Sawmills, Storm Fund Squabbles And The Solar Eclipse, This West Virginia Week
Apr 13, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, West Virginia residents were united by Monday’s solar eclipse, spreading out across college campuses and community parks to observe the astronomical event.
We’ll dive into these topics, plus changes to a pair of West Virginia sawmills, how Muslim residents celebrated the end of Ramadan, and the much-anticipated return of the American chestnut to Appalachia.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
The Many Uses Of Violets And Ed Snodderly Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Apr 12, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, violets bloom across Appalachia throughout spring, but the flowers are more than just some extra color in the yard. They’ve long been a key ingredient in herbal remedies. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us Ed Snodderly, whose songs have been recorded by some of roots music’s most well-known names. We listen to his performance of “Gone with Gone and Long Time,” accompanied by the Mountain Stage Band and Lisa Pattison on fiddle and vocals.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Us & Them: Locked Out Of Voting?
Apr 11, 2024
More than 4.5 million Americans cannot vote because of a felony conviction but only about a quarter are currently in prison.
On the newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with people who support expanded voting rights for felons, and those who say people who’ve committed crimes should forfeit their rights until they serve their entire sentence, including any probation or parole.
Felon disenfranchisement laws differ significantly from state to state and even legal experts say it can be difficult for someone to know their rights. In a few states, a person can vote from prison, while in others, voting rights are restored upon release or completion of parole or probation. Despite recent trends to expand voting rights, some states are moving in the opposite direction. In Florida, voters passed an amendment to restore voting rights to most people with felonies, but lawmakers passed a new law requiring that people pay all of their court fees first. And in Virginia, only the governor can restore the right to vote for someone convicted of a felony.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Anthony Cole, 32, is from Huntington, West Virginia. He was released from prison in May 2023 after serving 12 and a half years for second-degree murder. “I started life over, I'm living as a productive citizen. I work for the food bank. I'm trying to give back to the community at the same time, as well as feed myself. Like, I'm back into society, I should be able to be a part of society … That's what our politics and our whole system is off of. [It’s] supposed to be equality … But it feels even less than now because my voice is completely silenced in that matter.” — Anthony Cole Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingSara Carter is a legal fellow with the Brennan Center, a nonprofit dedicated to civil liberties and voting rights. She tracks nationwide trends and variations in voting laws for felons from state to state. She says in some states, felons can vote no matter what crimes they’ve been convicted of — even from prison. On the other end of the spectrum, in Virginia, for example, those convicted of a felony can only restore their voting rights with an appeal to the governor. “Everyone should be able to have a say in who governs them, and everyone should be able to be represented, no matter how they choose to exercise that right when it comes to an election.” — Sara Carter Photo Credit: Brennan Center for JusticeNatalie Delia Deckard is an associate professor of criminology at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada. “There is absolutely no way to talk about voting rights in the United States without talking about the fact that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in not only the world but in world history. We know that incarceration is not sprinkled randomly through the society, it's not just that men are overwhelmingly more likely to have criminal records. It's that racialized men are more likely to have criminal records, because of the ways in which we understand crime … It's also about poverty and class. It's poor men that go to jail, they go to prison. We absolutely know that class divisions very much predict voting divisions.” — Natalie Delia Deckard Photo Credit: University of WindsorMac Warner is West Virginia’s Secretary of State. He’s running for governor this year as a Republican. “They have violated the state code, they have committed a criminal offense. And they have shown that they are not worthy at that time, they've done something to go against the people of the state of West Virginia. And so we wouldn't want people who are committing crimes to then be a part of a system that would allow them to vote for someone who may then decide to change and say, ‘These criminal offenses are OK.’ It serves as a deterrent value. So people know that they lose those rights when they commit an offense. And, again, this is just part of the criminal justice system. We all want them to be a part of society, again, with voting rights, but we want them to serve their time for the crime that they committed. There is no effort to suppress votes or to keep somebody from voting.” — Mac Warner, West Virginia’s Secretary of State Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingMike Stuart was the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. He currently serves in the West Virginia State Senate and is running for state attorney general. “I know that we live in a period of time, where there's a heavy emphasis on criminal rights. I support that, too. We've got to make sure we treat folks humanely, that we try to be in the business of rehab and rehabilitation and treatment, especially when it comes to the drug scourge. But I'm focused on victims. …I fully support the idea of the restoration of rights, but after you've served your entire penance, to society … and that means … not only your time behind bars, but your period of supervised release, if there's a period of probation, it's at the end of that entirety, that you ought to get the restoration of rights. West Virginia already does this today. I just think I'm one of those folks that truly believe that there's a purpose to punishment, we don't do it to hurt people. We do it for the rehabilitation part … they're not part-time, or lesser citizens because they don't have the right to vote. And we didn't take that right from them. They took it from themselves when they committed the heinous crime, whatever crime it happened to be.” — Mike Stuart, WV State Senator Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingAutumn McCraw was born and raised in West Virginia. She says she used drugs for several years and spent more than two and a half years in prison for felony convictions. After she was released from her most recent incarceration, she went to a recovery residence. She says she hasn’t used drugs in over six years. After she was released from parole, she registered to vote and decided to laminate her voter registration card. “I opened the card … and I held it in my hand, and I just looked at it and I'm like, ‘I have arrived.’ It was a really emotional moment for me. I cried because I felt like I belonged again. Like I can contribute again. Like this is my ticket back into the forefront of society and not just necessarily in the shadows or in the underbelly.” — Autumn McCraw Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Future Of The American Chestnut And Our Latest Us & Them, This West Virginia Morning
Apr 11, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, WVPB last spring covered efforts at Shepherd University to regrow American chestnut forests in Appalachia. One year later, that project has incorporated new technology and a familiar tree variant. Jack Walker caught up with a pair of self-proclaimed “chestnutters” to discuss the project at large, and the future of the American chestnut.
Also, in this show, more than 4.5 million Americans cannot vote because they’ve been convicted of a felony. On the newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks at the patchwork of state laws that restore voting rights to people after those convictions. The laws differ significantly from state to state. A few allow a person to vote from prison, while others require release and completion of probation or parole. Kay meets Anthony Cole who’s been out of prison for nearly a year after serving 12 and a half years. We listen to an excerpt from the next Us & Them: “Locked Out of Voting?"
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Foster Care Communication And An Iftar In Morgantown On This West Virginia Morning
Apr 10, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, Tuesday marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith. Like millions across the world, Muslims in West Virginia fasted from sunup to sundown each day of the month. Their fast is traditionally broken with a meal called iftar. Chris Schulz takes us to an iftar in Morgantown.
Also, in this show, during the recent regular state legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill aimed at improving foster care communication and accountability. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
WVU Students Gather For Solar Eclipse And Grandson Of Woody Williams Weighs In On Failed Legislation, This West Virginia Morning
Apr 09, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, across the country Monday, people took a moment out of their day to watch the solar eclipse. West Virginia was no exception, and at West Virginia University’s (WVU) Morgantown campus, a large crowd gathered to experience the celestial event. Chris Schulz has the story.
Also, in this show, the state Senate unanimously approved a resolution in February to place a statue of Hershel “Woody” Williams in the U.S. Capitol. Williams, who died in 2022 at age 98, was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The measure, though, did not get a vote in the House of Delegates before the regular session ended. Curtis Tate spoke with Chad Graham, Williams’ grandson, about what happens next.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Election Filing Changes And Solar Eclipse Safety This West Virginia Morning
Apr 08, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn from graduate students about how to view Monday's eclipse safely and why the celestial event is scientifically important.
Also, in this show, Randy Yohe looks at changes made in the latest legislative session - on how and when political parties can fill vacancies after the candidate filing deadline in state elections.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
ENCORE: True Stories Behind Folk Heroes, Runaway Trains And Murder Ballads
Apr 08, 2024
This week on Inside Appalachia, we’re talking about traditional ballads - how they tell stories and connect us to the past.
These old tunes can mean so much. They can tap into difficult emotions and give feelings space to be heard. Some songs may even be too uncomfortable to sing.
In this special episode with guest co-host, ballad singer Saro Lynch-Thomason, we explore songs about lawbreaking folk heroes, runaway trains and murder ballads.
All the stories in this episode are produced as part of our Folkways Reporting Project, a partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Inside Appalachia and the Folklife Program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.
We’ve recorded more than 150 stories for this project, and you can find them all here.
The Ballad Of ‘John Henry’ Elicits Varied Feelings For Some Black Appalachian Residents
The ballad of “John Henry” tells the story of a railroad worker who competes against a steam drill to see who can drill a hole through a mountain fastest and farthest. With his immense strength and skill, John Henry wins, but dies from his efforts. There is great debate about the historical facts, but most accounts describe Henry as an African American man from West Virginia or Virginia, working for the C&O Railroad. For some who grew up in Black communities in Appalachia, the song elicits a variety of feelings. Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave has more.
If learning about John Henry piqued your interest, be sure to check out the recent Black in Appalachia podcast episode about John Henry. They dive into some important topics, including a current-day link between health and working conditions, especially for Black workers.
Ballads About Train Wrecks Holds Lessons For Modern Life
Starting in the late 19th century, trains were everywhere in southern Appalachia, and so were songs about them. Scott Huffard, an associate professor of History at Lees-McCrae College, says these ballads weren’t just about trains, they were emulating trains using special techniques with common instruments. Reporter Laura Harbert Allen has that story and tells us what we can learn from ballads about trains.
Traditional Murder Ballads Reveal A Dark Truth About “True Crime” Media
There are many murder ballads from Appalachia - and most of them are about men killing women. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold is a musician himself. In fact, you can hear him playing guitar and banjo on a song called “Little Sadie” that appears in this week’s episode.
“Little Sadie” is a ballad about a man killing his sweetheart - exactly the kind of song Zack sought to understand in his reporting about murder ballads. What can they tell us about history? And what is “true crime” the modern-day equivalent?
Real-Life Outlaw Otto Wood Went Viral In The Thirties
As Zack explored in his story, people in the past and the present love viral “true crime” stories. In the early 1930s, the way for a story to go “viral” was by being sung about in a ballad. That’s what happened to Otto Wood, a real-life outlaw who grew up around Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He spent time with the Hatfields of southern West Virginia, became a famous moonshiner, and died in a shootout with police in 1930. Less than one year later, his story was told in the ballad “Otto Wood The Bandit,” recorded by Walker Kid and the Carolina Buddies.
Our host Mason Adams reported on that song.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Wes Swing, Dinosaur Burps, and The Chamber Brothers. Roxy Todd produced this episode. Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Alex Runyon was our associate producer. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Severe Weather Covers The State, IDD Waivers Cut From Budget, And Warmer Weather Brings Out Cyclist
Apr 05, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, severe weather pounded the state, from destructive tornadoes in the south, to historic floods in the north.
Jobs in the state saw some losses, and some possible wins, while a program for people with disabilities was cut from the recent Budget. Chris Schulz takes listeners on a bike ride through the hills of Morgantown.
Also, Friday marked the 14th anniversary of the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster. Briana Heaney sat down with former WVPB reporter Ashton Marra to discuss her reporting on the trial that followed the disaster.
Brina Heaney is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Remembering Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster And Sarah Jarosz Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Apr 05, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, which caused the deaths of 29 miners, happened 14 years ago. Ashton Marra worked for WVPB at the time and covered the trial of Don Blankenship, CEO of the company that owned the mine. Briana Heaney sat down with Marra to talk about what it was like being a reporter covering the trial.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from four-time GRAMMY winner Sarah Jarosz. We listen to her performance of “Good at What I Do,” which recently reached #1 on the Americana Radio charts.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
A Bicycle Ride Through Morgantown On This West Virginia Morning
Apr 04, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, as temperatures start to rise, people are taking the opportunity to get outside. One group in Morgantown is taking to the streets on their bicycles. Chris Schulz takes us with him as he tags along to explore the city in a new way.
Also, in this show, with March Madness underway, some Kentuckians will legally bet on games, thanks to a law passed last year. Proponents of legalizing sports betting said the move would add oversight – and keep tax revenue in the Commonwealth.
But some worry easier gambling could come with harmful behaviors. As LPM’s Jacob Munoz reports, some experts say at-risk gamblers in Kentucky and nationwide need more help.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
The Growing Need For Foster Families On This West Virginia Morning
Apr 03, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, from grandfamilies to kin networks and everything in between, families come in all shapes and sizes in West Virginia, and there is a growing need for one particular type.
In the latest installment of our occasional series “Now What? A Series On Parenting,” Chris Schulz speaks with Terri Lynn Durnal of the National Youth Advocate Program about the unique experience of fostering children – and the need for foster parents in the state.
