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Be on outlook for FEMA scams

As Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance finally makes its way to desperate West Virginia counties, the state attorney general also is issuing a warning: Beware of scams. Sadly, those who are most in need of help are often the most enticing targets for online predators who have gotten very good at robbing people. Scams have already surfaced, with one technique being for the caller to pose as a FEMA employee. “During disasters we often see the best in West Virginians — our generosity and volunteerism is second to none,” Attorney General J.B. McCuskey said. “But ...

Bill would help farmers, families

Understanding the strain economic uncertainty can put on both farmers and those vulnerable to food insecurity, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., has joined forces with Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., to introduce the Strengthening Local Food Security Act. The effort is meant to tackle a variety of challenges, including reinforcing the food supply chain, improving economic opportunities for farmers and other food producers, and improving access to local food in communities and in schools. It is being pitched as an amendment to tack on to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. A permanent ...

W.Va. needs to increase efforts

Since the start of his term, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has promoted an “Economic Backyard Brawl” between West Virginia and its neighboring states. The mission, he said, is to make the Mountain State “the most attractive state to live, work, learn, play and run a business.” He likely didn’t expect one of those neighboring states to take the opening kickoff and run it back 90 yards for a touchdown. President Donald Trump recently visited Pittsburgh to announce more than $90 billion in new investments in energy and artificial intelligence in Pennsylvania. Nearly two dozen ...

Take redistricting project seriously

Ohio’s Redistricting Commission is, again, gearing up to redraw the state’s congressional map — ahead of the 2026 elections. It’s an effort meant to stand for the next three elections. Voters already voiced their preference against one proposed redistricting reform measure last year. Gov. Mike DeWine’s idea for a different model also has been ignored. And so we are back where we started — recall that the redistricting commission essentially refused to do its job last time it was asked, caring little for the obviousness of their intent. First, of course, the Republican ...

Sales tax holidays a chance to save

Ohio and West Virginia are preparing to welcome back-to-school shoppers with sales tax holidays. And while residents of both states have become accustomed to that yearly break as they prepare to send their children back to the classrooms, Ohioans will see one big change: This year’s tax holiday has been expanded, and will run from midnight Friday through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14. That’s two weeks for families to take advantage of tax-free purchases — made in-person or online — of eligible items up to $500. West Virginians, meanwhile, will get their sales tax holiday from midnight ...

Lower birth rates reason for concern

As Ohio’s elected officials continue to hope for economic growth, there’s a factor some may not have considered. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, the Buckeye State’s fertility rates are dropping — standing at 56.2 births per 1,000 women in 2023. That’s an 8.9 percent decrease from the state’s average of 61.9 per 1,000 between 2011 and 2020. Interestingly, births to mothers younger than 20 and ages 20 to 24 both fell dramatically compared with 2007 data. During that year, 11 percent of the births in Ohio were to women 20 and younger — that number fell to ...