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This week, one thing about Appalachians: we can get competitive. We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules and celebrate our victories. You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders made a surprise visit to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night. The late-night show also featured clips and a sketch on Donald Trump’s visit to Charleston last week.
Appearing the night before the West Virginia primary, Sanders teaches Colbert a lesson in not giving up as the comedian is distraught after not being able to get a 100 Grand candy bar from a vending machine.
“It’s a lost cause,” said Colbert.
Sanders then appears unannounced.
“I don’t take money from billionaires, but I do check every vending machine change slot,” Sanders said, noting he was hoping to find $27 dollars in the machine--the average contribution he’s received from donors nationally.
The two then begin discussing the West Virginia primary.
“I think we have a shot to win and I’ll tell you why,” said Sanders. “It’s because in West Virginia, like every place else in this country, too many people are working longer hours for lower wages and people want change, Stephen.”
Colbert then questions Sanders being able to pull off the nomination, even with a win in West Virginia.
Colbert also had a segment on assured Republican nominee Donald Trump’s visit to the state last week, focusing mostly on Trump’s promise to bring coal mining jobs back.
The comedian and host also made mention of Trump’s comments last week at a rally in Charleston where he urged those in attendance not to vote. Colbert also mentioned Trump’s endorsement from the West Virginia Coal Association, who presented the candidate with a mining helmet--which lead to some comments about hair spray and the O-Zone.
You can watch the entire clip of Colbert’s segment on Trump here:
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In 2020, the U.S. Navy commissioned a new aircraft carrier, CVN-81, and chose to name it after Doris "Dorie" Miller, but stories have surfaced recently of discussions about renaming it after President Donald Trump.
Many West Virginians may not remember the name Doris “Dorie” Miller, but he served on the USS West Virginia when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor. While Miller was never trained to fight, he raced to the deck on the day of the attack and fought back - shooting down at least one enemy plane. In 2020, a new aircraft was commissioned by the U.S. Navy and named for Miller. But recent stories have surfaced with talk of renaming it after President Donald Trump. We speak with Scott Womack, the commander of American Legion Post 100 in Monroe, West Virginia, to discuss the group’s recent resolution that the Navy should retain Miller’s name on the ship.
West Virginia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy to become the sixth state chosen for a nuclear energy opportunity that could bring tens of thousands of new jobs.