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Addiction

“When someone asks for help, the answer shouldn’t be a stack of paperwork.” That is true in most facets of our lives, but in this case, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., is talking about addiction treatment — and rightfully so. Those ready and willing to seek help sometimes find themselves confronted with a daunting number of hoops to jump through. But Justice and U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., have introduced the No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act. “This legislation cuts through the red tape and puts lifesaving addiction treatment where it belongs — in the hands ...

Christmas

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

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 ...

Foster Care

State officials have come up with a creative way to address one of the challenges in West Virginia’ foster care system, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey and state Department of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer proposing a revolving investment fund to renovate state-owned foster care facilities and improve treatment capacity. Change is necessary because of the volume of West Virginia children in foster care who end up in out-of-state placement — 543 of the 5,960 children in state custody. For each of those children placed somewhere else, the cost is an average of $156,000. “What we ...

Infrastructure

A gift of good news came for the state this week, in the form of the American Society of Civil Engineers “2025 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure.” The Mountain State’s grade has improved from the last grade it received, in 2020. Now the dose of reality: The grade improved … to a D+; and marks for bridges and wastewater have not budged. Category grades included a C+ for solid waste; a C- for aviation, public parks, rail and roads; a D+ for bridges, broadband, dams, drinking water, energy, levees and ports; a D for hazardous waste, inland waterways, transit and ...

REAL ID

If you’ve been putting off getting the REAL ID, you’re running out of time. There will be additional identity checks and a $45 fee at airports, for example, if you do not have one by Feb. 1, 2026. West Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles says only 63% of residents have the REAL ID, but that the process is not difficult. “The first time you get the REAL ID, you bring in your birth certificate and your name change documents,” said Mike May, manager of the REAL ID program for the DMV. “After that, it’s the same as a regular renewal every time.” There’s even a ...