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Many student loan borrowers are receiving unwelcome messages about their higher education indebtedness, and most of the blame, if not all of it, is attributable to them — their shoulders alone. Lack of attention or mere irresponsibility is coming back to haunt them, in a way that, for many, will take years to resolve, if not more than a decade. Information about these borrowers’ current predicament needs to filter down to the new “class” of borrowers — members of high schools’ Class of 2025 — who will be starting their studies at colleges and universities in the ...

Final Week

As West Virginia’s 134 elected lawmakers strap in for the final week of the 2025 regular legislative session, they would do well to consider the words of Wheeling businessman David H. McKinley, in what should be their primary focus: “It’s all about jobs. It’s all about advancing the economy. I have little interest in turning to the more divisive social issues that do nothing to advance our economy.” Unfortunately, much of the first 53 days of this legislative session have focused on issues that will do little, at best, to grow the economy or advance opportunities for all West ...

Opioids

A couple of members of Congress are not giving up on finding ways to fight the substance abuse epidemic that has gripped our region. Last week, U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio 12th, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill. 2nd, reintroduced the Remote Opioid Monitoring Act, which would direct the federal government to study the effectiveness of remote monitoring technology in helping health care providers track patients who have received prescriptions for opioids. “The opioid epidemic has devastated communities and families in Ohio and across the country,” said Balderson. “To combat this ...

Trump seems bent on political self-harm

Is President Donald Trump bent on political self-harm? It often seems that way. His overall job approval rating still hovers within a point or two of the 50% popular vote he received last November. But he is losing support on the economy and inflation, the No. 1 issue last year, while his overwhelming success in reducing illegal immigration has reduced the salience of what was the No. 2 issue. Meanwhile, he is taking positions that a critical majority of voters consider simple lunacy. A prime example is tariffs. Tariffs make things cost more. If you slap a 25% tariff on imported ...

Boos & Applause

* Applause to the Ski Hi 4-H Club of Beverly, which is celebrating its 100th year of service to the community. Chartered in Beverly in September 1925, the Ski Hi 4-H Club will be celebrating its centennial achievement all year. Randolph County Extension Agent Hannah Fincham said Ski Hi is the first 4-H club in Randolph County to make it to 100 years. Fincham said the club currently has around 43 members and 10 vetted volunteers. This year, club members set a goal of 100 items for each of their chosen service projects, to correspond with the club’s 100th birthday. So far, Swecker said, ...

Tax Time

As tax day approaches, Mountain State residents might find themselves wondering, “What does all that money I send to Charleston get me, anyway?” All over the country, the question is the same, and WalletHub put together the “States with the Best and Worst Taxpayer ROI (2025)” to give some answers. First, it should be noted WalletHub says New Hampshire gives its taxpayers the best return on investment, and New Mexico the worst. It turns out West Virginia is somewhat middle of the road with an overall ranking of 33rd — it is 25th for taxes paid and 36th for overall ...