Report Says More Solar Needed in W.Va., Sen. Rockefeller on the Water Crisis, Snow Fun and More

A new report says West Virginia can do more with solar power.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller expresses his opinion about the West Virginia water crisis.

A Marshall University student is watching the winter Olympics with extra special interest.

And for Jessica Lilly all this snow is a slippery slope.

Developing Solar Energy in W.Va.: Our region is known for producing energy. Historically that has been coal and recently we have added natural gas. Another energy source that could bring jobs and lower electric bills is solar. The Kentucky General Assembly is considering a number of bills that would encourage the use of renewable energy, and WMMT’s Mimi Pickering reports on a new study on the potential of solar power for West Virginians.

Ground Breaking Water Testing Planned in Charleston: Many have criticized officials for failure to test water in homes after the chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, W.Va., that impacted 300,000 people. After the congressional hearing last week, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the creation of a project that will test water in homes and possibly set a standard for chemical testing in drinking water across the country. West Virginia Public Radio’s Ashton Marra reports.

Sen. Rockefeller Talks Water Safety: Meanwhile, West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller offered a statement to the congressional committee conducting a hearing in Charleston, W.Va., Feb. 10, 2014 that says it’s dangerous to rely on industry to do the right thing. Shortly after the spill, Rockefeller asked the Federal Chemical Safety Board to investigate. He spoke with NPR’s Melissa Block about the situation.

The History of Kentucky’s Ban on Same Sex Marriage: The issue of same-sex marriage is being debated in several Appalachian states. Ten years ago, Kentucky’s lawmakers and residents approved an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage. But now U.S. District Judge John Heyburn has knocked the legal footing out from under the measure, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause. Kentucky Public Radio’s Jonathan Meador has more on how the ban went from overwhelmingly popular to a political land mine in one decade.

A Marshall University Students Watches Her Hometown Olympics: The 2014 Winter Olympic continue and each day millions of viewers here in the United States tune in to catch up on which athletes are winning medals. One student at Marshall University has a unique perspective as she watches on television. West Virginia Public Radio’s Clark Davis has more.

A Kentucky Couple Marries in Aisle Four: Brendan McCarthy from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting brings us this audio postcard of the Stacy’s, who, with winter weather closing roads and courts, couldn’t find a judge to sign their soon-to-expire marriage certificate until a lucky encounter at the Hazard Food City.

Winter Fun in W.Va. and Pa.: The never ending winter brought more snow across the region this past week closing schools, government and businesses, making roads treacherous, and forcing folks to once again clear sidewalks and dig cars out. But, as West Virginia Public Radio’s Jessica Lilly reports, there was a silver lining to the situation. And while Lilly found some time to sled ride down a hill during the most recent winter storm, the Allegheny Front’s Jennifer Szweda Jordan also went looking for some outdoor fun this winter. And she found it at a snow tube park.