Tourism Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W.Va. Rail Trails Network Getting Multi-Million Dollar Upgrade

Nearly 700 miles of new or enhanced rail trails are part of a nearly $19 million outdoor recreation infrastructure project.

Gov. Jim Justice said, in a press release, that these grants will help towns, cities and counties build and improve sidewalks, lighting, walking paths, rail trails and more.

“Investing in our cities, towns, parks, and trails is truly one of the best ways to attract tourists and improve the daily lives of our residents,” Justice said. “This program allocates millions of dollars to make some of the most cherished places in West Virginia easier to access, which will also increase visitation throughout the state.”

The overall program combines local, federal and state funds, Justice said. Projects are being funded in all nine West Virginia travel regions and 34 counties.

Among those project plans, more than $764,000 will go to replace the decking on about 37 Greenbrier River Trail bridges.

Greenbrier County Commission President Tammy Tincher said maintaining the popular 78-mile trail enhances tourism revenues and employment in Lewisburg and throughout the county.

“It definitely has allowed opportunities for small business growth,” Tincher said. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to reutilize our geography and continue to allow growth and tourism to flourish.”

Transportation Alternatives Projects Include:

(Projects with total funding, including Federal funding and sponsor match):

Barbour County
The City of Philippi has secured $75,000 for new and replacement sidewalks along both sides of Main Street.

Berkeley County
The City of Martinsburg has been awarded $400,000 for Martinsburg Frog Hollow Rail-Trail Route 9 Overpass Bridge Remediation, which will upgrade the 103 feet bridge span to protect the structure and enhance the safety of the bridge for users, including the abutments and railings.

Braxton County
Braxton County Commission has received $100,000 for the Gassaway Trail-to-Town Connector. The funding will be utilized for sidewalks connecting the Elk River Trail on Elk Road and the Gassaway Depot to 5th Street.

Doddridge County
Doddridge County Commission has secured $125,000 for the Doddridge County Park Pedestrian Bridge, spanning the Meathouse Fork and connecting to the EQT Creekside Education Trail and the North Bend Rail Trail.

Grant County
Grant County Commission has been awarded $162,500 for Petersburg River Park Hike and Bike Trail Continuation—Phase II, which will construct a trail on the Town of Petersburg’s levee system.

Greenbrier County
Greenbrier River Trail Foundation, Inc. has received $764,941.25 for Greenbrier River Trail Bridge Decking—Supplemental Phase to replace the decking on approximately 37 Greenbrier River Trail bridges.

Hampshire County
The Town of Capon Bridge secured $50,000 for new and replacement sidewalks throughout the Town of Capon Bridge and connecting to Main Street.

Harrison County
The City of Clarksburg has been awarded $100,000 for Glen Elk Streetscape and Green Infrastructure—Phase I, which will fund new and replacement sidewalks throughout the Glen Elk area of the City.

Jefferson County
The City of Charles Town has received $382,217.50 for the Charles Town Liberty Street Sidewalk upgrade on Liberty Street from George Street to Samuel Street.

Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission has been awarded $66,000 for Duffield’s Depot Rehabilitation. The funding for the rehabilitation of Duffield’s Depot includes:

Paint analysis.
Repairing/replastering the interior walls.
Trimming carpentry.
Painting the interior and exterior trim.
Installing a handicapped-accessible ramp.

Kanawha County
The City of Charleston has secured $150,000 for Smith Street and Leon Sullivan Way for new and replacement sidewalks and new street lighting from Morris Street to Leon Sullivan Way along Smith Street.

The town of Marmet has received $650,000 for Marmet Lens Creek Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements, including new and replacement sidewalks along West Virginia Route 61.

Monongalia County
Monongahela River Trails Conservancy has been awarded $300,000 for Deckers Creek Rail Trail Restoration. The funding will be used to restore the drainage and surface of approximately five miles of the Trail.

The City of Morgantown has secured $945,000 for the Morgantown Municipal Airport Streetscape Project. The funding will be used to build a new sidewalk and add pedestrian lighting along Hart Field Road, from the Mileground to the terminal.

