Randall Reid-Smith Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Historic, Inspirational Murals To Adorn State Capitol Rotunda

The scaffolding is up and artistic work is beginning on the first two of eight murals to cover parts of the Capitol dome and rotunda.

The scaffolding is up and artistic work is beginning on the first two of eight murals set to cover parts of the Capitol dome and rotunda.

Joining Gov. Jim Justice in his weekly media briefing, Secretary of West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History Randall Reid-Smith said architect Cass Gilbert’s original plan from the state Capitol’s dedication in 1932 included a mural display.

“There was actually no money at that time,” Reid-Smith said. “Of course, we had the Depression, and there was no extra money to do these things. There were 18 governors, 19 if you count Underwood twice, and we never got this done, and I really appreciate you doing this.”

Reid-Smith said the murals will be allegorical, interpreting liberty, justice, commerce and education – as well as historical, depicting Harpers Ferry in 1859, the Battle of Philippi, an arts celebration at Seneca Rocks and an historic state compilation.

The State Seal is depicted in a mural.

*Photo Credit: WV Governor’s Office*

“It will be an interpretation of the state seal,” Reid-Smith said. “In this you’ll see Abraham Lincoln and Arthur I. Borman, Francis Pierpont, and you’ll see scenes of Wheeling and Charleston.”

The murals will be installed at the third floor level of the Rotunda. The installation process will be phased, with four lunettes (semi-circular spaces above doorways) being completed first, followed by four pendentives (curved triangular sections supporting a dome).

In a press release from Justice, a detailed construction schedule was laid out to ensure the work is completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to the public.

Construction Schedule:

April 1: Installation begins with the “Battle of Philippi Bridge” and “State Seal” lunettes.
June 3: Installation continues with the “Shivaree of Seneca Rock” and “Harpers Ferry 1859” lunettes.
Aug. 5: Work begins on the first two pendentives.
Sept. 16: Work continues on the remaining two pendentives.
Nov. 12: Scaffolding dismantled and removed from the site.

Reid-Smith said the first two of the murals will be dedicated on June 20, West Virginia’s 161st birthday.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of November 2024.

Bills Sent To Governor Include Adult Education, Personal Information And Changes In Public Broadcasting

Bills were completed on adult education, safeguarding health care worker’s personal information – and leadership and structural changes in West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s parent organization, the state Educational Broadcasting Authority.

In the House of Delegates Wednesday, several Senate bills on third reading were sent to the governor’s desk for his signature. Bills were completed on adult education, safeguarding health care worker’s personal information – and leadership and structural changes in West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s parent organization, the state Educational Broadcasting Authority.

Offering better educational opportunities to adults is key to Senate Bill 146, creating an adult education taskforce, empowered to fund and enhance already established adult learning centers around the state. The bill passed with a 94-2 vote.

For West Virginia hunters and anglers, Senate Bill 148 established an auto-renewal program for wildlife licenses. The BIll passed 96-0.

Senate Bill 477 updates state code on prohibiting public disclosure of personal information on the internet, specifically for health care workers and first responding health care workers.

Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, supported a bill he said is protective and proactive.

“There has to be threats, there has to be crimes committed, there has to be an issue prior to being able to have your information removed,” Burkhammer said. “I think that’s what we’re looking at here is the opportunity and the ability for our healthcare workers on the front lines out here to proactively go and request their personal information, their mailing addresses where people could show up at their homes, which is a real threat that individuals in my community have called and asked for.

Senate Bill 477 passed 93-2.

Also on third reading, Senate Bill 844 redesignates the Educational Broadcasting Authority (EBA) as an Educational Broadcasting Commission . West Virginia Public Broadcasting is operated by the EBA.

The bill highlights duties of the newly created Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture and History.

It changes the now-governing body, the Educational Broadcasting Authority to the Educational Broadcasting Commission, and gives it only duties to act as an advisor and consultant.

Del. Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, opposed a bill he feared would eliminate a policy making board and possibly turn news reporting into propaganda.

“All it takes is a phone call from the governor’s office, to the secretary, to have everything changed to pull news, subjects that aren’t pleasant, in the governor’s office,” Rowe said. “We’re setting up a structure where literally one phone call can completely change an agency. And that’s not something that we want. And certainly, whenever it’s news, and I hate to use the term, but it creates an opportunity for propaganda, rather than news. For slanting of information about economic development or, or any sort of possibilities in the programming of public broadcasting.

No one in the supermajority spoke for the bill, which passed 79-12 and goes to the governor’s desk.

Police Investigation, Legislation Focus Of Governor’s Briefing

Questions continue to surround the traffic stop of a state Cabinet secretary last week.

Questions continue to surround the traffic stop of a state cabinet secretary last week.

West Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston was stopped by Charleston Police last week but was not charged or cited. The following day, Charleston City Police announced an internal investigation to determine if the stop was handled appropriately.

