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Artificial intelligence is upending the job market, but this industry is hiring

Today’s college graduates face a startling reality. Many of the jobs they were hoping for are rapidly disappearing because of AI (artificial intelligence). As Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” fame recently observed, “We’ve been telling kids for 15 years to learn to code. Well, AI is coming for the coders.” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg agrees. He predicts that most Meta code will be written by AI in the next 12-18 months. The great disruption is here. Many entry-level office jobs—from coders and analysts to researchers and writers—are being eaten by AI. The unemployment rate ...

A letter to my grandson, please remember …

Dear Layne: There is something I would like for you to know, something no one else may ever say that I believe you should hear at least once in your life. As your grandma, I feel it is my responsibility to let you in on a secret. And no, I am not trying to persuade you into changing who you are or who you will one day become. That wouldn’t be fair. Just please know this … in case no one else ever tells you. You are growing up in a completely different society than the one I grew up in, different than the ones your grandparents and great-grandparents lived through, ...

Taking a hacksaw through recent news

We have another alleged case of hacking of a lawmaker. Last Monday, Del. Charles Sheedy, R-Marshall, posted on the Marshall County WV Republican Club Facebook page that he sent a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the state congressional delegation regarding the lack of a federal disaster declaration for Ohio and Marion counties. The following is taken directly from that letter as he (allegedly) wrote it: “Constituents in District 7 are asking why President Trump has not issued a FEMA Disaster Declaration for Ohio and Marion Counties? My constituents are also yours and they ...

Trying to find myself a new quiet spot

Do you ever find yourself needing to get away from everything? An urge to just take off somewhere, shutting off your phone, or at least picking somewhere with little reception, and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world? It brings to mind an exercise I went through as part of a merit badge class during my time in Scouts. Each of us were tasked with going out into the woods – a safe distance – sitting down and just observing our surroundings. We were asked to chronicle what we experienced. Through my life, I’ve attempted to use a similar method to help ...

A legislative session of foundational improvement

As your state senator, I am proud to provide a summary of the transformational legislation that passed earlier this year. Under the leadership of Governor Morrisey and others, we passed an incredible array of bills that will make generational improvements for our Northern Panhandle families. We passed school security measures and protections for our most vulnerable children in foster care. The legislature expanded economic development and exponentially increased the potential for high-paying employment. We passed legislation to unleash West Virginia energy and cut regulations and red ...

Understanding co-owners of stock accounts

John didn’t realize it, but when he added his son’s name to his stock account, he made Tommy a joint owner. John didn’t work well with computers and needed help with keeping all of his records straight because of vision problems. He added his son for convenience’s sake. John decided not to make his son his financial power of attorney. He wanted to handle his own money matters. His will included a provision that his stocks would be donated to his favorite nonprofit organization. After John died, his stocks did not go to the nonprofit, but instead Tommy got them. Why ...