Also, in this show, in the final hours of the 2024 regular state legislative session, lawmakers passed a budget that cut funding for IDD waivers. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
History Of Martinsburg Mural Coming To Berkeley County, This West Virginia Morning
Apr 02, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, Berkeley County in 2022 celebrated its 250th anniversary. Now, the county is looking back at its history through a public art lens. By early June, a mural will be on display in the heart of Martinsburg tracing the history and culture of Berkeley County over the years.
Jack Walker spoke with Lea Craigie, the artist behind the new mural, about her public art piece so far.
Also, in this show, we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest piece looks at proposals to place chemical plastic recycling centers in our region.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
How The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is Affecting Coal Producers In W.Va., This West Virginia Morning
Apr 01, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the closure of the Port of Baltimore to most shipping has a ripple effect for coal producers in northern West Virginia. Curtis Tate takes a deeper look.
Also, in this show, one solution to slow climate change is for industrial facilities to capture carbon dioxide emissions before they reach the atmosphere. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant looked into a new project that would transport CO2 to underground storage wells, including in Pennsylvania.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Chair Caning And A Housing Fight, Inside Appalachia
Apr 01, 2024
This week, we visit the Seeing Hand Association. They bring together people who are visually impaired to learn the craft of chair caning.
Corporate greed has been gobbling up newspapers for years. Now, some of those same companies are taking a bite out of mobile home parks. They’re raising rents and letting repairs slide.
And, as the Mountain Valley Pipeline nears completion, people who live near it say government officials are ignoring their concerns about pollution.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Employees restore caned chairs at the Seeing Hand workshop in Wheeling, West Virginia. Photo Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
A lot of folks in Appalachia grew up with caned chairs in the house. Maybe your parents or grandparents had a set in the kitchen, but you don’t see the old caned chairs as much as you used to. Cane breaks down and needs to be replaced. Few people know where to go to fix their chairs. So, a lot of them are discarded or thrown away. But they don’t have to be.
At a workshop in Wheeling, WV, a community of skilled workers repair old chairs and show that not everything that looks broken has to be thrown out. Folkways reporter Clara Haizlett brought us the story.
Quilting In The New, Traditional Way
Shane Foster pictured with a quilt made by his great-grandmother. Photo Credit: Liz Pahl/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Passing on traditional knowledge happens in different ways. Shane Foster is an optometrist in Ohio and an avid quilter. Quilting had been in his family for generations, but to learn this traditional craft, Foster chose a way that’s a little less traditional.
From 2022, Folkways Reporter Liz Pahl has this story.
David Vs. Goliath At A Mobile Home Park
After a new owner took control of a mobile home park in Mercer County, West Virginia, the rents went up, and it seemed like less was done to take care of problems. One resident started looking into exactly who this new owner was.
Mason Adams brought us the story.
West Virginia Flood Concerns
The floods of 2016 devastated several counties and it has taken seven years for them to be mostly returned to normal. Photo Credit: Kara Lofton/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Flooding has always been a threat in Appalachia, but over the past few decades, severe floods have become more frequent.
Curtis Tate spoke with Nicolas Zegre, an associate professor of forest hydrology at West Virginia University, about why West Virginia is so prone to flooding.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by John Blissard, John Inghram, Tim Bing, Gerry Milnes, Mary Hott, and Tyler Childers.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
The Governor’s Signed And Vetoed Bills, COVID-19 Impacts And The Race For U.S. Senate, This West Virginia Week
Mar 30, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, the deadline for the governor to sign or veto bills from the state legislature’s regular session before they automatically become law was this week, and WVPB looked at what did and didn’t get the governor’s signature.
We continue our series looking back at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail and outdoor recreation four years after its start.
We also take a look at the Republican primary race for a U.S. Senate seat, as well as updates from the state police on investigations into sexual misconduct.
Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Issues In A Mercer County Mobile Home Park And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 29, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, after a new owner took over a Mercer County mobile home park, rents quickly went up while repairs slowed. One resident did some digging and found a reporter in California who had some unexpected answers about who this new owner was. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with reporter Julie Reynolds.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
How COVID-19 Affected National Parks And Us & Them Looks At Changes In Local Journalism, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 28, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, tourists from around the world visit Harpers Ferry each year to immerse themselves in U.S. history. But the number of visitors fell in 2020, as public health restrictions ramped up nationwide. Jack Walker visited the town to learn how things have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Also, in this show, some of the divides in our nation are defined by where we get our information. As social media sites gain a larger audience, some traditional news organizations find themselves losing out and going out of business.
In a new episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay finds the media landscape has changed, and fewer newspapers and radio and television stations are doing daily reporting. A study from Northwestern University shows 200 counties in the U.S. now have no source of local news.
Kay talks with Steve Waldman, a longtime journalist who is now trying to save local journalism. Co-founder of Report for America, Waldman says the industry has imploded after watching its business model turned inside out. We listen to an excerpt from the latest Us & Them episode, “Another Small Town Paper Down.”
And to hear the rest of the episode, tune in Thursday, March 28 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting or on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. for an encore. You can also listen on your own time, right here.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Us & Them: Another Small Town Paper Down
Mar 27, 2024
Our country’s divides often reveal themselves in our choices and habits, including how and where we get our information. As the economics of the media landscape have imploded, the economics of the industry have forced changes. In the past two decades, online sites have taken over much of the income stream from classified ads and general advertising. That has led newspapers and broadcasters to slash thousands of jobs. Many local news outlets have gone out of business and there are now more than 200 counties across the country with no source of local news.
One of those is McDowell County in West Virginia. Last year, publisher Missy Nester was forced to shut down the Welch Daily News after a valiant effort to keep the paper running. Join host Trey Kay and reporter Todd Melby on this episode of Us & Them to see what happens when local news organizations stop telling the stories of a community.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the Pulitzer Center, the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Derek Tyson and Missy Nester on the back steps of the now shuttered building that housed The Welch News. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyDowntown Welch, West Virginia. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyBefore the Welch Daily News shut down operations, publisher Missy Nester bought another regional paper, the Pineville Independent-Herald for $1. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyMissy Nester, taking a break in the printing press room of The Welch News. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyMissy Nester kept a collection of coal-related books and pamphlets in her office, including some from the last century showing several dozen coal companies operating in McDowell County. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyThe Welch News closed down operations in March 2023. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyA discarded iMac rests on top of bound copies of The Welch News. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyThe Welch News printing press dates to 1966, says publisher Missy Nester. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyThe Welch News hired drivers three days a week to deliver the paper to homes in nearly every holler, road and neighborhood in McDowell County. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyDerek Tyson and Missy Nester on a smoke break in the front office of The Welch News before the paper shut down in 2023. Photo Credit: Todd MelbyUs & Them Host Trey Kay with Steve Waldman, co-founder of Report for America, which is modeled on Teach for America. Instead of bringing teachers to schools, Waldman’s focus is on bringing reporters to newsrooms around the nation. He’s currently the president of Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit dedicated to finding new ways to fund local journalism. Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Updates One Year Later On State Police Investigation, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 27, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, it has been a year since allegations of illicit recordings of cadets and other women at the West Virginia State Police barracks launched federal and state investigations into the law enforcement department.
In the aftermath, Col. J.C. Chambers was named superintendent of the state police. He spoke with Chris Schulz to provide some updates on the investigations, as well as to discuss reforms he has implemented during his tenure.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
COVID-19’s Continued Impact On Schools And A Look At The U.S. Senate Race, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 26, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, political analysts say the two Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming May primary election give voters some particular, and troubling, food for thought. The candidates themselves say voters need to focus on the positives, not the negatives. Randy Yohe has our story.
Four years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life for everyone, but the adjustments were perhaps most acute for schools and students. Then a deputy superintendent, now State Superintendent Michele Blatt spoke with Chris Schulz about adapting learning for the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued effects on the state's schools.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
How COVID-19 Affected The Way We Shop On This West Virginia Morning
Mar 25, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, shortly after the first COVID-19 case hit West Virginia four years ago, our way of simple day-to-day living drastically changed. Many of those alterations dealt with how we went shopping. Randy Yohe spoke with West Virginia Retailers Association President Bridget Lambert on COVID-19’s effect on retail – and how our shopping lives have forever been changed.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from the The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their story about the updated growing plant hardiness zone map from the USDA.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Remembering And Revisiting Resistance To The Mountain Valley Pipeline, Inside Appalachia
Mar 25, 2024
Red Terry’s property in Bent Mountain, Virginia, is in the path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. She says the place was beautiful, but she's worried about the dangers of the pipeline not far from her home.
Plus, almost everybody has a favorite cup or coffee mug, but how far would you go to replace it? One woman would go pretty far.
And… we explore an effort in western Virginia to make old-time music more available to Black musicians.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Coles and Red Terry at their home in Virginia in 2024. Photo Credit: Mason Adams/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
People have been fighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline since it was first announced. The project runs through West Virginia and Virginia, connecting natural gas terminals with a 303-mile pipeline stretching across some of Appalachia’s most rugged terrain. Almost immediately after construction began, protestors tried to block it by setting up platforms in trees along the route and living in them.
In 2018, host Mason Adams interviewed activist and tree sitter Theresa “Red” Terry, as she protested against the pipeline on her own property.
Six years later, with the pipeline nearly finished, Adams went back to Bent Mountain to talk with Red Terry and her husband Coles to hear what’s happened since Red came down from her tree sit.
The Last Unicorn (Mug)
The magic is in the mug. Photo Credit: Wendy Welch/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Folkways stories come in all shapes and sizes. And sometimes, they bring a little magic – like a story about how losing a very special mug can lead to finding something greater.
Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this tale of a potter who lost her mojo and a woman who helped her get it back.
Earl White’s Old-Time Music
Earl White (right) with wife and bandmate, Adrienne Davis, in their home in Floyd County, Virginia. White and Davis are both old-time musicians, and they host a music camp on their farm called Big Indian Music Camp. Photo Credit: Nicole Musgrave/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Appalachian old-time music brings together traditions from man cultures: African and African American, Native American and Scots-Irish. And yet, the contributions of Black and Indigenous musicians have often been erased or overlooked. In Floyd County, Virginia, one man has spent years working to make old-time music more available to Black musicians.
Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave has this story.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jeff Ellis, June Carter Cash, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood, Earl White, Amethyst Kiah, Tyler Childers and Dinosaur Burps.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Potholes, Solar Panels, COVID-19 Lessons And Sleeping Babies, This West Virginia Week
Mar 23, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, spring has sprung! We’ll look at patching potholes, how babies learn to sleep and what’s changed in health care four years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plus, we’ll discuss the largest single renewable power project in the state, a lawsuit filed by environmental groups against the U.S. EPA, new developments in an opioid court case and a dispute between creditors of Gov. Jim Justice.
Finally, we’ll hear what two experts have to say about President Joe Biden’s pause on new permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals.
Curtis Tate is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
A Quest For A Lost Mug And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 22, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, our program Inside Appalachia features stories about all things Appalachia, including an epic quest to find a lost coffee mug. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle. We listen to their performance of “Jim Devlin.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Fourth Anniversary Of COVID-19 In W.Va. And A Look At The ‘Moonshine Bill,’ This West Virginia Morning
Mar 21, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, March 17, 2020 marked the day West Virginia became the last state in the U.S. to test positive for COVID-19. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with two state health leaders about the fourth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in West Virginia.
Also, in this show, distilling a piece of Appalachian heritage bubbled up debate in the West Virginia Legislature during the 2024 regular session. Randy Yohe reports on the spirited exchange of views prompted by the “Moonshine Bill.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Infant Sleep And Longtime Tradition Returns To W.Va. Schools For Deaf, Blind, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 20, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, sleep is a key part of both mental and physical health for everyone. But for many parents, ensuring their baby is getting good sleep can be frustrating and elusive. In our latest installment of our new series “Now What? A Series On Parenting,” reporter Chris Schulz speaks with Dr. Paul Knowles, a Marshall Health neurologist and assistant professor at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, about infant sleep.
Also, in this show, a tradition at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind allowed kids from across the state to show off their braille and cane usage skills. It was placed on hiatus during the pandemic. This year, the tradition made a grand return. Jack Walker visited the school’s campus in Romney to learn more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Possible Changes Coming To Student Vaccination Rules, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 19, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the state has long been a standards bearer for vaccination rates across the country, but the legislature this year passed a bill to loosen restrictions for certain students in the state. But it has one final hurdle to clear before it’s implemented. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, a bill Gov. Jim Justice vetoed last week would have helped fund research to treat Alzheimer’s disease, substance use disorder and more. Randy Yohe has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Experts Weigh In On Permitting Suspension For Liquefied Natural Gas, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 18, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, a recent decision by the Biden administration to suspend permitting for new export terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has drawn criticism from West Virginia lawmakers. To hear what impact the decision has on United States LNG exports, Curtis Tate spoke with Sam Reynolds and Ana Maria Jaller-Markarewicz of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Also, in this show, the U.S. has seen a huge buildout in plants using fossil fuels to make plastics over the last decade. A new report finds those plants routinely break environmental laws, even though they receive major subsidies from taxpayers. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports Shell’s ethane cracker in Beaver County, Pennsylvania was given over $1 billion in tax breaks yet violated its air pollution permit even before opening.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Encore: What Is Appalachia? We Asked People From Around The Region. Here’s What They Said
Mar 18, 2024
This week, we’re revisiting our episode “What Is Appalachia?” from December 2021. Appalachia connects mountainous parts of the South, the Midwest, the Rust belt and even the Northeast. The Appalachian Regional Commission defined the boundaries for Appalachia in 1965 with the creation of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. It was legislation that sought to expand social welfare, and some localities were eager for the money, while others resisted the designation. The boundaries and definition of Appalachia can now only be changed by an act of Congress.
