The Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection Act, SB 502, was approved by the Senate and is now being considered by the House Education Committee.

It creates permanent endowment funds intended to support women’s sports. Over time, the funds are meant to represent a consistent revenue stream for scholarships, coaching, and facilities.

Sen. Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, is the lead sponsor of the bill and said it will shield women’s sports from market volatility and shifty funding priorities. He says, with rumors flying around that some student-athletes could become employees or even engage in collective bargaining in the future, he wanted to make certain women’s sports were not left behind.

“This bill would help protect in case some of that stuff happens, they become employees, and then Title IX doesn’t really apply, this would. If we can get these endowments set up for both universities, then that would help protect the women’s sports so that they’ve got a source of revenue for that,” Taylor said.

West Virginia University, in a statement, expressed support for the bill, “which creates an optional endowment fund and is an important next step in helping to ensure women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs are available to our student-athletes in the rapidly changing NIL landscape.”

Taylor added that an endowment fund, like the one proposed in the bill, could have been used to help the Marshall Swimming and Diving program. The university announced in February that it was eliminating the program because of financial considerations.

“Hopefully, this would allow it so that, if Marshall would get this and get this going good and have that funding set up, they’d be like, ‘Hey, we’ve got some extra money here, let’s bring that back,’” hoped Taylor.

State money would not be used to seed the endowment fund. It would be built through private donations and other grant opportunities. The Senate Finance Committee amended the bill and removed a section that would have provided tax credits for donors and matching state funds. The bill only creates the mechanism for the endowment fund.

“That helps make it a lot easier,” said Taylor about getting support for the bill.

Earnings from a women’s athletics endowment may be used only for scholarships, coaching and training staff, equipment, facilities, travel, and other expenses directly related to women’s collegiate Olympic sports programs.

The bill has yet to make an agenda before the House Education Committee with less than a week to go before the end of the regular legislative session.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia House of Delegates took another step to improve work zone safety along the state’s highways. HB 4538 was unanimously approved in the House on Wednesday. 

The bill would increase fines for those cited for going 15 miles an hour or less over the speed limit from $200 to $500, and for 15 miles an hour and over, the fines jump from $200 to $1,000. Maximum jail time for the misdemeanor increases from 20 to 30 days.

“We as an industry, unfortunately, have had three fatalities on the private side and one on the public side where speed was a factor,” said Jason Pizatella,  West Virginia Contractors Association President and CEO. 

In December, a man was killed when he crashed into construction equipment on Route 340 in Jefferson County. Last September, a construction worker in Cabell County was killed on I-64 and in Jefferson County, a highway flagger was killed in a work zone crash in April, 2024. 

The increased fines for speeding are the second part of a three-part strategy to improve safety in work zones and slow vehicles down. 

Last year, the legislature approved a bill amending the “Move Over Act,” which required drivers to treat construction vehicles like emergency vehicles and yield the right of way and move over a lane for construction vehicles. 

The third part of that strategy is to utilize technology to assist in enforcing traffic laws in highway work zones. 

“Whether it is cameras or some other innovative way for our officers to enforce the posted speed limits,” said Pizatella. 

Surrounding states such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland already utilize camera technology to enforce traffic laws. Pizatella added that there are cameras watching work zones, but they are not currently being used for traffic enforcement. He hopes to propose legislation to use cameras in West Virginia next year. 

“What we’ve asked the legislature to do is not to turn into DC or Maryland or Pennsylvania, where citations are automatic. You still have to have that interaction and traffic stop initiated by a law enforcement officer. All it would do is give law enforcement one additional tool to enforce speed limits that are already there,” explained Pizatella. 

The bill will now be considered by the Senate. 

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HB4425 does not change the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission’s current transfer policy but reverses a state law passed in 2023 that required the WVSSAC allow students a one-time transfer. The WVSSAC would still need to revise its policy if the legislation is completed, and has indicated it would revert to a similar rule that governed transfers prior to 2023.

“If you want a rule change with the WVSSAC, call your principals. Have your parents call your principals. The calls they are getting from the coaches are ‘we don’t like this,’” said Delegate Jeffery Stephens, R-Marshall.

The bill passed with overwhelming support in the House despite a lengthy discussion on the repeal’s impact on student-athletes. Supporters shared examples of how the transfer policy has had a detrimental impact on local athletic teams.

“South Charleston High School has been decimated by this transfer rule. We went from a perennial football powerhouse to winning one game in four seasons,” said Delegate Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha.

Delegate Betsy Kelly, R-Tyler, supported the repeal because the current policy has created what she described as an infinite loop of transfers; students transferring in to a school leading to students leaving for other playing opportunities.

“The current law has created instability in our schools,” said Kelly.

Delegates opposed to the bill contended the law was necessary to protect students and give families the ability to choose the best educational and athletic path forward.

“It hurts homeschooled students, private school students, charter, micro school, even public school students who may have to leave for safety reasons. It does not protect competitive balance,” said Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam.

Crouse believed repealing the law and limiting transfers could leave students without options if they are in a precarious situation.

“It is a punishment for children. This repeal takes away one safeguard students have when something goes wrong, and when I say wrong, I don’t mean losing a season, I mean bullying, harassment, abuse,” Crouse continued.

Delegate Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, opposed the repeal, concerned that students could miss out on college athletic scholarship opportunities.

“Oftentimes, our student-athletes are able to move to a team that would allow them to excel and propel them into a free education, a $100,000 savings to our families. Maybe they even end up being a delegate one day,” said Burkhammer.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

COHEN CRADDOCK SAFETY ACT

The Senate approved a sports safety bill named after a middle school football player who died after a football-related head injury during a practice. 

SB657, creating Cohen Craddock Student Athlete Safety Act was approved on Tuesday. 

A similar bill was considered last year but was not passed into law. Last year’s legislation would have required all youth football players in West Virginia to wear a soft-shell cover such as Guardian Caps on their helmets for organized practice.

This year’s bill makes the use of those helmets permissive, so schools could opt in. The bill also calls for examination of concussion protocol, education and training to prevent concussions — the development of a Concussion Education Prevention and Response Plan.

The bill also establishes the Cohen Craddock Memorial Grant Program to help with funding for football safety equipment that reduces concussions.

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CHARLESTON – A bill to reduce fraud in a relatively new scam is moving in the House of Delegates and the State Senate. 

Legislation intended to better regulate the kinds of kiosks often found in convenience stores and gas stations, allowing users to buy or sell cryptocurrencies using cash or debit cards, is moving in both houses. Those kiosks often have fees ranging from 5% to 15% per transaction.

Senator Trenton Barnhart, R-Pleasants, is the lead sponsor for SB 887, which would regulate a mostly unregulated industry. A similar bill, HB 5353, was introduced in the House of Delegates. 

“We’re trying to strike a balance between common sense consumer protections while also providing a reasonable regulatory framework for businesses to operate well in West Virginia,” said Barnhart during an appearance on Metronews Talkline. 

Barnhart explained that the bill was modeled after legislation in states such as Arkansas and Ohio and would implement daily transaction limits of $1,000 a day for new customers. That limit increases for existing customers. There is also fee caps in place and disclosure language included in the bill. 

The bill is a priority for AARP West Virginia this year. Gaylene Miller, state director of AARP West Virginia, said scammers often target older individuals through phone scams, offering to resolve some sort of problem if the targeted individual can make a payment through a conveniently located kiosk. 

“You ask folks, have you ever seen one? They say, ‘No’, but I bet you have. You just didn’t know it. They’re everywhere.” 

Miller continued, scammers have come up with new ways to receive payment for the same old scams they have used for years. 

“They’re targeting older people, and it’s generally fraudulent activities. So that’s why these safeguards need to be in place for licensure. Right now, these kiosks aren’t regulated at all in the state of West Virginia,” said Miller.

SB 887 is currently with the Finance Committee. HB 5353 is due for markup and passage in the House Finance Committee. 

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CHARLESTON – Speculation continues at the state capitol over the fate of a bill that would refine the Hope Scholarship, capping the annual payout and restricting the use of funds to families seeking education opportunities outside the public school system. 

