West Virginia University’s 27^th president, Michael Benson, continued his 55-county “Welcome Home Tour” last Wednesday, April 29 by visiting Morgan County as he gets to know the Mountain State.

Benson, who took over leadership of the state’s land-grant university in July of 2025, has been exploring the different regions of West Virginia and meeting people, many of whom have ties to WVU.

On Wednesday, Benson and his team started their day at Cacapon State Park then visited Caperton Furnitureworks before coming to downtown Berkeley Springs. Despite a light rain, the university president and companions walked from the Berkeley Springs Train Depot into the center of town, accompanied by Travel Berkeley Springs director Dusty Martin and local historian Terry Golden.

Himself a historian, Benson was drawn to the war monuments and Civil War markers on the Fairfax Green near the courthouse and walked up to the corner at Mercer Street to see two of George Washington’s original lots, granted to him by Lord Fairfax.

At Berkeley Springs State Park, a tour included a look inside the original Roman Bathhouse, a stop at George Washington’s bathtub and conversations with park employees. The tour took the West Virginia University team to The Country Inn for lunch with local officials before Benson’s state tour took the group further east into the panhandle.

In an op-ed he wrote about the tour so far, Benson said the insight into West Virginia’s different regions is just the start of his quest to lead WVU into a “new era.”

“In all, we’ve traveled upwards of 4,500 miles so far, meeting thousands of hardworking and friendly people with deep ties to the Mountain State,” Benson wrote. “The end of the ‘Welcome Home Tour’ though, is only the beginning and it’s the ‘what’s next?’ for the University that excites me most.”

“As I look ahead, I see West Virginia University continuing to expand as an educational training ground built of exploration by putting the student experience first, leading to growing enrollment supported with sound financial planning,” wrote Benson.

“As a history professor, one of my many favorite tour stops was the West Virginia State Museum in Charleston where a 35-star American flag hangs. The flag was hand-stitched soon after West Virginia became a state and flow over the Soldiers’ Cemetery during President Abraham Lincoln’s ‘Gettysburg Address’ on Nov. 19, 1863. It was President Lincoln who said, ‘Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.’ My feet are proudly planted in West Virginia. Let’s Go!” wrote Benson.

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The contest, which opened in early December 2025, invited both professional and amateur photographers to submit winter-themed images captured within West Virginia State Parks, forests, and rail trails. Entries were judged across three categories.

Winners of the “Mountains Are Always Free” Photo Contest:

Winterscape Category

Matthew Marsh of Keyser, WV – Ekalaka Falls, Blackwater Falls State Park

Fancy Facilities Category

Peggy Smith of Jodie, WV – Glade Creek Grist Mill, Babcock State Park

Outdoor Recreation Category

Teresa Taylor of Culloden, WV – Sled Run, Blackwater Falls State Park

“We received hundreds of submissions from across the state, as well as from individuals in other states who share a love for West Virginia State Parks,” said Foundation Executive Director Brad Reed. “There were so many outstanding images that selecting the winners was no easy task. We assembled a team of state park staff and Foundation board members to review and score each entry. I’d especially like to thank Sylvia Walton from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for her invaluable support in coordinating the administrative aspects of the contest.”

Foundation Treasurer Kim McCluskey, who participated in the final selection process, added, “The quality of submissions was incredible, making it very difficult to choose just one winner in each category. The photos truly showcase the diversity of our park system—from beautiful facilities like lodges and historic sites to the wide range of outdoor activities enjoyed by visitors.”

The Foundation plans to launch a spring and summer-themed photo contest in the coming months.

The West Virginia State Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing West Virginia State Parks. The Foundation provides leadership in communication, funding, and advocacy in partnership with individual park foundations throughout the state.

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WVSOM second-year student Morgan Christian has been awarded The
Health Plan Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees for up to four
years, allowing Morgan to graduate medical school without worrying
about those costs.

“4-H taught me to use my head, heart, hands, and health to make a
difference—and that’s exactly what I hope to do as a doctor,” Christian
sad. “I’m so grateful for the mentors who’ve guided me along the way,
and I want every student in West Virginia to know that with hard work
and big dreams, anything is possible.”