Politically, Appalachia encompasses 423 counties across 13 states — and West Virginia’s the only state entirely inside the region.
That leaves so much room for geographic and cultural variation, as well as many different views on what Appalachia really is.
For Inside Appalachia, we turned our entire episode over to the question, “What is Appalachia?” With stories from Mississippi to Pittsburgh, we asked people across our region whether they consider themselves to be Appalachian.
A 1996 map that shows the southern part of Appalachia, as defined by John Alexander Williams.
Mississippi
Bob Owens — locally known as ‘Pop Owens,' stands in front of his watermelon stand outside New Houlka, Mississippi. Pop says he was aware that Mississippi is part of Appalachia, but that no one in the state would consider themselves Appalachian. Credit: Caitlin Tan/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Bob Owens is a watermelon farmer outside New Houlka, in the northeastern part of Mississippi. Owens said he was aware that Mississippi is part of Appalachia, but that no one in the state would consider themselves Appalachian. “I consider myself the worst redneck you’ve ever seen,” Owens said. “I live in the area of the Appalachian mountain range — not part of it, but close to it. So I guess you call me a redneck Appalachian.” This is the general consensus among the people in Mississippi we spoke to.
Geographically, the foothills of the Appalachian mountain range are located in northern Mississippi. The state’s tallest point is Woodall Mountain, 806 feet in elevation. For reference, the highest point in North Carolina, Mount Mitchell, is more than 6,600 feet in elevation, eight times higher than Woodall Mountain.
Co-host Caitlin Tan spoke with Texas State University History professor Justin Randolph, who wrote an essay for “Southern Cultures” called “The Making of Appalachian Mississippi.” Randolph argues in his essay that Mississippi became part of Appalachia for political and racial reasons, as well as economic advantages the designation brought to the 24 counties in Mississippi that were included in the ARC’s boundaries.
Shenandoah Valley
In the 1960s, while some localities were clamoring to get into Appalachia, on the eastern edge of the region, some lawmakers fought to keep their counties outside the boundaries, including politicians in Roanoke, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Appalachian Studies associate professor Emily Satterwhite said explaining to her students why some counties in Virginia are included in Appalachia, but others aren’t, is confusing. “
The students in front of me are wondering why they're not included,” White said.
Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania skyline. Courtesy
Appalachia’s largest city is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When we asked people from that city to tell us if they consider it a part of Appalachia, about half said no. “I definitely do not feel that I am Appalachian culturally,” said Mark Jovanovich, who grew up just outside Pittsburgh’s city limits in the Woodland Hills area. “Personally, I would consider the city of Pittsburgh is sort of like a mini New York City. I guess we'd probably be lumped in as like a Rust Belt city, which makes enough sense, but definitely not Appalachian culturally.”
An editor advised him to change the title of his book to a phrase that he said is sometimes used to refer to Pittsburgh derisively. “I couldn't figure out why that should be a putdown, because Paris is nice. And Appalachia is a beautiful part of the world. And if we were called the Paris of the Rockies, we wouldn't run from that. So why would we run from this? Why don't we embrace it? So that became the title of my book.”
He said that geographically, Pittsburgh is clearly in the Appalachian Mountains. “I mean, this is one mountain range that stretches from Georgia to Maine. And the idea that it belongs only to the southern part of the mountain range defies logic to me,” O’Neill said.
What Do You Think?
How about you? Do you call yourself an Appalachian? Why or why not? Send us an email to InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by John Wyatt, John R Miller, Alan Cathead Johnston, and Dinosaur Burps. Roxy Todd originally produced this episode. Bill Lynch is our current producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Alex Runyon was our associate producer on this original episode. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Babies, Beavers And A Special Session At The Capitol, This West Virginia Week
Mar 16, 2024
Another year's legislative session is now behind us, but news of a special session this spring means the West Virginia Legislature won’t be gone for long.
In the meantime, we’ll dive into stories on education, including stories on a new study on special education and a group of West Virginia principals visiting the United States Capitol.
Plus, we’ll discuss potential expansions to passenger train services, protections for residents with Long COVID and the return of the beaver to Appalachia.
Finally, we’ll listen to the first installment of a new series on parenting that will explore the most up-to-date advice for infant care.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Book Explores Mysteries Of White Tail Deer And James McMurtry Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 15, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, few wild animals live as close to us as white tail deer. Graceful and majestic, they’re prized by hunters and hated by backyard gardeners. Deer are everywhere and misunderstood.
Erika Howsare is the author of The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors, a book that takes some of the mystery out of these animals that have lived on the edge of humanity for a very long time.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from James McMurtry and our 40th anniversary celebration. We listen to McMurtry’s performance of “Painting by Numbers,” which appears on his 1989 album Too Long In The Wasteland.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Remembering Travis Stimeling And The Debate Over Weed Killer Dicamba, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 14, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, it was a shock when author, musician and West Virginia University professor Travis Stimeling died abruptly in November. They were 43. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold collected remembrances from colleagues, former students and friends. He shared them recently on Inside Appalachia.
Also, in this show, farmers in America’s heartland are watching the effects of a recent federal court ruling about a popular weed killer called dicamba. The decision stops the use of dicamba, saying the herbicide can drift to injure and kill desirable plants, bushes and trees. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now says despite the ruling, farmers may use existing supplies on their fields this year.
On the latest episode of Us & Them, we bring back a story from our archives about this ugly battle in farm country. Host Trey Kay and his colleague Loretta Williams head deep into farm country to hear from Bo Sloan. He’s the manager of a national wildlife refuge surrounded by farm fields where dicamba is sprayed. Here’s an excerpt from Us & Them’s “Dicamba Woes.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
WVPB Launches New Parenting Series And State’s Beaver Population Is On The Rise, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 13, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, we begin a new series called “Now What? A Series On Parenting.” WVPB reporter Chris Schulz recently welcomed his first child and is grappling with how much there is to learn. In this ongoing, occasional series, we ask experts what they think parents – both old and new – need to know to best raise their children.
In this first installment, we talk with Dr. Adriana Diakiw, an assistant professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University (WVU), to explore how discussions between grandparents and new parents reveal just how much advice around what’s “best for baby” has changed in just one generation.
Also, in this show, a familiar species is coming back to West Virginia. Jack Walker spoke to conservationists about how they’re preparing for new arrivals.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Us & Them Encore: Dicamba Woes
Mar 13, 2024
There's a nationwide rift among farmers over the use of dicamba, a popular herbicide. A 2024 federal court ruling has halted dicamba's use, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the green light for farmers to use existing supplies this year.
In this episode of Us & Them, we revisit a story from our archives that delves into the intense battle unfolding in farm country. Originally designed to help soybean farmers combat 'pigweed,' dicamba has proven controversial because it drifts from where it’s sprayed, causing harm to desirable plants. The legal fallout has reached a point where farmers and gardeners hesitate to speak out about crop or plant damage due to fear.
On the flip side, those advocating for dicamba have taken the matter to court, challenging the authority over pesticide use rules in some states. In a departure from the typical tight-knit atmosphere of rural farm communities, where issues are often resolved locally, Arkansas is experiencing an un-neighborly atmosphere, with tensions escalating.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the Fund for Investigative Journalism, the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Terry Fuller, former member of the Arkansas Plant Board, shows Us & Them host Trey Kay the place where several of his hay bales were set ablaze not long after he made public statements calling for limitation on the use of a special formulation of dicamba during the growing season. Fuller also says that two of his tractors were vandalized which caused more than $60,000 worth of damage. Photo Credit: Loretta WilliamsTerry Fuller, former member of the Arkansas Plant Board, displays a couple of signs that have repeatedly been posted alongside the roads near his house. One sign could be seen from his daughter’s bedroom window on Christmas Day. Photo Credit: Loretta WilliamsRichard Coy’s family has been in the honey producing business since the 1960s. Over the years, Coy’s Honey Farm became the largest commercial bee business in Arkansas. Coy claims dicamba has had an adverse effect on the plant life necessary for honey bees to thrive and produce honey. He says the conditions got so bad that he and his family had to move their business from Arkansas to Mississippi. Photo Credit: Loretta WilliamsFranklin Fogelman, a soybean farmer in Arkansas, speaking at a special session of the Arkansas Plant Board in 2019. He believes farmers like him need to be able to use dicamba during the growing season to control weeds in their fields. Photo Credit: Loretta WilliamsReed Storey, a soybean and cotton farmer, opposes the use of the newer formulations of dicamba during the growing season because he believes the herbicide can harm the crops of neighboring farmers. He sees this as “big agriculture against smaller growers.” Photo Credit: Loretta WilliamsCharles “Bo” Sloan is the manager of the Dale Bumpers White River Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. He says dicamba has a tendency to volatilize when the weather gets above 85 degrees. When the chemical transforms into a gas, it can drift away from its intended targets. Sloan has heard the complaints that dicamba might adversely impact agriculture, and is also worried that it might be harming the environment in some of the nation’s protected lands. Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Check out the original Farm Wars episode the Us & Them team produced for Reveal in 2019.
New Analysis On Special Education And A Look At Growing Flood Events, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 12, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, a new analysis of special education data hopes to advance understanding and solutions for students with the greatest need. Chris Schulz has more.
Also, in this show, flood events are becoming more frequent and severe in West Virginia, causing millions of dollars in damage to property, disrupting communities and displacing lives. Curtis Tate spoke with Nicolas Zegre, an associate professor of forest hydrology at West Virginia University (WVU), about what’s behind this trend.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
The Brasstown Carvers And 2024 State Legislative Session Comes To A Close, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 11, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature wrapped up its 60-day regular session Saturday night with a flurry of activity in the House of Delegates. The Senate, on the other hand, spent the last hour recognizing staff and shutting down 15 minutes early. Eric Douglas has this lookback.
Also, in this show, the Brasstown Carvers have been a part of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina since the 1920s. The group’s woodwork has been celebrated, sought after and collected. Today, only a handful of Brasstown Carvers remain, but they’re still attracting new students and trying to shape a new future. Folkways Reporter Stefani Priskos has this story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Remembering Travis Stimeling And The Age Of Deer, Inside Appalachia
Mar 11, 2024
Inside Appalachia remembers Travis Stimeling. The author, musician and educator left a deep mark on Appalachian culture, and the people who practice and document it.
And, grab your dancing shoes and learn about a movement to make square dance calling more inclusive.
Plus, it’s not just you. There are more deer than ever these days. A writer explores the long, complicated entwinement of people and our wild kin.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Remembering Travis Stimeling, A Musician, Scholar And Mentor
Travis Stimeling, a WVU professor and noted scholar of traditional Appalachian music, died in their home on Nov. 14, 2023. Photo Credit: Ellen Linscheid
Travis Stimeling carried the torch for bluegrass and traditional music in Appalachia.
It was a shock when the author, musician and West Virginia University (WVU) professor died abruptly in November at the age of 43. News of their passing prompted an outpouring of remembrances from colleagues, former students and friends.
Some shared their stories with Folkways Reporter Zack Harold, who brought us this remembrance.
Traditional Dance Callers Updating For Inclusivity
A multi-generational group of dancers follows Becky Hill’s calling at the Augusta Heritage Center in July 2023. Photo Credit: Lydia Warren/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The use of they/them pronouns signals more than a change in language; it’s also a cultural change that allows for people to be identified as they see themselves. And, it’s happening even in the region’s dance halls.
Folkways Reporter Lydia Warren brought us the story.
The Age Of Deer
Erika Howsare explores our relationship to deer, which has been long and complicated. Courtesy Photo
Few animals are as polarizing as the white tail deer. They’re graceful and majestic — and kind of cool to see up close. But they can also ravage gardens, and drivers hit countless deer every year.
Yet, there seem to be more deer than ever.
Erika Howsare is the author of The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Howsare.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Amythyst Kiah, Watchhouse, John Blissard, Yonder Mountain String Band and Larry Rader.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
2024 State Legislative Session Nears Its Close, This West Virginia Week
Mar 09, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session is wrapping up. Saturday, March 9 is the final day state lawmakers can consider bills during this regular session. We bring you conversations with members of the House of Delegates and Senate who look back at the last 60 days — and ahead.
