the year. Manchin, D-W.Va., is up for reelection in 2024 for a third six-year term as the state’s senior senator. He’s been in the Senate since winning a special election to succeed the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who died in office. While once one of West Virginia’s most popular elected officials, things have changed for Manchin. When he first stepped down as governor halfway through his second term, most West Virginians were ...

Recommendation: Go to a Ballgame This Summer

A few weeks ago, I was humbled and honored to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates game with a great bunch of pastors and community leaders. I don’t remember the last time I have been to a game. I am sure I have been in the last three years, but it was not anytime recent. I have taken close to 100 kids to the game from our annual children’s camp on several school buses more than once. I must admit I cannot remember anything about the game, because I was always checking on the kids. I was so tired that night I felt like I had played the game and may have needed to sleep for a few days. The ...