High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* Gov.-elect Patrick Morrisey talked last week about his new leadership team and cabinet members, and some of his priorities as he prepares to take office. “We have a great team,” Morrisey said. “They’re outstanding in every single way. They’re deeply experienced, they’re smart, and they put service before self. I’m just thrilled that these folks have agreed to be such an important part of the team going forward, because they know there are great challenges ahead for West Virginia.” Mountain State residents certainly hope he is right about this bunch, and that Morrisey prioritizes accountability and transparency over his predecessor’s folksy say-nothing hyperbole. For now, we join him in being hopeful he and the team he has assembled are on the cusp of propelling West Virginia, and that there really are “a lot of big things ahead.”

* Across the state there are people and organizations dedicated to helping people find the right affordable (maybe free?) and accessible health care coverage options for them. On Jan. 7, many of those groups will come together for Cover WV Day, to offer free help to those who need coverage but don’t know where to start. According to organizers of the event, more than 100,000 Mountain State residents are without health coverage. Kudos to those who are working to help them.

* It may be a sharp contrast from what we experienced over the holidays, but winter weather is well and truly upon us. Those who revel is such conditions can rejoice. (Many of the rest of us can remember we like to talk about how nice it is to live “in a place that gets all four seasons.”)