We also bring you conversations from our new student reporter program, and we hear from our statehouse reporters who share what they’ve been watching this session.
Finally, we’ll hear from a professor who helps us understand our vaccination laws in West Virginia.
Liz McCormick is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final Hours Of 2024 Session
Mar 08, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our final reporter roundtable of the 2024 state legislative session. WVPB statehouse reporters Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney talk with Leah Willingham from the Associated Press about the past 60 days and the upcoming final hours of the session on Saturday.
In the House Friday, the chamber started the day with more than 60 bills on third reading. Bills passed and sent to the governor included posting the national motto in schools, lowering prescription costs, fixing substandard recovery residences and the development of Corridor H. Randy Yohe has the story.
In the Senate, the chamber has so far approved 361 bills from both the House and Senate this year, but there are several left to discuss and a lot of those bills are controversial. Briana Heaney looks at what the Senate worked on Thursday night, on Friday, as well as some of the legislation slated for Friday evening.
Finally, for their last story, our high school reporters Ben Valleau and Ameera Mustafa look at bills in the legislature that involve mental health issues.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezii7F1lo7I
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Join WVPB Saturday, March 9 at 8 p.m. for our special Final Hours program on The Legislature Today. Please note, this program will only be available on WVPB TV and not live streamed on YouTube.
State Senators Talk Latest In 2024 Session And Nellie McKay Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 08, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, our state Senate reporter Briana Heaney sat down with Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, on The Legislature Today to discuss where things stand in the legislative process and how that compares to what they planned to do at the beginning of the session.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from singer/songwriter Nellie McKay, whose music incorporates many different styles infused with her zany and profound interpretations of life. We listen to her performance of “Drinking Song.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
State Senators Weigh In On The Bills That Passed, Failed This Session
Mar 07, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, our Senate reporter Briana Heaney talks with Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, to discuss where things stand and how that compares to what they planned to do at the beginning of the session.
Also, earlier in the day Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation to extend the legislative session by one day to allow the legislature to finalize the state budget bill. There has been discussion about a special session in May to finalize questions regarding a potential federal claw back of COVID-19 relief funds.
In the House, there was a long debate over minorities purchasing car dealerships and another contested debate over control of the Legislative Auditor’s office. Other proposals included smoking in the car with a child and taking action over a massive federal deficit.
In the Senate, the chamber passed several House bills, some of which head to the governor and others back to the House to concur on changes. Some notable bills in the Senate Thursday were on topics such as renewable energy, pornography and cyber security. Briana Heaney has more.
Finally, a state Senate committee heard new details Wednesday about how the Pleasants Power Station will be converted from coal to hydrogen. Curtis Tate has the story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcjOSfLshVA
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
A Legislative Reporter Recap And A Look At Air Emissions From Fracking, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 07, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, with just days left of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session, WVPB reporters Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney sit down to discuss the many bills that have passed or failed this session.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story looks at air emissions coming from fracking sites and the people who are getting sick.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
WVPB Reporters Recap Bills Passed And Failed This Session
Mar 06, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, when the session began in January, our government reporter Randy Yohe was assigned to cover the House of Delegates and our southern West Virginia reporter Briana Heaney was assigned the Senate. With a budget bill still to be finalized, Yohe and Heaney offer some of their insights into bill proposals, passed and failed, that affect the lives, wallets and communities of West Virginia.
In the House Wednesday, several Senate bills on third reading were sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. Bills were completed on adult education, safeguarding health care worker’s personal information, and leadership and structural changes to the Educational Broadcasting Authority – which governs West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Randy Yohe has more.
Also, a bill with bipartisan support to criminalize artificial intelligence (AI) child pornography now has an unexpected insert – resurrecting a bill regarding libraries and obscene materials. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate Wednesday, the chamber processed many House bills with zero debate and unanimous or near unanimous votes. It was also Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol. Briana Heaney has more.
Finally, the Senate Health Committee met in front of a room full of white coat-wearing physicians to discuss House Bill 5105 – a bill to eliminate vaccine requirements for public virtual schools. The committee approve the bill after amending it to remove religious exemptions for public school students, but not for private and parochial school students. The bill will now be considered by the full Senate.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcnojxp9ug
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Understanding Vaccination Laws In The State On This West Virginia Morning
Mar 06, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, amidst a flurry of vaccine legislation, Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with Dr. Susan Flesher, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Marshall University, for a conversation about vaccination laws in West Virginia.
Also, in this show, community air monitoring has been debated during this legislative session, and House Bill 5018 would restrict how data from air monitors could be used. But a Senate committee meeting that was expected to consider this legislation Tuesday was canceled, so the fate of the bill is uncertain.
Curtis Tate spoke with Morgan King, the West Virginia regional organizer for the Climate Reality Project, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, to get an update on that and other issues.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmakers Debate Budget And Federal Funding Claw Back
Mar 05, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we are in the final days of the 2024 session, and there is a rush to get bills across the finish line – including the budget bill.
In the House, much of the debate Tuesday morning focused on satisfying a $465 million federal claw back regarding the state’s spending on education. When it came to the budget debate – some promised program funding not education related - fell by the wayside. Randy Yohe reports.
Also, two bills debated in the House Judiciary Committee dealt with two lightning rod issues: crimes regarding married couples and sexual abuse, and setting parameters on teaching scientific theories when it comes to the creation of the universe – and of life. Randy Yohe has more.
School discipline was identified as a key issue coming into this year’s legislative session. But with the session’s end just days away, a key school discipline bill is in question after a contentious committee meeting Monday afternoon. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, community air monitoring has been a topic of debate this session. House Bill 5018 would restrict how data from the monitors could be used in the regulatory process or in court. But a Senate hearing on the bill Tuesday was canceled, so the fate of HB 5018 is unknown. Also, the West Virginia Office of Energy released a priority action plan last week. Curtis Tate spoke with Morgan King, the West Virginia regional organizer for the Climate Reality Project, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, to get an update on that and other issues.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBCVgfV2WoI
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Lawmakers Look To Budget In Final Week Of Session, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 05, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, as we enter the final week of the state legislative session, we decided to check in with party leaders to see how they feel about the session and whether they met their priorities. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha. WVPB invited Republican House leaders to join in the discussion, but none were available.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
All Eyes On The Budget As 2024 Session Enters Final Week
Mar 04, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we’ve begun the final week of the 60-day West Virginia Legislative session, and everything wraps up Saturday at midnight. Randy Yohe talks with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, to see how his caucus feels about the session and whether they met their priorities for this year. WVPB invited House Majority Whip Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, to join the conversation, but he was unable to participate.
In the House Monday, bills that were delayed, tabled or banished stood out more than what the chamber passed. The underlying concern was passing a budget with a possible $465 million deficit looking over the legislature’s shoulder. Randy Yohe reports.
House Democrats held a press conference before the floor session Monday. Their single topic was the budget, now under debate.
In the Senate, the chamber approved several House bills. Some head to the governor's for a signature. Others head back to the House for consideration of any Senate changes. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, advocates gathered under the Capitol dome Monday to educate lawmakers about the prevention of addictions and mental health struggles. Emily Rice has this story.
Finally, euthanasia, or medically assisted suicide, is already illegal in the state. Now, a legislative resolution aims to reaffirm that stance. Jack Walker reports on what lawmakers think about the policy from both sides of the aisle.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X84EfWRG0Iw
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Student Reporters Share Experience Working On The Legislature Today, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 04, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, this legislative session, we had high school reporters on The Legislature Today who covered issues of interest to them while they also learned about the legislative process. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Ameera Mustafa and Ben Valleau to hear what they had to say.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story explores efforts to restore the Ohio River Valley.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Brasstown Carvers, Willie Carver And Cabbagetown, Inside Appalachia
Mar 04, 2024
For nearly a century, some of the best wood carvers in Appalachia have trained at a folk school in North Carolina. The Brasstown Carvers still welcome newcomers to come learn the craft.
In 2021, Willie Carver was named Kentucky’s Teacher of the Year. Then he left his job over homophobia and became an activist and celebrated poet.
And, the zine Porch Beers chronicles the author’s life in Appalachia — including a move from Huntington to Chattanooga, and back again.
You're hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Angela Wynn and Richard Carter carve tiny beavers out of basswood at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. The Brasstown Carvers continue on through new generations of woodworkers. Credit: Stefani Priskos/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Brasstown Carvers have been a part of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina almost since its founding in the 1920s. The group’s woodwork has been celebrated, sought after and collected. Today, only a handful of Brasstown Carvers remain, but they’re still attracting new students and trying to shape a new future.
Folkways Reporter Stefani Priskos has the story.
Gay Poems For Red States And Appalachia’s Love Language
Willie Carver, Kentucky educator, poet and proud Appalachian. Courtesy
Willie Carver was Kentucky’s teacher of the year in 2021. He taught English and French for 10 years at Montgomery County High School, where he also oversaw several student clubs.
He’s also gay and not everyone accepted a gay high school teacher. Carver said he and his LGBTQ students were harassed.
In 2022, he resigned from the high school.
Last summer, Carver released the bookGay Poems for Red States, which attracted a lot of praise and helped turn him into a much-followed, outspoken voice on social media.
Bill Lynch spoke with Carver.
Cracking Open Porch Beers
Elliott Stewart, the publisher of the zine Porch Beers takes a look at life as an Appalachian trans man. Courtesy
Elliott Stewart has been making zines since he was 13. His ongoing zine “Porch Beers” is an incisive look at Appalachian culture, through the eyes of a queer trans man. “Porch Beers” dives into pop culture fandom, West Virginia food and Stewart’s complicated relationship with his hometown of Huntington, West Virginia.
Mason Adams spoke with Elliott Stewart about his zine and about what a “porch beer” is anyway.
A Trip To Cabbagetown
Cabbagetown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Archival Image
After the Civil War, droves of Appalachian workers migrated to a mill town in the middle of Atlanta, eventually known as Cabbagetown. Many went to work at the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill and raised families in Atlanta, but the area is still home to urban Appalachian culture and traditions.
Jess Mador has the story.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Dinosaur Burps, John Inghram, Tyler Childers, Mary Hott, Joyce Brookshire and John Blissard.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Potential Kroger Strike, Southern Coal And Artificial Intelligence, This West Virginia Week
Mar 02, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, the state legislature began winding down its 2024 session. Wednesday marked the last day for new bills to pass out of their chamber of origin, and now both the House and Senate are voting on bills proposed by their colleagues across the rotunda.
We talked to lawmakers about some bills that were passed this week, like a contentious proposal to remove vaccine mandates in some West Virginia schools, and a bill addressing potential risks tied to artificial intelligence (AI).
Plus, we’ll discuss a possible strike at a major grocery chain, a court case involving one of Gov. Jim Justice’s companies and what’s next for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., steps down.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Final Week Of 2024 Session Looms, Budget Questions Remain
Mar 01, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, there is just one more week of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session. These last days of the regular session are usually when state budget issues are debated and resolved. But a surprise notification from the federal government that the state return nearly half a billion dollars in COVID-19 funds has several major legislative funding issues on hold. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate Friday, the chamber advanced several pieces of legislation including bills on suspended school personnel, artificial intelligence (AI) and running for office. Briana Heaney has that story.
In the House, the chamber approved bills on gun shops, county funds and they memorialized a former delegate who recently passed away. Randy Yohe has more.
Also, hundreds of high school students filled the Capitol Rotunda on Friday to show off their career and technical skills. Emily Rice has more.
Finally, this session, our student reporters have been covering issues of interest to them while they have learned about the legislative process. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Ameera Mustafa and Ben Valleau to hear what they had to say about their experience.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEDHYaJO6b8
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
New Book ‘Gay Poems For Red States’ And Amy Ray Band Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Mar 01, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, Willie Carver was Kentucky’s teacher of the year in 2021, but as a gay man, he and some of his students were harassed. So, in 2022, he resigned from Montgomery County High School. Last summer, he released Gay Poems for Red States. The book earned praise and helped turn Carver into a much-followed, outspoken voice on social media.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch recently caught up with Carver.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week is by Amy Ray Band. We listen to her performance of “A Mighty Thing.” It’s the leading title of her 10th solo album If It All Goes South.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Reporter Roundtable Looks Back And Ahead To Final Days Of 2024 Session
Feb 29, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we sit down a day early for our weekly reporter roundtable. Randy Yohe, Emily Rice and our newest reporter Jack Walker discuss some of the legislation that has moved so far this week.
Also, the Senate Wednesday night passed a bill that would reduce overall unemployment benefits but increase initial benefits, and they approved a bill that would affect transgender people in the state. Briana Heaney has the story.
In the House Thursday, global partnerships and international politics took center stage, along with a continuing legislative effort to address the mental health crisis among the state’s first responders. Randy Yohe has the story.