The City of Westover has received $125,000 for Westover Fairmont Road Sidewalks, which will fund new sidewalks on the north side of Fairmont Road (Route 19) from Dupont Road to Dent’s Run Road.

Morgan County
The Town of Bath has been awarded $70,000 for Bath/Berkeley Springs Streetscape—Phase IV for new and replacement sidewalks on Congress Street, North Washington Street, Union Street, Fairfax Street, and Mercer Street.

The town of Paw Paw has secured $62,500 for the Paw Paw Sidewalk Improvement Project, which will install new and replacement sidewalks along Winchester Street and Moser Avenue for approximately 0.47 miles south from Town Hall to the intersection of Winchester Street and Moser Avenue and west to the library.

Nicholas County
The City of Summersville has received $675,000 for Summersville Webster Road Sidewalk Construction Improvements—Phase II, which will be for new sidewalks on the west side of Webster Road from Gladwell Drive to just past the United Bank building at the corner of West Webster Road and Route 41.

Ohio County
The City of Wheeling has been awarded $1,700,000 for Wheeling Robrecht Riverfront Park Pedestrian Improvements, which will construct pedestrian/bicycle walkways and trails in the Robrecht Riverfront Park area of Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River.

Pocahontas County
USDA Forest Service has secured $1,250,000 to reconstruct Cranberry Glades Boardwalk.

The town of Marlinton has received $100,000.00 for new and replacement sidewalks in the central business district and residential area.

Putnam County
The town of Eleanor has been awarded $350,000 for Eleanor Park Sidewalk—Phase I. The funding will be used to build new sidewalks from the Eleanor Park entrance through the woods to the existing footbridge.

The town of Poca has secured $460,000 for the Poca Laurel Avenue Sidewalk Extension—Phase II, which will add a new sidewalk and complete the pedestrian connection between Route 63 and the Subdivision.

The City of Winfield has received $350,000 for the Winfield Sidewalk System—Phase I, which will include a sidewalk on the east side of Route 817 (Winfield Road) from Hawthorn Drive to Waterside Drive.

Randolph County
Randolph County Commission has been awarded $50,000 for Randolph County Courthouse ADA Compliant Entrance and Sidewalks. The funding will be utilized for the reconstruction of the main entrance sidewalk and stairs of the courthouse to bring them into ADA compliance and for a new sidewalk connection to make a continuous walking path around the courthouse complex.

Summers County
The city of Hinton has been awarded $710,803.75 for new and replacement sidewalks along Pleasant Street.

Tucker County
The Town of Davis has secured $100,000 to be used for approximately 3,000 feet of new and replacement sidewalks along Main Street.

Upshur County
The City of Buckhannon has received $75,000 for the Buckhannon Morton Avenue & North Locust Street Sidewalk & Lighting Project. The funding will be used to install new sidewalks and lighting along North Locust Street and Morton Avenue.

Webster County
The town of Cowen has been awarded $90,000 for new and replacement sidewalks along Erbacon Road and Webster Road.

Wetzel County
The Town of Hundred has secured $100,000 for Hundred Sidewalk—Phase III. The funding will be utilized for new and replacement sidewalks along the right side of US Route 69/Pennsylvania Avenue and Route 250 North to Hamilton Street.

Wood County
The City of Parkersburg has received $850,000 for Parkersburg St. Mary’s Avenue—Phase I for new and replacement sidewalks along St. Mary’s Avenue.

Federal and State-Funded Recreational Trails Program Projects:

(Projects with total funding, including Federal funding, State funding, and sponsor match):

Berkeley County
The City of Martinsburg has been awarded $750,000 for Martinsburg Creekside Trail. The funding will be used to construct a connector trail of approximately 0.6 miles that will connect downtown Martinsburg (Queen Street) to Oatesdale Park and Frog Hollow Trail.

Cabell County
Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District has secured $100,000 for Memorial Park Pathway GHPRD. The funding will be used to repair approximately 7,500 linear feet of path in multiple areas along the Memorial Park Pathway, including pavement and edge boards.

Fayette County
West Virginia DNR Babcock State Park has received $350,000 for extended repair of the damaged portion of the Narrow Gauge Trail in Babcock State Park.