Since 2009, The Health Plan has provided more than $3 million in full
scholarships to more than 50 medical and nursing students who attend
West Virginia institutions and intend to practice healthcare in West
Virginia. Christian is one of four students awarded a full medical
scholarship this year.

“Morgan’s commitment to service instilled in her by her involvement in
4-H really impressed our scholarship selection team,” said Jeff Knight,
President and CEO of The Health Plan. “We also appreciate Morgan’s
interest in practicing family medicine – a specialty very much needed
in our rural communities.”

Knight was joined by Don Smith, Associated Vice President Associate
Vice President at WVSOM, Morgan’s family, faculty members at Cabell
Huntington High School and other local leaders to announce the
award.

Smith thanked Knight and The Health Plan for offering the scholarship
program at WVSOM, which educates an average of 800 medical
students each year. According to a report by the West Virginia Higher
Education Policy Commission, the school is No. 1 in producing both
primary care physicians who practice in West Virginia and who practice
in rural areas of the state.

“With this program, The Health Plan is directly impacting the physician
shortage in West Virginia. Medical school is not inexpensive. This
scholarship, by financially assisting recipients who want to stay in West
Virginia, benefits not only our students but the state,” Smith said.

About The Health Plan

The Health Plan is a West Virginia-based nonprofit health maintenance organization that manages and improves the health and well-being of its members. Established in 1979, The Health Plan offers a complete line of managed care products and services designed to provide health care systems and clients with innovative health care benefits and plans at a reasonable cost. Visit THP at healthplan.org.

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WVSOM first-year student Lenzie Stiltner has been awarded The Health Plan Scholarship, which covers tuition and fees and is renewable for four years, allowing Lenzie to graduate medical school without worrying about those costs.

“I am truly grateful to The Health Plan for awarding me this scholarship, which allows me to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a physician,” Stiltner said. “Growing up in Matewan I was shaped by a community that instilled in me the values of resilience, compassion, and service. My goal is to return home after my training to practice rural medicine, giving back to the community that raised me and working to improve access to quality healthcare within our region.”

Since 2009, The Health Plan has provided more than $3 million in full scholarships to more than 50 medical and nursing students who attend West Virginia institutions and intend to practice healthcare in West Virginia. Stiltner is one of four students awarded a full medical scholarship this year.

“Our team was really taken with Lenzie’s pride in her hometown of Matewan and her passion for improving healthcare access in rural West Virginia,” said Jeff Knight, President and CEO of The Health Plan. “We anticipate great things from Lenzie and know her hard work, compassion and love for Mingo County will serve our state well.”

Knight was joined by James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., president of WVSOM, Lenzie’s family, several members of the faculty at Mingo Central High School and other local leaders to announce the award.

Nemitz thanked Knight and The Health Plan for offering the scholarship program at WVSOM, which educates an average of 800 medical students each year. According to a report by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the school is No. 1 in producing both primary care physicians who practice in West Virginia and who practice in rural areas of the state.

“With this program, The Health Plan is directly impacting the physician shortage in West Virginia. WVSOM is appreciative that The Health Plan includes osteopathic medical students in its scholarship program. Medical school is not inexpensive. This scholarship, by financially assisting recipients who want to stay in West Virginia, benefits not only our students but the state,” Nemitz said.

About The Health Plan

The Health Plan is a West Virginia-based nonprofit health maintenance organization that manages and improves the health and well-being of its members. Established in 1979, The Health Plan offers a complete line of managed care products and services designed to provide health care systems and clients with innovative health care benefits and plans at a reasonable cost. Visit THP at healthplan.org.

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Click HERE for bill text.

Background:

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GERRARDSTOWN, W.Va. — This year marks the 64^th anniversary of the Peace Corps and Peace Corps Day is celebrated annually on March 1st. Since its beginning, over 250,00 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 140 countries around the world. Over 722 of those volunteers have been from West Virginia. Since resuming operations after COVID, the Peace Corps is now in 61 countries with 7,300 volunteers. Currently, there are three volunteers serving from West Virginia.