The bill was first introduced on February 18 in the House Finance Committee and was met with passionate opposition from families who receive the Hope Scholarship and special interest groups that support school choice. 

Jason Huffman, State Director for American For Prosperity, said on Metronews Talkline the goal of the Hope Scholarship is to provide families with educational opportunities and flexibility that are not available within the public education system. He believes the bill, as proposed in the Finance Committee, undermines those objectives. 

“It takes away the flexibility of the Hope Scholarship board to be able to bring in new and emerging ideas and educational pathways without having to come back to get something put in code,” said Huffman. 

Huffman also expressed concerns about testing requirements that could negatively impact special needs students. This bill bumps up the requirements for student assessments to maintain eligibility.

Students in an Individualized Instruction Program must provide annual confirmation that they have either:

• taken a nationally normed standardized achievement test in reading, language, and mathematics (plus science and social studies if available for their grade level)
• taken the comprehensive statewide student growth assessments that are required for public school students
• or undergone a certified teacher review of their academic work

“I know that lawmakers are concerned about the cost, but quite frankly, once we get through this automatic expansion to all school-age children, I don’t think there’s going to be continuing ballooning costs unless there are a tremendous number of people who move to our state,” said Huffman. 

Since the rollout, the bill has appeared multiple times on the House Finance Committee agenda, but is yet to be taken up again by the committee. Committee Chairman Vernon Criss said during his committee’s meeting on Wednesday that he expected the bill would come before the committee on Thursday. 

Work has reportedly been going on behind the scenes since the bill’s rollout to both address the concerns of Hope Scholarship families and the concerns of other members of the House of Delegates. The bill that is presented to the House Finance Committee could include several changes, such as removing the cap on annual payouts as well as restrictions on how and where funding is spent. 

“Every child deserves access to the right education for them, regardless of their income or their zip code,” said Huffman. 

Changes to distribute funds on a quarterly basis rather than twice a year will reportedly remain in the bill. 

The House Finance Committee meets on Thursday morning. 

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The Education Savings Account program has successfully provided families with educational opportunities that may have otherwise been out of reach while also growing into a significant financial obligation within the state budget. The program expands this year, and all school-aged children in West Virginia are eligible for the program at an estimated cost to the state of $300 million.

That has caught the attention of legislators who are concerned that the program is on an unsustainable financial path. That’s why a bill was introduced last week in the House of Delegates Finance Committee to apply guardrails to the program and begin to rein in costs.

The bill establishes a fixed annual amount of $5,200 for individual recipients, refines allowable expenses, and defines “participating schools” as private schools or microschools located in West Virginia.

Those opposed to the possible changes quickly expressed their concerns.

“This is a way to stop innovation and individualized educational opportunities, which many Hope families are specifically looking for,” said Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson.

“These changes would drastically change the benefits of the Hope Scholarship and dramatically decrease the parents’ ability to make decisions that best fit their child’s needs.”

Gov. Morrisey questioned the conservative bona fides of House of Delegates Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss in a post on “X.”

Tax cuts and school choice used to be page one of the Republican platform— guess House Finance Chair Vernon Criss hasn’t gotten that far.

— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) February 19, 2026

Special interest groups such as Americans for Prosperity WV and Cardinal Institute also weighed in portraying the proposal as an attempt to gut the Hope Scholarship program.

A texter to Talkline on Friday described how the Hope Scholarship has helped his family. His son, who was diagnosed with dyslexia, struggled in the public school system. Because of the Hope Scholarship, his son was able to attend Bishop Walsh School in Maryland and is now thriving.

While recognizing the successes of the program so far, we must also acknowledge the increasing financial obligations and engage in serious conversations about how to move forward in a financially responsible manner.

Guardrails on EAS programs are very common across the country. Among the 30 states that have some type of school voucher program, there are a variety of requirements. Some states emphasize special needs students while others prioritize students based on family income.

School choice advocates have praised West Virginia for its universal program, but philosophical principles are meeting financial realities.

Meaningful conversations about what, if any, restrictions are necessary to rein in the cost of the program. Hyperbolic speech and performative politics that appeal to the rage machine on social media do not contribute to a constructive conversation. They add confusion and frustration to the situation, distorting the discussion.

But maybe that is the point.

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That was the response from the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia to Tuesday’s news conference by the United Mine Workers of America, in which the union claimed that natural gas projects in West Virginia could destabilize communities and cost jobs. 

“We view all of West Virginia’s energy workers as partners in powering America, but efforts to frame our energy future as a choice between resources ignore the reality that natural gas is one of the strongest drivers of jobs, investment, and economic growth in our state. We are an energy state, and reliable, affordable power is the foundation of economic development. Natural gas generation delivers exactly that,” said Rebecca McPhail, President-elect of GO-WV. 

During an appearance on Metronews Talkline, McPhail emphasized that the two industries do not need to compete against each other and can be partners in positioning West Virginia as an energy leader. 

“Is West Virginia going to meet the moment and build the generation capacity that we need to meet growing demands in the industrial sector, manufacturing, and data centers, and the demand is going to keep growing. So, we think there is room for both,” McPhail said. 

McPhail continued that residential electricity prices have increased 125 percent since 2005, and so have energy prices. She asserted that investment in natural gas can stabilize the cost of energy and help reduce the strain on average customers. 

Brian Sanson, International President of the UMWA, also expressed concern that coal jobs could be jeopardized with continued investment in natural gas. 

“A coal plant does not have to close completely for our coal mines to shut down. It just has to run less. When coal power use drops, mines close and communities collapse,” Sanson said.

However, McPhail insists that all types of generations will be needed and does not believe that jobs in one sector or another are being compromised. 

“Our energy workers are not competing against each other; we’re competing against everyone else to be an energy leader, and it’s going to take both coal and natural gas to do that.” 

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There is no clear path forward to end a partial federal government shutdown that is impacting the Department of Homeland Security, and according to Senator Jim Justice, that is just the way Democrats want it.

The Senate recessed on Thursday, and lawmakers left Washington, D.C., after Democrats rejected a stopgap spending bill, expressing concern that negotiations for a full-year spending plan were not progressing quickly enough. Democrats are demanding reforms to immigration enforcement tactics.

During an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline,” Senator Justice asserted that ICE reforms are not the actual goal of the shutdown.

“The Democrats are playing a hand for the midterm election. That’s all this is. That’s all in the world this is, and they don’t really care who they hurt,” said Justice.

Funding for DHS lapsed on Saturday.

Agencies that do not deal with border security are unfunded, and employees are working without pay. Democrats in Congress have made nearly a dozen demands they say must be met before they will sign on to any funding proposal for DHS. Those demands include tightening warrant requirements, unmasking agents, and ending roving patrols.

Justice is adamant that an agreement can be reached, but that being outweighed by political considerations.

“They [Democrats] don’t want to figure this out. They want this to drag on where they can get up on their soap boxes and they can absolutely make a pitch for the midterm election. That’s what this is all about,” said Justice.

“This situation, whether it be FEMA or the Coast Guard or whoever it may be, and folks not getting paid is just horrible. People standing in line at the airports because TSA workers are getting paid and part of them are not working, it’s terrible,” continued Justice.

The Trump Administration’s poll numbers regarding immigration enforcement have been dropping.

A large-sample USA Today survey conducted January 27 through February 6 (released Feb. 11, 2026) reported about 60% somewhat or strongly disapproving and 40% approving of Trump’s immigration approach.

Strong disapproval numbers have climbed sharply.

An NBC poll shows “strong disapprove” on immigration rising from mid-30s in spring 2025 to roughly half of adults (around 49–51%) now.

Justice does not believe the policy is the problem, but rather that Republicans are not doing a sufficient job of selling that policy to the public.

“Republicans want to get a lot of good stuff done and get a lot of good stuff done and their marketing of the message is terrible,” Justice said.

“It’s almost like we as Republicans and the President have pitched nine straight perfect games, and we’re sitting around worrying about winning the midterms.  Well, how can that possibly be? Unless you are marketing yourself terrible,” said Justice.

