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Real Numbers

Most West Virginians likely believe they have a general understanding of the significance of our coal industry in keeping the lights on for the rest of the country, and the size of its role in ensuring domestic energy security. But sometimes hard numbers make us take a step back from what we thought we knew. According to CSX Corp.’s fourth quarter earnings report, the railroad has seen a 14% decline in domestic coal shipments for the full year — but a 9% increase in export shipments. “Export coal decreased primarily due to reduced production, including planned and unplanned ...

‘Brawl’-ing

Gov. Patrick Morrisey gave us more insight last week into the idea of a “Backyard Brawl” economic competition with neighboring states. The concept has its merits. Certainly Mountain State residents tend to respond well to being asked to rise above, to compete. “Many of you have followed over the last few years where I’ve talked a lot about having a Backyard Brawl with all the states that we touch so we can grow economically,” Morrisey said. “I’m a believer in the power of competition; that if you start to look at what your state is doing in the economic arena and you ...

Exceptional

The Northern District of West Virginia has had a number of excellent U.S. attorneys over the past half-century. Add outgoing U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld to that list. Ihlenfeld, who served as top prosecutor during the Biden and Obama administrations, stepped down earlier this month. In total, he served as U.S. attorney for 10 years. “Serving as U.S. Attorney has been an honor and a privilege,” Ihlenfeld said. “I’m deeply saddened to leave, but as I walk out the door today, I do so with tremendous pride because of all this team has accomplished over the past four years. ...

New Info

Arriving in the mail for many of us starting this weekend just past was a piece of information that would be profitable not to misplace: the MV-1 form from the West Virginia State Tax Division, which indicates how much of a personal property tax credit you’re eligible for on your 2024 taxes. If you recall, the West Virginia Legislature approved legislation in 2023 as part of its tax-cut package that will credit, in full, all taxes paid in a calendar year on your vehicles — as long as those taxes are paid in full and on-time. The MV-1 form, which you will provide to your tax return ...

Education

State Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, is injecting a voice of reason into conversations about what the West Virginia Legislature’s approach to education might be this year. Speaking ahead of the legislative session that is set to begin Feb. 12, Clements talked about the state’s approach to education being “upside down.” “We need to put more money into the early stages of life where children learn more,” he said. Clements is right to understand the number of our young students who are being raised by grandparents — maybe great-grandparents — and other relatives ...

Boos & Applause

Applause to everyone who helped set up and man local warming stations during this week’s extreme winter weather. When Pastor Roy Schneider of the Refinery Church in Elkins learned that temperatures overnight this week were projected to be well below zero, he knew he had to snap into action and make sure the unhoused people in the area had a place to go. The church offered two warming shelters this week. At the church on Third Street food and a warming station were offered each day from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. After that, people at the warming stations were transported for the evening to ...