Opinions
West Virginia settles in for long-term flood recovery
MORGANTOWN – The raging flood waters of a month ago have long since retreated and hundreds of tons of debris have been collected and hauled away, but in some ways the arduous and expensive recovery is just beginning.
Did Don Blankenship receive a fair trial?
Here's a question honest, fair-minded West Virginians should ask themselves: Would Don Blankenship have received the same “justice” if he were a Democrat?
Residents coming together, focusing on recovery following floods
CHARLESTON – Less than a month ago, our state was hit by severe, widespread, historic flooding.
Labor's new rule doesn't work
We've got seven more months of this nonsense: rogue federal agencies overreaching, usurping legislative powers, and trying to pull fast ones by reinterpreting existing rules or adding unauthorized new verbiage to them.
Best practices represent best chance to reduce painkiller abuse in W.Va.
CHARLESTON – Fighting the drug epidemic and reversing its deadly consequences are some of the most important challenges we face in the Mountain State.
Has Joe Manchin 'grown' in office?
Growth, assuming it's not cancerous, generally is a good thing.
Congress achieves historic reform of broken environmental law
WASHINGTON – Regulatory reform has been a widely discussed solution in Washington to cut bureaucratic red tape and boost our economy. After years of hard work and negotiations, the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act marks the first time in more than a quarter of a century that Congress has sent reform of a major environmental law to the president's desk.
Uneasy Rider pulls out of West Virginia
After seven years of providing low-cost motorcycle, ATV, and off-road insurance to mountaineers, Rider Insurance is pulling out of West Virginia.
Safe at Home West Virginia creates a brighter future for youth
CHARLESTON – As governor, our children’s well-being is one of my top priorities, and I am particularly proud of the progress we have made through the Safe at Home West Virginia program.
Gina McCarthy doesn’t deserve an award
Why give credit where it's not due? Why praise the unpraiseworthy? Could it be to provide a patina of respectability?
AGs, trial lawyers unite to abuse power
WASHINGTON – In recent months mainstream media outlets have offered only limited coverage of Orwellian efforts by progressive government officials to outlaw earnest questions about computer predicted climate catastrophes or costly policy proposals aimed at mitigating climate change.
The tragic truth about talcum powder finally comes out
WHEELING – Talcum powder is back in the news following a May 2 verdict against Johnson & Johnson, in which it was ordered to pay $55 million to a woman who contracted ovarian cancer after years of her using Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene.
It ain't over 'til it's over
Tick, tock.
Can punitive damages be cruel and unusual?
Most Americans would affirm the common sense legal principle that the punishment should fit the crime, perhaps disagreeing as to what fits and what doesn't in a given case.
This year, we really need a few gubernatorial debates
MORGANTOWN – The field has just been set for the governor’s race in West Virginia, and we already have a debate about debates.
Charleston chiropractor draws praise from a patient
Dear Editor: Your recent article regarding Simmons Family Chiropractic, wherein a patient of Dr. Darby Simmons has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence and premises liability, concerns me.
Ask your doctor, not a lawyer
CHARLESTON – Dramatic and sensationalistic personal injury lawsuit ads bombard our daily lives, especially on television.
Beth Walker wins, and so does West Virginia
We affirm State Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas' contention that “Beth's election guarantees a tough, fair court that should maintain the progress we've made to ensure the lawsuit lottery in our state comes to a stop.”
Blankenship thanks supporters, says truth will be revealed
Friends, This is a too tardy thank you note for your having written a character letter on my behalf. My hope had been to write individual thank yous, but I have not found the time yet, so this a single letter to all of you. A few individuals have expressed regret that their letter didn't help since Judge Berger sentenced me to the maximum anyway. Let me assure each of you that your letter did help, and every one of them was much appreciated.
There's jackpot justice, and then there's jackpot justices
Voters going to the polls this week to select a state Supreme Court justice for the next 12 years may have had many motivations. A desire to have a competent, ethical person in that position should have been paramount among them, but less elevated considerations undoubtedly played a part as well, such as party affiliations, personal attachments to one candidate or another, and self-interest.