West Virginia state government may be out of the fiscal woods, as Gov. Jim Justice has been saying for some time. The state did end the previous fiscal year on June 30 with a $36 million carryover. And general revenue fund receipts for July, the first month of the new fiscal year, exceeded ...
Democrats have adjusted to the unexpected Donald Trump victory of 2016. In special election after special election, whether for state legislature, the U.S. Senate and Congress, as well as governors, the party has performed well. Stellar candidates like Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania have ...
Hello from Barbour County! School will begin for students on Tuesday. Please be on the lookout for those big yellow buses, and give yourself extra time. They are carrying precious cargo, and everyone needs to arrive safely at their destination. I wish everyone a good school ...
How is it possible for five people to spend $114,788 on picture frames during a seven-year period? Ask justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court. They did it. Criminal behavior has been alleged by federal prosecutors. But the real corruption appears to have been perfectly legal. It is a ...
Donald Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin was less that than a “getting to know you” session. Nothing was signed or formally approved, although Trump appeared a bit dwarfed by the Russian leader. But, besides that which, after all, is in the eye of the beholder, the meeting probably had ...
Chuck Schumer may have a new BFUN — best friend until November. He’s Don Blankenship. On the other hand, Blankenship has proven himself to be no friend to President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. Blankenship, the West Virginia coal baron still running for the ...
The opioid epidemic is the challenge of our time. Far too many West Virginians have succumbed to addiction’s grasp. It has cost people their jobs, their families and ended with prison or death for thousands. Ending this cycle of devastation requires a holistic solution. We must fight ...
Virtually all the attention on Russian manipulation of Americans has focused on Moscow’s attempts to hack into politicians’ and election system computers. Very little has been said about the much worse damage being done by Vladimir Putin’s minions. Perhaps a few dozen people in this ...
On July 9, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court, and in the coming months, the Senate will vote on this important nomination. As a senator, I take my responsibility to evaluate presidential nominees very seriously. That is ...
Because Hawaii was the theme for this week at YMCA Day Camp, our Summer Science lessons focused on volcanos, flowers, and island weather. When two Country Roads busses brought 15 day campers to the portico at Kump Education Center, we had our Hawaiian shirts and were prepared to help campers ...
During the debate over whether or not the United States can alter its policy toward Russia, opponents of any friendly overtures have pointed to actions taken in 1947. Then the congress passed the National Security Act which established the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence ...
Hello from Barbour County, where summer is almost over. How did that happen? School begins on August 14. Another sign that summer is almost over - the Barbour County Fair will take place August 25 - September 1. The Fair will be "Jam Packed With Family Fun" this year. Entertainment ...
Donald Trump’s unfortunate tour of Europe and the United Kingdom revealed his inability to move stealthily. Because he blasted NATO and Prime Minister Theresa May, then tried to make amends by declaring non-success, he hurt the credibility of the presidency and the U.S. Moreover, much of the ...
West Virginia, with mountains of coal and huge reserves of natural gas, is the 8th most energy-expensive state in the nation, according to a WalletHub study. How on earth did that happen? WalletHub puts out scores of comparison studies each year, on everything from “neediest cities” to ...
A day trip to French Creek Wild Life Center and Holly River State Park was a great way to enjoy the wild heart of West Virginia with children. Remote country roads carried us away from our computer screens and slowed life’s pace as we drove south from Buckhannon on WV Route 20. Our ...
Has Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., been informed he can’t get a pass on this one? Democrat and Republican disciplinarians in Congress have ways of forcing lawmakers to adhere to the party line. Choice committee assignments can be denied. An offender’s pet bills can be stalled or shelved. ...
A showdown of any sort requires two parties be in disagreement with or opposition to one another. While it may disappoint some, the City has no intention or desire to engage in conflict with the population it represents and serves, as has been suggested. On June 30, the Inter-Mountain applauded ...
Now at Kump Education Center we have the “Plaster Master,” Mr. Brian “Buggs” Shourds of Creative Construction teaching 4 AmeriCorps members how to do expert plaster restoration work. Reid Saunders is the leader of the AmeriCorps Hands on Team [HOT] including Meredith Dreistadt, Owen ...
One of the biggest joys of practicing orthopedic surgery in a small town environment is seeing people repeatedly over the years, forming friendships and sharing laughter together. Although most patients bring a special element to our day at the office, there are several that stand out. ...
Hello from Barbour County! This weekend is a flurry of activities! The town of Junior is having a festival. This will be the first time in many years for this small town. Today there will be concession stands, a cake walk, dime pitch, games, a parade, and entertainment including: Danny ...