Hard rain

Additional post-flood rains were the last thing survivors wanted to deal with, but they came and probably aren't over. But, as Gazette-Mail reporter Ken Ward points out, climate change is likely to bring even more of the same.

Meanwhile, coal boss Robert Murray, who seems to want to take the place vacated by former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, is telling his employees that Trump will make coal grow back. Or something like that. Murray has a fondness for political theater, with layoffs as a prop. You can find an old blog post on the subject here,

West Virginia farms also took a hit during the storm, as Metro News reports.

Finally, while anti-tax zealous hold sway in the state legislature, evidence from Kansas continues to show that tax cuts are bad medicine.

Happy 75 to a great book

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, a true American classic. Ironically, I recall reading somewhere that Ayn Rand aspired to be the anti-Steinbeck. I'd say she succeeded in that one anyway.

IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS. First, it looks like the cost of the Affordable Care Act is going to be lower than expected.

NOT ONLY THAT, but more West Virginians are taking part in the farm to table movement.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED