Opinion

It's Time For West Virginia To Stop Being Dead Last

Editorials June 3, 2026

Earlier this spring, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce waved some red flags regarding the state’s unemployment picture. According to WorkForce West Virginia’s numbers, total employment declined by 6,700 jobs from March 2025 to March 2026. Employment in the state sat at just 744,000 jobs. Among the noteworthy downturns was the mining industry, which lost 400 jobs during that year; manufacturing, which lost 300; and leisure and hospitality, which lost a disturbing 1,600 jobs. “With each new jobs report, we are seeing a clearer picture of where West Virginia stands and where ...

Foster Teens In Need Of Our Help

Editorials June 2, 2026

Charleston’s First Presbyterian Church Hope Center released a report last week that highlights the challenges for young people aging out of the foster care system in West Virginia. It showed the continuum of care for these vulnerable residents falls short in a number of ways. For the Hope Center, the report was meant to contribute to the conversation about how service gaps can be filled and organizations can work together, according to a report by West Virginia Watch. “No one system, agency or provider can fully meet all of the complex needs of these young adults transitioning ...

Reporter's Notebook: Signs And Portents

Local Columns June 1, 2026

Happy June, everybody. Today marks the meteorological start of summer, and I’m ready to fire up the grill and head to the pool. However, some people are still stuck trying to sell us in the West Virginia political press that the May 12 Republican primary was a victory for the forces of Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston. I still contend that the GOP primary wasn’t a victory for anyone. It was a stalemate in the Republican caucuses in the House of Delegates and state Senate. The governor will once again face a hostile House Republican caucus. And ...

John McCabe: The View From Wheeling Heights Has Never Been Better

Local Columns May 31, 2026

There was a time — not all that long ago, really — when many people in Wheeling would not have imagined an event such as the Ogden Wellness Weekend bringing thousands of residents together in celebration across so many corners of the city. More importantly, there also was a time when few ...

West Virginia's Drug Problem Must Be Remedied

Editorials May 28, 2026

Despite enormous settlements and creation of a foundation that says it is dedicated to preventing substance use disorder, supporting recovery and saving lives, a study this spring from WalletHub showed West Virginia STILL has the sixth-worst drug problem in the country. Worse, the Mountain State remains first in the country for drug overdose deaths per capita. We’re just not making the change some politicians hope we will believe is taking place. West Virginia is 11th for drug arrests per capita, 15th for both opioid pain reliever prescriptions per 100 people and share of teenagers ...

Keep Your Skin Safe

Editorials May 27, 2026

May is National Melanoma Awareness Month and, while the month is almost over, the message it sent will become especially important the further we get into summer. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. And the chances to develop it will grow much higher as folks head to the beach for vacation, to the local public pool to cool off or to the backyard to work on their tans. There are simple ways to prevent melanoma from hurting you ...