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Stay on Track: Time is now for Railway Safety Act

More than three years after a disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Congress has continued to sit on its hands rather than upset its friends in the railroad industry by implementing desperately needed rail safety reform. Well, most of Congress, anyway. A few have repeatedly tried to ...

Smoke Signals: Vape Safety Act goes too far

Del. David McCormick, R-Monongalia, chose a soft target with his Vape Safety Act — House Bill 5437 — perhaps hoping state House of Delegates committee members would not look too carefully at the language he wielded or be affected by the dog whistles he was blowing. First, it is important ...

EMS Fund: Bill shows responsible spending is possible

There is good reason House Bill 5168 passed out of the House of Delegates without a single vote against on Monday. It is one of the very few, genuine no-brainers to come before lawmakers in recent years. HB 5168 would establish a permanent funding stream for EMS workers across the state — ...

Unity: Black History Month offers vital lessons

With the passing of a civil rights giant such as the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, this Black History Month took on even greater importance. It was a reminder that so many who fought for so much have left us — and that understanding our history is perhaps more important than ever. In this era ...

High Points of the Valley

* Vienna is welcoming a new police chief, as Lt. Josh Cole has been selected to take the helm. He will be sworn in Thursday. “Lt. Cole has consistently exemplified integrity, accountability and forward-thinking leadership,” Mayor Chad Emrick said. “I am confident that under his ...

Guardrails: Reforms needed for Hope Scholarship

Members of the state House Finance Committee are working toward some important changes to safeguard taxpayer dollars, ahead of a planned “universal expansion” of the Hope Scholarship educational voucher program. Without many of the planned changes, the program will remain wide open to ...