The back-and-forth squabbling between Democrats and Republicans vying for positioning in the upcoming midterm elections is a constant source of frustration for Justice

“That’s what’s wrong with Washington, DC. It’s always just a food fight. It’s the Republicans against the Democrats and Democrats against the Republicans, and who can win the battle. At the end of the day, I always tell everybody, there’s a name, and there’s a family at the end of every business, but they don’t care about that. That’s why Congress has a 14% approval rating. And it’s deserving, you know, it is just, it’s, that’s, that’s not good.”

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That is what Glenville State University President Mark Manchin was impressing upon lawmakers Tuesday at the state capitol.

“I want to move, and we still have to provide teachers, and we still have a quality education program. But we’re moving more and more towards health sciences. We created a new undergraduate degree last year for health sciences that has seven different subclasses, including pre-med, pre-dental, PT, health administration,” Manchin said on MetroNews “Talkline.”

Manchin emphasized the university’s efforts to address rural healthcare, including training additional healthcare workers for small communities and addressing the state’s immediate needs.

“Two of the greatest needs in the state of West Virginia right now are nurses and teachers. And we’re well-positioned. We’re working to make sure that we can provide what’s necessary to provide for the citizens of West Virginia,” Manchin said.

“What we found is that if you train them in these small communities, they potentially stay in these small communities. So we’re excited about that.”

New building projects, such as the state-of-the-art Morse Family Health and Fitness Complex, will house the health sciences. He also noted the renovations to athletic facilities, including the football stadium, which is expected to be completed for the upcoming season.

Manchin also noted the cooperation with other state institutions, including WVU and Marshall, putting the best interests of students and the state first.

“We’re all in this together. And if we only say it’s just peculiar, just to our needs and what we’re trying to do, then you’re not going to be successful. But if we all collaborate together working, I think we have a much better chance of being successful,” said Manchin.

Manchin and the contingent from Glenville State had planned on meeting with lawmakers on Jan. 27, but the winter storm that enveloped the entire state postponed the annual visit.

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The instinct to protect status or advance and grow has even forced lawmakers to take sides in the past and left alumni with bitter feelings toward the other institution.

For instance, when Marshall College was seeking legislative approval to become Marshall University, there was pushback from WVU leadership at the time, trying to protect the school’s status as the only university in the state. According to a 2011 article in the WV Gazette Mail, Alan Gould, then the executive director for the John Deaver Drinko Academy for American Political Institutions and Civic Culture, recalled former WVU President Elvis Stahr saying that “Marshall should be a first-rate college rather than a fourth-rate university.”

Ouch.

That is just one example of the rivalry, sometimes real and sometimes imagined, that persisted for the better part of six decades. To get the two universities to agree on anything nearly took an act of the legislature.

However, times have changed, and so has the state of West Virginia, as well as the attitudes of leadership at both universities. Instead of working against each other, WVU, Marshall, and other state institutions are realizing the benefit of cooperation.

Last week at the Capitol, Marshall and WVU displayed the best of their institutions for lawmakers and highlighted the “Universities United” initiative that has helped secure over $51 million for state economic and workforce development projects since 2023.  A total of 124 awards have directly led to the creation of or sustained 270 jobs in West Virginia.

Michael T. Benson, WVU President, and Brad Smith, Marshall President, were even in the same room together for budget hearings before the House Finance Committee last week, presenting a united front to lawmakers.

West Virginia is a small, unique state and does not have room for higher education institutions to butt heads in bitter turf wars. West Virginia is better off when institutions complement each other and provide students with the necessary tools to be successful, and be successful here in West Virginia.

Both schools have rolled out programs to offer tuition assistance for undergraduate programs, removing a barrier for West Virginia students to attend college.

“We’ve grown enrollment 22.5 percent since 2022, and this year we grew 7.5 percent. The nation grew by one percent in terms of enrollment. The other thing we do when we get them here is we make sure we’re teaching them 21st-century skills. So they have in-demand jobs,” Smith said on Metronews Talkline.

Universities United brings together the state’s two largest institutions and puts the best interests of the state ahead of the self-preservation attitude that dominated the complicated relationship over the last 60 years.

And it didn’t even require an act of the legislature.

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According to press release, Cody Smith was arrested after federal agents executed a search warrant on his residence in Clarksburg on Jan. 22. Smith allegedly called the ICE Tip Line on Jan. 16 and left an obscenity-laced message, threatening to kill any ICE agents he saw in Clarksburg. The message included references to ICE and President Trump. 

“The safety and security of law enforcement personnel is our highest priority at Homeland Security Investigations,” said HSI Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf. “HSI is committed to actively pursuing anyone who threatens the brave agents and officers who protect our communities. We will work tirelessly to investigate these threats and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

U.S. Secret Service identified Smith’s instagram page, and located a video of Smith making the call to the tip line, threatening to kill ICE agents. 

Federal authorities seized Smith’s cellphone while serving the warrant on Jan. 22. 

ICE Charleston partnered with the FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Secret Service and West Virginia State Police, investigating the case.

**A previous version of this story incorrectly implied Smith was facing federal charges. 

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Delegate Scott Heckert, R-Wood, is among the legislators who are skeptical that the governor’s plan will survive the session. Gov. Morrisey included a five percent reduction to the personal income tax in his proposed budget and has challenged the legislature to come up with the other half. In a post on X over the weekend, the governor again urged lawmakers to work with his administration to come up with the additional savings.

As West Virginia enjoys another surplus, some politicians are “debating” whether to cut the state income tax.

This should not be a debate.

I’ve made the tough choices to be fiscally responsible— now it’s time to help everyday West Virginians.

A broad based cut in income…

— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) February 2, 2026

The post came after an appearance last week in Parkersburg with Grover Norquist, the President of Americans for Tax Reform, touting the tax cut.

“First, we’ve got to have a full budget. First, we’ve got to see if we’re going to dig a hole with a shovel and try to fill it in with a soup spoon,” said Delegate Scott Heckert, Wood-R, during an appearance on Metronews Talkline.

Count Heckert among the lawmakers who remain skeptical that the governor’s plan will survive the session and question if now is the right time to make additional cuts.

“I’m not very confident it’s going to happen.”

Heckert emphasized the plan the legislature approved in 2023 to phase out the income tax. HB 2526 implemented a 21.25 percent cut to the personal income tax and outlined economic triggers for future cuts.

“We have a plan that the House and Senate agreed on a couple of years ago that hasn’t had a chance to fully develop,” Heckert said.

Heckert, who added he is not opposed to tax cuts, questioned the timing with areas that need to be addressed.

“We have all kinds of different needs, from teachers to doctors, to social workers; there is always an abundance of wants. I feel, and a lot of the rest of us feel, we should work on the needs versus the wants.”

As lawmakers continued to work through a list of bills and issues, they were also taking displays highlighting the growth of Marshall University. President Brad Smith had a simple message he wanted to convey to lawmakers.

“Marshall is an asset and a resource that we can do things that they want us to do to help solve the problems they’re trying to tackle,” Smith said on Metronews Talkline. “Whether it’s cybersecurity or it’s rural healthcare, or we have manufacturing and bringing those jobs back to the state, aviation, all those things are here. And Marshall is an asset they can call upon at any point to help strengthen our communities and better our state.”

Smith added that while many colleges and universities across the country are dealing with shrinking enrollment, Marshall is actually growing faster than the national average. Smith credited the growth to programs, such as Marshall for All, implemented by Marshall to reduce the cost of attendance, which Smith says is the most common barrier preventing students from attending college.

“We’re reducing that barrier, which is driving our enrollment. We’ve grown enrollment 22.5 percent since 2022, and this year we grew 7.5 percent. The nation grew 1percent in terms of enrollment. The other thing we do when we get them here is we make sure we’re teaching them 21st-century skills. So they have in-demand jobs,” Smith said.

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Something does not add up in Hancock County with regards the school system’s bleak financial picture. There are still questions swirling about how the county school district ended up in such a perilous financial situation that there was legitimate concern the county may not make the January payroll. Those questions lead to even more questions about who knew what and when they knew it.

On January 16th, the West Virginia Board of Education voted unanimously to seize control of Hancock County Schools and fire the superintendent and assistant superintendent. State School Board President Paul Hardesty did not mince words, chastising county officials for having 140 employees in excess of the school aid formula. Hardesty called it “inexcusable.”

