Opinion

Caution With Data Centers

Editorials

Data centers have generated plenty of buzz in Ohio, as some economic development officials have touted them as an integral part of the state’s economic future. That may be true, but the Ohio Chamber of Commerce has some words of caution as it releases a new report through its research foundation on the economic impact of those centers. SRC EvalMetrics LLC prepared the report, which took a look at Ohio’s spot in the upper echelon of North American data center markets, but also noted a few challenges. For 2024, the data center industry here “supported more than 95,000 jobs across ...

Working Toward a Drug-Free West Virginia

Editorials

State and regional law enforcement agencies continue to fight diligently against one of West Virginia’s most dangerous foes: the flow of fentanyl and other drugs that continues to endanger and kill Mountain States residents still falling victim to the substance abuse epidemic. On Sept. 10, the West Virginia State Police, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area worked together on what has been billed as one of the largest fentanyl busts in state history, in Mercer County. It yielded 54 pounds of suspected ...

Reading Comprehension

Local Columns

Much like a lot of things these days, a speech given last week by West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty has become a Rorschach test depending on where you stand on the issue of public education versus “school choice.” During the state Board of Education’s regular meeting last week, Hardesty’s message was simple: If you believe in the notion of competition improving the quality of education, then lawmakers need to untie the hands of their local teachers and educators so they can better compete with private schools and home schooling. To demonstrate how ...

A Deeper Understanding of How Life Should Be Lived

Letters to the Editor

Editor, News-Register: I did not expect to find a video of the first court hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man who shot and killed Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, 2025. Curiosity compelled me to click on it, but I did not have any expectations for what I would see. Some folks in the comments said Tyler appeared empty, soulless, uncaring. Others thought that he may be in denial, sleep deprived, sedated, or wrestling with regrets. What I saw was a man sitting there, frozen, for whatever reason; whether it be a lack of sleep, sedation, denial, regret, dissociation, or a lack of empathy. I ...

Pats on the Back

Editorials

- To Ohio Valley General Hospital/Ohio Valley Medical Center School of Nursing alumni that are now conducting Nightingale Nurse tributes during local nurses’ memorial services when requested by families. Alumni member Jody Miller started the project and, to date, four tributes have been conducted. The tribute allows families to recognize the hard work and long hours their loved one gave as a nurse. What a touching way to honor someone who spent their life serving others. Those involved have our praise. - To educators in Ohio County Schools working to establish a program that would ...

Universities Must Lead the Way in Freedom of Speech

Local Columns

Freedom of speech has always demanded courage, and courage is the one virtue universities cannot delegate. When free speech becomes fatal speech — as it did recently with the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus — Americans demand, and deserve, a change. As president of Youngstown State University, I feel compelled to make a commitment to help make that change, and I believe our nation’s university presidents like me can lead the way. The facts already announced by authorities are enough to deduce that the killer of Charlie Kirk opposed the viewpoints he (civilly ...