Speaking about the killing of George Floyd in May of 2020, Jelani Cobb writes, “the flames of a single incident seemed to combust, and all at once, over the country.” Cobb’s recently published book, The Essential Kerner Commission Report, “distills the full Kerner Report to its most significant and enduring parts.” The current book is a much slimmer volume, but no less timely or relevant. Read the Full Story >>
Government
Constitution Day at the Shepherd University Byrd Center — Sep 16
The 17th annual Tom E. Moses Memorial Lecture on the United States Constitution will be held on Thursday, September 16 at 7:30 pm. The 2021 lecture will be presented by Dr. Ray Smock, former Historian of the US House of Representatives and currently the interim director of the Byrd Center. Read the Full Story >>
Census Numbers Drive Redistricting
According to the 2020 Census results, West Virginia is a lot less crowded than it was a decade ago. With an overall drop of over 59,000 residents since 2010 (a 3.3% decrease), the state’s population decline stands out even from the other two states to lose population over the past decade, Mississippi (down 0.2%) and Illinois (down 0.1%). However, the story is a bit different in the Eastern Panhandle. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Schools Plans Two New Facilities
Jefferson County Schools (JCS) manages 16 schools — 2 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 10 elementary facilities — and during the 2020-21 school year enrolled 8,478 students. Jefferson County is one of only three counties in West Virginia that expects growth in student population over the next four years. Read the Full Story >>
Ranson Local Elections – June 1
In the upcoming June 1 election, Ranson residents will vote for Mayor and 2 City Council seats. The last day to register to vote in the election is May 11. Voters have multiple options for casting their vote - absentee, early in person, and in person on election day. Concern for COVID-19 exposure is a valid medical reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Read the Full Story >>
Charles Town Local Elections – May 27
In the upcoming May 27 election, Charles Town residents will vote for Mayor and 5 City Council seats. The last day to register to vote in the election is May 6. Voters have multiple options for casting their vote - absentee, early in person, and in person on election day. Concern for COVID-19 exposure is a valid medical reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Read the Full Story >>
How To Vote in Jefferson County
The West Virginia Secretary of State maintains the GoVoteWV.com website portal to assist with voting questions, registration, and absentee ballot requests. Here are some quick tips and links to help navigate key dates and actions so you can make sure your vote gets counted. Read the Full Story >>
Absentee Voting Has Begun
The last day to register to vote in West Virginia for the November election is October 13. If you are registered, you may request an absentee ballot anytime until October 28. Rules for absentee voting have been updated to allow any voter to claim Covid-19 as a health reason for requesting an absentee ballot Read the Full Story >>
Bearing Witness to the Trump Presidency
I do not hate Trump. I am appalled by him. There is a difference. I see Trump as a massive and dangerous symptom of a political disease that has been festering and growing in this country for most of my adult life. Ideological extreme partisanship, now fueled by social media, is as bad for our political well-being as the forest fires in Australia were bad for the entire ecology. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Magistrate Race Heads into the Final Turn
Though none of us are exactly sure how we will do it, statewide primary elections have at least been pushed to June 9 in West Virginia. Additionally, West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office (Mac Warner) is allowing ALL West Virginians to vote absentee. Read the Full Story >>
Medical Marijuana Loses Traction in Charleston
The West Virginia Legislature passed a bill three years ago legalizing the use of medical marijuana. But that law has never really taken effect. Read the Full Story >>
How Will We Vote During Corona?
Given the current COVID-19 situation across the country, a recent press release from Washington Monthly stated: The 2020 election is at risk. Short of significant reform, voter participation is expected to plummet. Read the Full Story >>
Homework for the Children of Democracy (December 2019)
If you vote in West Virginia and you don’t read any West Virginia newspapers, you haven’t done your homework. You’ll be sent to detention, which is what we’re all having now, as we speak. Read the Full Story >>
Kunkel Endeavoring to Challenge Both Establishment and Mooney in Bid for U.S. House Seat
Earlier this year, Cathy Kunkel announced her candidacy for West Virginia’s second Congressional district in the U.S. House—running as a Democrat, and, if she secures the nomination, challenging Congressman Alex Mooney (R-West Virginia) in November 2020. Read the Full Story >>
Citizens United, and the Making of America’s Frankenstein Monster
Citizens United needs no introduction; it will be forever remembered as the most polarizing Supreme Court decision of the contemporary era—so far. What’s easy to forget is that it began in 2004 when the non-profit organization “Citizens United” filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Michael Moore’s film “Fahrenheit 911.” Six years later, it delivered a cash cow of political influence in the form of paid endorsements, Super-Super PACs, expenditures, ads, dark money, and even worse, a broader legal definition of corporate personhood. Read the Full Story >>
