Appalachian Mardi Gras, Pet Procedure Subsidies And Women’s Representation In US Narratives, This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, Old Man Winter has departed for now — perhaps because his effigy was burned last week in Helvetia’s annual Fasnacht celebration. We’ll travel to the remote Swiss enclave in Randolph County, where preserving history means participating in a localized Mardi Gras tradition.

Plus, West Virginia lawmakers are considering expanding access to spay and neuter subsidies for the state’s cats and dogs. We visit an animal shelter in Berkeley County, plus the Capitol Rotunda to learn more.

Also in this episode, we discuss the exclusion of women from U.S. historical narratives, a decision surrounding a controversial development proposal in Jefferson County and a new law enshrining definitions of gender into state code.

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.