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Make W.Va. Better For Our Retirees

Editorials

How many of us regularly see social media posts and advertorials touting something along the lines of the top hidden gems to retire to in West Virginia? They’re everywhere. And most seem to be aimed at luring non-West Virginians to a few select locations after their retirement. But what if you already live here? What is the retirement landscape like, then? Well, according to WalletHub’s “2026’s Best and Worst States to Retire,” the Mountain State is fourth worst in the nation. There is one almost-bright spot. Our state ranks 18th for affordability and fifth for adjusted ...

Remain Safe in Frigid Weather

Editorials

There are few situations where the phrase “abundance of caution” is more fitting than where the Ohio Valley stands now with its weather. The winter storm of the past weekend dumped several inches of snow —up to 13 inches in places like Cameron— on the ground. Residents have been digging themselves out ever since. State, county and city crews have been working around the clock to make the streets as safe as they can. This isn’t going to be an easy, or quick, fix. The biggest fly in the ointment will be the frigid temperatures the region will see for the next several days. ...

Check Unclaimed Funds

Editorials

Looking for something to do while snow, ice and frigid temperatures have perhaps kept you home for more time than you’d like in recent days? It could be a good time to check out the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds website. According to a recent report by the Akron Beacon Journal, the state still holds more than $4 billion in dormant bank accounts, utility deposits and uncashed checks. That’s a huge chunk of your money just sitting (virtually) in Columbus. And remember, if you don’t claim it after more than ten years, you run the risk of it being used ...

Child Protections Need Strengthened

Editorials

West Virginians got a horrific reminder last week of the depth from which those trying to reform the work of the state Department of Human Services are trying to climb, with news that on Feb. 15, 2025, 11-year-old Miana Moran of Taylor County died in a case that has led to murder charges for her primary custodian. Miana was a sixth grader in virtual schooling through Upshur County Schools, according to a report by WCHS. A criminal complaint filed in Taylor County Magistrate Court said she weighed 43 pounds at her death. According to the WCHS report, Miana was wearing a pull-up diaper ...

Keep Homes Safe in Cold Weather

Editorials

The several inches of snow that has hit the Ohio Valley will come and go. The absolutely frigid temperatures coming with that snow will linger for a while — and that could spell big trouble for homeowners. The National Weather Service isn’t predicting a high temperature above 19 degrees for the rest of the week. The lows are forecast to dip to 0 several days. That’s not good news for homes with exposed pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If it expands too much, it can burst through those pipes and create a catastrophe, especially with the inclement weather. AAA has some ...

Justice vs. Morrisey

Local Columns

Since former governor Jim Justice took his oath of office as a U.S. senator last year and former attorney general Patrick Morrisey was sworn in as West Virginia’s 37th governor, there has been somewhat of a cold war between the two officials. I won’t go over the entire history of the cold war, but the most recent incident involves the announcement by the Morrisey administration last week that Arizona-based Frontieras North America finally closed on the purchase of 183 acres in Mason County to move forward with a proposed $850 million investment in the state to construct a new coal ...