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 >>
Independent Submission
Partisan Gerrymandering is Constitutional
About a month ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that what is called “partisan gerrymandering” passes constitutional muster. But that doesn’t make it right. Read the Full Story >>
How We Got Here: Connections Between the Mountaineer Pipeline and Rockwool
To me, the fight against the Mountaineer Gas pipeline and the Rockwool factory are not just related battles, they are both part of the same long struggle I’ve been part of for the past three years. Read the Full Story >>
Keep the Trains Running!
The Maryland Rail Corporation (MARC) has informed the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) that passenger service from West Virginia will be cut from three trains each way to one in October. This would be a disaster for Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. Read the Full Story >>
West Virginia’s Premature Budget
The state constitution requires that a budget (that is balanced) be passed prior to the beginning of the fiscal year for which it is to be law. Our state’s fiscal year begins on July 1 of each calendar year. Read the Full Story >>
Pipeline Bait and Switch
On March 26, Delegate Sammi Brown and I met with Scott Mandirola, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and DEP General Counsel Jason Wandling. We met with them to urge the DEP to make good on its promise to hold a public hearing on the natural gas pipeline coming to Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>
Resist Rockwool Group Marches on Danish Embassy
— Local activists continue to leave their mark.Going to jail as an act of non-violent direct action is completely different than going to jail under other circumstances. First, you are prepared to risk arrest, and you’re willing to face charges, if necessary, for a reason. Typically, people get arrested because they committed a crime, and Read the Full Story >>
Shepherd University Announces First Poet-in-Residence
Dr. Hope Maxwell Snyder, poet laureate of Shepherdstown, has returned to Shepherd University as the school’s first poet-in-residence. Read the Full Story >>
The Case for Cannabis in WV
The West Virginia Legislature passed a bill two years ago legalizing the consumption of marijuana for medicinal purposes. But no “weed” may yet be taken as medicine, because the administration of Governor Jim Justice has not been able to get the program under way. Read the Full Story >>
Maryland Pipeline Vote Creates Potential Roadblock for Rockwool
The Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project pipeline would, if built, run from Fulton county, PA, to Jefferson County, WV. The middle portion of the pipeline from Berkeley Springs, WV, to Martinsburg, WV, is almost complete. The portion of the pipeline through the state of Maryland, however, is still in the approval stage—construction has not begun. The terminus of the pipeline in Jefferson county, WV, would be the highly controversial, highly polluting insulation factory run by the Danish multinational, Rockwool. Eastern Panhandle Protectors opposes this proposed coal- and fracked-gas-fueled facility and the pipeline that would provide the gas. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherd, Marshall Sign Agreement to Provide Autism Services
Shepherd University and the West Virginia Autism Training Center (WV-ATC), located at Marshall University, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes Shepherd as a WV-ATC campus-based satellite site that will provide services to Shepherd students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and training for faculty and staff through the College Program for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (CPSASD). Read the Full Story >>
Rockwool: Point – Counterpoint
Last month, The Observer attempted to tell the basic story behind the arrival of the Rockwool plant to Jefferson County. Now we’re taking the opportunity to allow one representative from each side to say their piece. Read the Full Story >>
Celebrate Spring at PVAS’ Annual This Race Is for the Birds!
For 17 years, This Race Is for the Birds! has served as an important fundraiser to support PVAS in its mission to preserve, restore, and enjoy the natural world through education and action. All proceeds support PVAS’s projects, programs, and preserves. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherd Students Gain Valuable Internship Experience Via New Program
Students will have more opportunity to work in paid internships on campus, thanks to a new initiative by Shepherd University’s College of Business that was announced during an event on Saturday, November 4. Read the Full Story >>
What’s the Dill with the Pickle Bill?
It was a bill that would expand access to healthy, locally grown food. Co-sponsored by Senator Patricia Rucker (R-Jefferson), it was legislation that would help farmers preserve and add value to their produce. Senate Bill 27 passed the WV Senate unanimously and the House of Delegates 95-3, yet alcohol and politics killed the "Pickle Bill" in the final hours of the 60th day of the Regular Session. Read the Full Story >>