Local Columns

West Virginia Moving to Offense in Economic ‘Backyard Brawl’

For too long, West Virginia has sat at the bottom of health, education, and economic rankings. Policymakers have spent decades trying to solve these problems, but frustratingly little progress has occurred. Action, not platitudes, is needed for true growth. If we want to truly move the needle, we must stop treating the symptoms and instead focus on the real disease: for too long, our state simply didn’t do enough to create an attractive enough investment and regulatory climate. That’s why I signed an Executive Order establishing an economic Backyard Brawl on my first day in ...

Road Tripping

One of the great things about being a news reporter is getting to sometimes hit the road and explore parts of the state I’ve never been to, as well as meeting the people who make this state go. Last Wednesday, I hopped in my car and drove from Charleston to Mason County. I’ve been reporting about the impending sale of West Virginia’s state-owned long-term care facilities, so I wanted to take some photos of the one closest to me, which is Lakin Hospital a few miles outside of Point Pleasant along W.Va. 2. I was only a few miles away from Lakin when there it was: a pothole right ...

Marking a Milestone for America’s Black Community

This month will be the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington that took place on Aug. 28, 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. There were a number of people that attended that great March on Washington at personal risk to their own careers. One was someone who passed on July 31, 2022. I speak of none other than the champion of champions, William Felton Russell, born Feb. 12, 1934. Bill Russell is reported to have said, “When I heard the speech, I had no idea that the words of that speech would last so long as they did.” In ...

More Than a Meeting: West Virginia’s Best Sales Pitch to the World

August 27 is more than just another date on the calendar. It marks the opening of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce 89th Annual Meeting & Business Summit, our flagship gathering and the largest event of its kind in the state. Held at The Greenbrier, fondly referred to as “America’s Resort,” this is more than a meeting, it’s a moment, steeped in tradition, that moves our state forward. For nearly nine decades, this summit has brought together West Virginia’s best and brightest minds - from business and healthcare to education, finance and public policy. It is a powerful ...

Making the Strategic Case for U.S. Mineral Rights

In an era of global energy insecurity, America’s overlooked advantage lies beneath our feet. The United States holds a unique strength that may not make headlines but plays a key role in supporting American energy independence: privately owned mineral rights. As the World Energy Report notes, “Global energy security is under intense pressure ... as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather events reshape the landscape of energy production and distribution.” In this climate, the U.S. model of mineral ownership stands out for its economic benefits and ...

Marshall Memo: State of the County; Adult Education; and More

The Marshall County Chamber of Commerce invites you to its annual State of Marshall County Breakfast at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Grand Vue Park Special Events Hall. Sponsored by Premier Sponsor EQT and Gold Sponsors Expand Energy and Williams Energy, the event features West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner as the guest speaker. Updates will also be shared by Tony Martinelli, CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial/Wetzel County Hospitals; Shelby Haines, Marshall County Schools superintendent; Scott Varner, Marshall County Commission president; and Josh Jefferson from RED. ...