And, a bill allowing suspended school employees to attend public functions at schools has now passed both education committees. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, it was Arts Day at the Capitol, a day when artists and organizations gather in the rotunda to spread the word on the variety of arts in West Virginia. Landon Mitchell has the story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_9HBOoRGI
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Future Of AI And Issues With Natural Gas Storage Wells, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 29, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, there has been a lot of discussion about artificial intelligence (AI), but many of us use it every day without even thinking about it. Randy Yohe spoke with Joshua Spence, chief information officer for Alpha Technologies, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, on what AI means for now and the future.
Also, in this show, we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story looks at issues with natural gas storage wells and their potential for failure.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
A Discussion On The Future Of AI In W.Va.
Feb 28, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, it was Crossover Day, meaning all bills must be passed out of their chamber of origin if they are to be considered this session.
Briana Heaney and Randy Yohe have stories from the Senate and House as both chambers worked to get through a flurry of legislation.
Also, a new information portal would be available to foster parents and kinship caregivers if a House bill becomes law. Emily Rice has this story.
Finally, it took 66 years to go from the Wright Brothers to the moon. Experts say it won't take that long for artificial intelligence to turn everything on its head. AI is top of mind for the state’s legislative leadership as well. Randy Yohe talked with Joshua Spence, chief information officer for Alpha Technologies, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, on what AI means for now and the future.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHcxky27y6o
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Lawmakers Discuss Vaccines In Private, Virtual Schools, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 28, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, there has been a lot of discussion in the West Virginia Legislature this year about vaccines and whether they should be required in private, parochial or virtual schools. Emily Rice spoke with Del. Chris Pritt, R-Kanawha, and Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, to get their perspectives.
Also, in this show, one of the banks barred from state contracts by the Treasurer’s Office is financing the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Curtis Tate has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmakers Talk Whether Private Schools Should Require Student Vaccinations
Feb 27, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, there has been a lot of discussion this year about vaccines and whether they should be required in private schools, and there has been spirited debate on the topic in the last few days. Health Reporter Emily Rice spoke with Del. Chris Pritt, R-Kanawha, and Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, about this issue.
Also, nearly 2,600 bills have been introduced this session, but fewer than 50 have completed legislative action so far. Wednesday is Crossover Day, meaning it will be the final day for bills to be passed out of their chamber of origin.
In the House, the chamber considered more than 30 bills on third reading, including proposals highlighting water service cut offs, banning mugshots, helping veterans and outlawing deep fake election material.
In the Senate, the chamber passed a bill that would require public schools to show a video on the early stages of human development – and include language that life begins at conception. They also considered bills on competitive sports teams, tobacco and exams.
And, as this year’s window for proposing new legislation draws to a close, nonprofits that support victims of domestic violence are calling for more state funding. Jack Walker has the story.
Finally, with the deadline of Crossover Day looming, committees in both chambers are working through bill after bill. Education committees in both the House and Senate moved quickly at the start of the week to advance or decline more than a dozen bills. Chris Schulz has more.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHHCzk-7Tg4
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
A Conversation With New Mountaineer Area Council Boy Scout Chair Amy Garbrick, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 27, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the Mountaineer Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves 12 counties in north central West Virginia. On Feb. 8, the council appointed the first woman to serve as its governing board president. Jack Walker spoke with new president Amy Garbrick about her scouting background and gender inclusivity in scouting since the Boy Scouts became co-ed in 2019.
Also, in this show, West Virginia, like most of the country, is enjoying record setting low unemployment numbers after the coronavirus pandemic. For The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney sat down with Josh Sword, president of West Virginia's AFL-CIO union, and Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, to discuss two bills that would reduce unemployment benefits in the state.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Further Reducing Unemployment Numbers In W.Va.
Feb 26, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, West Virginia, like most of the country, is enjoying record setting low unemployment numbers after the coronavirus pandemic. Briana Heaney sat down with Josh Sword, president of West Virginia's AFL-CIO, and Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, to discuss two bills that would reduce unemployment benefits in the state.
Also, we’re in the final two weeks of the 2024 state legislative session. All bills, except for the budget bill, must be out of their chamber of origin by the end of the day Wednesday to give time to consider the bill. This is called Crossover Day.
In the House Monday, lawmakers passed bills on third reading altering the state’s definition of human trafficking and a separate bill increasing leniency over youth vaccination. Jack Walker has the story.
In the Senate, the chamber passed and advanced bills concerning marital sexual assault and unemployment benefits. Briana Heaney has the story.
Finally, it was Nursing Day at the Capitol. Bob Brunner spoke with nurses about the challenges they face, and he spoke with a leader who runs a retreat for nurses who are burned out.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiVu0kYHrdw
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
New Documentary Highlights Niagara Movement On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 26, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, a group of Black civil rights leaders in 1905 came together to form the Niagara Movement. Historians describe the group as a precursor to the NAACP. The group was founded in Ontario, Canada. But soon it forged ties with historic Harpers Ferry. Now, a new documentary on aims to highlight the movement’s origins and trajectory. Plus, it’s shedding a light on lesser-known pieces of West Virginia history. Jack Walker has the story.
Also, in this show, for our reporter roundtable in last Friday’s episode of The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with our primary legislative reporters — Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney — to discuss some of the things we’ve been reporting on this week.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Step Dancing At WVSU And Radioactive Brine, Inside Appalachia
Feb 26, 2024
Step shows are a tradition at many historically Black universities, including schools in Appalachia. We hear about one that’s part of West Virginia State University’s annual homecoming celebration.
Abandoned industrial sites have long been a magnet for people to explore and turn into not-at-all-legal hangout spots, but some come with hidden dangers. We learn about the danger at Fairmont Brine, a site in West Virginia that processed liquid used in hydraulic fracking.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Members of Delta Sigma Theta at WVSU's homecoming. The sorority was part of the annual step show at the university. Photo Credit: WVSU’s Alpha Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Fraternities and sororities at West Virginia State University (WVSU), one of the state’s two historically Black universities, introduced step dancing at the school decades ago. They made it part of the school’s annual homecoming celebration.
Folkways Reporter Traci Phillips has been attending step shows since she was a kid. Last fall, she brought along her 11-year-old daughter Jayli. They brought us the story.
Teaching Soul Food
Xavier Oglesby cuts onions for a macaroni salad he is cooking inside Manna House Ministries’ kitchen. A pot of boiling water is behind him, cooking the pasta for the dish. Photo Credit: Vanessa Peña/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Appalachian table is complex and varied. Along with biscuits and gravy, it includes things like collard greens, extra cheesy mac and cheese and fried chicken feet — soul food.
Soul food is associated with southern Black communities, but it’s also traditional to Appalachia, too.
Folkways Fellow Vanessa Peña visited with Xavier Oglesby, a master artist in soul food cooking from Beckley, West Virginia.
Radioactive And Dangerous
Fairmont Brine has fallen into disrepair since it was abandoned. Photo Credit: Justin Nobel
Starting in the late 2000s, parts of Appalachia saw a natural gas boom from hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. But, some of that faded and in some places, the oil and gas industry has left behind dangerous industrial sites — like Fairmont Brine in Marion County, West Virginia.
Left alone, the abandoned site became a popular hangout spot for unsuspecting young folks.
Mason Adams spoke with Nobel about his investigation.
Sugar Syrup Season In Central Appalachia
Valerie Lowry offers samples to visitors at the Highland County Maple Syrup Festival. Photo Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Highland County, Virginia and its neighbors in West Virginia are some of the southernmost places in the U.S. to make maple syrup.
Generations of people in these communities have turned tapping trees for syrup into a longstanding tradition — but modern producers are experimenting with new syrups while adapting to changing demands, and a changing climate.
Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett brought us the story.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jeff Ellis, Tyler Childers, Amethyst Kiah, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood and Frank George.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
The Postal Service, The Legislative Auditor, Fossils And Statues, This West Virginia Week
Feb 24, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, the state legislature got to work as the session drew closer to its final stretch. Lawmakers talked about home schooling, raw milk, keeping youth safe online, allowing 14-year-olds to work, and creating a lasting monument to one of the state’s most beloved figures, war hero Woody Williams.
We’ll also hear about the United States Postal Service’s proposed changes to mail processing, what the legislative auditor’s office does, and finally, we’ll talk to a Marshall University professor who studies fossils.
Curtis Tate is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Two More Weeks Of The 2024 W.Va. Legislative Session
Feb 23, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we are in the final stages of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session, and the pace is picking up with just two more weeks to go. Next Wednesday, Feb. 28, marks what is known as Crossover Day. That is the day all bills must be out of their chamber of origin if they are to be considered for passage this year.
In the House Friday, bills on third reading ranged from improving schools and learning, to providing guidance on social media and political campaign ads, along with harsher penalties for the sexual assault of a minor. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber considered bills on welfare, natural hair, oil and gas taxes, as well as one that would affect West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, marriage would no longer be a defense in cases of sexual assault if a Senate bill becomes law. Emily Rice has more.
And, our high school reporters were interested in interviewing some of the people behind the scenes that make the legislative session run. Ameera Mustafa interviews Senate Doorkeeper Jeff Branham.
Unfortunately, there was a problem with the audio recording of high school reporter Ben Valleau’s interview with Donnie Linkenhoger, so we are unable to bring you that part of the program. Our apologies to Mr. Linkenhoger and Mr. Valleau.
Finally, for our reporter roundtable this week, Chris Schulz joins our two primary legislative reporters, Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney, to discuss some of the things they’ve been reporting on this week.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2dCQ_p0Rnw
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Investigative Reporter Looks At Fracking Near Fairmont And Wilco Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 23, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, parts of Appalachia saw a natural gas boom from fracking, but as fortunes have changed, the industry has left behind dangerous industrial sites — including one near Fairmont, which became a popular hangout spot for the young. Investigative Reporter Justin Nobel has been looking into this and spoke with Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams about what he discovered.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Wilco. We listen to their performance of “Cruel Country” from their twelfth studio album of the same name.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Senate Education Chair Weighs In On Bills To Address Educational Problems In W.Va.
Feb 22, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, from staffing to security, West Virginia's schools are facing a variety of issues. Bills introduced this year have ranged from associate degrees for vocational students to reducing barriers to teacher certification. Chris Schulz spoke with Senate Education Chair Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, about legislative action to address the state's educational problems.
In the House, lawmakers considered bills on third reading that included cutting the Social Security tax, getting broadband fiber optic cable on poles, and making it easier to visit certain gravesites. Randy Yohe has the story.
In the Senate, the chamber looked at bills on missing children, SNAP benefits, and Oil and Gas property taxes. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, the House Education Committee moved to address a critical shortage of special education staff, while the Senate Education Committee took a rarely seen action in their meeting. Chris Schulz has the story.
Finally, war hero Hershel “Woody” Williams was honored at the U.S. Capitol following his death. Now, a statue of him could be on permanent display there. Curtis Tate has more.
And, scientific and social research has to start somewhere. On Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol you can learn how theory and hypothesis develop into pragmatic information meant to help people.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjmjtTkOCCA
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Lawmakers Discuss Women’s Health Needs On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 22, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, many bills and amendments have been introduced in the state legislature this year that focus on women's health policy. But feminine hygiene isn’t one of them. Briana Heaney talks with Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, about women's health in the state and legislation that affects women.
Also, in this show, aftereffects from the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge our health care systems. The most recent spotlight is on Medicaid which offers health coverage for more than 90 million Americans with limited resources. After several years of continuous coverage, everyone must now reapply to determine eligibility. In a new episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay reports on how that process is going for residents of the Mountain State.
Kay talked with Deedra Toppings about her experience. She was covered by Medicaid when her headaches began eight years ago, but that changed. We listen to an excerpt from our latest episode. To hear this full episode, tune in to WVPB Radio on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. or on your own time at wvpublic.org.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
House Approves Bill To Arm W.Va. School Teachers
Feb 21, 2024
Updated on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at 10:14 a.m.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, there was contentious third reading debate in the House of Delegates over the much talked about bill to arm teachers as concealed carry protection officers. Randy Yohe has the latest on House Bill 4299.
In the Senate, the chamber had one of its busier days as official deadlines draw closer. Next Wednesday is Crossover Day, meaning that all bills have to be out of their chamber of origin to have a chance of becoming law. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, the Senate Government Organization Committee advanced a bill that would promote Randall Reid-Smith, the curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History, to a cabinet secretary. The committee approved Senate Bill 865, which now goes to the full chamber. West Virginia Public Broadcasting is part of the Department of Arts, Culture and History.
A health facility would not need to obtain a certificate of need to operate in West Virginia if a certain House bill becomes law. Emily Rice has more.
Special education educators, students and their families gathered at the Capitol to advocate for more support in their classrooms. Chris Schulz has the story.
And, on History Day at the Capitol, the rotunda is sent back in time. It becomes a place of living history, where the lives and lessons from our state’s past become touchstones for the present and future. Randy Yohe has the story.