Peace Corps Day honors all returned and current Peace Corps Volunteers. The Peace Corps was established by Executive Order on March 1, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and the Peace Corps Act was signed into law by the United States Congress later that year. The Peace Corps mission is “to promote world peace and friendship through international development and citizen diplomacy.” Overseas, Peace Corps Volunteers work in many areas such as education, agriculture, health, community economic development, and youth in development.

The Peace Corps has three goals: 1.) to help people in the host countries through  promoting positive relationships, and assisting in economic growth, 2.) to promote a better understanding of Americans in those countries, and 3.) to increase American understanding of other countries and people when they return.

The Peace Corps makes our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous. Stronger by building positive relationships with foreign governments and their citizens. Safer through promoting development that reduces political turmoil. And more prosperous through increased beneficial trade relationships. After returning home, RPCVs continue to uphold the values of the Peace Corps to the benefit of the American people. Ninety-six percent serve their local communities, reflecting a life-long  commitment to promoting peace and serving others.

RPCVs from all over the country are now living in West Virginia and have formed a West Virginia Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group dedicated to advancing the Peace Corps mission in West Virginia.  Our group members served in the early 1960’s up until the present day. They served in Colombia, Poland, South Korea, Mali, Niger, Kiribati, Ghana, Ethiopia, El Salvador, and Honduras to name a few.  “Once you serve in the Peace Corps it becomes a very important part of who you are as a person, it helped to shape you as a person. Our group is made up of RPCVs from all over the country, who served in many different countries around the world, but we have one important connection, the Peace Corps,” said Meg Kinghorn, President of the group. “And, we are all dedicated to the goals of the Peace Corps in our communities.”

For more information on RPCVs in West Virginia contact https://forms.gle/oMgiWG3kVpaQZ7zH9.

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FEATURE IMAGE: Meg Kinghorn, Tarawa, Kiribati, 1989

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In a recent column, state Delegate Scot Heckert argues that West Virginia’s Certificate of Need (CON) program is needed to protect health care services in rural communities. Unfortunately, his defense ignores clear evidence that these outdated laws reduce access to care and increase patient costs.

Health care CON laws make it difficult or impossible to open new facilities or offer new services, as existing providers use these regulations to block competition. At one point, every state had health care CON laws. Today, 40% of the nation’s population lives in a state with only one or no CON laws, making it easier to compare their effects.

Research shows that states without CON laws have more rural hospitals and rural surgery centers per capita. One recent academic study found “no evidence that CON repeal is associated with hospital closures in rural areas.” Rural communities were more likely to benefit from repealing CON laws as healthy competition led to expanded access and lower costs. Moreover, allowing more health care facilities to open will create opportunities for future providers to train, ultimately encouraging more workers to enter these fields — boosting job creation while improving patient care.

Other states that have repealed or reformed CON restrictions on health care have seen the benefits. For example, after South Carolina repealed most of its CON laws in 2023, the University of South Carolina announced plans to build a $350 million hospital while the state is planning a new residential juvenile psychiatric treatment facility.

The trend is in the direction of reform: Last week, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted to reform their state’s CON laws to encourage health care providers to launch new services.

As state leaders move to strengthen economic competitiveness and improve the quality of life for West Virginians, repealing CON laws should be a priority to promote competition, access and lower costs.

Jaimie Cavanaugh is an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm that defends Americans’ liberty against government overreach and abuse.

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Governor Morrisey has launched a campaign to ensure West Virginia is on equal footing with our surrounding states when it comes to state regulation. The goal is to support economic development and remove unnecessary regulations. Everyone supports that effort, and we applaud the Governor for his bold actions. As we launch our Backyard Brawl, we also need to ensure we do not eliminate needed programs that help support communities across West Virginia, such as the Certificate of Need (CON) program.

The West Virginia CON program has come under increased scrutiny. In fact, every year since I have been in the Legislature there have been several attempts to eliminate the program. Critics argue that the CON program stifles competition and drives up costs. The reality is CON helps ensure communities across West Virginia have access to needed medical services and eliminating CON would devastate our state’s delicate rural health care delivery system.

West Virginia is the only state in the nation that is completely in rugged, mountainous terrain and our sparse population creates unique health care challenges.  Our rural hospitals operate on razor-thin margins with one of the lowest cost per inpatient day in the nation so every health care dollar matters. The CON law ensures these facilities remain viable by preventing unnecessary duplication of services that would drain limited resources from the local community.

