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Enjoy this rare celestial spectacle

Solar eclipses aren’t that rare: There are usually about two per year (sometimes more) and a total eclipse about every 18 months. But not everyone is in an eclipse’s path every time, and it is rarer to be in the umbra (100% coverage). That’s what makes the total solar eclipse Monday so special: For the first time in seven years, the eclipse will be visible in the majority of the lower 48 states (for almost four minutes!) — and that won’t happen again until 2045. This will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime event for some of us. West Virginia isn’t in the path of totality, but ...

Bullying is not a productive way to influence change

We’ve said in the past that anger can be a highly motivating force — but it must be channeled into productive action. Unfortunately, much of the anger over the news that Bartlett House lost its grant from the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness was not channeled into productive action. Instead, that anger was taken out on individuals who have no bearing on the grant process. A disturbing number of people believed — despite repeated official statements saying otherwise — that the LGBTQ-friendly shelter Rainbow House somehow “stole” the grant money from Bartlett ...

With solar veto, Justice put self ahead of state

Gov. Jim Justice went on a vetoing spree last week, shooting down the vaccine exemption bill but also killing the research funding for the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute and solar power expansion for the state’s utilities. We’ve already applauded the first and lamented the second, so let’s talk about the third. HB 5528 would have slightly modified existing law allowing utility companies to build and operate solar arrays. Currently, utility companies can own and operate solar plants that produce up to 50 megawatts each, capped at a total of 200 MW per utility. HB 5528 ...

Editorial Encore: The lessons of spring: Birth, rebirth, renewal

EDITOR'S NOTE: This editorial is adapted from one that originally published April 9, 2023. Flowers are poking up through the thawing earth. Trees and bushes are sporting their vibrant blooms. Grass is growing and getting greener. The birds that flew south for the winter are returning. The small critters that burrowed deep for the cold months are out frolicking. The larger animals that hibernated are emerging from their long naps. And there’s a plethora of adorable furry and feathered babies. Spring is recognized across cultures and religions as a time of birth, rebirth and ...

Welcome to W.Va., Coach DeVries

Thank you, Josh Eilert, for getting us through a tough season West Virginia University men’s basketball has officially closed one chapter and is beginning a new one. Early this week, WVU Athletics announced Darian DeVries will be taking over as head coach. DeVries comes to us from Drake University in Iowa, where he spent the last six years. Athletic Director Wren Baker said he liked DeVries not just for his winning records, but for his longevity: DeVries spent 17 years as an assistant coach at Creighton and six years as head coach at Drake. Wherever DeVries goes, he puts down ...

Science prevails as Gov. Justice vetoes vax exemption bill

On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice made the right decision and vetoed HB 5105, which would have exempted virtual public school students from vaccine requirements and allowed private and parochial schools to set their own requirements. (The Catholic Church already announced it would keep with existing vaccine requirements if the law did pass.) Despite the backlash from a vocal minority (like the legislator who threatened an even worse bill next time), Justice decided to listen to the concerns and wisdom of the medical community. Right now, West Virginia has some of the most stringent ...