The City of Montgomery has been awarded $60,000 to redevelop and repair 1.5 miles of the Montgomery Tech Trails, which were formerly owned by West Virginia Tech Trails.

Greenbrier County
Greenbrier River Trail Foundation has secured $1,250,000 to construct bridge decking replacement on 37 Greenbrier River Rail Trail bridges.

Hardy County
The Hardy County Commission has received $300,000 for the construction of approximately 2.8 miles of the single-track Jay Moglia Beginner Trail in Lost River State Park.

Harrison County
The City of Clarksburg has been awarded $300,000 for Clarksburg Hub Urban Rail-Trail Connection—Phase I to construct trail segments to close a rail-trail gap within the City.

The City of Clarksburg has secured $284,970 for the Lowndes Park Trail System and Bike Park. The funding will be used to construct nine trails totaling approximately 4.5 miles, including a jump trail, a pump track, and two trailheads in Lowndes Hill.

Kanawha County
West Virginia DNR Kanawha State Forest has received $100,000 for Davis Creek Trail—Phase I, which will involve long-term rehabilitation and future extension of the Trail and bridges.

The Mary Ingles Trail Blazer Chapter of the WV Scenic Trails Association has been awarded $265,540 for Marmet Locks: Mary Ingles Memorial Trail. The funding constructs approximately 3,700 linear feet of pedestrian primitive trail around Mt. Holly Lawn on the Marmet Locks and Dam.

Lewis County
The Lewis County Commission has secured $152,731 for the Lewis County Park Trail Extension, which will add approximately 1,000 feet of new trails and upgrade the current 2,000 feet of walking paths at Lewis County Park.

Lincoln County
The National Coal Heritage Area Authority has received $250,000 for Guyandotte Water Trail Access to construct a river access point and boat launch along the Guyandotte River near Ranger.

Logan County
Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority has been awarded $125,000.00 for the Bearwallow Trail System. Hatfield McCoy will perform all maintenance functions on the existing 125 miles of the Bearwallow Trail System.

Rural Health Access Corporation, dba Coalfield Health Center, has secured $103,000 for Chapmanville Community Greenspace. The construction of a Logan County Greenspace will provide residents with a path and nature walk that can be used for walking, jogging, and bicycles to increase physical activity.

Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority has received $125,000 for Logan County Trail System Maintenance. Hatfield McCoy will perform all maintenance functions on 50 to 75 miles of the Logan County Trail System.

Mercer County
Mercer County Commission has been awarded $187,500 for the Bluestone River Trail, which will provide 15 miles of hiking trails along Camp Creek from Camp Creek State Park to the Bluestone National Scenic River, along the Bluestone National Scenic River to Pipestem Resort State Park, and a separate branch extending along Brush Creek to the community of Gardner.

Mingo County
Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority has secured $125,000 for the Buffalo Mountain Trail System. Hatfield McCoy will perform all maintenance functions on the system’s 100 miles of Existing Trail.

Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority has received $125,000 for Devil Anse Trail System Maintenance. Hatfield McCoy will perform all maintenance functions on 56 miles of the Devil Anse Trail System.

Friends of the Tug Fork River has been awarded $53,000 for Tug Fork River Water Trail Boat Ramps. The funding will be utilized for a boat ramp and related amenities along the 60-mile-long Bloody Mingo Tug Fork River Water Trail, which will allow access to the river for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

Monongalia County
Sally Taylor, West Virginia Botanic Garden, Inc., has secured $50,000 for trail improvements and rehab of approximately three-quarters of a mile of the Garden’s main trail, the Reservoir Loop Trail (RLT), which encircles the central features of the Garden.

West Virginia University Research Corporation has received $375,000 for WVU’s West Run Trails Enhancement Project. The funding will be used to develop over 10 miles of new shared-use and single-use trails and upgrade 10 miles of existing trails and forest roads to modern standards for natural surface trail sustainability.

Morgan County
West Virginia DNR has been awarded $200,000 for Cacapon Resort State Park Trails. The funding will be utilized for the Appalachian Conservation Corps request to refurbish the old CCC trails.

