This week, in author Willie Carver, Jr.’s new book, he reconsiders a negative childhood experience with a neighborhood girl who might have just been looking for a friend. Also, a southwestern Virginia community rang the alarm after more and more of its children were diagnosed with cancer. A local journalist is trying to unravel the cause. And, the city of Asheville has a new crusading reporter. He’s a puppet.
State Lawmakers Meet in Fayette Co. to Discuss Revitalizing Southern Coalfields
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The second meeting of the SCORE task force met in Fayette County Tuesday night. SCORE, Southern Coalfields Organizing and Revitalizing the Economy, is an initiative aimed to give southern West Virginia much-needed opportunities to diversify the economy and strengthen communities.
Nothing was off the table as each person that chose to speak had two minutes at the podium.
Other areas of concern brought up by the community included:
drug abuse
aging population
disaster preparedness
quality child care
clean water
Suggestions from other speakers included:
renewable energy tax credits
selling water as a natural resource
funding water protection plans
resisting attempts to weaken environmental law
Ensuring the DEP is enforcing the laws
Some folks brought up investing in tourism marketing- something brought up by Co Chair of the Committee Senator Art Kirkendoll of Logan County and Senator Bill Laird of Fayette County.
“One of the things that are particularly significant in this senatorial district the tourism the natural beauty of the area. The Greenbrier Valley certainly the New River Gorge ,” he said.
A recent article in the Charleston Gazette points to a sharp decline in the rafting business, over the past few years.
And as lawmakers talk about investing more into marketing the tourism industry the state audit is questioning the ethics of the Hatfield and McCoy Authority which oversees some of the ATV trails in the state. The state auditor said it was operating as if laws didn’t apply to it.
The SCORE Committee plans to meet two more times. While the last meeting will be held in Logan County, the next location has not been established yet.
Credit Jessica Lilly
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State lawmakers give brief remarks after hearing from community members.
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The American Lung Association has released its 27th State of the Air report on air pollution and awarded grades for metro areas across the country. No one in West Virginia lives in a county with a failing grade. We talk with Kevin Stewart, director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association, about the report and what it all means.
A federal judge will hear evidence in May on whether to give a neutral third party control of the Greenbrier Resort or hold off until another suit in state court is resolved.
This week, coal power can be expensive. Utilities run coal-fired power plants harder in the winter and summer when demand is high. Also, two films made in West Virginia shot to the top of Netflix’s streaming charts. The state wants to encourage even more movies to be made in West Virginia by helping keep production costs down. And, an Eastern Kentucky pharmacist serves vegan food for the holidays.
