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Lawsuit

A major development affecting one railroad company usually is assumed to apply to others as well, if not immediately then over the long term. Therefore, all railroad companies, especially the major carriers, are no doubt monitoring closely how much success, if any, Norfolk Southern Railroad will have in trying to force two other companies to help pay for the $600 million class-action settlement to which Norfolk agreed in connection with its February 2023 derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. Regardless of how current court proceedings conclude, railroad watchers probably ...

Learning

West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack is certainly doing his homework. He is in the midst of a statewide tour to better understand our communities’ needs and concerns. “Although it is a small state, it is a very diverse state,” he said. “Each county has its own identity and own issues.” Last week, he was in Wood County, where he visited with the mayors of Parkersburg and Vienna, and county commissioners; stopped by Wood County Christian School and attended a Workforce West Virginia event. At Wood County Christian, he learned more about how the Hope Scholarship program is ...

Tax Day

Tax returns ­— both federal and state — are due to be filed and postmarked by the end of day today. If you’re a late filer, make sure you’re doing everything you can to maximize your return. First, if you live in West Virginia, new for the 2024 tax year is the MV-1 form. If you qualified for this credit by paying your personal property taxes on time in 2023-24, then you should have received a letter from the West Virginia Tax Department that you’ll need to help file your state taxes. Depending on how you paid and the number of vehicles, etc. you own, the credit can up to ...

Lessons Learned?

With the conclusion of this year’s regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, there is time to reflect on the action (or inaction) of a group of elected officials who showed us what they prioritized over getting to work to improve our economy, education, healthcare and the general quality of life. But perhaps there were also lessons learned. For example, one failed bill should lead lawmakers to take a harder look at what it will take to bring broadband internet access to as much of the state as possible. Senate Bill 891 was another attempt to let the fox guard the henhouse ...

Boos & Applause

Applause to the official groundbreaking for the Elkins Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, which took place at the All-Veterans Memorial Park Thursday morning. The new monument will honor families who have lost a loved one in the line of service, also known as Gold Star Families. The monument will be located at the Memorial Park, at the intersection of Randolph and Railroad Avenues, joining the All-Veterans Memorial and the soon-to-be erected Rosie the Riveter statue. The Gold Star Families Memorial will be composed of a two-sided black granite monument and three granite benches. One ...

Red Tape

Hidden among the many bizarre attempts this session by state lawmakers to damage and control West Virginians was an important piece of legislation that should actually do some good — the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act. Gov. Patrick Morrisey was right to quickly get his signature on the measure, which will allow those moving to the Mountain State to easily transfer their occupational licenses. It mandates that professional boards grant licenses to those who have been licensed in other states for at least a year, under certain circumstances. “It’s my ...