There has not been a reduction in force in Hancock County in 10 years.

As it turns out, that was only part of the financial troubles facing the county. Hancock County’s troubles include a $5 million cash shortfall, a $2 million high school overspend, and a $1 million turf project with dollars from the county board’s general fund.

State Superintendent Michelle Blatt stated during an appearance on Metronews Talkline that required information was not being submitted to the state’s West Virginia Education Information System. Former Superintendent Dan Enich claimed the system had not been fully utilized in 15 years.

The Hancock County School Board fired Chief Financial Officer Joseph Campinelli in November. The state school board assumed control of the district in January, terminating the contracts of Superintendent Dan Enich and Assistant Superintendent Dave Smith.

The state appointed Walter Saunders as the new superintendent. While Saunders must now forge a new path forward for the cash-strapped school system, questions regarding how it arrived at this juncture and why so many apparent red flags were missed still need to be answered.

Hancock County Schools had been categorized as “needs assistance” by the state for three years before the revelation that the school system was broke. According to Uriah Cummings, with the WV Department of Education, Hancock County received regular correspondence through email to provide detailed budget data, but those emails were ignored.

But if the state Department of Education was at least aware of possible financial troubles, how did it miss that Hancock County was not complying with WVEIS requirements? If, as Enich claimed in a public meeting back in December, the system has not been utilized to its fullest potential in over 15 years, did no one else see the obvious red flag?

How were current construction projects allowed to run over-budget, and new projects approved with a looming financial disaster on the horizon?

It would be easy to place blame for the failure of Hancock County Schools on a single person or board. However, there seems to be much more to the story than just gross negligence by one party. There was a breakdown in the checks and balances within the county school administration, the county board of education, and the state department of education to ensure that taxpayer dollars were being spent responsibly.

The more we learn about how Hancock County Schools ended up in such dire straits, the more culpability there is to spread around.

The post Story of Hancock County Schools doesn’t add up appeared first on WV MetroNews.

The 60-day legislative session officially commences at noon on Wednesday, and it is anyone’s guess what the next nine weeks will bring. Leadership in the House of Delegates has laid out an agenda that focuses on economic development, but on the opposite end of the Capitol, it is unclear whether the Senate will have any legislative direction or will be a free-for-all.

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw outlined the legislative agenda for the House of Delegates in December. House Bill 1 will be an initiative called TEAM-WV, meant to create a competitive, statewide nonprofit to drive a cohesive strategy for site development, partnerships, and business growth, modeled on the successful Jobs Ohio program.

That was just part of a clearly defined agenda in response to widespread criticism that lawmakers did not devote enough time to addressing issues directly impacting West Virginians.

However, the path ahead for the next 60 days for the Senate is not nearly as defined. In fact, as of Monday, there was apparently no direction at all.

During the annual legislative lookahead, Sen. Eric Tarr (Putnam-R) said there had not been a Republican caucus meeting to discuss priorities.

“I’ll tell you that the Senate Republican majority has no consensus on an agenda at all,” Tarr said. “I expect a bit of a free-for-all, because that’s extremely odd, and I’m frustrated by that.”

Senate President Randy Smith has the unenviable task of attempting to manage three distinct factions within his own party in the Senate that do not necessarily agree on legislative priorities. Tarr elaborated on Talkline.

“I would say that we have three factions in the Senate, you would have a group that I would say that you might describe as ultra right, and that ultra right side of things is where the ideology is the first and foremost of the thought process. A lot of times, that thought process is outsourced to think tanks that are national conservative groups.”

“And then you have the left side of the caucus, which really has a less social leaning; really, the rest of the caucus wants to tolerate the left side of the social politics there.  Then you have a middle faction where the focus is really on business. And that’s the first and foremost reason that middle factions up here are for business.

But they’ll always be right on the social issues.”

Getting those three factions in a room to agree on two dozen bills to push the legislature in 60 days may be nearly impossible, and likely why there has not been a legislative agenda produced in the state Senate.

The implications for the session could be that the House of Delegates’ priorities drive the session. With the House coming to the Capitol with a well-defined platform, it puts pressure on the Senate to concur with the bills coming from the opposite chamber. That fact is magnified if the House and Governor Morrisey agree on those legislative priorities.

What will happen over the next 60 days?

It’s impossible to say. But we are going to find out whether or not Republicans can build some sort of consensus, or if chaos will rule the session.

The post Consensus or chaos in the Senate? appeared first on WV MetroNews.

David Hoyt was a young radio disc jockey, still in high school, when he first heard a song by a folk singer, describing the nostalgia of returning home. Even though Hoyt was just a teen after hearing just a few bars of the song that had not been released in the United States, he knew it could be a hit. So, he played on the radio before RCA Records had released it.

Hoyt recalls a loyal listener to WMOV Radio in Ravenswood, WV, who brought the song to his attention. Her son had been stationed overseas and heard the song performed live, purchased the album that had already been released outside the United States, and brought it back home.

After Hoyt heard the song, he immediately made a copy and started playing it on the radio.

“We started playing it on WMOV, and the response was just amazing,” Hoyt recalled.

The song was so popular that Hoyt made copies for his friends in the radio, who also started playing the song on the air. People who heard the song on the radio eventually started reaching out to RCA Records, trying to find their own copy of the song. That caught the attention of executives, who wanted to know where they had heard the song, since the album had not been released in the United States.

Next thing you know, Hoyt got a call from the artist’s manager, Jerry Weintraub.

“He said, ‘I’m looking for the guy who’s making copies of Take Me Home.’ I confessed, and I’ll never forget what he said, Where in the hell did you get that? Because it hasn’t been released here.”

Hoyt knew he could be in trouble for playing the song, but he also knew it had the potential to be a hit. After all, the local response had been overwhelmingly positive.

“I really felt the song would sell a million copies just in West Virginia. I mean, back then we had 2.5 million or so people, so I thought that’s a safe bet. Well, he did, they did, and it did,” said Hoyt.

Weintraub must have also believed he had a hit on his hands. Rather can come down on Hoyt; he went along with it.

And the song became an international phenomenon that continues to be sung in countries all over the world.

Hoyt introduced the United States to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

“You know, I had a good career, 35 years in radio, a bit of TV, and newspaper. I interviewed a lot of famous people, but if this is what I get remembered for, well, that’s fine by me.”

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Growing up, we did not have far to go; almost our entire family lived in or near my hometown of St. Marys, but we still had our destinations to get to, even if the trip took less than five minutes. We had grandparents and even great-grandparents to visit, but the one that still holds a special place for me was Christmas Eve at my grandparents’ house.

Christmas Eve was designated for the Wilson family “Christmas on the Hill” at my Mammaw and Pappaw’s house. The old house was situated on the side of a hill, and parking was at a premium. If you arrived early, you got the good spot. Get there late, and you may have to park on top of the hill at the neighbor’s house and find your way down a steep bank, in the dark.

The house did not have central heating, but it did not need it. Pappaw kept a fire roaring in the wood stove, and once 20 or more people were milling around the house, it was plenty warm. Even on the coldest night, someone would open the sliding glass door leading out to the porch in a vain attempt to regulate the heat in the house.

Of course, as kids, we were not concerned about the temperature; we were focused on the presents. Sitting there under the tree, almost torturing us as we were forced to wait. You couldn’t open the gifts as soon as you arrived. My Aunt Debbie did her best to keep us distracted with games and activities. It worked, for a little while.

Dinner was not a formal affair, but there was more than enough to eat. There was a crockpot full of meatballs. Homemade pepperoni rolls. Even a veggie pizza, just to name a few of the dishes. Cookies, cakes, and any other kind of sweet you could imagine. Finally, dinner was finished, and just when you thought it was time to finally rip into the packages under the tree, someone would announce that it was time for the dreaded family picture.

That was my Aunt Debbie’s responsibility as well. As the family photographer, it was her job to somehow organize grandkids and eventually great-grandkids, ranging from teenagers who were too cool for the picture to toddlers who could barely sit still. Somehow, she would always pull it off and get at least one perfect picture with everyone smiling and looking in the same direction.

