Commentary
Standing Up for Mental Health Care in West Virginia
Every day, countless West Virginians experience a mental health crisis, and too often with tragic results. In 2022, 1,335 West Virginians died of a drug overdose and 353 individuals died by suicide.
West Virginia law enforcement officers are often the first responder to engage with someone struggling and at their lowest moment. Many of us have received additional training to know how to respond to mental health crisis. We are grateful to have acquired these additional skills. While our job is to keep folks alive, we know that what people in crisis need most is a mental health professional.
Fortunately, West Virginia is home to many innovative collaborations between law enforcement and community mental health clinics.
– Doug Day Retired Kanawha County Police Department
(https://www.lootpress.com/op-ed-standing-up-for-mental-health-care-in-west-virginia/
Thursday, August 22, 2024 12:49 pm)
WalletHub: West Virginia must improve on care for babies
Data is a tricky thing. Sometimes it can present a complicated picture. That is the case with two WalletHub studies, one on “2024’s Best and Worst States to Have a Baby,” the other on “2024’s States with the Best and Worst Early Education Systems.”
She’s right, of course. But in a state with an economy like ours “planning” is almost a luxury for many families. That kind of lecture isn’t going to land.
Link: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-to-have-a-baby/6513
Editorials
Lawmakers Must Focus on Economy
https://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/editorials/2024/09/lawmakers-must-focus-on-economy/
(https://www.newsandsentinel.com/opinion/editorials/2024/08/wallethub-west-virginia-must-improve-on-care-for-babies/ Aug 17, 2024/
Contact: editorial@newsandsentinel.com)/
Leftovers from Last Two Issues
Discover Wineberries: West Virginia’s Inviting and Invasive Berry
News
West Virginia First
Remembering Jon McBride, The 1st West Virginian In Space
On Oct. 5, 1984, Capt. Jon McBride piloted the successful launch of the space shuttle Challenger on an eight-day mission called STS-41G.
He was the first West Virginian in space and the only one to ever fly a shuttle.
McBride was born in Charleston and grew up in Beckley. He attended West Virginia University and became a Navy pilot.
In 1978, NASA chose him to be part of the first class of astronauts in the shuttle program. Among the thousands of applicants, NASA picked 35.
They included Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, and Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space.
Both were on the mission McBride piloted. Marc Garneau, a Canadian, joined them to become the first person from his country in space.
It was the first shuttle mission with seven astronauts. By the time they landed, they had traveled 3.3 million miles – one full orbit around the Earth every 90 minutes.
McBride was scheduled to pilot another shuttle mission in March 1986, but the explosion of the Challenger after liftoff earlier that year put the program on hold.
McBride retired from NASA in 1989 but continued to educate young people about space.
(https://wvpublic.org/remembering-jon-mcbride-the-1st-west-virginian-in-space/ Published August 8, 2024 – 4:30 pm)
Boastings
Despite Summer Drought, Leaves Are Full Of Life And Color
Black Water Falls State Park is a great place to see fall foliage Courtesy of https://wvpublic.org/despite-summer-drought-leaves-are-full-of-life-and-color/
Survey: West Virginia among most underrated states to live in
(https://www.wboy.com/news/west-virginia/survey-west-virginia-among-most-underrated-states-to-live-in /
Business, Industry & Commerce
ARRIA HINES NAMED TO WVU CHAMBERS COLLEGE ROLL OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Arria Hines, CEO of Allegheny Science & Technology (AST) was inducted into the West Virginia University (WVU) John Chambers College of Business and Economics Roll of Distinguished Alumni 2023 class. This awards program recognizes people with strong West Virginia ties who have made a significant impact on the business landscape.
Arria earned her undergraduate degree at West Virginia Wesleyan College and went on to receive her MBA from WVU. From there, she cofounded AST in 2009 and over the course of ten years, she turned it into one of America’s fast-growing privately held companies. As an entrepreneur, successful businesswoman, advisor and mentor, Arria is a recognized leader in West Virginia and in all the places where AST operates.
“It truly is an honor to be nominated alongside such a dynamic group of business leaders,” said Ms. Hines. “This small-town girl from Horner, WV had big dreams and by achieving this award allows me to share my story that anything is possible. It hasn’t always been easy, but I was always able to find my way. I am a firm believer that it takes a village – I am endlessly grateful to my family, friends, Team AST and the Chambers College for being a part of my story. Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.”
Also
Difference Makers: Arria Hines finds success across the nation with drive for innovation centered in West Virginia
Deskins: Labor force participation remains West Virginia’s ‘biggest economic challenge’
Roofing Ranked as Least Desired Job in West Virginia: Survey Highlights High-Risk Occupations
West Virginia is one of the worst states to work in, new report says
The study looked at data based on the percentage of employed individuals represented by unions and the states with the highest work fatality rates in 2022.
