Violence Against Women Act Sanctions Rights Violations | The Beacon

Violence Against Women Act Sanctions Rights Violations

The First Amendment Needs a Rape Kit | Future of Freedom Foundation

Wendy McElroy provides a SANE analysis of recent violations.

Gilmer delegation votes to approve press shield law

The press shield law that passed the West Virginia Legisture in the waning hours of last year's session became a reality with the help of Gilmer County's legislative delegation.  Both delegates - Brent Boggs, the House Majority Leader, and David Walker- and senators - Joe Minard, the Senate pro tempore, and Doug Facemire - joined with their respective colleagues in unanimously approving H.B. 2159.

The bill, which was signed by then-acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on April 4, became law on June 10.

Under H.B. 2159, reporters cannot be “compelled to testify in civil, criminal, administrative, or grand jury proceedings” without “the consent of the confidential source.” Reporters, including those who write for a student publication at "an accredited educational institution," also cannot be compelled “to produce any information or testimony that would identify a confidential source” without the consent of the source. The privilege may be overcome, however, when the testimony “is necessary to prevent imminent death, serious bodily injury, or unjust incarceration.”

Simply stated, state law now protects journalists from being made the cat's paw of overzealous prosecutors.

Photos:  Top to bottom - Gilmer County's legislative delgation, Del. Brent Boggs, House Majority Leader, Del. David Walker, Sen. Joe Minard, Senate Pro Tempore and Sen. Doug Facmire

W. Va. press shield law turns 1-year old | The Gilmer Free Press

This time last year, West Virginia became 40th state to extend protection to journalists from revealing confidential sources.

National search begins for state higher ed chief | The Charleston Gazette

Replacement for Brian Noland expected by May.

Student Loans: America’s Next Debt Bomb | Openmarket.org

The kill radius is magnified by a dumbed-down curriculum says Hans Bader.

Gasoline Prices Are Not Rising, the Dollar Is Falling | Forbes

Louis Woodhill explains.

Jim Rogers: U.S. Presidential favorites clueless on economy | Reuters

Democracy versus Liberty | The Daily Bell

Tibor Machan explains the important difference your poli sci professor is wholly ignorant about.

Gilmer sheriff running for magistrate with dubious educational background | The West Virginia Record

Despite having questionable educational qualifications, a candidate for magistrate in Gilmer County is on this May's primary election ballot.

Four candidates -- Carol Wolfe, Alton Skinner, Bill Stalnaker and Mickey Metz -- are seeking the Democratic nomination for one of the two seats for magistrate. Wolfe currently holds one of the seats, and the other is open following the announcement of incumbent Bob Minigh he would not be seeking re-election.

Of the four candidates, three -- Wolfe, Skinner and Stalnaker -- all have at least a high school diploma or GED, the minimum educational qualifications required by state law to run for magistrate. Additionally, Wolfe has a bachelor's degree from Glenville State College in social work, and a master's degree from Marshall University in counseling.

Metz, the incumbent sheriff who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third successive term, provided the Gilmer Clerk's Office a diploma he received on Nov. 23 from Adison High School. The diploma contains signatures of four people purporting to be AHS' president, superintendant, secretary of the school board and principal.

For more on this story, go to The West Virginia Record.