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Opinion

Safety

Editorials

“If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI.” That’s the theme of an effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help local law enforcement be highly visible from now through Labor Day as they crack down on those taking the risk to drive impaired. Even in states such as Ohio where (despite lawmakers’ best efforts to subvert the voters’ will) adult-use cannabis is legal for recreational use, it is still illegal to drive under the influence. It doesn’t matter what substance is to blame. But, ...

Epidemic

Editorials

As West Virginians have waded through the battle against the substance abuse epidemic over the past several years, it has become clear there is fault to find at many levels — from “legal” drug dealers masquerading as doctors to pharmaceutical industry giants. That is, of course, in addition to the illegal drug operations that realized what was happening and seized the moment. As state attorney general, Gov. Patrick Morrisey did an excellent job battling companies such as Johnson and Johnson, CVS and Kroger — to name a few — in an effort that has yielded hundreds upon hundreds ...

Awareness

Editorials

School is already in session for many students in West Virginia and across our region of the state. With the beginning of the school year comes a possible change to our morning or afternoon driving routines, as school buses filled with children will be everywhere. Get back in the mindset of giving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination during pick-up and drop-off hours. School buses may be a little slower and make frequent stops, but the drivers are not out to get you, personally. Their job is to make sure kids get to and from school safely. And they can do that because ...

Challenges Long-Term Care Promises Must Be Kept

Editorials

After what appears to have been a long process, the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities seems to have found success in selling some of its long-term care facilities for seniors. New York-based Marx Development Group plans to buy Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, Jackie Withrow Hospital in Raleigh County, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Marion County, and Lakin Hospital in Mason County. Though the planned purchase price of $60 million may sound a bit low for four long-term care facilities, the cost savings to the state is expected to more than make up for it. The ...

Questions remain

Columnists

The possible sale of four state-owned long-term care facilities to a private company could be a win for West Virginia taxpayers, but questions remain. Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced that New York-based Marx Development Group (MDG) will purchase Hopemont Hospital in Preston County, Jackie Withrow Hospital in Raleigh County, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Marion County, and Lakin Hospital in Mason County for $60 million. Once the sale closes on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the deal includes MDG replacing the facilities with between three and five new long-term care ...

Historic redistricting

Columnists

In assessing the current controversy over Texas Republicans’ proposed redistricting of the state’s U.S. House seats, two historic facts should be considered. One is that the principle of equal representation by population is well established in American history. In 1787, the Constitutional Convention required the members of the House of Representatives to be apportioned according to population as determined by a census to be conducted within three years and every 10 years thereafter. This was a remarkable provision — the first example, so far as I know, in which representation ...