West Virginia: 161 bruising years, but we will be okay

According to John G. Morgan in his book West Virginia Governors, “The historic morning of June 20, 1863, the official birthday of the 35th state, was cloudy with a threat of showers, but the sun broke through reassuringly.” A crowd assembled outside Linsly Institute in Wheeling, where Arthur Boreman would stand on a platform and

Juneteenth is a celebration for all

(Editor’s note: This is a commentary I posted last Juneteenth.) President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, freeing the slaves.  It took effect January 1, 1863, however, word spread slowly through the South as the Union army advanced during the Civil War. The news didn’t get to Texas until two-and-a-half years

Fix the homeschool loopholes

The tragic death of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller earlier this year has raised several issues about the state’s level of responsibility in looking out for abused and neglected children. Miller was found dead on the bathroom floor of her Boone County home “emaciated to a skeletal state.” Her mother and grandparents face charges of felony child

Jerry West and Us

The news last week about the death of Jerry West was a stunner. Jerry West, dead? Of course, West, like the rest of us, faced mortality, but he was not like the rest of us, was he? Unless we stopped to think about it, it just felt as though West would always be there. He

I’m off… again

I’m off again this week.  🙂  The able Dave Wilson is filling in.  I’ll return Monday, June 17th. Hop

Easy A

Americans understandably worry about inflation. Increasing prices for goods and services put a strain on the family budget. But there is another inflationary factor of growing concern in this country—grade inflation. A comprehensive study by ACT, the education non-profit best known for the ACT standardized test, finds that between 2010 and 2022, more high school

D-Day in their own words

Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the massive invasion of Normandy, France by allied forces. West Virginians were among the soldiers who were part of that force, and some of their personal accounts are archived in the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU. WVU Ex Libris Magazine has published the stories of

Questions, allegations swirling around election in Mingo County

Four candidates who lost their Primary Election races last month are raising questions about how the election was conducted in Mingo County. Incumbent state Senator Chandler Swope, House of Delegates candidate John White, Assessor candidate Audrey Smith and County Commission candidate Marty Fortner say it appears that Democrats voted in the Republican Primary, which would

Are we listening?

During a lifetime in the news business, so much of my focus has been on what someone said. Comments often make news, especially in today’s climate where provocative words are more likely to break into the news cycle. Inflammatory statements often breed a harsh response, and off we go until the verbal sparring runs its

Classic Joe Manchin

Joe Manchin always keeps us on our toes. It is not that Manchin is unpredictable, exactly. No, it is just that the veteran West Virginia Democrat—oops, I mean Independent—always keeps his options open. His announcement Friday that he has left the Democratic Party and switched to “no party affiliation” is classic Manchin. On one hand,

West Virginia’s continuing opioid crisis

The latest figures on drug overdose deaths from the Centers for Disease Control contain both encouraging and discouraging news. The data compiled by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics show drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased last year by three percent, down from 111,029 in 2022 to 107,543 last year. That is

The numbers just don’t add up for WV Democrats

Democratic candidates running for statewide office in West Virginia this year are facing nearly gale-force headwinds. The biggest challenge is the unrelenting trend in voter registration. Consider this: The last time a Democrat won statewide in West Virginia was 2018. Senator Joe Manchin narrowly defeated Republican Patrick Morrisey by just three percentage points, or 19,000

A few observations about the Libertarian Party

I have often butted heads with Libertarian Party political candidates in West Virginia over the years. The argument usually goes like this: Libertarian candidate: Why won’t you treat me as an equal to the other candidates running for office and give me more time on your radio show? Me: Because historic election results demonstrate Libertarian

“Manchin for Governor” is more than just a rumor

The talk about the possibility of Joe Manchin running for West Virginia Governor again is real. As MetroNews’s Brad McElhinny reported last week, two sources close to Manchin have confirmed that the former Democratic Governor is being encouraged to enter the race. One source said that much of the lobbying is coming from moderate Republicans

Dave is in the big chair

I’m off this week and Dave Wilson will be sitting in the Big Chair.   The commentary will return Monday, May 27. Hop

Democratic candidates for statewide office need help… from Republicans

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott may feel a breeze lifting them up following Tuesday’s Primary Election. Both Democrats won their races:  Williams was unopposed in the race for his party’s gubernatorial nomination and Elliott received 45 percent of the vote in a three-person race to win the U.S. Senate nomination. But

Post election notes

Some Primary Election observations: –Patrick Morrisey stayed steady. Various polling indicated the Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate had the support of around 30 to 35 percent of likely voters and none of the other candidates was able to cut into that base.    Morrisey, who lives in Jefferson County, was particularly strong in the Eastern

Happy Election Day!

I get sentimental on Election Day. Maybe I am naïve, but I still believe the people we choose to represent us, from county surveyor all the way up to President of the United States, matter. To believe in elections, I must resist the temptation to be cynical. It is too easy to dismiss elections with

A failing grade for a West Virginia middle school

The Martinsburg North Middle School website gives the impression of a successful academic environment where the 750 students can excel. It describes “a safe and positive atmosphere of high expectations, professionalism, and enthusiasm for lifelong learning.” The Mission Statement sets a high bar: “We at North Middle School are committed to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES

West Virginia’s most famous Primary Election

(Editor’s note: Portions of this commentary appeared in a previous commentary from November, 2023.) Today is the 64th anniversary of the most famous Primary Election in West Virginia history. It was on May 10, 1960, when West Virginia Democrats gave John F. Kennedy a decisive victory over Hubert Humphrey in the Primary Election, propelling him