Finally, women's health has been a popular topic in the Senate this year. Many bills and amendments have been introduced that focus on women's health policy. Briana Heaney speaks with Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, about women's health in the state and legislation that affects women.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj8kMrv8PT4
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Us & Them: Navigating Post-Pandemic Medicaid
Feb 21, 2024
Our health care systems continue to struggle from aftereffects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The most recent example spotlights Medicaid — a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for more than 90 million Americans with limited resources. After several years of continuous coverage, now everyone must reapply for eligibility.
In this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay reports more than a quarter of West Virginia residents rely on Medicaid for their healthcare. It pays for three-quarters of West Virginia’s nursing home residents, and nearly half of the state's school kids use Medicaid to pay for their annual checkups. However, the application process is finding many ineligible because of changes in personal information and contact data that weren’t updated in the system.
Join us as we look at the ‘unwinding’ of Medicaid, as millions of the nation’s most vulnerable struggle to maintain their health coverage.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council, the Daywood Foundation and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Tricia Brooks, a research professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, parses out the nitty gritty details behind Medicaid access to explain how Medicaid coverage changed under the pandemic. The re-enrollment process for Medicaid involves millions of people, but the government cracking down on eligibility isn't new. Like many safety net programs, Brooks told Us & Them’s Trey Kay that Medicaid is vulnerable to the push and pull of politics in Washington. “In 2018, there were efforts made by the administration at that time to have a chilling effect on Medicaid and Medicaid enrollment for kids dropped by one million kids. And that same year, the uninsured rate for kids went up by a half a percentage point. We'd gotten down to about 5 percent uninsured kids. If we've lost 3.5 million, we're talking about another 50 percent increase in the share of uninsured children in this country. And that would be a real travesty after decades of working to try to bring health coverage to almost every American child.” — Tricia Brooks, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families Photo Credit: Georgetown UniversityDirector Craig Robinson oversees Cabin Creek Health Systems, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in West Virginia. Cabin Creek, like other FQHCs, exists to give low-cost care to people in need. Robinson showed Trey Kay the 14-page Medicaid application the government sent out after the COVID-19 health emergency ended. He said people are required to fill it out and send it back, to determine their ongoing eligibility for Medicaid coverage. “I've actually tried to complete it [the form] myself. And I couldn't get through it because I couldn't understand what they were asking for. They want to know about the situation of everybody in the family, including their medical situation. They want to know about your assets, and I had no idea that assets mattered in terms of Medicaid eligibility. I thought it was all income. But they're asking for, what's in your checking account, what's in your savings account kind of thing. How do I fill this out in a way that I don't mistakenly declare myself ineligible?” — Craig Robinson, director of Cabin Creek Health Systems, Charleston, West Virginia Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingJake Van Horn is a psychologist and community impact officer for Cabin Creek Health Systems in Charleston, West Virginia. “It's extremely short sighted to think that the upfront or initial investment in something like Medicaid doesn't pay you dividends, in the long run. A community being better put together. Having better health care creates better employees, creates better employment opportunities, creates growth, creates better parents, creates better kids, creates better caregivers. People not struggling so much to maintain basic health, does create a more advantageous society.” — Jake Van Horn, Cabin Creek Health Systems, Charleston, West Virginia Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingKatie May, psychologist and clinical director for Cabin Creek Health System's Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Program, said that many of her substance use disorder patients don't have time to parse through Medicaid’s 14-page re-enrollment form that’s full of legalese. “Some of them might be experiencing homelessness. I was on Medicaid during graduate school and just graduated a while ago. And so when they started doing these annual reviews again, I was getting call after call from Medicaid to do my reviews and I was thinking, ‘How are my patients missing these reviews? They won't leave me alone.’ But it's also a privilege that I've had the same phone number for 15 years and that I have an address forwarding that they were able to keep up with me. Some of my patients, for various reasons, have a different cell phone number every couple months. Whether it's their phone is being stolen; they're losing their phone; they can't afford a service and are having to change services. So, yes, a 14-page application, but that's even if they get it. And then my patients are coming in and the first time that they're finding out about this is us telling them, ‘Oh, it looks like your Medicaid has expired.’ And then there's panic, of course, because that's how they get their treatment. That's how they get lifesaving medication.” — Katie May, Cabin Creek Health Systems, Charleston, West Virginia Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingIt's true that publicly funded medical insurance opens the door for a lot of Americans to take better care of their health. Deedra Toppings, from Branchland, West Virginia, has had significant health challenges, some of which came during the pandemic when she was not working and eligible for Medicaid. COVID-19-era policies gave Deedra’s family a taste of stable insurance that actually worked for them. But when she returned to work, the circumstances changed. As Medicaid returns to business as usual, people are losing resources that made their lives better. “I feel like we're being punished because we want to work and we want to better our lives and make sure our children have what they need. When I didn't work, and we didn't want more for our lives, we would get the Medicaid and it would help with the hospital bills, the doctor bills, whatever. But because we both want to work, I mean, we do not make a ton of money, we don't have extras, we don't have all of this stuff. It just kind of feels like we're punished, because when we work, then we don't get the help that I necessarily need for my health.” — Deedra Toppings, Branchland, West Virginia Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingJames Hairston, 63, is a disabled coal miner living in St. Albans, West Virginia. He told Trey Kay that his disability occurred when “1,800 pounds of sandstone and coal” collapsed on him and pinned him to the mine floor. Hairston and his wife are both disabled. He used to get Medicaid benefits, which meant he could use home health care. That provided help with household chores and meals. He didn’t see it as a handout, just some help. Under the COVID-19 emergency declaration, Hairston couldn't be removed from Medicaid. But once that ended, the state reported that he made too much to qualify. “It's a real hurting feeling. I've worked to provide a good living for my wife and kids. It's hard for me to look at it and say, ‘Well, you know, you cut me off.’ And I didn't bring this pain and all this stuff to myself. It's just, I mean, I love what I was doing and I miss it so bad and I still had a lot of good years left in me.” — James Hairston Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingJames Hairston shows the crack in the miner’s helmet that he was wearing the day the mine ceiling fell in on him and ended his coal mining career. Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingEric Hicks works with a range of Medicaid clients, including James Hairston, through the local home care company he runs called Right At Home. Right At Home is a nationwide franchise and in West Virginia, most of the company's business comes from Medicaid patients. Hicks says when the government stops paying for a person's home care, it puts families in a bind. Most times, they'll try to find friends or family to help out. If that's not available, the only other alternative is often a skilled nursing facility. Trey Kay asked Hicks what Medicaid gives someone like James Hairston. The answer is simple: autonomy. “There is absolutely a place for skilled nursing facilities and the services that they provide. When a person graduates from in-home care, that's where they go, because we cannot meet all their needs. But it's that gap in between, that people want to stay at home and they have the ability to stay at home if they have a little bit of assistance. They want to have all their things that they have at home and not be forced to leave their home to go to a place that they're not comfortable with. A lot of people don't want to be in a more institutionalized setting, they want to be able to comfortably have as many of their family and friends over to visit whenever they want to come by, not be restricted by time constraints, et cetera.” — Eric Hicks, president of Right at Home, Charleston, West Virginia Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Marshall Researcher Discovers New Type Of Plesiosaur, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 21, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, a researcher at Marshall University has discovered an entirely new type of plesiosaur after studying the fossils of two different creatures. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Robert Clark, the academic laboratory manager for the Biology Department at Marshall to find out more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmakers Discuss Bill Allowing Teachers In W.Va. To Carry Firearms In Classrooms
Feb 20, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, in the midst of school shootings like Park View, Sandy Hook and Uvalde, school safety continues to be a pressing issue across the country.
In West Virginia, small and rural schools find it difficult to staff school resource officers and other security personnel, but a bill now making its way through the House of Delegates would allow teachers and other school staff to carry a firearm or other weapon on school grounds. Chris Schulz spoke with Del. Elliot Pritt, R-Fayette, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, for their perspective.
In the House, along with 13 bills on third reading, several resolutions were passed, and tributes were read honoring fallen West Virginia combat veterans.
In the Senate, the chamber addressed keeping West Virginia safer online. The chamber approved bills addressing ways that AI (artificial intelligence) could be used to sexually exploit children on the internet and protect the personal information of people online. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Monday afternoon considered an idea as old as the nation’s founding: Creating a currency backed by gold and silver. Curtis Tate has that story.
The House and Senate Education committees started the week off by considering changes to homeschooling requirements, as well as sports outside the school. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, West Virginia’s senior citizens took center stage this Tuesday for AARP Day at the Capitol. There is a core group of statewide AARP leaders who lobby for certain legislation just about every day of every regular session – and 2024 is no different.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pLCi1UuNw
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Changing The Legislative Auditor’s Office And The Fall Of AppHarvest, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 20, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, eastern Kentucky’s AppHarvest was called the future of farming and a way to bring new jobs to coal country. But as Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams explores, the company fell nearly as fast as it rose and filed for bankruptcy last year.
Also in this show, in our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, bills in both the House and the Senate would change the way the legislative auditor operates. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Mike Pushkin and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw about the office, which has long been a watchdog of the executive branch of government, making sure that money is spent properly.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmakers Discuss Bill That Would Bring Changes To Legislative Auditor’s Office
Feb 19, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Legislative Auditor is a department under the West Virginia Legislature tasked with auditing offices under the executive branch. There is a bill making its way through the legislature that some say will “defang” the work done by the department while others say the bill strengthens it.
Randy Yohe spoke with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and Democratic Party Chairman Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, for perspective on the issue.
In the House, a wide range of bills on third reading included a change in oil and gas property taxes, the sale of raw milk and changing the title of the curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber approved 10 bills on third reading covering topics ranging from creating a state Alzheimer's task force to the James A. Manchin Environmental Action Plan. Briana Heaney has more.
Finally, a group that spends a lot of time at the legislature campaigning for Second Amendment issues was back. Bob Brunner spoke to a representative to find out what they were working on now.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVvIJMaxAc8
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Cutbacks In The U.S. Postal Service And A Reporter Roundtable On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 19, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the United States Postal Service (USPS) held a public hearing in Charleston last week where officials discussed their plans to downsize a local mail processing facility. But union representatives came away from the hearing with questions left unanswered. Now, they say their trust in the USPS has only further eroded. Jack Walker has the story.
Also, in this show, in our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, we had our weekly reporter roundtable. Last week, Brad McElhinny from West Virginia MetroNews joined Randy Yohe and Curtis Tate in our studio to discuss the governor’s latest legal trouble and the library obscenity bill, among other things.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Encore: The Love Of Competition, Inside Appalachia
Feb 19, 2024
Appalachians love to compete. Whether it’s recreational league softball, a turkey calling contest or workplace chili cook offs, Mountain folks are in it to win it.
But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing.
In this show, we’ll meet competitors who are also keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.
Musgrave Reports From The Mountain Mushroom Festival
Tina Caroland shows off a morel mushroom at the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky. Caroland has demonstrated how to fry morels at the festival for about 15 years. She purchased morels for a recent year’s cooking demonstration because Caroland and her family were slow to find morels at the start of the season. Credit: Nicole Musgrave/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Each spring, people take to the woods in search of morels, a seasonal favorite throughout Appalachia, and they inspire all kinds of competition.
Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave went to the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky and found people looking for the most mushrooms — the biggest mushrooms — and the tastiest way to eat mushrooms.
An Accident Of Appalachian History Led To A New Style of Pizza
In Wheeling, West Virginia, people are passionate about their pizza. People there say that an accident of history led to a new style of pizza – Appalachia’s contribution to America’s great regional pizza traditions. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold visited DiCarlo’s Famous Pizza to find out more. Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Ever live in a place where there’s a competition between two restaurants, and people sort of decide which team they’re on?
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold says people in Wheeling, West Virginia are passionate about their pizza.That’s because an accident of history led to a new style and who’s better/who’s best contest that’s been going on for decades.
Brave Kids Continue Eisteddfod Tradition
Eisteddfod is probably not a word that rolls off the tongue of everyone in Appalachia. But in Wales, it refers to a traditional music competition that goes back nearly 1,000 years. Immigrants brought the tradition to southern Ohio, where it has endured for generations. Thanks in part to some brave kids.
Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has this story.
Playing To Eat And Eating To Play
Jared Kaplan holds the game he designed with Chris Kincaid. Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Another competitive tradition that’s endured for generations is weekly board game night. Whether with family or friends, we play Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, and sometimes even Candyland.
Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett reported on a board game that matches West Virginia’s favorite cryptids with some of its favorite places to eat.
A Southern Ohio Town Honors The Appalachian Connection To The NFL
Appalachia’s connection to professional football has always been a little loose. Lots of pro players have come out of Appalachia, but there’s really only one Appalachian NFL team — the Pittsburgh Steelers, or two if you count the Atlanta Falcons, as a listener recently argued we should.