Ohio County
Ohio Valley Trail Partners has secured $40,000 for the Wheeling Heritage Trail Connector, which will fill the gap between existing trails in the City of Wheeling by painting bike lanes and adding signage to guide cyclists to each trail.

Randolph County
Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission has received $485,000 for Glendale Park Skills Area, a recreation complex with athletic fields, an inclusive playground, hiking and mountain biking trails, and other amenities.

Monongahela National Forest Greenbrier RD has been awarded $375,000 for Mower Tract North—Phase IV, which will construct 8.2 miles of the new trail at Mower Tract, Cheat Mountain, and connect it with the existing loops (Phase 1-3) on the Monongahela National Forest Mower basin.

Raleigh County
Raleigh County Recreation Authority has secured $240,000 for Clear Fork Rail-Trail II, which will construct approximately 10 miles of trail, a new 185-foot pedestrian bridge, renovate the existing 245-foot McDowell Hollow Trestle, and demolish the Wolfpen Trestle.

Ritchie County
North Bend Rails-To-Trails Foundation, Inc., has received $100,000 for North Bend Rail Trail — Phase II, which includes surveying and ditching the Trail.

Summers County
Summers County Commission has been awarded $250,000 for The Great Eastern Trail and the Mary Ingles Trail, which will include 25 miles of Trail for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in Summers County and access to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks.

Tucker County
The Nature Conservancy has secured $300,000 for Brown Mountain to A-Frame Connector, which includes the construction of trails that provide access to additional trails at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The City of Parsons has received $110,000 for Corrick’s Ford Battlefield Dev Project — Phase II, which will install approximately 38 lights and fixtures along the previously constructed and paved Corrick’s Ford Trail within the City.

The West Virginia Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Programs are administered by the WV Division of Highways and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. This year’s federal funding was supplemented with $5 million of state funds appropriated to the West Virginia Department of Tourism.

Harpers Ferry Reaches New Heights Four Years After Pandemic

Harpers Ferry is a historic West Virginia city and international tourist hub. But four years ago the national park and surrounding town were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourists from around the world visit Harpers Ferry each year to immerse themselves in U.S. history. But four years ago, things were a lot quieter downtown with the COVID-19 pandemic spreading nationwide.

Between 2019 and 2020, visits to the park fell by more than 20 percent. Guided tours and bookshop sales fell, too.

“During the initial part of the pandemic, they said that being outside was actually a bad thing,” said Scot Faulkner, president of the Friends of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. His group serves as a liaison between local residents and the national park.

“They literally blocked access to the trails. They blocked access to these open fields. They even hauled logs to block the parking areas,” he said.

“We experienced a decrease in visitation as travel restrictions and concerns about virus transmission led to reduced recreation activities and some closures,” Kristen Maxfield, an interpretation and education program manager at the park, wrote in an email to West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Others involved in local tourism, too, said that making decisions during the pandemic was a balancing act.

One attraction that closed with the onset of the pandemic was the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters, located in Harpers Ferry.

Located in Harpers Ferry, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy serves as a headquarters for the Appalachian Trail, not too far from its midpoint.
*Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

The ATC asked thru-hikers to suspend their journeys in 2020. And, from March 2020 to May 2021, the conservancy closed its office in town, according to Dakota Jackson, ATC associate director of visitor services.

According to Jackson, officials worried that a large group of thru-hikers traveling north from Georgia could spread COVID-19 to communities along the trail.

But, ultimately, she said a lot of decision-making happened on the local level, because land managers help oversee portions of the trail.

“It wasn’t ATC closing the trail,” she said. “It really was like an overall decision in response to the pandemic and land managers over the course of 2020.”

In 2022, once most health restrictions were lifted, Jackson said thru-hiker turnout spiked.

But visits to the Harpers Ferry headquarters remain below pre-pandemic levels. Where the center used to bring in 30,000 visitors per year, it barely passed 19,000 in 2023.

Some saw the pandemic shutdown as a way to keep people safe. Others, like hotel owner Karan Townsend, recall its devastating effect on local business.

