This week, too often, people with mental health challenges or substance use disorder wind up in jail. But crisis response teams offer another way. Also, changes to the Endangered Species Act could benefit big business. They could also kill animals like the eastern hellbender. And, in troubled times, a West Virginia writer says to find peace in nature.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, every ten years, the West Virginia Legislature is tasked with completing a judicial redistricting proposal – 2023 is one of those years.
The goal is to ensure the state’s civil courts are not clogged and criminal courts are working efficiently. Government Reporter Randy Yohe speaks with the West Virginia Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Beth Walker on how the process works.
Also, Yohe talks with the House and Senate Judiciary Committee chairmen Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, and Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, to get a better understanding about the judicial redistricting process.
And the Senate passed a bill Monday that would help the creation of more charter schools in the state. Senate Bill 47 would create a stimulus fund for potential founders who otherwise would not have the means to open a charter school.
Monday was also Library Day at the legislature. As Chris Schulz reports, the day was a celebration of public libraries throughout the state, but also an opportunity to request funding.
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.
If you feel under the weather, how do you know when it’s time to see a doctor? Also, a growing movement to make Appalachia the “truffle capital of the world,” is being led by a small-town farmer in southern Kentucky.
On this West Virginia Week, health care in the state may see transformation, Gov. Patrick Morrisey wants to bring out of state foster kids home, and we explore the origins of a popular American hymn.
Written by a former slave ship captain, “Amazing Grace” has traveled far beyond its origins. In this encore episode, Us & Them traces how the hymn has become a powerful folk song and civil rights anthem — speaking to pain, forgiveness and the possibility of change.
Appalachia has had high rates of substance abuse and mental health disorders for years. After the problem reached a boiling point during the COVID-19 pandemic, a few communities tried using crisis response teams, and so far, that seems to be working. Last year, Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spent several months with some of these teams and has this story.