Gubernatorial Candidates Open The Door For The Fairness Act

Typically, it is moments of conflict and disagreement that stand out in political debates.  That was the case during West Virginia’s Gubernatorial debate last week between incumbent Republican Governor Jim Justice and Democratic challenger Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango. However, late in the debate there was an area of agreement worth noting. Both Justice and

West Virginia Voters Line Up Early

West Virginia voters, just like voters across the country, are anxious to cast their ballots. Lines formed at some polling places in West Virginia yesterday, the first day for early voting. In Kanawha County, the line to early vote wrapped around the voter registration office.  “I have been coming down here for early voting to

GOP On The Verge Of Overtaking Democrats In Party Registration In WV

Politically, West Virginia has been trending red for two decades, even as the Democratic Party maintained an overwhelming advantage in the number of registered voters. However, the latest figures from Secretary of State Mac Warner’s office show that the GOP is now tantalizingly close to overtaking the Democrats. For the upcoming General Election, 458,391 West

How West Virginia Will Recover From The Pandemic

West Virginia’s economy, like the economies of most states and the entire country, has taken a body blow during the pandemic. Recently released figures from WVU’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research show just how hard the virus and the economic shutdown impacted the state. —The state lost 94,000 jobs from February through mid-April. —The

Most West Virginians Are Answering The Call On Masks

For months now, health and most government leaders have said that one of the most effective things we can do to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus is to wear facemasks. The latest edition of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll finds that most of the residents of our state are taking that to heart.

Manchin: Mays Cooperating With VA Hospital Investigation

This past July, Reta Mays pleaded guilty to seven counts of second degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit an eighth murder, thus taking responsibility for the deaths of veterans being treated at the Lewis A. Johnson VA Hospital in Clarksburg. Mays, who worked the overnight shift as a nursing assistant,

Decency and Debates

For those of you who were left disappointed by the chaos and rudeness of the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, know this—there is still civility in politics and you can find it right here in West Virginia. Tuesday night’s West Virginia Broadcasters Association debate between incumbent Governor Jim Justice and Democratic challenger

Debate Night in West Virginia

Tonight is the night, the one and probably only face-to-face gubernatorial debate between incumbent Republican Governor Jim Justice and Democratic challenger Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango. The West Virginia Broadcasters Association, which represents radio and TV stations in the state, has organized the debate and AT&T is the sponsor. Here are some points about the

Salango Has Ground To Make Up In Governor’s Race

With just three weeks before Election Day, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Ben Salango has some ground to make up. The latest edition of the MetroNews West Virginia Poll has incumbent Republican Governor Jim Justice ahead of Salango by 19 points. On the question to likely voters, “If the election for Governor of West Virginia were held

Justice’s Rocket Ship Ride Comes in a Vacuum Tube

With the election looming, Governor Jim Justice has delivered his version of an October Surprise, and it came flying into the state in an oversized vacuum tube. Virgin Hyperloop, Sir Richard Branson’s futuristic people and cargo mover, will build its Certification Center in West Virginia. The Center, to be located on 800 acres of donated

Trump’s Missed Opportunity

President Trump missed a golden opportunity this week. There he was, making a dramatic entrance to the White House after a short stay at Walter Reed Hospital where he was treated for Covid-19.  The President gave a long salute and a thumbs up. It was a moment, one where most Americans could say with a

Justice Two for Two in Defense of Covid Map

The Justice administration is two for two in its defense of court challenges to its Covid-19 map and the metrics that determine whether public schools can open and whether extracurricular activities can take place. The latest decision came yesterday when Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit rejected the arguments of a George Washington High

Can West Virginia Be a Home/Work/Play Destination?

One of the common sayings among folks who now live and work in West Virginia, but were not born here is, “I got here as soon as I could.”  That is a heartfelt endorsement of life in the Mountain State delivered by individuals who have found their version of “almost heaven” in West Virginia. Unfortunately,

The President and Covid-19

The news about President Trump’s health is encouraging.  He continues to improve and could be discharged from Walter Reed Hospital as soon as today. Dr. Brian Garibaldi, who is part of the President’s medical team, said at Sunday’s briefing that Trump has responded well to treatment for Covid-19. “He has been up and around. Our

Remembering the Significance of Storer College

On this day, October 2, 1867, Storer College opened in Harpers Ferry. It was the first college in West Virginia for black students. The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, but there were no educational opportunities for the thousands of black Americans and their children beyond primary school. The school was named for its primary benefactor John

A Bad Night For Democracy

Tuesday night’s presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was like a professional wrestling match… only without the sophistication. At least the WWE entertainers let each other finish their monologues before they launch into combat.  There was no such courtesy extended in the presidential debate. Liberal and conservative commentators alike condemned the fiasco. The

West Virginia’s Malleable Covid-19 Map

The Justice administration’s color-coded Covid-19 map shows the extent of the virus in each county.  It provides a metric for determining whether public schools can open and whether sports and other extracurricular activities can take place. The mapping and the data that go into the metric have generated confusion and controversy for a variety of

Biden vs. Trump Tonight. Will You Be Watching?

President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden meet tonight in the first of three debates before Election Day. The audience will be huge—possibly 100 million people will watch on television and streaming services and listen on the radio. The numbers could eclipse the first Trump-Hillary Clinton debate of 2016 that was the most

The Presidential Campaign Needs An End Point

Over this past weekend, we saw many examples of something coming to an end on our sports fields.  Teams prepared, the games started and then, at some point, they ended. One team lost and another won. Yes, there was controversy over some of the outcomes—a bad call or maybe even an allegation of cheating—but each

Gov. Justice’s Emergency Authority During Pandemic Under Scrutiny

Courts in West Virginia are scheduled to hear two separate cases challenging Governor Jim Justice’s sweeping authority to issue executive orders during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the petitions was filed by Alex McLaughlin. The Charleston attorney and father of two school-aged children argues that under the state Constitution, children are entitled to a “thorough