Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, a bill to rename the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is on its way to the governor for a signature.
In the Senate, lawmakers passed and sent eight bills over to the House, including one controversial bill that permits teachers to teach intelligent design in public school classrooms. Briana Heaney has the story.
In this House, two bills on third reading dealt with aspects of medical and social care.
The legislature’s first public hearing of 2024 will be Wednesday morning on House Bill 4654, regarding public facilities, minors and obscene material. Randy Yohe has more.
Hundreds of students gathered at the Capitol to spread their tobacco-free message. Emily Rice has this story.
And, the legislature’s education committees started off the week discussing who is responsible for maintaining records for special education and teaching about human development. Chris Schulz has more.
Finally, today was Facing Hunger Day at the Capitol. Both major food banks in the state were joined by local food pantries to promote legislative priorities. According to the USDA, more than 1 in 4 children experience food insecurity in the United States. In West Virginia and Kentucky, at least 78,800 seniors are living in poverty.
To continue this discussion, Briana Heaney invited Cindi Kirkhart, the chief executive officer of the Facing Hunger Food Bank, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, to help us better understand the scope of the problem.
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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.
On this West Virginia Morning, experts say major flood events are so common that everyone needs flood insurance and professional cycling returns to Charleston.
This week on Inside Appalachia, the setting for a new novel is a communal society founded by freed people in North Carolina. It was a real place called The Kingdom of the Happy Land. Also, when a West Virginia pastor got assigned to a new church, some folks tried to warn him. And, the online world of Appalachian memes — and what they tell us about folks who live here.
