A lot of people who came of age listening to the Grand Ole Opry know Little Jimmy Dickens. With his clever songs and his rhinestone-studded outfits, the West Virginia native influenced a generation of performers. Now he’s remembered in a new book of poetry.
Education-Focused Reporter Roundtable Talks Charter School Funding, Teacher Shortage
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On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have another Friday reporter roundtable. WVPB reporters Chris Schulz and Randy Yohe are joined this week by Mountain State Spotlight’s Ian Karbal to discuss bills proposed to give more money to charter schools and study alternative school schedules to help districts without enough teachers.
Also, the Senate once again turned its focus on the state’s health systems today by passing two bills, including one to expand their own oversight capabilities.
We also take a look at a public hearing in the House where speakers came to express their feelings on House Bill 3042. Officially, the purpose of this bill is to forbid excessive government limitations on exercise of religion and creates the Equal Protection for Religion Act. Members of the LGBTQ community are concerned the bill may be used to undo fairness protections.
Finally, it was Motorsports Day at the legislature. Enthusiasts from around the state, who race on four wheels or two came to promote their racetracks and ask lawmakers to enhance their speed driven industry. Randy Yohe has our 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.
A lot of people who came of age listening to the Grand Ole Opry know Little Jimmy Dickens. With his clever songs and his rhinestone-studded outfits, the West Virginia native influenced a generation of performers. Now he’s remembered in a new book of poetry.
More high school students in West Virginia are graduating now than in 2013, and there are new improvements in early education milestones as well, according to data from the West Virginia Dept. of Education.
For some Americans, this year’s political earthquakes hit close to home. Trey Kay reflects on federal budget cuts, the elimination of programs and agencies and the resulting layoffs of hundreds of thousands of workers. 2025 was also a year highlighting escalated immigration enforcement, and the deployment of National Guard troops in U.S. cities. One of those missions resulted in the tragic loss of a West Virginia National Guard soldier. On this end-of-year episode of Us & Them, we examine how today’s culture-war battles are reshaping the nation’s foundation.
Federal funding for arts and culture has been curtailed. Trey Kay looks at the reasons in the latest Us & Them. Also, the state board of education has approved another round of school closures and consolidations, the state Legislature is expected to take up several bills in the coming session to address foster care and children who are homeless, and U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was laid to rest Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton.