Lead Stories

Attorney General Morrisey Joins 50 States, District of Columbia in $575M Settlement with Wells Fargo

CHARLESTON—West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a $575 million, multistate settlement with Wells Fargo Bank to resolve claims that the bank violated state consumer protection laws. Read more

Documenting Hate in America: What We Found in 2018

In our second year of the Documenting Hate project, ProPublica and our partners have reported on everything from violent neo-Nazis to road rage to anti-Semitic vandalism.

by Rachel Glickhouse

 Dec. 24, 5 a.m. EST Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Highlights 2018 Achievements with Year-In-Review

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey debuted a task force to more aggressively root out elder abuse, forced sweeping national reform to eradicate the opioid epidemic and fought to protect farmers, coal miners and countless others in his office’s continued push against federal overreach – all just a sample of the office’s significant accomplishments in 2018. Read more

BOOK REVIEW: WOMEN WERE ACTIVE IN BUSINESS AND FINANCE IN VICTORIAN BRITAIN

More than 150 years before the women’s movement in the U.S, women were breadwinners in Great Britain and active in business, finance and investments and taking care not only of their families but sometimes relatives as well. Read more

Has the time come to choose closing the pedestrian tunnel?

Huntington Councilwoman Tina Brooks visited The West End Pedestrian Tunnel that was cleaned by Dwayne Woods of Heroin Hearse and members of the community. Brooks said "After seeing the tunnel today I can’t imagine anyone wanting to use the tunnel due to safety issues."

Read more

OPINION: The Tunnel Historic but Safety an Issue

There are structures all over town that are becoming dwellings or breeding grounds for crime. The abandoned house at 1304 5th Avenue and The Flats on Fourth Avenue are dwellings that I fought against all Summer. Both have been slated for demolition. Unfortunately, in this age of the drug epidemic, any structure left unattended is almost immediately transformed into a trap house. Read more

Huntington 2018 murder, Violent Crime Drops

Huntington's violent crime rate has decreased from 2017 to 2018, according to details released by Police Chief Hank Dial at a news conference. Violent crime dropped 21%; property crime dropped 13%

The murder rate which peaked in 2017 has dropped from 17 to 8. Drug related homicides dropped from 17 to 5.  Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Leads 30-State Charge to Protect Veterans Memorial at Supreme Court

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey led a group of 30 states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a case regarding a historic cross honoring World War I veterans, a matter with much broader implications for the First Amendment. Read more

Huntington Disposal Sites for Christmas Trees

The City of Huntington's Public Works Department will offer seven drop-off locations where residents can dispose of their Christmas tree after the holidays. Read more

COLUMN Mark Caserta: My advice: Stay the course with President Trump

Progressive Democrats and “Rino” Republicans are in shock that President Trump would be willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill his promise to the American people.

Donald Trump promised he would address illegal immigration head-on and build a wall making it much more difficult for illegals to cross the border. A promise, by the way, which helped him get elected in an electoral college landslide. Read more

UPDATED Here Come The Christmas Blockbusters - Vice, Holmes & Watson, Mary Poppins Returns, Aquaman, Bumblebee

 Cinemas celebrating Christmas have a couple of disappointments: Welcome to Marwen will finish far below expectations with the 'bomb' word buzzing. mary Poppins has Returned but viewers are below expectations. It'll come in second to Aquaman ($72.7 million) to Mary's ($32.3 million). A musical often has "legs" so the verdict is still early.  Read more

Rod Serling's Prophetic "Christmas Carol" will spark debate

IRONY: A 1951 The Tall Target, has a rogue New York detective named John Kennedy (Dick Powell) attempting to prevent the assassination of Abe Lincoln. It's described as one of the best thrillers ever. 

Discovered a little known Christmas film, closer to a TV staged play on Turner Classic Movies. Aired by ABC in 1964, TCM revived its showing a few years ago.  A political themed take on "A Christmas Carol," Rod Serling wrote "Carol for Another Christmas."   It's theme goes beyond one "scrooge," inflicting impacts on the world order which await from ignoring of staggering issues.  Read more

Weekly Opioids Roundup: Deputy Director Visits Huntington

ONDCP Deputy Director James Carroll visited Huntington, West Virginia this week to see firsthand how the city and surrounding area have reversed the scourge of the opioid epidemic, which resulted in a 41 percent decrease in overdoses in 2018.

 

“When you look at the community response and you look at the pastors involved and the nurses and law enforcement, and you see them working together trying to save lives, it’s just been phenomenal to see it in person. It really has become a model for cities across the United States.” – James Carroll, ONDCP Deputy Director Read more

What Do "Aquaman" & "We Are Marshall" Have in Common

Besides both being released at Christmas via Warner Bros., Aquaman and We Are Marshall have a link. The unit publicist who is the "go to" conduit between producers, cast, crew and the media during film shoots on both movies was Ernie Malik.  

