This Charleston Gazette blog attempts to build on the newspaper’s longtime coverage of all things coal, with a focus on mountaintop removal, coal-mine safety and climate change. Staff writer Ken Ward Jr., a native of Piedmont in Mineral County, W.Va., has covered the Appalachian coal industry for nearly 20 years.

In the West Virginia Capitol’s dungeon-like offices for the press corps, and in offices and committee rooms all over the building, lawmakers, staff, visitors and reporters have for years listened to legislative floor sessions and committee meetings via an electronic audio system affectionately called the “squawk box.” The Gazette’s legislative blog takes its name from this relic in the pressroom.

Hear what’s happening in and around the Statehouse from Gazette reporters Phil Kabler and Eric Eyre, and join in the conversation about state government issues large and small.

Some of the most fascinating arts and entertainment stories are the ones that don’t get told. They’re the tidbits that get left out because of space, because they’re off-topic, because they’re a little weird. “I’m On The List” features those tidbits. It’s your backstage pass to what’s going on in the local scene with extras, insights and commentary.

West Virginia Book Festival: The Blog is an online journal about books and literary topics, especially those of interest to West Virginians and Appalachians. It is sponsored by The Charleston Gazette, one of the charter sponsors of the West Virginia Book Festival, held each October in Charleston.

Readers and writers from across West Virginia share news, reviews and conversation around the world of books and emerging literary forms.

John McCoy is the outdoors writer for the Charleston Gazette. His “Woods & Waters” page appears weekly in the Sports section of the Sunday Gazette-Mail.

In 28 years of outdoors writing, John has had articles published in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Bowhunter and other hunting and fishing publications.

An avid angler who ties his own trout flies and makes his own fishing rods, John also enjoys hunting and photography.

The Charleston Gazette has a long and proud tradition as a crusading newspaper. Our late publisher, W.E. “Ned” Chilton III coined the phrase “sustained outrage” and insisted the Gazette live up to that motto with long-term coverage of important issues facing West Virginia and the nation.

The mission of the Gazette Watchdog blog is simple: To carry on that tradition. We make a commitment to our readers to serve as a public watchdog over government, business, and other powerful entities in West Virginia society, to ensure that the public interest is protected.

We continue to provide many of these stories to readers of our print edition, but with this Web site, we’ll compile watchdog coverage into one easy-to-find location. And we’ll add to that coverage with a new blog and with information to help readers report consumer rip-offs, get involved in government decisions or pass on story tips to us.

Expanded coverage of everything Marshall University sports from Gazette staff writer and columnist Doug Smock.

Nearly 10 years into the American military’s efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the globe, the men and women of West Virginia’s National Guard continue their work at home and abroad.

Over the next few weeks, “Still On Guard” will document their continued role in the Middle East and give readers first-hand accounts of their work while on a deployment to Kuwait. Charleston Gazette reporter Davin White will travel to the theater of operations with Guard members.

White’s “embedded” experience will not be the Gazette’s first in recent years. In 2008, Gazette reporter Rusty Marks traveled to Kuwait and Iraq, and documented the work of members of the Guard’s 111th Engineer Brigade, among others.

‘Smell the Coffee’ (the illustrated version). And beyond.

The word on poets and poetry with a West Virginia connection. By Vic Burkhammer

The latest video gaming reviews, news, and tips. By Jeff Rider

Rudy Panucci on all things pop cultural – seen, heard, and screened.

All about films and video with a West Virginia Connection. By Steve Fesenmaier

A hophead’s search for the finest brews around. By Rich Ireland

Wine advice with dining tips on the side. A blog & webcast by John Brown.