Editorials

Are We Seeing a Return on Taxes?

As tax day approaches (remember, you have until the end of the day Tuesday to file taxes digitally, and if you’re using the U.S. Postal Service, make sure you have taxes there during business hours for the postmark), Mountain State residents might find themselves wondering, “What does all that money I send to Charleston get me, anyway?” All over the country, the question is the same, and WalletHub put together the “States with the Best and Worst Taxpayer ROI (2025)” to give some answers. First, it should be noted WalletHub says New Hampshire gives its taxpayers the best ...

Setting Priorities for West Virginia

Hidden among the many bizarre attempts this session by state lawmakers to push legislation that would do almost nothing to move West Virginia forward was an important piece of legislation that should actually do some good — the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act. Gov. Patrick Morrisey was right to quickly get his signature on the measure, which will allow those moving to the Mountain State to easily transfer their occupational licenses. It mandates that professional boards grant licenses to those who have been licensed in other states for at least a year, under ...

Don’t Forget — Tax Day Is Coming

Tax returns ­— both federal and state — are due to be filed and postmarked by the end of day Tuesday. If you’re a late filer, make sure you’re doing everything you can to maximize your return. First, if you live in West Virginia, new for the 2024 tax year is the MV-1 form. If you qualified for this credit by paying your personal property taxes on time in 2023-24, then you should have received a letter from the West Virginia Tax Department that you’ll need to help file your state taxes. Depending on how you paid and the number of vehicles, etc. you own, the credit can up to a ...

Pats on the Back

- To Wheeling Park High School teacher Caroline Dillon, Wheeling Country Day School Head of School Jessica Broski Birch and Jermaine Lucious for being named the 2025 Deborah Doleski Allen Champion of Children here in Ohio County. The trio were honored Friday during a ceremony at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. The Champion of Children Awards honor individuals who demonstrate the pillars of child abuse prevention. Nominated by members of the community and selected by the Ohio County Partners in Prevention Team, this award is given to individuals who exemplify extraordinary dedication to ...

Don’t Get Caught Without Real ID

In less than a month, all those flying domestically will only be able to board an airplane if they have a Real ID — that gold star in the upper corner of your driver’s license — or a valid passport. It’s been 20 years since Congress passed the Real ID Act. It’s been delayed numerous times but is now set to take effect May 7. If you don’t have one, and you don’t have a valid passport, it’s simple: you won’t be able to fly. With only four weeks remaining, DMV offices are busy getting people signed up. In West Virginia, the Division of Motor Vehicles offers a couple ...

Continue Opioid Fight

A couple of members of Congress are not giving up on finding ways to fight the substance abuse epidemic. Last month, U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, and Robin Kelly, D— Ill., reintroduced the Remote Opioid Monitoring Act, which would direct the federal government to study the effectiveness of remote monitoring technology in helping health care providers track patients who have received prescriptions for opioids. “The opioid epidemic has devastated communities and families in Ohio and across the country,” said Balderson. “To combat this crisis, we must allow doctors to ...