It turns out, at least one other professional team has Appalachian DNA — the Detroit Lions. That franchise began as the Portsmouth Spartans in Portsmouth, Ohio, just across the river from Kentucky.
Sports fan and WVPB Reporter Randy Yohe has this story.
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What about you? What kind of competitions are happening in your neck of the woods? Maybe you know about a sport or contest we’ve never heard about. Or someone there makes pizza like nobody else. Tell us about it. Email us at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Charlie McCoy, The Steel Drivers, Larry Groce, David Mayfield, and Dean Martin.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Law And Order, Child Care Access And A Women’s Bill Of Rights, This West Virginia Week
Feb 17, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, the state legislature had Child Care Advocacy Day, centering on an issue leaders flagged as a top priority at the start of the session. But with the session more than halfway through, action still remains to be seen.
We also hear about law and order issues facing the state, a bill that narrows definitions of gender, as well as updates on Corridor H and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the Northern Panhandle.
Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Reporter Roundtable Looks Ahead To Final 3 Weeks Of Session
Feb 16, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our weekly reporter roundtable. Brad McElhinny from West Virginia MetroNews joins Randy Yohe and Curtis Tate in the studio to discuss what’s going on in the West Virginia Legislature and what they expect to see in the final weeks.
Also, there are just three weeks left in the 2024 state legislative session. The pace is picking up, and the respective Finance committees in the House and Senate have been working on a state budget.
In the House, a contentious bill regarding schools, libraries and obscene material went to third reading – meaning the voting stage. Randy Yohe has the story.
In the Senate, the chamber passed quieter bills. The chamber approved 11 bills and sent them to the House for consideration. The Senate also advanced more than 20 other bills, seven of which are House bills, and there was emotional debate around a resolution.
Also, surrogacy is legal in West Virginia, and a Senate bill aims to add legal structure to the process. Emily Rice has more.
Finally, our student reporters this week took a look at several environmental bills moving through the legislature. We check in with them.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t33YYDzYKKc
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
The Importance Of Corridor H And Phish Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 16, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Phish. We listen to the band’s performance of “All Things Reconsidered.” It’s guitarist Trey Anastasio’s variation on NPR’s All Things Considered theme, and this performance marks the only time it was ever performed live by the band on National Public Radio.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
The Role Of Corridor H In W.Va. — And Its Importance
Feb 15, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.
In the House, there was a lengthy, emotional, life and death debate over the pros and cons of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide.
In the Senate, the chamber focused on voting, with three out of five bills relating to voting or voter ID. Briana Heaney has the story.
Also, whether or not to teach middle schoolers about fentanyl and overdose-reversing medicine sparked discussion in the House Education Committee, while Senate Education modified a House bill on special education. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, West Virginia State University is one of the state’s two HBCU’s, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was WVSU Day at the Capitol, where school leadership worked the shoe leather, as they say, to see big dollar budget legislation passed.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYhReqZ8G_I
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Better Childcare Access For Better Economic Development On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 15, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, having access to childcare so people can go to work is a serious issue in West Virginia for economic development. In our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, and Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, to explore the issue.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Making Childcare More Affordable, Accessible
Feb 14, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, leaders from both sides of the aisle have declared that childcare for the working men and women of West Virginia is a priority regarding economic and workforce development. So far, there has been plenty of talk but little legislative action. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, and Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, to explore the issue.
In the House, the controversial Women’s Bill of Rights, House Bill 5243, was put back on the active calendar for third reading. And, yet another call for a legislative oversight committee to monitor yet another state government agency. Randy Yohe has more.
There was also a public hearing held in the House on a bill that would remove a sunset clause from the current oil and gas personal property tax. Briana Heaney has more.
In the Senate, the chamber is building momentum now that it is well into the second half of the legislative session. Ten bills were passed and sent to the House, two bills were passed and sent to the governor's desk. Briana Heaney has more.
Finally, it was Childcare Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Childcare is one of the hot topics in the 2024 regular session, directly related to the state's economic development. Randy Yohe has more.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtobo8u6EIU
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
‘The Women’s Bill Of Rights’ And PFAS Contamination On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 14, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” or House Bill 5243, would put certain definitions of “man” and “woman” into code and determine who can use single-sex spaces.
Briana Heaney sat down with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, and Molly Kennedy, a community outreach director at the American Civil Liberties Union, to discuss the bill. West Virginia Public Broadcasting tried several times to get one of the Republican sponsors of the bill to come on the show and discuss it, but they all declined.
Also, in this show, we have a new story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story is about the long-term effects of PFAS contamination.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
A Deep Dive Into The ‘Women’s Bill Of Rights’
Feb 13, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” or House Bill 5243, would put certain definitions of “man” and “woman” into code and determine who can use single-sex spaces like restrooms and locker rooms. Democrats call it an “anti-trans” bill. Randy Yohe spoke with the bill’s lead sponsor, Del. Kathie Hess-Crouse, R-Putnam, asking if her bill was fair to all.
Also, a public hearing was held on the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” where 20 speakers spoke in opposition to the bill and seven in support. As the bill advanced through the House, it gained an amendment to remove an exception in criminal code for marital rape. Briana Heaney sat down with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, and Molly Kennedy, a community outreach director at the American Civil Liberties Union, to discuss the bill. West Virginia Public Broadcasting tried several times to get one of the Republican sponsors of the bill to come on the show and discuss it, but they all declined.
In the House, one resolution and two bills on third reading dealt with helping preserve West Virginia history, increasing help for the coalfields economy and alcohol at community festivals.
In the Senate, the chamber approve seven bills. Six of those head to the House for consideration and one heads to the governor's desk. The bills dealt with issues on landowner liability, retirement plans and burglary. The bill headed to the governor would streamline West Virginia's science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholarship programs. The Senate advanced more than 10 other bills.
In committees, the Education committees of both chambers started the week off by advancing bills to improve management of local school districts. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, it was E-Day at the Capitol, where environmental organizations gathered to speak to lawmakers. Solar power and community air monitoring were the main topics of discussion. Curtis Tate has this story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQNoPXU26Lc
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Senate Approves Bill To Prohibit Smoking In Car With Minors, And Lawmakers Talk Crime, Punishment Legislation, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 13, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, bills about crime and punishment come before the state legislature every year. Often, they adjust punishment or even establish a new section of the state’s criminal code. For The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and a former U.S. attorney, to get their take on bills before both chambers.
Also, in this show, a bill passed the state Senate Monday that would prohibit anyone smoking in the car with a minor. Briana Heaney has that story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
State Lawmakers Talk Crime And Punishment Legislation
Feb 12, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, bills about crime and punishment come before the West Virginia Legislature every year. Often, they adjust punishment or even establish a new section of the state’s criminal code. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and a former U.S. attorney.
Also, in the Senate, the chamber approved seven bills and sent them to the House. The body also advanced more than 20 other bills.
In the House, seven bills on third reading were sent to the Senate. The controversial House Bill 5243, so-called the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” was removed from the active calendar without announcement. It could be brought back at any time.
And, lawmakers heard from cancer patients, survivors and advocates during Cancer Action Day. Emily Rice has the story.
Finally, Bob Brunner spoke with representatives from the corrections department at the capitol, asking how things are going after legislative changes last year increased salaries and recruiting efforts for more officers.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LzPpyHWdyY
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Reporters Discuss ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ Legislation On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 12, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, we regularly invite reporters from outside news organizations onto our program The Legislature Today to discuss what they are seeing during the state legislative session. On Friday, Briana Heaney and Emily Rice spoke with Lori Kersey, a reporter from the independent news organization West Virginia Watch. One of the big stories on Friday was the bill called the Women’s Bill of Rights.
Also, in this show, it’s been a year since the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing chemicals and resulting in the burning of vinyl chloride. Some residents are still worried about chemicals inside their homes. But as The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports, the EPA won’t do indoor testing.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
The Fall Of AppHarvest, Inside Appalachia
Feb 12, 2024
When the farming start-up, AppHarvest, launched in Kentucky, it promised good jobs in coal country — but some workers called it a grueling hell on earth.
We also explore an island of Japanese culture in West Virginia called Yama.
And fish fries have been a staple in Charleston, West Virginia’s Black community for years. We visit one and learn a little about what’s made them so popular.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
When AppHarvest built its first greenhouse in 2020, it was touted as no less than the future of farming — and even Appalachia itself. The start-up would use cutting-edge technology and local workers to produce vegetables on an industrial scale. But then, last year, the company filed for bankruptcy.
Austyn Gaffney recently reported on the downfall of AppHarvest, in a story for Grist. Mason Adams talks with Gaffney to learn more.
Japanese Homestyle Haven In Morgantown
Staff member Ryoko Kijimoto serves up rich rice bowls and ramen in Yama’s diner atmosphere. Credit: Min Kim
High Street in Morgantown, West Virginia is a bustling strip. Tucked away off the main drag is a place called Yama, a cozy diner that’s been serving up homestyle Japanese food since the 1990s. Japanese students and staff share their language, culture and food. It’s also a place of comfort and connection for everyone.
Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin has the story.
Fish Fries, An African-American Tradition In Charleston, W.Va.
Andre Nazario Credit: Leeshia Lee/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Signs for fish fries are pretty common in Charleston, West Virginia, especially in the city’s Black community, where they’ve become a tradition.
Folkways Fellow, Leeshia Lee, grew up in Charleston and says friends and neighbors frequently hosted fish fries, often as a way to raise money for community needs. Lee has the story.
Remembering The W.Va. Water Crisis 10 Years Later
Kallie Cart reporting on the January 2014 West Virginia water crisis. Credit: Kallie Cart/WCHS-TV
Ten years ago, a chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia’s Elk River contaminated the drinking water of hundreds of thousands of people. The disaster became a national story, about corporate distrust and community action.
WVPB's Randy Yohe spoke with Kallie Cart, a former broadcast reporter who covered the crisis and went viral after one particular exchange.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Chris Knight, Tim Bing, Amythyst Kiah, Jeff Ellis and Bob Thompson.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Air Monitoring, Trans Rights And Babydog, This West Virginia Week
Feb 10, 2024
On this West Virginia Week, we are back with more coverage of the West Virginia Legislature, where bills regarding school discipline, gender identity and air monitoring continue to spark debate. We’ll revisit conversations with some of the lawmakers helming these bills.
Plus, we’ll discuss a failed Senate bill that aimed to increase border security, a debt owed by one of Gov. Jim Justice’s companies, and ongoing medical difficulties facing the governor’s bulldog, Babydog.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
A House, Senate Recap, Student Journalists Report And A Lookback At A. James Manchin
Feb 09, 2024
Updated on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 at 11:20 a.m.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, we wrap up another week of the West Virginia Legislative session, and the pace is starting to pick up in both chambers. We also have a story from our student reporters and a history lookback as well.
In the House, 10 bills passed through third reading, all with either unanimous or near unanimous votes. Some follow a trend this session of creating more legislative oversight. Others increase consumer protection on gift card fraud and phone spam. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber approved five bills on things like new energy technology and left lane driving. Seventeen bills advanced. Briana Heaney has more.
Debate broke out on the House floor after amendments were proposed to the Women’s Bill of Rights. Emily Rice has more.
Our high school reporters this week bring us a look at three bills they’ve been following.
Also, the House earlier this week introduced House Bill 5006. The bill is related to the administration of the A. James Manchin Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan. Who was he? We asked Bob Brunner to give us a little more background.
Finally, we regularly invite reporters from outside news organizations into our studio to discuss what they are seeing during the legislative session. Our own Briana Heaney and Emily Rice spoke with Lori Kersey, a reporter from the independent news organization West Virginia Watch.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkFqORHcRBk
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Japanese Diner Brings Connection And Robbie Fulks Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 09, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, tucked away in downtown Morgantown is Yama, a cozy diner that serves up homestyle Japanese food. Since the 1990s, Japanese students have come there to share their common language and culture with the staff. It’s also a place of comfort and connection for everyone. Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from Robbie Fulks, whose witty, yet sophisticated songs have captivated our audiences for years. We listen to his performance of “Fare Thee Well, Carolina Gals,” which originally appeared on his 2016 album Upland Stories.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
A Conversation On Tax Revenues From Coal, Natural Gas
Feb 08, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, higher demand for coal and natural gas, as well as higher prices, produced a severance tax windfall for the state over the past few years. But prices have fallen, and with it, tax revenues.
To get a better idea of where things stand, Curtis Tate spoke with Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.
In the House, among the bills on third reading Thursday included a proposal to allow schools to hire trained security guards. The bill led to a social debate over the issue of training in systemic racism. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber advanced 13 bills. They sent Senate Bill 596 to committee. That bill is the same as House Bill 5045, which would give the EPA assurances that carbon capture and storage will not pollute groundwater. The House version was amended to be fused with the Senate bill.