Then it was finally time to open presents. It would start organized, but eventually, wrapping paper was flying, and new gifts were scattered all over the room.

After the presents were opened, the kids were occupied and content, and the adults could relax a bit. The men would gravitate to one room where Pappaw would hold court. The conversation almost always included a breakdown of St. Marys football, some deer hunting stories, and my Uncle Terry telling a couple of jokes and asking you to pull his finger.

The women all naturally congregated in another room and talked about, well, I don’t know what they talked about, but I can guarantee it had nothing to do with hunting stories.

All the while, I can remember often seeing Mammaw sitting in her recliner, like a queen sitting on a throne, just watching, taking it all in, and I imagine enjoying every minute of it.

It was perfect chaos.

Eventually, the night would wind down, and one by one we would file out, go home, and get to bed to await Santa’s arrival.

Years later, I can’t tell you what happened to all those presents that we were so eager to open. I’m certain many of the toys ended up broken, and we eventually outgrew any clothes. I now realize what Mammaw knew back then, as she watched mayhem around her. The real gifts were not wrapped in festive paper and accentuated with a bow. They were happening all around us.

The memories of Christmas Eve at Mammaw and Pappaw’s house are the gift that I treasure to this day.

Merry Christmas!

The post Christmas on the hill appeared first on WV MetroNews.

Non-profit organizations and volunteers often lead the charge to provide critical housing and services. But in some cases, those noble intentions have a blinding effect, and advocates become part of the problem.

Homelessness is often accompanied by an increase in crime and drug use, and there is no easy solution to manage the situation. According to point-in-time estimates released by the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development last year, 1,779 people experienced homelessness on a single night, an increase of 25 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Advocates say those numbers actually underrepresent the true problem in West Virginia. Options to help individuals get off the streets and into shelter space are at a premium. That is no different in Morgantown, but one facility that was established to provide safe shelter may actually be contributing to the problem.

Rainbow House was established by Project Rainbow as a shelter specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community, although anyone in need of help was welcome. The initiative was founded by a group of harm reduction workers with the idea of providing assistance without judgment.

While the notion may have been noble, questions have been swirling about the operations of the shelter that received $250,000 in state funding this year. In November, Monongalia County Commissioners requested that the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness investigate the shelter after receiving a letter alleging serious issues at the facility. Commissioner Tom Bloom said the letter from a former employee alleged open drug use, drug dealing outside the facility, and poor security.

The letter also alleged inside the shelter that there was no consultation with medical or mental health professionals, and guests are not encouraged to take their medication.

Those are only allegations, but the WVCEH has agreed to look into the veracity of the claims. However, what cannot be ignored are the hundreds of times first responders have been called to the site. According to 911 records, they have been dispatched to Project Rainbow 488 times so far this year.

Last week, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the shelter to investigate a domestic incident. The founder and board president of Project Rainbow, Erin Shelton, ended up getting arrested and charged with obstruction for trying to prevent law enforcement from entering the shelter and impeding the investigation.

Any other location that required nearly 500 calls for service would likely be declared a public nuisance and dealt with accordingly. However, the issues at Project Rainbow persist.

It is true that there are often barriers in the system that prevent homeless individuals from seeking help or treatment, and removing those barriers connects individuals with needed services. However, removing all guardrails and essentially facilitating self-destructive lifestyles does not help the individual; it exacerbates the problem and actually produces the opposite of the desired result.

It creates a barrier that prevents someone from connecting with services that offer a helping hand.

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Today’s social media landscape is filled with misinformation, AI-generated deep fakes, and algorithms that prioritize content users already prefer. Social media personalities, striving to make a name for themselves, often promote questionable content, sensationalizing current events to distinguish themselves and attract more clicks.

While media has evolved, allowing anyone to become a reporter or commentator, human nature has remained consistent. The urge to use popular media to advance a political agenda or stretch the boundaries of “truth” to attract consumers was just as strong 250 years ago, when the nation was founded.

It is true that the Founding Fathers would be astonished by today’s social media environment. However, the media of their time played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Early newspapers and pamphlets were established to influence politics. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is a prime example, having sold over 120,000 copies and significantly shaping public opinion about the revolution.

Instead of debates occurring on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), discussions took place through pamphlets. This medium was cost-effective and allowed for easy dissemination of information. The subject of those pamphlets often became topics of conversation at town halls and pubs.

Early American newspapers differed fundamentally from those we know today. Both the Federalist Party and the Republican Party in the late 1790s and early 1800s sponsored newspapers to communicate with members and promote their agendas.

The 19th century introduced the era of Yellow Journalism, highlighted by the rivalry between William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, who competed to publish the most sensational stories and, consequently, sell more newspapers. Public sentiment was often manipulated through emotionally charged, one-sided, and fabricated narratives. True events were exaggerated, and sensational headlines pressured political leaders to take action.

Does this sound familiar?

This era eventually led journalists and publications to emphasize objective reporting to regain public trust, which allowed Yellow Journalism to fade into the 20th century.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and not much has changed. Instead of pamphlets and newspapers, those seeking to shape public opinion now use videos on TikTok, posts on Instagram, or rants on Facebook to convey their messages.

Like the pamphlets of the 18th century, it is inexpensive and easy to publish information on the internet and social media. This accessibility has also given rise to independent journalists who produce thought-provoking investigative pieces often overlooked by mainstream editors due to space limitations.

Today’s media landscape is challenging to navigate, but, to some extent, it has always been the consumer’s responsibility to discern who is trying to manipulate them and push an agenda and who is genuinely attempting to report the news objectively.

This responsibility remains unchanged, whether discussing pamphlets or TikToks.

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During the 2023 season, there were discussions about blowouts, and lawmakers expressed concerns about competitive balance. As a result, state lawmakers pledged to revise the transfer rule that had been approved just months earlier.

Last academic year was the first time schools were divided into four classifications with a modified playoff formula The situation escalated when the playoffs were postponed by a week due to lawsuits filed in multiple counties, with schools and coaches upset about the mathematical formula used to determine the playoff rating system. Ultimately, the case was settled by the state Supreme Court.

All this drama overshadowed the teams and players on the field, who should always be the main focus of high school athletics.

This year, however, there was no such off-field drama during the regular or postseason. Instead, the 2025 postseason was filled with excitement—overtime games, last-second scores, upsets, and first-time champions, dispelling the notion that high school sports need to be fixed.

During the quarterfinals of the playoffs, in Class AAAA, No. 7 University traveled to second-seeded Huntington and pulled off an upset against the Highlanders. In Class AAA, Chapmanville Regional achieved a rare feat by defeating Bridgeport at Wayne Jamison Field. These upsets highlight the impressive football talent across the state.

The eventual champions in Class AAAA, Morgantown, needed a blocked extra point to advance to the semifinals. Princeton won the Class AAA title for the first time in school history, overcoming a deficit against Herbert Hoover in the quarterfinals.

Three of the four championship games came down to the final possession, making it hard to find a more competitive championship weekend. Morgantown and Martinsburg battled until the very end. Nitro attempted a two-point conversion but was thwarted by Princeton, who broke up the pass that would have given Nitro the lead. Frankfort scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play. In Class A, Clay-Battelle reached the championship game for the first time and at one point led perennial power Wheeling Central 20-7.

Outstanding individual performances over the weekend even led to college scholarship offers.

After a great conversation with @rhett_rod @CoachTTrickett I am blessed to receive an offer from @WVUfootball Super excited to continue to build the relationship! #HardEdge #ThisIsMorgantown@CoachBiserMHS @247recruiting @WVSportsDotCom @210ths @RivalsRecruit @QBHitList… pic.twitter.com/LkIRBIetxW

— Maddox Twigg (@MaddoxTwigg) December 8, 2025

The postseason unfolded exactly as it was designed: it was competitive and showcased championships that played out almost like a movie script.

The best high school football players in West Virginia displayed their hard work and dedication for the entire state to see and appreciate.

The weekend and the entire 2025 football postseason were a resounding win for high school athletics.

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Sitting in a tree stand, alone, for hours on end gives you a chance to appreciate the world around you, the warm sun on a cold morning, the entertainment of two squirrels chasing each other, and the quietness of the woods.

