An editorial from the Times West Virginian FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Nationwide, one out of five adults would respond “yes” to the question of whether or not they smoked cigarettes. According to a Gallup poll released this week, one out of every three West Virginians would respond “yes” to that question.[Read More…]

A column by Charleston Daily Mail staff writer Ashley B. Craig CHARLESTON, W.Va. — I like to make up stories about strangers. In my profession that’s a big no-no, but it’s a habit you pick up people-watching. Making up names and stories has become a good pastime while waiting here[Read More…]

Is this your community?

Election-year budget talks set to gloss over irreconcilable differences An editorial from The Dominion Post MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appears to be setting up a shotgun budget between Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature. Of course, the recalcitrant couple feign disinterest in each other, but off the[Read More…]

An editorial from The Exponent Telegram CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Everyone knew going into this legislative session that the state had some monumental challenges in terms of balancing the FY2015 budget. Declining gambling revenues as well as declining coal severance tax revenues, combined with higher Medicaid costs from the federal government,[Read More…]

An editorial from The Journal MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — March 31 may be a significant – and very expensive – date in your life. Don’t know why? That is not unusual. Tens of millions of Americans do not, according to public opinion polls. By the end of this month, many people[Read More…]

An editorial from the Parkersburg News and Sentinel PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — It was a miracle no one was killed when a gas pipeline near Sissonville ruptured in December 2012. As it was, three homes were destroyed and a section of Interstate 77 was melted, requiring overnight repair. The potential for[Read More…]

An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — If your personal information stored by a retailer somehow falls into unauthorized hands, how would you be notified? Or would you be notified at all? The answer may well depend on where you live. And that’s not a very good answer. The[Read More…]

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — When time expired Saturday night in this year’s regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, the state’s horse- and dog-racing industries had managed to strike a blow against an attempt to reduce the massive subsidies they enjoy. But the blow was[Read More…]

A column by Mike Myer of The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va. — While we were discussing one of the problems we at the newspaper sometimes have in obtaining public records, another journalist advised me, “Don’t take it personally.” Well, sorry, but I do take it personally. I can’t for the[Read More…]