Author: Liz McCormick

Liz is WVPB's Webmaster/Digital Coordinator and Eastern Panhandle Bureau Chief, based in Shepherdstown, WV on Shepherd University's campus. Liz is a native of Charleston, West Virginia. She received a M.A. in Strategic Communication from American University in 2022 and a B.A. in Communication and New Media from Shepherd in 2014. Prior to her role as webmaster, Liz was WVPB's Eastern Panhandle reporter from 2014-2022, the House of Delegates reporter on "The Legislature Today" from 2015-2017, and she covered K-12/higher education from 2020-2022. Liz has also worked as a technical assistant and associate producer on "The Legislature Today."

17 Therapy Dogs Now In W.Va. Schools Through ‘Friends With Paws’

Skye is the seventeenth therapy dog to be placed in West Virginia’s public schools through Friends with Paws. The program began in April 2022 with the first placement at Welch Elementary.

A school in the Eastern Panhandle is the latest recipient of a therapy dog through the Communities In Schools: Friends With Paws program.

Berkeley Springs High School in Morgan County received its very own therapy dog this week named Skye. First Lady Cathy Justice made the announcement in a press release Wednesday.

“I am very happy that we were able to place Skye in beautiful Berkeley Springs,” she said in the release. “I think this will be a great home for her, and I can’t wait to hear about all the ways that Skye’s presence will make a positive impact on students’ lives. This is a day of celebration!”

Skye is the seventeenth therapy dog to be placed in West Virginia’s public schools through Friends With Paws. The program began in April 2022 with the first placement at Welch Elementary.

The therapy dog program, according to the governor’s office, was launched as a way to alleviate some of the social-emotional effects of poverty, addiction and other at-risk situations in the state’s Communities In Schools (CIS) counties.

Gov. Jim Justice also noted at the time of launch that the program would help to combat the emotional effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Therapy dogs, according to the National Institutes of Health, provide a benefit in the classroom by increasing a positive mood and providing anti-stress effects on the body.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) last year produced a documentary on the Friends With Paws therapy dog project under the same name. It can be viewed for free on WVPB’s YouTube channel or through PBS Passport.

“Berkeley Springs High School is very thankful for this opportunity through the Friends With Paws program. We are extremely excited to have Skye with us to support and comfort our students,” Principal Mitch Nida said.

Friends With Paws is a partnership between the governor’s office, West Virginia Communities In Schools, and the West Virginia Department of Education.

Fifty-three of the state’s 55 counties are part of CIS.

A Conversation With 2023 Appalachian Heritage Writer-In-Residence Ann Pancake

Liz McCormick sat down with Pancake while she was in Shepherdstown to discuss what inspires her writing, what’s next in her career and how Appalachia has evolved since she wrote “Strange as This Weather Has Been.”

West Virginia author Ann Pancake is the 2023 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd University.

She is best known for her acclaimed 2007 novel Strange as This Weather Has Been. It follows a southern West Virginia family affected by mountaintop removal.

The novel has won numerous awards and accolades including the Weatherford Award. It has also been designated the 2023 One Book, One West Virginia Common Read.

Liz McCormick sat down with Pancake while she was in Shepherdstown to discuss what inspires her writing, what’s next in her career and how Appalachia has evolved since she wrote Strange as This Weather Has Been.

A shorter version of this interview originally aired in West Virginia Morning.

Kayaks, Art And Dogs, Oh My! This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, we learned about plants that can thrive in former mine lands, we kayaked along the Gauley River, we learned about an art exhibit inspired by recent cuts at West Virginia University, and we saw dogs fly from Charleston to Michigan to reach their forever homes.

On this West Virginia Week, with a possible government shutdown looming, we learned how it might affect West Virginians.

We also learned about plants that can thrive in former mine lands, we kayaked along the Gauley River, we learned about an art exhibit inspired by recent cuts at West Virginia University, and we saw dogs fly from Charleston to Michigan to reach their forever homes.

We also remembered longtime state legislator Chuck Romine, who passed away this week at 87.

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, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

Emotions High As WVU Board Of Governors Approves Cuts To Programs, Positions

After weeks of contentious meetings, walkouts and protests, the West Virginia University Board of Governors has voted to eliminate 28 majors and more than 140 faculty positions at West Virginia University.

Updated on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

After weeks of heated meetings, walkouts and protests, the West Virginia University (WVU) Board of Governors has voted to eliminate 28 majors and more than 140 faculty positions at West Virginia University.

