Near the top of Thomas鈥檚 client list is Don Blankenship, for whom he ran the 鈥淎nd for the Sake of the Kids鈥� political action committee in 2004. The PAC channeled nearly $3 million of the coal baron鈥檚 money into a negative ad blitz that succeeded at both installing Blankenship鈥檚 pick for Supreme Court justice and providing the inspiration for a John Grisham novel.

The state鈥檚 public television and radio system has already come under fire in the Senate, where the leadership attempted to eliminate all funding for the authority earlier this year.

This month, due to term expirations on the authority board, it will be possible for the governor to name replacements for all remaining appointed positions, raising concerns about 鈥渟tacking鈥� the panel to bring about a shift in direction for the state鈥檚 public television and radio operations.

If major changes are in store for WVPB, here鈥檚 hoping they won鈥檛 include:

Mall Things Considered 鈥� Former afternoon radio news show changes format to keep commuters informed about trending items for sale at retail centers across the state.

AR Talk 鈥� A pair of cheerful, talkative West Virginia gunsmiths discuss the AraLite-15 and other popular sporting rifle semiautomatics with callers from across the state.

Antique Roads Show 鈥� State Division of Highways engineers travel the state to appraise repair costs for severely worn roads and bridges suggested by viewers.

The Splendid Cable 鈥� Call-in show for viewers who want to learn more about, or share opinions regarding, programming available from private sector sources.

Morning Sedition 鈥� Spend your morning commute catching up on the latest rants about stolen elections, the Deep State, false flag operations, climate change denial and COVID-19 myths.