That is, until that quietness is broken by the unmistakable crunch of leaves over your left shoulder. It’s a sound every hunter is familiar with. A deer is creeping through the trees, unaware you are there watching. Your pulse starts to pick up when you see the rack. You try to remember if this is your target buck, the one you have pictures of on the trail camera.

Now comes the tricky part: slowly moving your rifle into position, without him noticing. You slowly ease the rifle into place, take aim, draw one last breath, and commit to taking the shot. With one slow, steady squeeze of your index finger, the silence of the woods is broken.

I wish more people got the chance to experience that moment.

Not necessarily for the thrill of the chase but to understand the power and responsibility that come with that final part of the hunt, raising the rifle and pulling the trigger.

According to a compilation of state license data, there were about 16 million hunting license holders across the country in 2024. That’s about five percent of the U.S. population who have had similar experiences to what I just described.

Conversely, about a third of the U.S. population owns a firearm. That’s between 105 and 115 million people.

The vast majority of those are responsible gun owners who take firearm safety seriously. Many take time to go to gun ranges and even train in simulators to make certain they know how to properly handle firearms, but shooting at a virtual target or a piece of paper on the range cannot replicate the real-world ramifications of pulling the trigger. Paper targets do not bleed, and you can always reset a virtual simulation.

Without getting graphic, harvesting any animal is not something most hunters take lightly. They will go to great lengths to make certain they take a good shot, the animal doesn’t suffer, and they will always do their best to recover the animal.

Harvesting an animal leaves an impression on a person.

That’s also the reason so many hunters are obsessive about firearms and don’t tolerate nonsense around guns. They have seen firsthand the immense power of the tool they are using and the responsibility that comes with it.

Most people who own firearms will never aim at another living creature and have to make a calculated decision about whether or not to squeeze the trigger and then deal with the consequences of that decision.

If more people had that experience, perhaps they too would have a greater appreciation for the power and responsibility that comes with owning and using a firearm.

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Cotton was surprised when it was revealed that the home radio broadcast booth at Joan C. Edwards Stadium had been renamed “The Steve Cotton Broadcast Suite.” This honor recognized his three decades behind the mic, during which he has been part of some of the most memorable moments in Marshall Athletics history. From his first year as the play-by-play announcer, calling the 1996 National Championship and the many touchdowns from Pennington to Moss, to iconic events like the 2001 Miracle in Mobile, and when the Herd secured a spot in the NCAA Basketball Tournament with the famous line, “Have you ever seen a buffalo dance?”, Cotton has become intertwined with the fanbase. Many fans may not know what he looks like, but his voice is unmistakable. 

Even in today’s age of video streaming and HD cameras, the radio play-by-play announcer holds a special place in the hearts of sports fans. On game days, Cotton is a welcome friend who paints an unseen picture of the action, making you feel as though he is speaking directly to you about your favorite team.

West Virginians are indeed spoiled with the quality of announcers they get to enjoy. The same year Cotton started, 1996, saw Tony Caridi become the full-time play-by-play announcer for WVU, where he has famously describes why, “It’s a great day to be a Mountaineer, wherever you may be.” 

Fred Persinger’s voice is synonymous with high school sports in West Virginia. He has called the action at the state High School Basketball Tournament for over 50 years, covering three generations of high school athletes both on the field and on the court.

This appreciation for announcers extends beyond the college and professional levels. Across towns and communities throughout the state, announcers add a their own unique descriptions and historical contexts that transforms simple games into imaginative experiences. Hometown announcers become friends, even if the conversation is one-sided. They are familiar, trusted voices who share in the excitement when the home team triumphs and feel the disappointment when things don’t go as planned. 

The intimate nature of radio, frequently listened to alone in the car, while doing chores around the house, or even as one drifts off to sleep, fosters a one-on-one connection that television or streaming simply cannot replicate.

For those of us of a certain age, it reminds of us of our childhood, when that voice on the radio was our only connection to our favorite teams. For the younger generation, that voice booming through the speakers still narrates some of the best moments of our fandom from our hometown high schools up the to the biggest and brightest stages. 

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On Friday, the fountain in the middle of the Memorial Student Center Plaza on Marshall University’s campus will be shut off during an annual ceremony that is unique to the Marshall community. It commemorates the 75 sons and daughters of Marshall who were lost on November 14, 1970.

It has now been 55 years since Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed on a rainy, foggy night, just shy of Huntington Tri-State Airport. For those who lived through the tragedy, the pain is still evident when they share their experiences.

Growing up, I was familiar with the story.  My uncle, Ed Wilson, was a freshman with the Thundering Herd in 1970 and a member of the Young Thundering Herd in 1971.

I admit that for many years, I did not have a true appreciation for the tragedy.  I grew up a generation removed from the crash.  I was not around in 1970 and only learned of the catastrophe through anecdotes and what I could read.  However, that only told part of the story and did not adequately convey how the Marshall community was impacted by the crash.

In 2006, the story became real as the anticipation built for the release of the movie “We Are… Marshall.”  For the first time, Jack Lengyel, Red Dawson, Reggie Oliver, Nate Ruffin, and others were not just names associated with the story; they were real people.  The feature film, along with the documentary “Ashes to Glory,” brought the story to life and reintroduced my generation to the tragedy, re-energizing individuals’ stories that were in danger of fading away with time.

I gained a better understanding of the devastation the crash left behind following an interview with longtime WSAZ-TV anchor and Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Bos Johnson.  He was on the front lines of the television coverage of the crash and had the unenviable task of telling the world the Marshall football team, coaches, and fans were gone. Listening to him tell his story, I could detect by the sound of his voice that it was still hard to talk about.

At the end of the interview, I asked what I thought was a throwaway question: if he would be attending the fountain ceremony that year.

His response was “no.”

In fact, Johnson told me he had never counted all the personal friends he lost that day. It was simply too difficult.

That hit home for me.  Decades later, the pain of those who lived through the crash was still fresh.  It made me realize that my generation has a responsibility to make certain that future generations understand the tragedy of November 14, 1970, and the scar that was left on the Marshall community, but also the triumph of rising from the ashes.

For many years, the crash was just not talked about. The wounds were still too raw, the pain still too strong. However, over the last two decades, those wounds have started to heal. Those who were directly involved have shared their stories, so they could be preserved and passed on. Now, the tragedy and triumph are embraced in the university’s culture, ensuring that the 75 will never be forgotten.

We Are… Marshall.

The post Ensuring we never forget Nov. 14 appeared first on WV MetroNews.

The data indicate that voters are frustrated with the administration, particularly regarding affordability, and are uninterested in the Trump administration’s successes abroad. According to exit polls, across all states, opposing President Trump was a prominent factor driving voters to the polls. Democrats performed well among renters, federal workers, urban residents, and people concerned about affordability.

Greg Noone, a Political Science Professor at Fairmont State University, stated on Metronews Talkline that the election of vastly different candidates, such as Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect in New York City, a self-proclaimed socialist, and Abigail Spanberger, the governor-elect of Virginia, a moderate Democrat, demonstrated that voters are seeking a change.

“The takeaway for me is that there are people who are unhappy. There are people who are struggling. There are people who are hurting, and when that happens, people seek change. It was different messages from Spanberger in Virginia than from Mamdani in New York City, but the same point is that people are not happy with where they are right now.”

Democrats here in West Virginia celebrated the wins and interpreted them as a sign that the party is poised for an upswing in the Mountain State.

“What we saw last night is that when Democrats make it about people — about wages, health care, schools, and protecting freedoms — we can win in places Republicans have taken for granted. Voters are tired of being divided and distracted while their costs go up,” Mike Pushkin, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair, said in a statement.

Independent voters also played a key role in Tuesday’s Democratic Party success, a shift from previous years. Exit polling also indicated that President Trump’s foreign policy successes, such as negotiating the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, had little impact on voters.

Noone pointed out that President Trump’s elections in 2016 and 2024, Trump promised to fix the economy, lower prices, and address key issues impacting voters daily. It’s the same message that Democrats are embracing, although with different approaches to achieving those same goals.

“He [Trump] spoke to people and said I will make things better for you. know things are tough right now. I’ll make things better for you,” Noone explained.

