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Opinion

Lessons from the Wetland Ecology

Columnists

Last week my column was focused on education, and the week before that, the topic was city water challenges. This week these two topics flowed together when I heard Elizabeth Byers explaining the significance of the Kump Education Center Wetland. I n her introduction to the Kump Center Wetland for Master Gardners last Monday, Elizabeth acknowledged that we live in a time when Global Warming threatens the natural ecology that supports human life on Earth. Many species are becoming extinct because they have lost their natural habitat, and our species could be next. However, Elizabeth ...

A better use of data center revenue?

Letters to the Editor

There are many concerning provisions to the recently passed state law (HB 2014) dealing with Data Center and Microgrid projects, but a recent article in The Inter-Mountain detailing how tax revenue from these projects would be used to benefit the citizens of West Virginia was particularly concerning. The law allocates 50% of such revenues to reduce or eliminate the state income tax. While the idea is appealing, it will benefit the wealthiest West Virginians disproportionately, while providing little or no tax relief for less wealthy citizens, whose tax burden is largely through ...

Trump's tariff troubles continue

Columnists

Donald Trump’s tariff policies reflect outmoded 19th-century economic thought. Yet he has persistently pushed the notion that free trade represents “a rip-off” of American producers and workers. Despite the reality that neither consumers nor workers benefit from restrictive trade, and it is estimated that 86 to 96 percent of levies on imported goods are passed on to Americans in the form of higher prices. Everything from beef to automobiles is more expensive, and inefficient United States industries are favored. Thus, consumers are not free to choose, and Adam Smith’s Wealth of ...

Voices Joined in Opposition

Editorials

It's rare to find an issue these days that doesn't divide public opinion, as political differences in our country have become so strongly entrenched. One current issue in West Virginia, however, is uniting both Democrats and Republicans – in opposition. The Valley Link transmission line project, which would run through 18 West Virginia counties, including Randolph, Upshur, Tucker and Barbour, is bringing together political leaders from both sides of the aisle to work to defeat the proposal. The Tucker, Upshur and Randolph county commissions have all voted separately to pass ...

Leaders should eliminate the 'zinger'

Columnists

A zinger can be described as a quick, clever, and sharp remark that often carries a humorous insult. Yet “humorous” can be in the eye of the beholder. While the person delivering the zinger may get laughs, what about the person being zinged? The same is true of sarcasm. Years ago, I delivered what I thought was a funny line. Afterwards, a kind person asked me if I knew what “sarcasm” meant. He then said it comes from “to scar” or “the tearing of the flesh.” Since then, I have worked hard to remove sarcasm from my repertoire. Another definition of sarcasm is “to mock, ...

We're Losing the Backyard Brawl

Columnists

Last month, CNBC released its 2026 rankings of America's Top States for Business. Ohio finished first, the culmination of a two-decade climb from 30th place when the study began. West Virginia finished 46th. Last year we were 40th. In twelve months, while our neighbor across the Ohio River ...