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W.Va. high school sports in chaos

Chaotic. Is there a better term right now to describe the situation with high school sports in West Virginia, where the start — and the matchups — of the football playoffs and the small-school volleyball tournament remain in doubt? Who would have imagined that, in 2024, local judges would be asked by county boards of education to order the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission to not only change its rating system to determine the playoffs pairings, but to determine exactly which teams make postseason play? Who would have imagined that these judges — ...

Fair maps still must be goal

Whether it was confusion over ballot language or truly a desire to maintain the system already in place, Ohio voters on Nov. 5 rejected an amendment that would have established a citizen-led commission to produce the state’s political maps. Though voters decided the Citizens Not Politicians effort was not the right way forward, it should not mean advocates give up the fight for a system that produces fair and constitutional voting maps. “In analyzing the vote tonight, it is clear that the millions of Ohioans who voted yes want to end gerrymandering,” former Ohio Chief Justice ...

Veterans deserve thanks for service

The names of the battlefields America’s men and women have fought on have changed many times during the years, but we must always remember the sacrifices they have made in those faraway places. That’s why we want every reader to take a moment on this Veterans Day weekend to remember all who have served and all who continue to serve. It’s the least we can do to thank those who have for generations been willing to put their lives on hold to protect and defend our country. They come from all walks of life and all races. They practice different faiths and are representative of ...

Think before you make that post

Leading up to Tuesday’s general election, some law enforcement officers in Ohio proved themselves to be taking a problematic approach to politics — and therefore their ability to properly serve and protect. Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski made an extraordinarily poor decision when he posted on social media suggesting those with Kamala Harris yard signs should have their addresses written down. That appears to have inspired U.S. Justice Department election monitoring efforts in the county. But after that, Clark County Sheriff’s Department Lt. John Rodgers — a patrol ...

Manchin, Portman on the right track

Outgoing U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio who was succeeded by J.D. Vance in 2023, joined forces on Oct. 29 to talk about the intensely problematic polarization that is damaging this country. During a panel discussion at the University of Cincinnati, the two discussed the importance of getting the work of the American people done in a bipartisan manner. Along with that goes the effort to combat extremism on both sides, which is making those with a more centrist/moderate perspective less effective in serving their constituents ...

Diabetes takes a toll on society

With each month comes a new designated awareness, as advocates seize the opportunity to inform people in new and creative ways. Though it can be hard to keep track, the tactic is a good one. If, for example, there is an uptick in those seeking the various means of screening for cancers after October, the effort is well worth it. Important, too — particularly for residents of the Tri-State Area— is November’s Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Diabetes Association, 226,300, or 15.9 percent of West Virginians have diabetes; 1,158,800, or 12.6 percent, of Ohioans ...