If We Can Keep It: Michael Tomasky on how the republic collapsed and how it might be saved

Some of the common political questions these days are, why are our politics so polarized and why can’t we get back to a time in our history when the debate was more civil, and compromise was not a dirty word? Political commentator and Morgantown, West Virginia native Michael Tomasky tackles those questions and more in

Justice gets a helping hand from Trump

Governor Jim Justice will need some help to win a second term, and he’s going to get it from one of the most popular political figures in West Virginia.  That person just happens to be President Donald Trump. Trump’s approval rating in the state continues to hover around 60 percent*, while his disapproval rating is only

West Virginia’s industrial rejuvenation is right under our feet

Improved drilling technology and increased demand have contributed to a dramatic resurgence of the natural gas industry in our region. According to IHS Markit, the gas basins of the “Shale Crescent” (West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania), account for 32 percent of gas production in this country, and it’s estimated that by 2040 nearly half (45

Governor Justice’s very bad week

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is having a very bad week. The Harrison County Republican Party Executive Committee voted Monday in favor of a resolution expressing “no confidence” in Justice. The action followed a no-confidence vote by the Kanawha County GOP Executive Committee last week. The lack of support among some of the GOP faithful

Poor state, poor educational outcomes

It often feels like everything is just a little bit harder in West Virginia, and public education is no different.  The state Constitution requires that our school system provide a thorough and efficient education, but we consistently fail to meet that standard. State policy makers, teachers, school administrators, parents and other taxpayers are now debating

Social media—can’t live with it, can’t live without it

The idiom, “Women… can’t live with them, can’t live without them,” was coined by Desiderius Erasmus.  Before you start an outrage mob against the Dutch scholar, note that he lived during the 15th and 16th centuries and he also said a lot of really smart things. But if we take the old Dutchman’s logic and

More West Virginians are cutting their lives short

Americans are killing themselves at ever higher rates. A new report by the Trust for America’s Health and Well Being says “Deaths from synthetic opioids continue to rise sharply and suicides are growing at the fastest pace in years.”  Add in alcohol, and the number of Americans who died from one of these three causes

Richwood’s reckoning, and a warning for other communities

It has been almost three years since a devastating flood in West Virginia. The Nicholas County community of Richwood was among the hardest hit. The raging floodwaters destroyed more than 200 homes and buildings, washed away roads, bridges and sections of the town’s infrastructure. The recovery in Richwood has been a hard slog and, to

Kanawha County GOP hits Gov. Justice with ‘no confidence’ resolution

Governor Justice’s road to reelection is hitting some bumps, and they are not just the potholes in the state roads that he has promised to fix.  No, these bumps are coming from among the people he would expect to have his back in 2020—Republicans. Not all Republicans, mind you, and maybe not even a substantial

I’m off…

… for a couple of days. So, in my absence, I invite you to complete the following sentence.  “I wish just once Hoppy would…” I look forward to reading your responses! My best, Hoppy

Woody Thrasher expected to enter Governor’s race

Woody Thrasher, who Governor Jim Justice forced out as Commerce Secretary last year, is said to be seriously considering running for Governor.  Thrasher won’t comment on his possible candidacy, but the smart money is on him getting in the race. Thrasher was a life-long Democrat, but he changed his party registration to Republican about a

The long list of road repairs (#FTDR)

Last week, Governor Jim Justice told Department of Highways county supervisors and district engineers that he wanted prioritized lists of all the road work necessary, as well as their equipment and personnel needs.  As they say, be careful what you ask for. The DOH officials responded with extensive lists—some neatly organized on spread sheets and

The good news and the bad news in the Mueller Report

It is possible that an objective reader of the summary of the Mueller Report would agree that the investigation includes both good news and bad news. The bad new is the finding that the Russians tried to influence the 2016 election in two ways.  According to Attorney General William Barr’s summary of the report, the

When police go over the line

We have finally gotten a chance to watch the police cruiser dashcam video of last November’s arrest of a hit-and-run driver where the suspect was roughed up by police. You can watch the video here. The 8:26 video shows a Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department cruiser jolting when struck from behind by another vehicle. A high-speed

Campaign finance bill is a step forward for WV elections

West Virginia’s campaign finance laws need work. They are outdated and include too many loopholes. Senate bill 622 makes several significant changes that will benefit candidates and the public. The bill passed the Senate and House of Delegates along party lines. Governor Justice has the bill, but has taken no action on it yet. Much

Trump’s pointless feuds

The late Don Marsh, who co-hosted Talkline with me for a few years after he retired from his longtime position as editor of the Charleston Gazette, was fearless and caustic in his criticism of others he considered scoundrels or simply wrong-headed. Marsh had more than his share of feuds, and some of them played out

Justice to Highways: “I’m going to give you 72 hours”

Governor Jim Justice’s meeting with state Department of Highways district engineers and county supervisors was surprisingly short—less than 15 minutes—and to the point: “We’re going to fix the damn roads.” Specifically, the Governor ordered the DOH supervisors to quickly prioritize a list of what needs to be done in their counties. “I’m going to give

Manchin vs. Justice

The scene is a deserted Great Hall of the State Capitol.  Governor Jim Justice and Senator Joe Manchin slowly approach each other from opposite ends. Anxious Capitol employees warily sneak a glimpse from the side entrances to the hall.  The only noise is the footsteps of Justice and Manchin.  They stop, just a few feet

Debate over school safety should be based on fact not fear

During the just-completed regular session of the Legislature, the House of Delegates approved a version of the comprehensive education reform bill that included a provision requiring a law enforcement officer for every school in the state.  The House approved the amendment 82-17, so there was significant bipartisan support. The bill eventually died, so it’s a

McElhinny: A fun event for a life-and-death cause

Join me in supporting this annual fundraiser for colorectal cancer screening.