Townsend said she’s seen pretty consistent tourist turnout since she founded the hotel in 2007. But the pandemic was devastating, because she had to all but close her hotel in March 2020.

Karan Townsend owns and operates the Town’s Inn, a hotel and cafe located in downtown Harpers Ferry.
*Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting*

Things changed a few months later, because West Virginia rescinded some of its public health guidelines earlier than nearby states. Townsend said people began returning to her hotel shortly after this.

“Because we were allowed to open, people that were from nearby areas that were still closed down – actually, not just nearby, from all over the world – came here,” she said.

The upheaval Townsend’s business faced was not alone in Harpers Ferry. Faulkner said many tourist-centric businesses had to close up because of decreased visitors and revenue.

But, like Townsend, Faulkner said things improved gradually as the state reopened.

“As West Virginia began to reopen, being able to see the logs pulled away from the trail paths and being able to have the stores, especially the restaurants, reopen in the town … it began to have an uptick in terms of actual economic activity,” he said.

Today, visitors to the national park have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. They have even surpassed previous heights.

Every year since 2020, the number of visitors to the park has grown. In 2023, more than 400,000 people visited the park.

That marks a growth of more than 100,000 visitors when compared to 2019.

According to Maxfield, the park is now back to its former self, with activities and tour opportunities restored.

“We are delighted to welcome visitors to experience Harpers Ferry National Historical Park for themselves,” she wrote. “There truly is something for people of all ages and interests here.”

Faulkner said that he and residents are also glad to see things back to normal. “We love this park, and [we’re] glad that more and more people are coming.”

New River Gorge Drew A Record 1.7 Million Visitors Last Year

With 325 million visitors last year, park attendance nationwide was higher than any year since 2020 but still not more than 2019’s 327 million.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve saw a record number of visitors in 2023.

The New River Gorge drew 1.7 million visitors last year, breaking the previous record set in 2021.

The park is one of the newest in the National Park System. It was added in 2020.

The peak months at the Gorge are June, July and August, with more than 200,000 visitors each month. Park attendance dips below 100,000 in the winter months.

With 325 million visitors last year, park attendance nationwide was higher than any year since 2020 but still not more than 2019’s 327 million.

The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park also set a record for recent years with 427,000 visitors, up from 300,000 in 2019.

The Gauley River National Recreation Area also saw a record 187,000 visitors last year, up from 119,000 in 2019.

Portions of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park are in West Virginia. The park drew nearly 4.5 million visitors last year. In 2021, nearly 5 million people visited the park.

New Elk Viewing Platform, Visitor Center Slated For Logan County

A new elk viewing platform and visitor center will be constructed in Logan County beginning this year. The project is expected for completion in 2025.

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has awarded the Morgantown-based March-Westin Company a $6.7 million contract to construct a visitor center and elk viewing platform in Logan County.

The project follows the introduction of 150 elk to West Virginia, where they were once native.

The facility’s construction is slated for a 2025 opening, with construction beginning this spring.

It will feature an elevated platform on an elk viewing tower that is accessible to individuals with mobility issues, as well as an exhibition on the elk reintroduction program, displays and conference centers.

The project was funded in part through $2.5 million in federal Abandoned Mine Land grants, $2.1 million from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and $2.1 million from hunting and fishing license funds.

During a press briefing Friday, Gov. Jim Justice said he was excited for the project, and the ability for residents to witness the elk reintroduction program firsthand.

“These magnificent animals, we reintroduced them back into West Virginia,” he said. “Good gracious, it’s majestic beyond belief.”

Digital Documents, Tourism School Announced By Justice Administration

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is expanding its digital services with documents on motorist’s phones and the governor is opening a training program for tourism jobs for high school students.

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is expanding its digital services with documents on motorist’s phones.

West Virginians renewing their registration online can now get a digital registration card stored in their smartphone wallet as part of the digital services and “Skip the Trip” initiative.

DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier joined Gov. Jim Justice during his regular briefing Wednesday, Jan. 24, to announce the new digital service as part of “an ongoing commitment to modernization.” Frazier also announced that this spring, West Virginia plans to join a growing number of states offering digital identification on mobile phones.