Starting his career as an usher, he worked his way up to publicity director for MGM/UA heading the Chicago office. In 1989 he began freelancing as a unit publicist who essentially prepares the "press kit" of production notes and background materials. They do this while the picture is shooting and oversees still photography and set visits by the press.  Read more

W.Va. AG Announces $68M Multistate Settlement with UBS

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a $68 million, 40-state settlement, with UBS to resolve allegations of fraudulent conduct involving the manipulation of LIBOR, a benchmark interest rate that affects financial instruments worth trillions of dollars and has a far-reaching impact on global markets and consumers.  Read more

FLASHBACK: It's a Wonderful Life classic asks everyone to pause..... And More Classics Coming

Have you thought about the implications of the Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life lately?  The film begins with banker Jimmy Stewart caught in a purposeful squeeze by a competing bank on a small savings and loan. Stewart's character recognizes "failure" is at hand and walks to a nearby bridge planning to jump. Read more

"On the Basis of Sex" Producers Schedule Preview of Ginsburg Film Benefitting ACLU

Gathr Films, Focus Features and Participant Media today announced an exclusive, advanced screening opportunity of Participant Media’s On the Basis of Sex, distributed by Focus Features and inspired by a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg, starring Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer. For one night only, on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, audiences across the U.S. will have the opportunity to see this inspiring film before it opens in theaters nationwide on January 11. The film debuts in select theaters on December 25. Read more

Charleston Man Sentenced for Heroin Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Charleston man was sentenced for a federal drug crime, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Fabian Woodson, 36, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute heroin on January 4, 2016. Read more

Family Members Sentenced for Roles in Arson and Insurance Fraud Scheme

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Georgetta Lester Kenny and Greg Lester, two members of a Southern West Virginia family, were sentenced to prison by Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart.  Read more

MCGILL: Team effort gives Marshall dominant win in Gasparilla Bowl

By Chuck McGill

HerdZone.com

TAMPA, Fla. – Marshall's bowl tradition is something the football program treasures. Fittingly, the postgame presentation after Thursday's Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl involved the presentation of a trophy that looked like a pirate's chest of riches. Read more

Marshall University to be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 4

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University will be closed Dec. 24, 2018, through Jan. 4, 2019, for winter break.

There will be no classes, and libraries and residence and dining halls will be closed. Most administrative offices and services also will be closed, with the following exceptions: Read more

Marshall physics professor to publish groundbreaking acoustic laser research

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Physics Professor Dr. Thomas E. Wilson’s research on high-frequency acoustics has resulted in the discovery of the acoustic equivalent of a laser, and will be reported as a Rapid Communication in Physical Review B, a leading scientific publication. Read more

Regional Courthouse Closings for Holidays

Below, are the dates courthouses in Cabell, and the surrounding counties will be closed for the Christmas, New Year’s Day holidays.  For updated closure information, call either the county commission or clerk’s office at the number provided. Read more

Putnam Commission, Three Sheriff's Department Employees sued for alleged open carry civil rights violations

A federal civil rights complaint has been filed alleging that members of the Putnam County Sheriff's office and the Putnam County Commission for an arrest regarding the state's "open carry" arms regulation.  Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Warns Consumers of Emerging Phone Scam

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging consumers to be wary of fraudulent calls alleging the consumer is linked to a drug offense or violent crime. Read more

Passage of Trump prison reform policy brings hope to American families

 In response to the passage of President Trump’s FIRST STEP Act in the Senate last night, Lara Trump, Senior Advisor to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. released the following statement. Read more

Blank Agenda for Christmas Eve Huntington Council Meeting

Huntington City Council has a Christmas Eve meeting scheduled in council chambers at Huntington City Hall. A work session is slated for 7:20 p.m.  Read more

Marshall receives $81,398 for further development of Clio history app

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University Research Corporation has received $81,398 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to use for further development of Clio, an educational website and mobile application that connects people to nearby historical and cultural landmarks The funds will help create a more robust walking tour function, with help from local software developers. Read more

Online Annual Report Filing Has Never Been Easier for Those Doing Business in WV

Charleston, W.Va.—With the beginning of the new year rapidly approaching, the WV Secretary of State’s Office would like to remind businesses operating in the state that 2019 Annual Reports may be filed any time after January 1, 2019. Read more

Auditions Jan. 5 & 6 for HART shows; In the Wake, Evita Coming in 2019

Here’s the show lineup for the week, beginning Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018. Upcoming shows and auditions are also listed. If I've missed anything, please let me know. Break legs, everyone! 

ONSTAGE THIS WEEK: Read more

Opioid use among teens decrease

Washington, D.C. – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Deputy Director James Carroll released the following statem Read more

Attorney General Morrisey Alerts Consumers To Claims Deadline in Mortgage Servicer Case

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey reminded consumers of an approaching deadline to file claims as part of a $45 million settlement with one of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers. Read more