Supreme Court declines to block Biden’s climate rule for power plants — for now
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4937190-supreme-court-biden-climate-rule/
The natural gas boom was supposed to bring prosperity to West Virginians in poverty. That didn’t happen
https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2024/09/18/natural-gas-jobs-prosperity-doddridge-wetzel/
Gas Pushes Half Of U.S. Power, Leaving Little For Coal
https://wvpublic.org/gas-pushes-half-of-u-s-power-leaving-little-for-coal/
Aerospace, Batteries And Composite Decking: New Uses For An Old Fuel, Coal
Aerospace, Batteries And Composite Decking: New Uses For An Old Fuel, Coal
Business, Industry & Commerce
Commentary
The strengths and weaknesses of West Virginia’s economy
Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2024/09/24/the-strengths-and-weaknesses-of-west-virginias-economy/
If Democrats Ban Fracking, It Would Instantly Cause a Recession
Another fight with the EPA Over Coal and Natural Gas is Heating up
Education
West Virginia Legislature September Interim Meetings – Education
Contact: ocullworks@outlook.com
Three elementary schools in West Virginia receive National Blue Ribbon recognition
Lawmakers OK charter schools accessing School Building Authority money, add $5M to fund
Cardinal Institute
The Wetzel County Board of Education will hold school closing hearings in the weeks ahead to take the required steps to close two of the county’s four high schools.
https://wvmetronews.com/2024/10/14/wetzel-county-schools-to-pursue-consolidation-plan/
Senator Mike Stuart proposing school deconsolidation instead of consolidation as the answer
Homeschooling Policy Review Posed By State Board Of Education Members
Homeschooling Policy Review Posed By State Board Of Education Members
Proposals pass to reclassify every 2 years, eliminate location from factoring into enrollment
Higher Learning
Forty high schools across West Virginia recognized for their outstanding efforts to help students plan for college
Education Editorials
West Virginia’s abused children need a champion. Maybe the next governor will be that person
Most West Virginia public schools are making slow improvement in the categories that put 49 of 55 counties “on watch” last year.
https://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/editorials/2024/10/w-va-economy-impacts-schools/
West Virginia’s disappointing school test scores
https://wvmetronews.com/2024/08/16/west-virginias-disappointing-school-test-scores/
State Agencies
Final Days: Carmichael latest Justice cabinet official to leave as administration winds down
State retirees will be in for more costs under latest Public Employees Insurance Agency proposal
Gov. Justice signs personal income tax cut, childcare tax credit and more into law
House Adjourns Special Session Sine Die
https://blog.wvlegislature.gov/headline/2024/10/08/house-adjourns-special-session-sine-die-2/
West Virginians get tax cut after lawmakers pull millions from agencies overseeing foster care, Medicaid and child care
West Virginians get tax cut after lawmakers pull millions from agencies overseeing foster care, Medicaid and child care
DoHS Closes Cross Lanes Child Care Center Amid Abuse Allegations
https://wvpublic.org/dohs-closes-cross-lanes-child-care-center-amid-abuse-allegations/
Expensive foster care lawsuit headed for trial; Justice says suit has ‘no merit’
First Foundation Receives Nearly 200 Applications During First Grant Cycle
https://wvpublic.org/first-foundation-receives-nearly-200-applications-during-first-grant-cycle/
Early Data Shows Dramatic Fall In Overdose Death Rates; Advocates Advise Caution
West Virginia doesn’t allow recording devices, like Ring cameras, in assisted living facility rooms
West Virginia doesn’t allow recording devices, like Ring cameras, in assisted living facility rooms
‘Death with Dignity’ organization speaks out against West Virginia constitutional amendment
Report shows steady increase in abortions in states with bans
House resolution aims to ‘not recognize an illegitimate presidential election’
Lawin’
West Virginia Churches Now Allowed to Incorporate Following Federal Court Ruling
Locally
Grappling with an overdose crisis and the decline of coal, Boone County residents say they lack the resources to heal their community
https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2024/09/26/election-2024-boone-county/
Lincoln County community without phone, internet service for 8 weeks
State’s 20th tornado of 2024 confirmed in Pocahontas County
https://wvmetronews.com/2024/09/26/states-20th-tornado-of-2024-confirmed-in-pocahontas-county
The geographic center of West Virginia
The geographic center of West Virginia
WV Pawpaw Festival draws hundreds to celebrate the flavors of fall in Appalachia
WV Pawpaw Festival draws hundreds to celebrate the flavors of fall in Appalachia
The last recorded wild bison sighting in West Virginia
https://www.lootpress.com/the-last-recorded-wild-bison-sighting-in-west-virginia/