Breaking News

Editorial

National Guard deployed to help

West Virginia residents wishing they could be doing more to help those affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton can take some comfort knowing the Mountain State is sending some of its best to get to work.Last week, the West Virginia National Guard activated approximately 40 members for response and recovery efforts in Florida. Ten to 12 airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing will be joined by approximately 30 engineers from the 821st Engineer Construction Co. and equipment from the 601st Engineer Support Co.They’ll be under the command of the Florida National Guard and plan to spend ...

Honoring a true West Virginia icon

During last week’s special session of the West Virginia Legislature, lawmakers carved out time to honor someone important not only to the state, but to the country.They passed a resolution to place a statue of the late Hershel “Woody” Williams inside the U.S. Capitol.Williams, who died in 2022, was the last surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.Born in Quiet Dell, W.Va., Williams was a Marine Corps veteran who was in combat in the Pacific.He received the Medal of Honor in 1945, after serving in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine ...

Growing number of HIV cases must be addressed

West Virginia’s substance abuse epidemic (and, according to some public health officials, lawmakers’ response to it) has led to an increase in the number of HIV cases here as well.Particularly in rural counties, the worry is growing, as HIV clusters are appearing in places where there hadn’t been a single case in years.Dr. Anita Stewart, of the Nicholas County Health Department, told Mountain State Spotlight the problem is two-fold. First, in 2021 lawmakers passed a bill restricting how harm reduction programs could operate.After that, multiple county syringe exchange programs ...

Remember to register — and vote

Election day in West Virginia is just around the corner.Registered voters can turn out at the polls on Nov. 5 to vote for president, West Virginia’s next governor (either Republican Patrick Morrisey or Democrat Steve Williams) and other offices that make up the state’s Board of Public Works. There’s a proposed amendment to the state Constitution on the ballot as well relating to the protection from medically-assisted suicide or euthanasia.There also are contested races here for U.S. Senate (Democrat Glenn Elliott and Republican Jim Justice), U.S. House District 2 (Republican Riley ...

Lowering taxes in W.Va. right move

Lawmakers in Charleston made the prudent decision this past week when they agreed to a compromise with Gov. Jim Justice for an additional cut to the personal income tax rate. Starting on Jan. 1, the current 5.21% top personal income tax rate paid today will lower to 4.83%.This is a move that continues to signal that West Virginia leaders are serious about making the state a destination for those seeking a location with wonderful amenities — and a lower tax burden.“Even a little bit is meaningful,” said Delegate Larry Kump, R-Berkeley. “Anything we can do to reduce the tax burden ...

Child care credit a good step for W.Va. families

Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates did the right thing Monday by passing a child and dependent care credit against the personal income tax. Though some believe we should be doing even more on the child care front, getting the ball rolling was essential.All but five House lawmakers understood that.It should have been a no-brainer.“We’re mirroring the image of the federal program … to help parents be able to do child care along the same lines of the federal guidelines,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood.But knowing how hard it is for ...