, Author at West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Improving Early Childhood Literacy And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe talks with Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, about proposed early childhood education reforms to ensure literacy. The renewed focus comes after state and national test results in 2022 showed steep declines in reading and math scores.

On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe talks with Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, about proposed early childhood education reforms to ensure literacy. The renewed focus comes after state and national test results in 2022 showed steep declines in reading and math scores.

Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week features Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert’s original song “Bailout Blues” from their most recent release, The Flowers That Bloom in Spring.

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 West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.

Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.

Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.

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

Campus Carry Legislation Advances In The Senate And Lawmakers Discuss Early Childhood Education Reforms

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to the Senate floor that would allow the concealed carry of handguns on the state’s university campuses. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill to the Senate floor that would allow the concealed carry of handguns on the state’s university campuses. Reporter Chris Schulz has more.

Gov. Jim Justice’s 50 percent income tax cut proposal was passed by the House on Wednesday. But the bill received a cold reception in the Senate. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Finance Chairman Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, on why he thinks the house bill is “dead on arrival,” and what might be proposed in its place.

Yohe also sat down with Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, to discuss how proposed early childhood education reforms may affect West Virginia children, school systems and the taxpayer.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today – January 19, 2023

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.

Lawmaker Proposes Fiddle As W.Va. State Instrument

A resolution by Republican Del. Josh Holstein introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday states that the fiddle has “importance and significance” in “West Virginia’s history, traditions and culture.”

A state lawmaker wants to see the fiddle named the official instrument of West Virginia.

The fiddle arrived in Appalachia in the 18th century with immigrants from the British Isles, according to the resolution.

“The fiddle soon became a staple of life in West Virginia, being played in churches, in logging and mining camps, at weddings and summer picnics, and in the homes and on porches of many West Virginians,” Holstein wrote. “It has remained so ever since.”

The proposal cites several prominent West Virginia musicians, including fiddler Blind Alfred Reed. Reed was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Born in 1880, Reed was among the artists who played in the first recordings of traditional country music at the Bristol Sessions in 1927. Reed, who was blind, performed locally until 1937 when the state passed a law prohibiting blind street musicians. He is buried in Elgood.

After its introduction in the House Wednesday, Holstein’s proposal was sent to the House Rules Committee. The fiddle is also the state instrument of Missouri and Arkansas.

Budget Possibilities And House Passes Income Tax Reduction Proposal On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz sat down with budget policy expert Sean O’Leary from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy to discuss the proposed state budget and the potential possibilities.

On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz sat down with budget policy expert Sean O’Leary from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy to discuss the proposed state budget and the potential possibilities.

The budget is the only piece of legislation that must be passed each year but approaches to how it should be structured vary widely. Republicans hold a super-majority in the West Virginia Legislature, but at this time are still divided on how to deliver promised tax cuts to West Virginians.

Also, in this show, on Wednesday the House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed its version of Gov. Jim Justice’s 50 percent income tax reduction proposal. Before that happened, the Democratic minority proposed an even deeper tax to help low-income taxpayers. 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 West Virginia University, Concord University, and 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

Governor Tests Positive For COVID-19, Delegates Pass Income Tax Reduction And A Policy Expert Talks Budget

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Gov. Jim Justice has tested positive for COVID-19. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice joins our host Bob Brunner to discuss what that means for the legislative session and the state.

Also, in this show, the House of Delegates overwhelmingly passed its version of Justice’s 50 percent income tax reduction proposal. But before that happened, the Democratic minority proposed an even deeper tax cut for low-income taxpayers. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has the story.

It was Jan Lilly Stewart Disability Advocacy Day at the West Virginia Capitol. As Chris Schulz reports, it’s an opportunity for the disability community to come together and let their voices be heard.

Finally, Schulz sat down with policy expert Sean O’Leary to discuss possibilities for this year’s proposed state budget. The budget is the only piece of legislation that must be passed each year but approaches to how it should be structured vary widely. Republicans hold a super-majority, but at this time are still divided on how to deliver promised tax cuts to West Virginians.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today – January 18, 2023

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.

Speaker Hanshaw Shares Session Priorities And Attorney Talks Finances For Aging Parents, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians at some point are faced with the problem of taking over their parent’s finances and care. As part of his ongoing series, "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents," News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Franki Parsons, a Charleston attorney who specializes in estate planning and works with families who may need a conservatorship or a guardianship.

On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians at some point are faced with the problem of taking over their parent’s finances and care. As part of his ongoing series, “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents,” News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Franki Parsons, a Charleston attorney who specializes in estate planning and works with families who may need a conservatorship or a guardianship.

Also, in this show, in our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Government Reporter Randy Yohe sat down with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, to discuss early childhood education, money for coalfield communities and much 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 West Virginia University, Concord University, and 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