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The hillbilly stereotype is frequently used to shame mountain people, but there are gentler versions, like Snuffy Smith, the long-running comic strip character. Snuffy Smith originally started out as a supporting character in his comic strip, which first launched in 1919 when Billy DeBeck created Barney Google. Artist Fred Lasswell was brought in during the ‘30s to create Snuffy Smith and his friends. And now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
W.Va. Legislature Enters Final Week Of 2023 Session
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On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have officially begun the final week of the 2023 West Virginia Legislative session. WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas talks with reporter Curtis Tate about bills he’s been following this legislative session, including the latest on a bill that would limit gender-affirming health care in West Virginia.
Also, on Saturday, the House of Delegates met in an extended session and took up several major bills, including an effort to shore up the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).
Justice signed a bill into law Monday that separates the Department of Health and Human Resources into three separate agencies — one for health, one for human resources, like Child Protective Services, and a third for health facilities.
A bill to recognize an unborn child as a victim in a DUI causing death passed the Senate Monday with amendments. The bill now returns to the House for their agreement.
And lawmakers considered a bill that would provide public charter schools access to funding from the Safe School Safety Fund.
Finally, West Virginia’s working men and women took center stage in the Capitol rotunda. On Trades Apprenticeship Day at the West Virginia Legislature, the old is new again when it comes to learning an occupation.
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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.
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