Tuesday’s election is just one data point, and it is a fallacy to draw any hard conclusions about what will happen in the 2026 midterms or even the 2028 presidential election. However, the data demonstrate that the Democratic Party in West Virginia is on the right track by reaching out to voters to discuss issues such as economic development, cost of living, and education, as it did during its statewide Kitchen Table Tour.

While Republicans are not in any danger of losing their supermajorities in the West Virginia House and Senate, Tuesday’s results are a reminder that if voters are unhappy with how things are headed, they’ll try something else.

The post Takeaways from Tuesday’s elections appeared first on WV MetroNews.

The closures are commonly driven by a three-headed monster that is difficult to overcome: declining enrollment, financial challenges and aging facilities. Additionally, state code that governs the public school system has not kept up with recent changes to provide more educational choice in West Virginia and the school state aid formula has not been updated since the 1990s.

During the 2024-25 school year, at least 20 separate school consolidations and closures were approved. More counties are considering additional consolidations and closures this year, among them Roane and Barbour Counties.

In Barbour County, student enrollment is down 20 percent since 2016, and that decline has accelerated in the years following the pandemic. The county plan is to close Belington Middle School, Kasson Middle School, and Philippi Middle School and move those students to Philip Barbour High School, making that a grade 6 through 12 facility. Also, the Junior Elementary School would be merged with Belington Elementary School.

In Roane County, a proposal is being considered to close Walton Elementary/Middle School and Geary Elementary School. The situation is further complicated by the state school board’s intervention, which has declared a state of emergency for the district that once boasted a nearly $2 million surplus in 2021, but now faces a $2.5 million deficit.

Public schools are often the identity of rural towns and communities and residents do not want to see part of their identity slip away. The consolidation process can be emotionally challenging and leave parents worried about how their children will be affected by larger classes, new teachers, and longer bus rides.

The concerns are legitimate but research indicates that students are more resilient than they often get credit for. According to the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the number of public school districts across the country declined from 117,108 in 1940 to just 13,551 in 2018. A trio of researchers at the University of Arkansas found that consolidation had null or very small positive impacts on both math and English language arts. The research also suggested that students were able to adapt to their new circumstances rather quickly.

Another 2022 study concluded that students who had been attending underperforming schools, where resources may have been limited, benefited from the consolidation with better access to teachers and resources.

Community schools are certainly worth fighting for. They are a glue that binds our rural population together and provides a point of unity in a divisive modern society.

However, research suggests that there is not a significant advantage in student outcomes to continuing to operate more smaller schools versus combining resources and personnel into fewer, more efficient operations.

It leaves boards of education and state lawmakers stuck between constituents who do not want to lose their school and their town’s identity, and the reality that consolidation may be the only option.

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This past weekend, hundreds of thousands of people participated in “No Kings” rallies across the country, including here in West Virginia, to protest Trump administration policies. The overarching theme of the rallies was that President Trump has pushed the authority of the executive branch too far and by doing so has turned the presidency into the singular source of power in the government. 

If Trump has become a king, then Congress is the court jester who has allowed it to happen. 

Since the turn of the century, Congress has become a vestigial organ of the three equal branches of government, unable to perform the most basic duties. The federal government is shutdown and federal employees are either furloughed or working without a paycheck because members of congress are unable to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government for several weeks, let alone pass all 12 appropriations bills on time. 

Republicans and Democrats the House of Representatives and the Senate have been willing participants in the expansion of executive branch authority and only raise alarm when a member of the opposite party is in the White House. 

Under President George W. Bush, Congress passed the Patriot Act which transferred significant decision-making authority from the courts and Congress to the executive branch allowing surveillance, searches and detentions with minimal external review. The Bush administration also promoted Unitary Executive Theory which justified the President’s ability to interpret laws independently of Congress and the court. 

President Barack Obama continued the trend of expanding presidential authority using executive action in 2012 to establish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The administration delayed key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) despite statutory deadlines in the law itself. The administration unilaterally set new climate regulations, used executive orders to establish new restrictions on the Second Amendment and used signing statements challenging or interpreting congressional intent in appropriations and national security legislation. 

Congress even conceded its power to approve treaties when it passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, allowing President Obama to lift sanctions on Iran and implement a new nuclear agreement without formal congressional approval. 

The expansion continued under the Biden administration as the president used executive orders to reverse many of the policies of the first Trump presidency, bypassing Congress to set policy in key areas like civil rights, climate and public health. President Biden attempted to cancel vast amounts of federal student loan debt through executive action and sidestep Congress setting new immigration policy for asylum seekers, refugee caps and enforcement protocols. 

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have taken turns over the last quarter century expressing their outrage or approval of the executive branch’s actions, depending on who is in the White House. Congress has allowed current and past presidents to assume increasing authority either through legislative action or by simply ignoring its responsibilities. 

Following the lead of his predecessors, President Trump has pushed the limits of executive branch authority. He is not a king and a new president will be elected in 2028. It is up to Congress to restore balance and to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations rather than engage in political theatre that more closely resembles a satirical skit befitting the court jester, than actual governance. 

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I was recently listening to a podcast while doing some maintenance work on my truck, and I was surprised when the host lamented that people don’t have hobbies anymore. The statement caught my attention, as the host suggested that hobbies have been replaced by technology. Activities that challenge us intellectually or physically seem to have gone by the wayside, with many of us preferring to scroll through social media or watch videos of others enjoying their hobbies.

But there’s no way that’s entirely true. Surely, people enjoy disconnecting from the world in a woodshop or garage.

So, I did what any responsible millennial would do: I started to poke around the internet and found that increasingly, younger millennials and Gen Zers are grappling with this question. One article’s author recalled struggling to complete an application for a study abroad program because she could not list any hobbies.

As pointed out in a March 2025 Washington Post article, this should be the golden age of hobbies. Twentieth-century thinkers believed that technological advancements would make our work so efficient that leisure would eclipse labor. Another commentator speculated that Democrats had become political junkies and had so few interests outside of politics, the lack of hobbies played a role in losing the 2024 Presidential election.

Gallup found that Americans are working fewer hours per week. In 2019, U.S. employees reported working an average of 44 hours a week. By 2024, that number had decreased to 42 hours per week. The decline in working hours has been even more pronounced among younger workers.

Leisure time has certainly not eclipsed work.

So, what’s going on? Do people really have fewer hobbies? Are we all just doom-scrolling throughout the day?

While technology and the ever-present smartphone are convenient scapegoats, it’s easier to sit and scroll through social media, staring at posts pushed by algorithms designed to keep us engaged for as long as possible.

But there’s more to it than that. Our overall attitudes toward leisure time have changed. Often, hobbies were an extension of our occupations. For instance, a farmer who needs a wide range of knowledge and skills to keep his equipment running and his farm operating might collect and restore old tractors, utilizing those skills for personal enjoyment. The same could be said for other craftsmen and skilled tradesmen.

Hobbies that required physical skill and problem-solving also provided a sense of satisfaction and purpose that many of today’s data-driven jobs often fail to deliver.

Additionally, those hobbies fostered social connections that helped strengthen community ties and personal relationships. For example, the bond among car guys is obvious for any one who has spent a Sunday afternoon at a local car show. 

In some cases, hobbies like hiking and biking even contributed to better overall health and wellness.

As you head into the weekend, consider putting down your phone, turning off the television, and getting out to do something. You might just find a new passion or discover a talent you never knew you had. At the very least, you could realize that the real world is a much better place than the digital one the algorithms are promoting.

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State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty stirred controversy during the last school board meeting with a 15-minute speech addressing the deficiencies in the public school system, the burdensome regulations, and the impact the Hope Scholarship and expanded school choice options have had on public schools.

He highlighted that the state code governing the school system spans over 1,300 pages, much of which was established decades ago. Hardesty urged lawmakers to reconsider the school aid formula and evaluate the increasing costs associated with the Hope Scholarship.

This particular call for action sparked a sharp retort by Jason Huffman, State Director of Americans for Prosperity WV, who described Hardesty’s comments as “a brazen attack on parents by calling for guardrails on eligibility for school choice.” 