Following a presentation that outlined the financial challenges and enrollment decline that led to proposed cuts at WVU, students began chanting loudly and emotionally as board members started to vote. After several minutes, students exited the room, continuing to chant, as board chair Taunja Willis Miller called for order.

“No student was asked to leave,” she said. “And I will not let that misinformation be spread.”

This is just a snapshot into the weeks of contention at West Virginia University.

Some of the schools, departments and programs that will be affected by the cuts include Education, Management, Creative Arts, Law, various sciences and mathematics, Communication Studies, Philosophy, among others.

Notable is the full elimination of the World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Department. The only exception for this department are continued elective courses in Spanish and Chinese, and seven faculty positions in this department will be saved.

Ten of the 28 majors eliminated are undergraduate majors, while the remaining 18 are graduate or professional majors.

According to school officials, the reduction in undergraduate majors, including double majors, will affect 91 students. At the graduate and professional levels, the reduction will impact 238 students.

It was noted in the meeting that students who will be affected by the eliminations would either be able to complete their majors or be offered alternative majors that “meets their academic goals.”

Additionally, the Master of Fine Arts in Acting, which was previously a proposed cut, will be retained.

WVU’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed was the last person to speak ahead of the vote. She acknowledged the difficult decision to eliminate so many academic programs but argued it will make the university stronger.

“Even with the accelerated timeline, this was a thoughtful, professional and data informed process. I am proud of the work done by the members of our team who has spent the last six months entirely focused on this effort,” Reed said. “They did so, as did I, believing that this was the right thing to do to preserve our beloved WVU for the future. I recognize that many of my colleagues and friends do not feel the same way, some of you are in the room, and I respect your right to argue against these changes … While this has been a challenging time, I truly believe brighter days are ahead of us if we can rebuild trust and work together toward building an even better and a more sustainable WVU.”

The university will still offer more than 300 academic programs.

W.Va. Afterschool Programs To Receive A Boost From Federal Grant

The money is part of the 2024 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.

Six organizations in West Virginia will be awarded federal grant money to support afterschool programs.

The money is part of the 2024 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.

The six organizations include:

World Vision in Barbour County
Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle in Berkeley County
Southern Educational Services Cooperative in Fayette, Summers and Webster counties
Step By Step in Kanawha County
Marion County Schools
Playmates Preschool and Childcare Centers in Wayne County

Funds are renewable for up to five years, as long as there’s continued support from the U.S. Department of Education.

The six awardees will offer learning and development support, homework assistance, tutoring, assistance in obtaining state educational standards and enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs during out-of-school times, according to a news release.

Grantees are also required to engage with parents and caregivers in their children’s learning.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting reached out to the West Virginia Department of Education for dollar amounts for each of the six organizations, but they did not respond before this story was published.

Skaff Steps Down As House Minority Leader, Hornbuckle To Take On Role

Democrat Doug Skaff of Kanawha County is stepping down as Minority Leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, the current Minority Leader Pro Temp, will become the new Minority Leader.

Democrat Doug Skaff of Kanawha County is stepping down as Minority Leader in the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Skaff will leave his post following the conclusion of next week’s legislative interim meetings, according to a news release from House Democrats.

Skaff was first named Minority Leader in December 2020, after former-Minority Leader Tim Miley did not seek reelection.

Skaff said he plans on using the extra time to focus more energy on his businesses and coaching his three sons at soccer.

“I have enjoyed working with Republican Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw to deliver common sense solutions for the people of West Virginia,” Skaff said in a statement. “In my role as Minority Leader, I worked with Speaker Hanshaw to focus on attracting businesses to our state and creating jobs here as we traveled the country to encourage companies and major corporations to Choose WV.”

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, the current Minority Leader Pro Temp, will become the new Minority Leader. Skaff said Hornbuckle is a “strong leader, delegate and friend — I know that he will lead the caucus well.”

House Minority Leader Pro Temp Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell.

*Credit: Perry Bennett/WV Legislative Photography*

Hornbuckle will be the first Black floor leader in modern record keeping for the state House of Delegates, according to Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director of the House Ann Ali.

West Virginia Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, issued a statement following the announcement. Woelfel wished Skaff well and spoke highly of Hornbuckle’s appointment.

“I can think of no better incoming Leader than Delegate Sean Hornbuckle. I have known Delegate Hornbuckle for many years,” Woelfel said. “He is a pillar in our community and a man of integrity. Sean’s acumen, character, and work ethic are superb. He is bold in action but also pragmatic. His service on behalf of the citizens of Cabell County absolutely merits his elevation to this leadership position.”