Consider what happens without CON, large out-of-state health care corporations cherry-pick profitable services that cater to the small percentage of West Virginians with commercial insurance. These out-of-state corporations siphon off resources that our community hospitals use to provide needed services like 24/7 emergency room coverage, diabetes education, and cancer care.

According to the Rural Health Research Gateway, from 2005 through 2022, 186 hospitals have closed and most have been located in small rural areas, followed by large rural areas. Hospital closures are devasting to a community. Not only does the rural community lose needed medical services, forcing 911 teams to travel further for emergency care, these communities lose jobs and a critical pillar of their community. In fact, a hospital closure is often the death nell for a community because who wants to live in a community without good access to care.

West Virginia is a rural community, but over the past five years we have been able to avoid the devasting impacts of hospital closures. In fact, West Virginia has seen several new hospitals open and other existing community hospitals expand services. These expanded services are the result of the hospital responding to community needs, often partnering with others to make the most use of the limited health care workforce we have in our state. While critics point to CON as a limiting factor for expanding health care services, the reality is a national shortage of health care professionals. In fact, reports note a national shortage of 100,000 physicians and our ability to recruit providers to our rural state is the major hurdle to access, not the CON program.  

It is also important to note that elimination of the CON program could have unanticipated consequences. Today a physician can open a practice anywhere in the state and begin providing care to their community, including diagnostic imaging and laboratory services to their patients. However, if we eliminate the current CON program and move to a completely free-market model, programs such as opioid treatment centers could also open anywhere in the state. Over the years the state has worked tirelessly to ensure these services are appropriately regulated to ensure they are not next to our parks and schools. 

As we work to expand economic opportunities in West Virgina through the Backyard Brawl, lets ensure we are thoughtful in our actions. We do not want to create an unlevel playing field through the elimination of the Certificate of Need program allowing these large health care corporations to ship limited West Virginia dollars out-of-state. 

Thank You for reading, 

Delegate Scot C Heckert R-13TH

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As I spent time reflecting during the holidays, I thought a great deal about how we never know what roads life will lead us down. When I was just a small business owner spending my days driving throughout the Eastern Panhandle, I didn’t realize then that the voices of Hoppy Kercheval, Don Marsh, and Stephen Reed would inspire me. They’d light a fire in me that  would lead me to take a different and most rewarding path in my life that would lead me from Berkeley County to our state Capitol and the House of Delegates and finish with four years as the President of the West Virginia Senate. 

Their early influence shaped my approach to governance. When Don Marsh passed away, I realized the importance of hearing diverse perspectives. As a Delegate, then Senator, then later Senate President and  Lieutenant Governor, I took in as many perspectives as possible which gave me a data-driven edge that focused on real, measurable outcomes and long term success. In my time as a member of the West Virginia Legislature, we achieved significant milestones that at the time never seemed possible: reforming the broken and failing workers’ compensation system, stabilizing our state-funded pensions, and eliminating the sales tax on food. 

However, the true accelerator of our success was my creation of the  “flat-line budget.” That concept required a steadfast commitment to fiscal  discipline that would enable us to fund our core services, encourage efficiencies when exposed, and allow for targeted, strategic economic  development investments.  

Though there may have been some doubters, the proof is in the results.  We’ve eliminated our workers’ compensation debt of $4.2 billion. We’ve  created one of the healthiest pension systems in the nation. We’ve built up a  $1.3 billion Rainy Day fund. And, we’ve done all of this without sacrificing  investment in the future.

In just the past decade alone, we’ve invested more than $6 billion to  road construction and $2 billion toward making sure every area of our state  has reliable, high-speed broadband internet – an absolute game changer in terms of unlocking economic growth and prosperity.  

But that’s not all! We’ve also provided more than $1 billion in tax relief to West Virginians, including a 27.25% cut in personal income tax and the elimination of personal income tax on Social Security for seniors by the end of this year as well as a 100% refundable tax credit on automobiles. We’ve made  education and education choice a priority with charter schools,  microschools, and the Hope Scholarship. We’ve also supported higher education through the Promise Scholarship, and provided pay raises for  teachers and state employees while keeping PEIA premiums stable. 