Huffman even called for Hardesty’s resignation.

Huffman focused on only a brief portion of Hardesty’s remarks. Hardesty dedicated most of his speech to urging lawmakers to reform public education while granting public schools the same flexibility that makes private schools, public charter schools, and homeschooling appealing options for parents.

Hardesty’s speech was not an attack on school choice; rather, it was an acknowledgment that public schools cannot compete with school choice options if they are hampered by overregulation and an outdated funding formula. Fewer restrictions on teachers and more flexibility within the system—leading to better student outcomes—are all steps that most agree would positively impact the public education system.

Senate Education Committee Chair Amy Grady and House Education Committee Vice-Chair Joe Statler have both expressed, during separate appearances on Metronews Talkline, that there is potential for a strong school choice environment alongside a thriving public school system. However, they emphasized the need to understand why parents opt for alternatives outside the public education system.

“They need to ask them, ‘Why are you choosing this option?’—not in an adversarial manner, but rather, ‘What are we not doing that we could improve?’ That conversation isn’t taking place, and it needs to,” Statler said.

Through these discussions and others, we are likely to uncover common issues and potential solutions that can enhance the educational experience for all students, which should be our ultimate goal.

In the past seven years, state lawmakers have made significant strides in expanding school choice for families across the state. However, during this same period, public schools have continued to be governed and funded as if it were 1990.

Article XII of the West Virginia State Constitution mandates the establishment of a “thorough and efficient system of free schools.” 

Advocating for public schools to operate on a level playing field with alternative education options is not an attack on school choice; it is a call to enhance all educational opportunities in West Virginia and fulfill constitutional obligations. 

And that is something we should all agree on.

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Lockett was started at tailback in place of  Isaiah Thompson, who sustained an injury during the second half of Morgantown’s win last week against Spring Mills. Additionally, Morgantown’s quarterback, Maddox Twigg, was a game-time decision after tweaking an ankle in the previous game. Receiver Carter Cooper also played through a nagging lower-body injury.

Wheeling Park was without its top rusher, Brennan Wack, who had been averaging 241 rushing yards per game prior to the injury.

“I didn’t have many of the guys offensively for us, and the players we did have were slowed by injury. We were trying to piece everything together. I thought the defense helped us hang in there and gave us a chance to make a few plays,” said Morgantown Coach Sean Biser.

With both offenses operating below full capacity, both teams relied heavily on their defenses. The only score in the first half came from a one-yard run by Lockett with 11:16 left in the second quarter.

Leading 7-0 at halftime, Morgantown quickly added to its score in the third quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, Twigg connected with Carter Cooper for a 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown. This marked Cooper’s sixth touchdown reception of the year, giving Morgantown a 14-0 lead.

“Get it to Carter Cooper in space,” Biser said. “He’s pretty electric and one of the best players in the state, in my opinion.”

Morgantown extended its lead later in the quarter when Twigg hit Jayden Smalls for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter.

“We were backed up, and I didn’t have many plays for that kind of yardage. I thought, let’s throw it up and see what happens,” Biser admitted.

Wheeling Park got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Jay Bordas found Tatum Justice streaking down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown pass, cutting Morgantown’s lead to 21-7. This marked the first time in nine quarters that Morgantown’s defense allowed an opponent into the end zone.

Any thoughts of a Wheeling Park comeback were dashed minutes later. Morgantown sealed the victory when Lockett broke off a 41-yard touchdown run, finalizing the score at 28-7. 

The win marked Morgantown’s first victory over Wheeling Park since 2017.

“I think it was a big win for our guys. We’ve been working toward this, and while things weren’t perfect tonight, we made it work, and we’ll take the win,” said Biser.

Twigg finished the night with 178 yards passing and two touchdowns, while Carson Keeling had 50 yards on 15 carries.

For Wheeling Park, Bordas threw for 110 yards and a touchdown. Isaac Sands, who started in place of the injured Wack, carried the ball 17 times for 71 yards.

Morgantown will be on the road next week to face Martinsburg, while Wheeling Park returns home to host Fairmont Senior.

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This phenomenon is commonly referred to as “cancel culture.”

In my lifetime, both the left and the right have utilized their political influence to “cancel” unpopular and controversial speech. This has sparked a debate within our political discourse about whether cancel culture serves as a means of accountability or as a form of censorship and punishment.

The reality is that the pendulum of cancel culture has swung in both directions, with some politicians adjusting their positions based on partisan signals and shifting public sentiments. Currently, this debate centers around comments related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Several media personalities have faced firings or suspensions due to their comments. Additionally, numerous private citizens have been dismissed from their jobs for making publicly disparaging remarks. The Trump administration also exerted pressure through the FCC on broadcast companies to limit speech critical of Kirk and his career.

As a result, many on the left have raised concerns about government overreach, emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment. The current state of cancel culture has likely been intensified by a backlash against the progressive cancel culture of 2020, during which the left tightly controlled the Overton window, making discussions about controversial social or political topics potentially career-ending.

But these are just the latest examples of cancel culture throughout my lifetime. 

In 2002, ABC fired Bill Maher and canceled his late-night show “Politically Incorrect” for his comments about the 9/11 hijackers. He remarked: “We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That’s cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it’s not cowardly.” Although Maher later apologized, ABC terminated his show following a prolonged controversy.

Longtime radio host Rush Limbaugh found himself in trouble after ESPN executives added him to the network’s NFL coverage in 2003. During a discussion about then-Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Limbaugh stated: “The media has been very desirous that a Black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.” Initially, the network defended his comments, but Limbaugh ultimately resigned amid increasing public pressure.

These are just a couple of examples of how the pendulum of cancel culture can shift from one side to the other. Both the right and left have made the mistake of believing that the pendulum will not swing back in their direction and that cancel culture will not eventually come after them.

As Chris Stirewalt pointed out on Metronews Talkline last week, “We have a First Amendment because free speech is unpopular, and the temptation to restrict it is eternal.”

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The Mountaineers fell to Ohio by a score of 17-10, marking their first defeat to a Group of 5 school since 2008. The offense struggled, and running back Jaheim White was carted off the field with a knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Additionally, receiver Jaden Bray suffered a foot injury and will also miss the remainder of the year.

In Tony Gibson’s home debut as Marshall’s head coach, the Thundering Herd squandered a lead, losing to Missouri State 21-20. This loss marked Missouri State’s first victory against an FBS opponent in its history.

Both fan bases felt the sting of these losses, especially given the excitement and anticipation surrounding the 2025 season. Mountaineer fans were hopeful for a return to the success experienced under Rich Rodriguez during his first tenure in Morgantown, when the team came close to competing for a national championship. Fans were eager for Rodriguez to restore the “hard edge” to WVU and were looking forward to welcoming ESPN’s College GameDay for the upcoming showdown with Pitt.

Marshall fans brushed off their season-opening loss to fifth-ranked Georgia, viewing it as a challenging matchup against one of the best teams in the country. With no remaining opponents expected to pose as much of a threat, Herd supporters were eager to celebrate a home victory in Gibson’s first game, only to see the win slip away in the final minutes.

These games underscore the challenges of winning in college football, particularly with new coaches, new coordinators, and a roster filled with newcomers. WVU added 87 new players to its roster for 2025, while Marshall brought in over 60 new players.

Neither program will blame its losses on the influx of new players, but the inexperience of working together certainly contributed to their struggles. WVU managed only 72 rushing yards, while Ohio recorded four sacks. Marshall, though it ran for 191 yards, faced difficulties along the offensive line and missed assignments in the secondary, which led to big plays and points for Missouri State.

Successful execution of complex offensive and defensive schemes requires communication and trust, which can only be built through countless practice repetitions and game situations over time.

Unfortunately, in today’s college football landscape, time is a luxury that coaches often lack. They are expected to win immediately. However, there is reason for optimism. Rich Rodriguez went 3-8 in his first season but built a nationally prominent program in the following years.

Doc Holliday also lost his first two games as Marshall’s head coach. Yet, over the next four seasons, Marshall claimed a conference championship, showcasing one of the school’s most prolific offenses.

It’s only two games into the season. Don’t give up just yet.

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