“These free services offers immediate access to vehicle information eliminating … the need of rummaging through your glove compartment or your center console there,” he said.

Frazier said the mobile ID will allow secure and easy identification at participating businesses and government agencies, but he advised motorists to keep the physical copies of their documents on hand when possible, especially when traveling out of state.

“Some states may not recognize it,” he said. “But for your security and stuff we’re going to continue to offer everything the same way we do it but this is gonna be in addition to.”

Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, also joined the briefing to praise the department’s work to help move the state into the 21st century.

“I can’t wait for the day whenever I can hold my phone up to the license plate, renew the tags and not have to take the time to go to the DMV,” he said.

Training For Tourism

Justice was also joined by Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby to announce the applications for the Governor’s School for Tourism are now open.

“That’s starting this summer,” Justice said. “You know with tourism booming in our state and getting better and better and better, we need to train people, because these jobs, these jobs are great jobs, and they’re great paying jobs and everything.”

Ruby said the state is experiencing an explosion in tourism and in tourism jobs, with projections showing as many as 21,000 annual job openings in the next four years in the tourism industry.

“But what we’re running into is that our growth in the tourism industry is happening faster than we’re building that workforce,” she said.

The 10 day program designed for 9th and 10th graders will allow students to meet with people in various jobs in the tourism industry ranging from outdoor recreation, arts and culture to hospitality and lodging and culinary arts.

“They will visit every corner of the state, they will go to all of our travel regions,” Ruby said. “They’ll go to two national parks, a number of state parks … They’re going to really get a taste of what those jobs in West Virginia are like.”

In a press release after the briefing, Justice’s administration said the School for Tourism will accept one freshman or sophomore student from each county, as well as one student from each of the state’s five charter schools and a student from the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

15 Days Done

With 15 days completed, the 60-day legislative session is now one quarter of the way through.

Later in the briefing, Justice was asked for his opinion on the legislation’s activity so far, specifically the trend to focus on bills that appeal to conservatives.

“As stuff goes through the process, you know, it’s got to go through the House, it’s got to go through the Senate,” he said. “Wherever it originates a lot of different bells and whistles have to happen and everything before it comes to me. To pre-judge on my part, you know, before it gets to me. I mean, that’s really not very fair.”

Justice continued on to say that he believed God has a place in the state’s schools, and that students – the state’s top resource – need to be protected.

“Those kids are our resource and our gift, and so we should protect them with all in us,” he said. “I’m not going to pre-judge anything until I see it, so we’ll wait till it gets to me.”

Justice was also asked to defend his budget and tax cut proposals after public criticism.

“I really think what you’ve got is a very liberal group that I hope to goodness that they’re bright enough to be able to understand, and say your truth, but without a question, it adds up,” he said. “The math works, that’s all there is to it, you know, and from the standpoint of tax cuts, yeah, I want tax cuts. We’ve got it 23 times since I walked in the door … Why in the world would I do something at the eleventh hour, you know, on and my parting note and do something to mess up all the good stuff that we’ve already done?”

A Bill To Restructure DHHR On The Move And Lawmakers Weigh In On Education Legislation

On this episode of The Legislature Today, dozens, if not hundreds, of bills have been introduced in the West Virginia Legislature this year that involve education. Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Education Chair Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, and teacher Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall, about what some of those bills mean for public education in West Virginia.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, dozens, if not hundreds, of bills have been introduced in the West Virginia Legislature this year that involve education. Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Education Chair Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, and teacher Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall, about what some of those bills mean for public education in West Virginia.

Also, in the House, the bill to officially rename the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has now passed both the House and Senate. Bills increasing penalties for child abuse and candidate residence passed on third reading. Randy Yohe has the story.

The Senate completed action on a bill that makes it a felony to give someone drugs that cause them to die. The chamber introduced other bills today and sent the Controlled Substances Act, Senate Bill 219, over to the House of Delegates. Briana Heaney has the story.

And, tourism industry partners and organizations from across the state gathered at the Capitol to recognize Tourism Day. Briana Heaney has the story, and she found a potentially underserved market.

Finally, the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia held its winter meeting in Charleston last week. Curtis Tate stopped by and has this story.

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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.