Editorials

Getting to Core of W.Va.’s Epidemic

Members of the West Virginia First Foundation are not taking a “mission accomplished, time to call it a day” approach to recent data that shows a continued decrease in drug overdose deaths in the Mountain State. Instead, they are working to understand the data and build on each victory. Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Board spoke on WAJR about the launch of a New Horizons Committee that will explore strategies for implementing the best methods, research and innovations in substance abuse treatment. “We want to bolster those efforts, and we want to make sure we reach all of ...

Access Needed for All of Ohio

KFF Health News has published a report called “Dead Zone: Millions in U.S. Live in Places Where Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach.” It’s an intriguing look at communities and counties where residents tend to have more health problems, fewer health professionals and insufficient access to broadband internet. Southeast Ohio has a significant number of these counties. “Compared with those in other regions, patients across the rural South, Appalachia, and remote West are most often unable to make a video call to their doctor or log into their patient ...

Time To Focus on Education in West Virginia

West Virginia lawmakers spent considerable time this past session discussing public education. Bills pertaining to weakening vaccination requirements, shifting oversight for the West Virginia Board of Education to the Legislature, mapping all schools to improve safety and more found their way to committee agendas. But no where in that mix was discussion on how to improve student achievement. That was a missed opportunity. Consider the updated 2024 NAEP scores presented earlier this year by the Urban Institute, which uses demographic information such as “gender, age, race or ...

Medicaid Cuts Would Hurt

Elected officials across the country are bracing for proposed cuts to Medicaid as the federal government looks to change the way it spends taxpayer dollars. In West Virginia, Republican U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is concerned enough that she has emphasized the need to root out fraud, institute a work requirement and include other accountability measures before any cuts. According to a report by The Commonwealth Fund, Ohio is among the five states that would see the greatest economic losses from cuts to Medicaid funding. California, New York, Texas and Pennsylvania are the others. ...

Charting a New Path To Push WVU Ahead

As West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee winds down his tenure at the helm of the state’s flagship institution of higher learning (Gee this past weekend oversaw his final commencement ceremonies), it is clear incoming President Michael T. Benson does not intend to try to fill those big shoes — instead, he intends to lead WVU wearing his own. That is important if the university is to truly build on what Gee accomplished during his two stints at WVU (and also top roles at several other institutions) by focusing on what is next, rather than what was. No matter how painful ...

Remember: Boating Safely Is a Priority

Once National Police Week wraps up, law enforcement and other agencies will dive straight into National Safe Boating Week. In West Virginia, the Division of Natural Resources police are ready to remind those who can’t wait to hit the water this summer that they must do so safely. Administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, the weeklong initiative is meant to help boaters prioritize safety at all times. “We want everyone to enjoy our beautiful lakes and rivers, but that means wearing life jackets, staying sober and knowing the rules,” said WVDNR Director Brett McMillion. “Boating ...