Breaking News

Opinion

Dialing down the angst and the hatred

Columnists

During the Christmas truce in 1914, the world witnessed an outpouring of humanity and good sense. In the fifth month of World War I, a ceasefire was announced from December 24 to 26. After it went into effect, remarkable episodes of fraternization occurred. Hardened enemies suddenly became friends sharing tobacco, alcohol, singing together, and enjoying the time shared. Unlike their governments, they found commonality, and death took a holiday. A divine hand seemed to stem the tide of insanity. In our own time, it seems that madness is once again afoot. Massacres, mayhem, and ...

Christmas

Editorials

As the rush to Christmas day nears its end, families across Central West Virginia are settling into their traditions and regaining their grasp on the reason for our celebration. Many will find themselves in candlelit sanctuaries singing “Silent Night” together as we remember the birth of an infant holy, tender and mild. Born in the humblest of circumstances to overwhelmed parents in a land that was not their own, but that of their ancestors, this child came with tidings of “peace,” and “good will toward men.” While we celebrate with strings of twinkling lights rather than ...

State Parks

Editorials

If you’ve already gotten far enough ahead of the game, it’s just about time to relax, enjoy some time with friends and family while celebrating Christmas and maybe even start making plans for New Year’s Day. West Virginia State Parks has an idea — 21 parks will host 24 First Day Hikes on Jan. 1. North Bend State Park is among them, with Audra, Beech Fork, Blackwater Falls, Bluestone, Cacapon, Canaan Valley Resort, Cass Scenic Railroad, Cedar Creek, Elk River Trail, Little Beaver, Lost River, Pipestem Resort, Tomlinson Run, Tu-Endie-Wei, Twin Falls Resort, Tygart Lake, Valley ...

Christmas potpourri

Columnists

As we get close to the start of the new year, the 2026 legislative session, and the next election cycle, we’re seeing a lot of movement in the deck chairs. For example, Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, will challenge state Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, in the 13th Senatorial District covering parts of Monongalia and Marion counties. Of course, both will have to make it through their respective party primaries, which is likely. But a contest between Williams and Oliverio will mean at least one of them will not be returning to the statehouse after the November 2026 ...

Omar can accuse ICE with no proof

Columnists

As a leftist Muslim immigrant from Somalia, radical Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is wonderfully blessed with a DEI press. She is perennially assumed to be a victim of racism, sexism and xenophobia whenever she is criticized, and especially when she’s verbally targeted by President Donald Trump. At the end of a typically syrupy interview with Esme Murphy from the local CBS station WCCO in Minneapolis on Sunday, Omar claimed her 19-year-old son Adnan Hirsi was pulled over by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel. “Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled ...

Reflections on Bondi Beach

Columnists

When I go to synagogue, I always smile and wave at the armed police officers stationed outside. I want them to know they’re appreciated, but also, at some level, I guess it’s fair to say that I’m trying to ingratiate myself so that the cop will want to put his or her life on the line to save us if a gunman decides to open fire on or torch our congregation, as happened in Pittsburgh (2018), Poway (2019), Miami (2019), Monsey (2019), Halle, Germany (2019), Colleyville (2022), Jerusalem (2023), Djerba, Tunisia (2023), Berlin, Germany (2023), Yerevan, Armenia (2023), Rouen, France ...