We’ve not just focused on the numbers. We’ve also worked hard to  strengthen West Virginia’s strong conservative values. On social issues, we’ve managed to strike a necessary balance – banning abortion with exceptions for the life of the mother, rape, and incest, protecting girls’ sports and protecting  religious freedoms. 

As we move forward and continue with all we have done to move West  Virginia into the 21^st century, we know there will be challenges. The Hope Scholarship, which has opened the door to education choice for thousands of West Virginia families, will continue to grow and require more funding. We absolutely must stabilize PEIA for our hardworking public employees. And, last, but in no way least, it’s time to eliminate the personal property tax on equipment and machinery for all businesses. The elimination of that tax is a  key to unlock our economic potential like we’ve never known. 

I’ve always said our future depends on moving at the speed of business, not speed of government. By continuing to make quick, bold decisions and fostering a business-friendly environment, we can ensure West Virginia remains a place where people want to live, work, and raise a family. 

It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of West Virginia. I look back on my 20 years in the Legislature, especially my last four as Senate President, and I’m just so proud of this state and the progress that we’ve made together. Our future is so bright, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. 

This isn’t goodbye for me, my role will be different as a senior advisor for the LNE Group but my mission will be the same: Make West Virginia the absolute best place for businesses to succeed and our families will as well. 

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I’m a West Virginia County Clerk, the County Clerk from Mason County, to be exact.  For 31 years, I along with my staff have coordinated the free and fair elections in Mason County, all races from President on down to the Mason County School Board. We take great pride in this duty (one of several duties performed by West Virginia’s County Clerks) as it speaks to the heart of American democracy: the right of our citizens to participate directly by voting.  I can say without hesitation that your vote in the Mountain State is the safest, most secure vote to be counted anywhere in America. 

Sadly, in recent years we have witnessed an increase in distrust by Americans about our election systems and vote security.  Sources promoting this misinformation include losing candidates themselves to foreign actors, enemies of our great nation working to harm our freedoms. West Virginia has largely avoided these recent election doubts. Why? Because of the professionalism and seriousness County Clerks and our staff take in our election duties, working in coordination with the WV Secretary of State’s office. 

Our guidance comes from WV state law – largely Chapter 3 of the state constitution; and federal law, which includes such monumental Constitutional Amendments as the 15^th – which allowed Black men the right to vote following the Civil War – and the 19^th – giving women the right to vote.  Included are historic laws like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Americans with Disabities Act of 1990 which among other laws allowed more people to participate in our elections.  In addition, West Virginia Clerks follow the “Manual for Elections Officials of West Virginia,” a document over 150 pages long provided by the Secretary of State, that enumerates these laws and specifies our procedures for conducting elections legally and securely.      

There are many rules, laws and safeguards we MUST follow to ensure your vote is counted as you intend.  And every year Clerks must attend a conference training us on conducting elections and updating us on any new election laws passed by our state legislature and congress.  Among these laws, we verify that: you are eligible to vote – you are an American citizen, a resident of your county and of age; you are registered to vote (registration itself involves many rules we must follow including deadlines); you have access to vote if you are disabled, confined due to age, illness, immobility or injury, or a member of the military stationed overseas; and much more.  And that’s before the election!

After an election is held, County Commissions are required to meet on the 5^th day after an election, known as the “Board of Canvassers,” to conduct the canvass of votes and presided by the County Clerk.  Canvassing is a procedure where the materials, equipment and results of the vote are reviewed and officially recorded by the Board of Canvassers before the election is certified.  The order that certifies the election by the Board of Canvassers may not be issued until after a 48-hour period where any candidate on the ballot in the county may request a recount.  

Most all of the election laws in West Virginia can be found in Chapter 3 of the State Constitution (there are other chapters in state code involving elections, but the major laws are found within Chapter 3).  The process is established in a manner to make elections the safest and most transparent for gaining the public’s confidence. 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5^th.  West Virginia counties are now conducting early voting until Saturday, November 2^nd.  Consult the WV Secretary of State website to know where you can early vote, or contact your County Clerk.    

And get out and Vote!

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