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Don’t get caught without Real ID

In less than a month, all those flying domestically will only be able to board an airplane if they have a Real ID — that gold star in the upper corner of your driver’s license — or a valid passport. It’s been 20 years since Congress passed the Real ID Act. It’s been delayed numerous times but is now set to take effect May 7. If you don’t have one, and you don’t have a valid passport, it’s simple: you won’t be able to fly. With only four weeks remaining, DMV offices are busy getting people signed up. In West Virginia, the Division of Motor Vehicles offers a couple ...

Continue the fight against opioids

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

Child care must be a forethought

Ohio lawmakers have until the end of June to pass a budget. But already, members of the House of Representatives have adopted a version that ignores initiatives proposed by other lawmakers and Gov. Mike DeWine to help address the child care challenges faced by many Buckeye State families. Failure to act on this front will perpetuate a vicious cycle that is hurting families and employers, according to a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Groundwork Ohio, “Untapped Potential in Ohio.” In fact, it is costing approximately $5.48 ...

Time to deliver on the promises

Most of us know to brace ourselves when we read an anticipated response that begins with “after careful consideration.” That was certainly necessary for Licking County residents after Microsoft followed those words with “we will not be moving forward at this time with our plans to build data centers at the Licking County sites.” Microsoft confirmed earlier this week that it has decided against the development, proving Licking County Commission President Tim Bubb wise to have told WCMH nearly two years ago, “We’ll believe it when we see it.” To be fair, Microsoft said it ...

State leadership needs focus on jobs

Ohio leadership has for some time been promising improvements in employment opportunities for Buckeye State residents. What we got — in droves — are data centers, which don’t check many of the boxes when it comes to benefiting residents. Policy Matters Ohio took a look at all those data centers and what they mean for the state. There are more questions than answers. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, data centers could be costing the state a lot of money, particularly when one compares the tax revenue given up with the number of jobs created. “If the ...

Weirton hall looks for new members

Looking at the names of those who have enshrined in the Weirton Hall of Fame since its founding in 2008, can give you a sense of the history and dedication behind today’s community. From the city’s namesake, E.T. Weir, to its first mayor, Thomas Millsop, to longtime community volunteers including Nick Tranto, Deb Witkowski, Dr. J.K. Luthra and Jim Pauchnik, to businesspeople such as Vanessa Beaver, George Kondik, educators like Tracy Ohalek and Louis Kuntupis, the roster of those who have left a lasting impression, whether through their efforts to build something physically, ...