Eric Douglas

3 weeks ago | wvpublic.org | Eric Douglas

Money from the lawsuit against opioid distributors AmeriSource Bergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson Corporation is already being distributed  to cities and counties around the state by the West Virginia First Foundation. But Huntington and Cabell County, often considered ground zero for the opioid epidemic, are still waiting. They filed a similar but separate lawsuit in federal court and Senior U.S. District Judge David Faber ruled against them in 2022.

3 weeks ago | wvpublic.org | Eric Douglas

This is an evolving story and may be updated. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has declined to answer whether the opioid epidemic in Cabell County and the city of Huntington qualifies as a public nuisance. The federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals asked the state supreme court to define a public nuisance under West Virginia law in March of 2024 following an appeal.

3 weeks ago | wvpublic.org | Eric Douglas

Rare earth metals are in every piece of electronic equipment we own and finding domestic resources is growing more and more important as trade relations with countries like China and Russia continue to be problematic. . Now, there is a competition to find them in mine waste. The U.S. Geological Survey has invited states to compete for $5 million to find critical minerals in the materials left over from mining at active and legacy sites.

3 weeks ago | wvpublic.org | Eric Douglas

Not too long ago, West Virginia’s black bear population was estimated to be about 500 animals. But conservation efforts brought them back from the brink of extinction. Today, the greatest problem facing the state bear is human interactions. One of the temptations for bears, especially in the spring and late fall is easy food sources like dumpsters. When the animals are hungry after hibernation, or getting ready for a long winter’s nap, they need energy quickly.

4 weeks ago | wvpublic.org | Eric Douglas

Every professional sports program has a concussion protocol that dictates when a player can return to the roster. One of the two doctors who developed the program is from the Wheeling area. And that is just one of his many accomplishments. This weekend, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital neurosurgeon Dr. Joe Maroon is receiving an Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The ceremony will be held in the same great hall that both sets of his grandparents walked through when they came to America from Poland and Lebanon.