Also, House Democrats held a press conference to highlight their priorities going forward. Randy Yohe has that report.
Finally, the House of Delegates held a public hearing on a bill that would restrict transgender West Virginians access to bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECZK-7sckZ8
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Air Monitoring Systems And The Geography Of Abortion On This West Virginia Morning
Feb 08, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, a bill defining what air monitoring systems can and can’t be used in regulatory issues and in court has garnered some spirited and extended debate in the House of Delegates. Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, the nation’s abortion battle is now in the hands of the states. Since a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned federal abortion rights, 21 states have either banned or restricted abortion access, including West Virginia. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s neighbor, Maryland, is one of 22 states that have taken steps to protect abortion rights and expand access.
On the latest Us & Them podcast, host Trey Kay follows the decision of the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia to move its abortion services just over the border to a new clinic in Maryland. However, some residents in Western Maryland say that goes against their more conservative social and political nature. We listen to an excerpt from the next Us & Them, “The Geography of Abortion.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmaker, Stakeholder Weigh In On Community Air Monitoring Legislation
Feb 07, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the House of Delegates passed a bill this week that would restrict how data from community air monitors can be used. The state’s industry and mining trade groups support House Bill 5018, while community and environmental groups oppose it.
Curtis Tate spoke with Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, and Lucia Valentine from the West Virginia Environmental Council about the legislation.
In this House Wednesday, the chamber advanced eight bills to the Senate, including legislation that would help provide for pregnant and parenting teen mothers and fathers, getting dentures while on Medicaid, and patriotic societies recruiting in West Virginia schools. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber passed seven bills including a bill designed to make certain drugs affordable to low income and uninsured people. Briana Heaney has more.
Finally, it was Black Policy Day at the Capitol, and advocates gathered to talk about legislation affecting people of color in the Mountain State. Briana Heaney also has this story.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcrRaXSdcKY
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Us & Them: The Geography Of Abortion
Feb 07, 2024
State borders are the new front lines in the nation’s abortion battle. On this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks at the evolving geography of abortion.
Since a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned federal abortion rights, 21 states have either banned or restricted abortion access, including West Virginia. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s neighbor, Maryland, is one of 22 states that are protecting abortion rights and expanding access.
Kay follows the decision of Women’s Health Center of West Virginia to move its abortion services from Charleston to a new clinic just over the border near Cumberland, Maryland. The move was intentional, because Western Maryland, like West Virginia, is a so-called abortion desert. The two regions have some deep political and cultural similarities. Western Maryland Republicans say they feel ignored by the overwhelmingly liberal, Democratic legislature in Annapolis. They say the new abortion clinic is not wanted or needed in their part of Maryland, and they blame the clinic’s presence on the fallout from Roe v. Wade’s defeat.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Katie Quiñonez stood in the waiting room of the Women’s Health Center of Maryland, located about 10 miles south of Cumberland, Maryland. Quiñonez is executive director of this health center. She is also the executive director of the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia, which is located in Charleston and was West Virginia’s only abortion clinic until that state banned abortion in September 2022. The West Virginia center still provides reproductive health services, but in the summer of 2023, the Women’s Health Center relocated its abortion services to the Maryland clinic which is less than two miles from the West Virginia border. Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingSubsequent to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in June 2022, Gov. Jim Justice signed a measure into law that banned abortions in West Virginia, with limited exceptions. Justice called the signed bill the “protect life” law. The law bans abortions in West Virginia except in cases when the mother’s life is in danger, or instances of rape and incest that are reported to law enforcement in a timely manner. Any abortion must be performed in a hospital within eight weeks for adults and 14 weeks for minors. “I believe wholeheartedly that it does one thing that is absolutely so important. It does protect life.” — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingAbortion access in the U.S. varied widely even during the Roe v. Wade era. Some states had lots of clinics, others had just a few. But every state had at least one. That changed when Dobbs ended the federal right to an abortion and let states come up with their own regulations. Now, abortion access has become even more fragmented and deeply polarized. Fourteen states, including West Virginia, have essentially banned abortion. They have become what some call “abortion deserts.” Seven states have imposed stricter legal limits, while 22 states have moved to protect abortion rights and expand access. Maryland is one of those states. In May 2023, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore approved laws that do several things. They allow a wider range of medical professionals to perform abortions. They maintain the privacy of abortion-related medical records. And they shield doctors and others from criminal investigations by states with more restrictive abortion laws. “I'm very proud to sign legislation that will protect access to abortion in Maryland. In this moment of serious consequences for women and for all Marylanders, Maryland can and will lead on this issue of abortion access. And I want to say to all women who are out there who are wondering what will happen. Who are worried about their future. Please hear me loud and clear. Maryland will always be a safe haven for abortion access and abortion rights.” — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Credit: Gov. Wes Moore’s X (Twitter) PostMaryland Democrats, who control the state’s legislature, want abortion rights written into the state constitution. The General Assembly has placed a reproductive rights amendment on the ballot for November 2024. Democratic Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk chairs the House Delegates’ Health and Government Services Committee, where the amendment was first considered. She said an abortion rights amendment is necessary, even though Maryland has been a reliably blue state for a long time. “It's necessary because we feel very strongly that we want Maryland to remain a state that protects abortion access. On the ballot this November, Maryland voters will once again be able to affirmatively and resoundingly say their reproductive freedom should be a constitutional right. It is the highest protection that we can give our constituents.” — Maryland Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk Credit: Maryland Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D), MD 21Maryland’s drive to protect abortion rights and access has attracted OB-GYNs to the state including Dr. Anne Banfield. She moved her practice to a hospital system in Southern Maryland after working for 13 years at a hospital in Elkins, West Virginia. “I had spent a lot of years trying to recruit to our practice there and working a lot of shifts, taking a lot of calls. And then on top of that, you know, trying to advocate within the state, trying to advocate at the state government level to protect reproductive rights in West Virginia. And I got this great opportunity in Maryland, which is a very friendly and protective state from a women's health and reproductive health standpoint. And we saw the writing on the wall, and I knew I was coming here and I was going to have to work less in a more friendly environment, and I just couldn't pass that up. I don’t think I would have left otherwise.” — Dr. Anne Banfield, OB-GYN Credit: Dr. Anne Banfield/MedStar St. Mary's HospitalCresta Kowalski is the president of the Mountain Maryland Alliance for Reproductive Freedom. She said prior to the opening of the Women’s Health Center of Maryland, her group had been exploring how to bring an abortion clinic to Western Maryland. “We were like, okay, a five to 10 year goal would be an indie clinic out here in mountain Maryland. And then in January, I get an email saying, ‘Hi, I'm Katie Quiñonez and my friend Ramsie Monk and I work with the Women's Health Center of Charleston and we'd like to speak with you.’ And they had already found the location and it was perfect. It was made for the operation … I was relieved that we could have options for people that didn't have options.” — Cresta Kowalski Credit: Cresta Kowalski/FacebookMichael Mudge is the pastor and founder of Bethany House of the Lord, an evangelical Christian church. He and several other anti-abortion advocates from Western Maryland came together to form Abortion Free Allegeny. He said their goals are to let people know about the clinic, organize demonstrations against it, and raise awareness about pregnancy support centers and other abortion alternatives. Mudge said he and others opposed to abortion do not like having a clinic in their backyard, but he knows it has a right to be there. “What we're dealing with here in Allegheny County, Maryland, is a direct result of the Dobbs decision. The West Virginia Legislature took the opportunity after the Dobbs decision to pass legislation effectively banning abortion. And the Maryland state legislature, as in many other states, has responded to the Dobbs decision by radicalizing even more their pro-abortion legislation. So, we're caught up in the middle of that. It's just that here, we're in a part of Maryland that doesn't fit well in Maryland.” — Michael Mudge Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Mudge referred to the political segregation that has deepened in Maryland as it has across the country.
There’s the rural, conservative, Republican Maryland of the western panhandle, the eastern Chesapeake Bay, and the counties north of Baltimore. And there’s the urban, liberal, Democratic Maryland of Baltimore City, Annapolis and the D.C. suburbs that dominates state politics.
David Karol, an associate professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland, said it wasn’t always like this.
Karol said his students were surprised to learn that in the presidential election of 1988, Republican George H. W. Bush won Maryland while Democrat Mike Dukakis won West Virginia.
“Which, you know, is just shocking to students, because that's a complete reversal of the alignment that we see today,” Karol said.
“The [Maryland] legislature has been Democratic for about 100 years. The governorship has occasionally gone to Republicans, but seldom. And in presidential elections, Maryland has voted Democratic consistently since 1992.” – David Karol Credit: David Karol/University of MarylandRepublican Mike McKay has represented Western Maryland in the Maryland General Assembly since 2015, first as a delegate and, for the last year, as a senator. He said his constituents have felt out of step with their overwhelmingly liberal Democrat fellow Marylanders. In 2021, then-Del. McKay and five other Republican lawmakers floated the idea of Garrett, Allegeny and Washington counties seceding from Maryland to become a part of West Virginia. They wrote a letter to the Republican leaders of West Virginia’s legislature to gauge their interest. It was a very, very long shot. “We sent a letter and it became a dumpster fire, to be perfectly honest,” said McKay. “Everybody went crazy - ‘How are you leaving?’ Yada yada yada. And two of our members backed out. And the rest of us out of respect really just went our separate ways.” McKay said his constituents are more aligned with West Virginia on abortion, too. He described himself as “pro-life” and said the Women’s Health Center of Maryland is not wanted or needed. “I had a reporter from the Washington Post call me and do an interview, and she asked me, ‘How do you feel about this abortion clinic just moving across the state line, across the Potomac?’ I said, there's never been a need for it. If there was a need for Planned Parenthood to move here, if there was actually this need, they would have been here by now. We have had women's health clinics here for years. Probably 90 percent of everything that Planned Parenthood provides for women. And it's important. That 90 percent is important to urban and rural women. It's the abortion part that I say has been forced on our community, because Annapolis and Charleston had totally two different views, and our community has had to deal with the aftermath.” — Sen. Mike McKay Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public BroadcastingKatie Quiñonez said she’s not forcing anything on Western Maryland. “We did a market analysis and looked at what health care was available in those counties in mountain Maryland. And we found that not only was there not an abortion provider, the nearest abortion providers for the people living in mountain Maryland were at least 100 miles away in any direction. But there was also a real lack of reproductive health care, outside of a hospital system located in Cumberland. And then beyond that, we met directly with folks on the ground living and working in those communities to determine that, yes, there is a need here. Not only do we need abortion access, we need reproductive health care.” — Katie Quiñonez Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
This is what abortion care has become after the fall of Roe: a state-by-state fight over access, where abortion rights are determined by the lines on a map. The state line that divides West Virginia and Maryland runs through mountain communities that are alike in their topography, their culture and their political affiliations.
But on one side of that state line, abortion is legal, while on the other side, abortion is a criminal offense.
A Discussion On Homeschooling, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 07, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, about 20,000 West Virginia children are homeschooled, with the numbers growing every day. Some in state education and the West Virginia Legislature help champion school choice, while others worry about the quality of the education and the safety of homeschooled children.
For The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe sat down with public school teacher Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall, and Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, Chair of the Senate School Choice Committee, for a discussion.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Lawmakers Talk Homeschooling In W.Va.
Feb 06, 2024
On this episode of The Legislature Today, about 20,000 West Virginia children are homeschooled, with that numbers growing every day. Some officials in state education and the West Virginia Legislature help champion school choice. Others worry about the quality of the education and the safety of homeschooled children.
Randy Yohe sat down with public school teacher Del. Jeff Stevens, R-Marshall, and Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, chair of the Senate School Choice Committee, to discuss all things homeschooling.
In the House, spirited debate echoed through the chamber. Bills on third reading included a bill on what air monitoring systems can be used in court, and another bill toughening laws on copper theft. Randy Yohe has more.
In the Senate, the chamber passed four bills and sent them to the House for consideration.
Also, student discipline continues to be an issue in West Virginia schools, and lawmakers continue to try and address the issue through legislation. A bill in the Senate is trying to expand on a law that was passed last year. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, it was Food and Farm Day at the Capitol, and the emphasis was on West Virginia farmers getting legislative help to better market their produce and products. Randy Yohe has more.
Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaD_Jh-kpF0
The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.
Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Election Integrity And How Businesses In East Palestine Are Staying Afloat, This West Virginia Morning
Feb 06, 2024
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s been a little more than a year since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. While there’s been much attention paid to the environmental fallout, many local business owners say they’ve struggled to keep their businesses afloat.
Reporting from East Palestine, WESA’s Oliver Morrison checked in to see how business is faring one year later.
Also, in this show, 90 bills to-date have been introduced into the West Virginia Legislature on elections. For The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney spoke with Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, and Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, in a noisy capitol rotunda studio to hear what some of these bills may do.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning