Opinion

Considering AI’s Rapid Growth: Two Years Later

Letters to the Editor

Editor, News-Register: I’d previously written on this subject in April 2023, when I sent a letter written with the help of an early chat program. Two years later, the technology has moved much faster than most people expected. Since then, the biggest advances have been in how well these systems can handle long projects, understand images and speech, and connect to everyday tools. Programs can now generate documents, charts, or lesson plans with few errors, and can take direction from voice or uploaded files instead of just typed text. By the end of 2026, we’ll likely see AI ...

It’s Time for Residents To Simply Get More Radical

Letters to the Editor

Editor, News-Register: Radical isn’t a dirty word, depending on what you are radical for. Are you the kind broadcasting a pathology of hate? The venom of war? Or striving for mutual respect and community care? I’ll say this: only one is worth fighting for. We aren’t angry enough defending those at the margins. Nor organized enough. And guess what? It’s costing us our democracy. The only antidote: Grow a spine. Radical means conviction. That you care unapologetically about an issue. Say it for all to hear. Wear opinions like a badge of honor. The word comes ...

Residential Electric Bills Just Keep Increasing

Letters to the Editor

Editor, News-Register: I don’t know what changed with the electric company, but my bill seems to go up no matter how careful I am. I’ve switched to LED bulbs, unplugged the coffee maker, and even stopped using the porch light except on holidays. Still, every month, it’s a few dollars higher. If prices keep rising, maybe they could start a “quiet hours” program where everyone agrees not to use electricity at the same time. That ought to make it cheaper somehow — or at least simpler to see what’s going wrong. I know energy costs are complicated, but the only thing I ...

Guardians of Trust: Vital Role of W.Va.’s Notaries Public

Local Columns

In an age where identity theft, fraud, and misinformation are increasingly prevalent, the role of the notary public has never been more critical. Often working quietly behind the scenes, notaries serve as impartial witnesses to the signing of important documents, helping to deter fraud and ensure the integrity of our legal and civic processes by verifying the identities of individuals who sign documents. In West Virginia, more than 35,000 commissioned notaries public are performing this essential function every day, each one a guardian of trust in our communities. Notaries are woven ...

The Free Market Really Works — Even in Energy

Local Columns

Who wants higher electricity rates? Ask just about anyone and they’ll agree that energy prices have risen. They’re not wrong. In recent weeks there has been significant attention in the Mountain State on what is driving those costs. The question has no doubt arisen from people seeing their electricity bills steadily rise, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago. A review of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that electricity rates have risen for most states. For example: - West Virginia: +27.71% - Ohio: +30.11% - ...

Solving Homelessness Will Take a New Approach

Editorials

“Very few see us as human. Too many people have given up on us now. The only people we have on our side is supposed to be you guys.” That, from Jess Truex, a resident of Wheeling’s homeless encampment, to members of Wheeling City Council during their Tuesday meeting. Then this, from Mike Jaeger, another homeless person in the city: “Whatever it takes for us to come together to find some common ground, that’s what needs to happen. There’s nowhere else to go. If we live on the streets, we get locked up for vagrancy. I ask that you please try to work with us and find a ...