During his regular briefing Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice praised Wriston’s work and said it was important “to make sure that we are on solid ground before we start accusing people.”

“But once we get there, you know, my feelings are really simple,” he said. “I’ll address it. And right now there’s enough stuff here that doesn’t look very good, you know. But let’s just wait, let’s just wait.”

The governor said more information will be made available once the police investigation is concluded.

New Secretary

Earlier in the briefing, Justice signed Senate Bill 790, which changes the title of Curator of Arts to Cabinet Secretary of Arts, Culture and History. The governor was joined by the newly titled Secretary Randall Reid-Smith to sign a proclamation creating “Arts Day.”

“For every dollar we invest in the arts and history and culture in this state, you know, we return $11 almost immediately,” Justice said. “For every state dollar we receive in funding, there’s a return of $21.”

State Employees

Justice was also asked about proposed pay raises for certain state employees. The House of Delegates passed House Bill 4883 Wednesday. The bill would implement the 5 percent pay increase for state police and school personnel that Justice discussed during his state of the state address Jan. 10.

The governor said he was glad the House had moved the bill and hopes the Senate moves the bill quickly to help hard-working state employees affected by inflation.

“The Biden inflation that has been caused is tough on people. It’s playing tough,” Justice said. “That’s all there is to it. And we can say ‘Oh, well, it’s all gonna get straightened up.’ Maybe, maybe, but maybe not. And people got to go the grocery store and they’ve got to pay the bills, and they’ve got to pay for childcare and everything else under the sun. So all our all of our state workers, you know, I’m proud of you.”

House Approves Bill To Arm W.Va. School Teachers

On this episode of The Legislature Today, there was contentious third reading debate in the House of Delegates over the much talked about bill to arm teachers as concealed carry protection officers.

Updated on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 at 10:14 a.m.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, there was contentious third reading debate in the House of Delegates over the much talked about bill to arm teachers as concealed carry protection officers. Randy Yohe has the latest on House Bill 4299.

In the Senate, the chamber had one of its busier days as official deadlines draw closer. Next Wednesday is Crossover Day, meaning that all bills have to be out of their chamber of origin to have a chance of becoming law. Briana Heaney has more.

Also, the Senate Government Organization Committee advanced a bill that would promote Randall Reid-Smith, the curator of the Department of Arts, Culture and History, to a cabinet secretary. The committee approved Senate Bill 865, which now goes to the full chamber. West Virginia Public Broadcasting is part of the Department of Arts, Culture and History.

A health facility would not need to obtain a certificate of need to operate in West Virginia if a certain House bill becomes law. Emily Rice has more.

Special education educators, students and their families gathered at the Capitol to advocate for more support in their classrooms. Chris Schulz has the story.

And, on History Day at the Capitol, the rotunda is sent back in time. It becomes a place of living history, where the lives and lessons from our state’s past become touchstones for the present and future. Randy Yohe has the story.

Finally, women’s health has been a popular topic in the Senate this year. Many bills and amendments have been introduced that focus on women’s health policy. Briana Heaney speaks with Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, about women’s health in the state and legislation that affects women.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

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.

W.Va. Partners With Tutor.com To Provide Free, Live Tutoring Daily For All Ages

Through a new partnership with Tutor.com, West Virginians of all ages now have access to free, real time, online tutoring, test prep and job help. West Virginians can access these resources by visiting TutorWV.com.

Through a new partnership with Tutor.com, West Virginians of all ages now have access to free, real time, online tutoring, test prep and job help.

West Virginians can access these resources by visiting TutorWV.com. Curator of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History Randall Reid-Smith announced the partnership Wednesday in a regular media briefing with Gov. Jim Justice.

“It’s from 10 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night. There’s 200 subjects that you can study,” Reid-Smith said. “It’s by grade level, it’s by subjects, and all you got to do is go [online], and you click a purple button that says ‘connect now.’ And that takes you to all of the wonderful live tutoring.”

Along with live tutoring, students can use a drop-off review service for essays and math problems.

If students choose to create a free account, they can keep working with the same tutor. The website also has self-guided resources, such as practice quizzes, video lessons and test-preparation resources like the ACT.

“[TutorWV.com] can help people prepare for their SATs, for their LSATs for law school and for their MCAT for medical school,” Reid-Smith said. “So it’s a great, great opportunity.”

Jobseekers also have access to a plethora of resources, such as live interview preparation, help with job searches and applications, and resume and cover letter help. An expert will respond to these submissions within 12 hours.

“I’m incredibly proud to support this program and look forward to seeing the positive impact it’ll have on our state,” Justice said in a news release. “Since taking office, my administration has made it a priority to improve our academic programs. We owe it to our students to give them the best opportunities imaginable. On top of that, this program also addresses the need for career growth for our citizens.”

A similar announcement was made last week for some southern West Virginia counties where 7th and 8th graders have 24/7 access to academic support through Tutor.com. This program is through a partnership with GEAR Up Southern West Virginia.