Editorials

Measles Vaccine Is Safe

As political chatter raises questions about vaccines and legal requirements for them, some news close to home should remind us of their importance. According to the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, a measles outbreak was confirmed in the county on Aug. 29. Three children from the same family — all unvaccinated. And while those children are reportedly improving at home, the health department’s task now is to work with the family “to identify and follow-up with any exposure and contacts, and help where needed.” The Ohio news made its way into a report by the ...

Lawmakers Must Listen To Voters

Data from the most recent WV MetroNews West Virginia poll, presented during this year’s state Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business Summit, contained “a warning sign … for political leadership in the state.” Despite the incessant dive by too many elected officials for the cheapest possible political points, most West Virginians (73% of those registered voters who were polled) are more worried about economic development and jobs than social issues. “By a clear majority, nearly three-fourths … said the Legislature should be focusing on economic development issues ...

Lawmakers Must Listen To Voters

Data from the most recent WV MetroNews West Virginia poll, presented during this year’s state Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Business Summit, contained “a warning sign … for political leadership in the state.” Despite the incessant dive by too many elected officials for the cheapest possible political points, most West Virginians (73% of those registered voters who were polled) are more worried about economic development and jobs than social issues. “By a clear majority, nearly three-fourths … said the Legislature should be focusing on economic development issues ...

Fairs a Fun Time for Young and Old

As the calendar has turned to September and fall is approaching, fairs and festivals are getting into full swing around the Ohio Valley — and valley residents would be silly not to visit. The fun has begun this week with the Belmont County Fair, a 176-year tradition that offers all of the classic fair of rides, livestock exhibits, food games and more. The same can be said this week for the West Alexander Fair just across the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border. Barnesville gets into the act on Sept. 22-25 when it hosts its annual Pumpkin Festival. That not only features fair and ...

A Great Take-Off at WLU

West Liberty’s fledgling aviation program took a major step forward recently, as five of the program’s students completed their inaugural solo flights. Brady Bauer, Luke Miller, Jeremy Ratcliffe, Isaiah Zelaski, and Brock Bauer each took to the air for that significant milestone in their education. “A first solo flight is a defining moment in every pilot’s training,” said Tasha Taylor, WLU Aviation coordinator. “It represents not only the technical skills our students have mastered, but also their confidence and readiness to take the next steps toward a professional ...

Overreach Still No Good for West Virginia

“The president cannot decide major economic and political questions, or significantly alter the balance of power between the states and federal government, without clear authorization from Congress.” Those are the words of then-West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey back in 2021, when he was rightly continuing his fight against the illegal federal efforts and executive overreach of the Clean Power Plan. He was able to make his point because he understood then, “Thankfully, our Constitution stands in the way of (then-President Joe) Biden unilaterally pushing the country ...