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America's Awesome Kids
West Virginia’s children ages 8-10 have the opportunity to “tell their stories” as part of the America’s Awesome Kids project. A partnership between WVPB and WGBH in Boston.
This week, we speak with the author of a new graphic novel about the West Virginia Mine Wars. Also, professional storyteller James Froemel invents quirky characters, like a sign maker who can’t spell. And, one of the most common animals to get hit by cars are opossums. But, there’s a kind of animal rescue called pouch picking. We talk with author Laura Jackson.
Members of the state Senate had 25 bills on their morning calendar Monday, passing almost all unanimously. Those bills included:
Senate Bill 623
The bill requires employers in the mining industry to report all positive drug and alcohol tests to the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training. Currently, notification is only required if a miner is discharged.
Senate Bill 476
The bill sets regulations and standards for vehicles being altered to run on alternative fuels. The bill states that no diesel engine modifications for dual fuel retrofit can change the original engine in any way. A similar piece of legislation was passed by the chamber last year, but died in the House of Delegates.
0224EngineSPOT.mp3
Cecelia Mason reports on the bill.
Senate Bill 431
The bill lengthens the driver’s license renewal cycle from 5 to 8 years. The bill also allows for the development of an online renewal process and permits individuals with expiring licenses to be notified electronically.
0224DriverSPOT.mp3
Ashton Marra reports on the bill.
Senate Bill 469
The bill creates the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture Program under the Department of Agriculture as a tool to integrate veterans into agriculture jobs. It aims to help West Virginia veterans find employment after returning from combat as well as strengthen the future of the state’s agriculture economy.
All four bills will now move to the House for further consideration.
Leaders of Huntington want commuters who work in the city to have a home there -- they've got a plan. And a campaign to help those in need access clean water looks at the unique challenges in Appalachia.
The Public Service Commission has issued another order it hopes will streamline broadband expansion in West Virginia -- but not everyone supports the plan. And the next episode of Us & Them examines caregiving in America -- what it takes and how much it should pay.
Disputes between pole owners and other utilities over capacity, access and cost-sharing have proven to be a major stumbling block for the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure nationally.