Coal Valley News CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Veteran journalist and Boone County native Phil Perry has been named president of HD Media, which publishes The Herald-Dispatch, the Charleston Gazette-Mail and a host of weekly publications across West Virginia, Virginia and Ohio. Perry, 53, succeeds Doug Skaff Jr., who died in a[Read More…]
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In Loving Memory of Doug Skaff Jr. (1976–2025)
West Virginia Press Association It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Doug Skaff Jr., a beloved leader, visionary, husband, father, and friend. Doug tragically passed away on June 10, 2025, in a car accident in Lewis County, West Virginia. He was 48 years old. Doug Skaff[Read More…]
Doug Skaff Jr., president of the Gazette-Mail, former WV delegate, dead at 48
Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Doug Skaff, Jr., a former state delegate and the president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, died Tuesday in a vehicle crash in Lewis County. He was 48. Details about the crash, which shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 79 near Mile[Read More…]
EDITORIAL: Enhanced 911
Fee to Increase a Bit on Cell Phone Bills The Inter-Mountain It was a headline-grabber indeed for those who chose to present a change by the West Virginia Public Service Commission as meaning cell phone BILLS increasing 10% in the state. But the reality is significantly less frightening. Beginning July[Read More…]
Editorial: Economic news gets worse for southern WV coalfields
The Herald-Dispatch It’s been a tough spring job-wise in the southern West Virginia coalfields. This week, it got worse. On Tuesday, June 3, Itmann Mining Co., a subsidiary of Core Natural Resources, filed a WARN notice with Workforce WV that it plans to idle all or part of its Itmann[Read More…]
From Heartbreak to History: Paw Paw Schools crown first-ever State Track Champions
By Jamie Harris, The Morgan Messenger PAW PAW, W.Va. — What began as a season still reeling from the heartache of the sudden loss of beloved teacher and long-time athletic director Jeff Palmer in September suddenly turned into a celebration of resilience, pride, and pure athletic brilliance this past weekend[Read More…]
Gazette-Mail editorial: Medicaid cuts and the inequality of death
Charleston Gazette-Mail Plenty of reports and opinion pieces have been circulating in the news media in West Virginia regarding looming cuts to Medicaid in the congressional spending plan that will facilitate extended tax cuts for the wealthy. Many West Virginians already have difficulty accessing and affording health care, as represented[Read More…]
Former WV newspaper owner, WVU journalism professor, Jerry Ash, passes in Florida
Gerald W. “Jerry” Ash, 85, died May 9, 2025, in Sun City Center, Fla, where he lived the past 26 years. He was born June 3, 1939, in Clarksburg, W.Va., and was adopted at birth by Minnie Pearl Hibbs Ash and Forest Earl Ash of Bridgeport, W.Va. A 1957 graduate[Read More…]
Editorial: Morrisey working on plan for school funding change
The Logan Banner As most county school systems in West Virginia struggle with declining state aid tied to enrollment, Gov. Patrick Morrisey says he is open to revisiting the state school aid formula. He also supports the idea of “money following the child” and the Hope Scholarship, which itself reduces[Read More…]
West Virginia Press Association welcomes Lauren Phillips as new Office Manager and Communications Specialist
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Press Association (WVPA) is excited to announce a new edition to our team, Lauren Phillips. Lauren became the new Office Manager and Communications Specialist on May 13. “Stella, Jack, and I are extremely excited to work with Lauren, who brings great experiences and energy to[Read More…]
