Published February 11, 2021 at 9:56 AM EST Listen • 14:01
On this
West Virginia Morning, we hear a story about grandfamilies during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the 2021 West Virginia Legislative session has begun. We hear from Gov. Jim Justice on his legislative priorities, and we hear an update to a lawsuit filed against Union Carbide.
During the first State of the State address of his second term, Gov. Justice spoke of West Virginia’s image nationally. He mentioned the state’s accomplishments, despite a harrowing year impacted by COVID-19. He shared goals that he said will continue to push West Virginia to the top. Emily Allen reports.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear more on the COVID-19 vaccine in Kanawha County and English language learners in Kentucky. Later in the show, friends and family of Russell Yann, who owned Yann's Hotdogs in Fairmont and died last month, remember the Marion County legend.
WVPB
Chris Oxley reads from the book, Thank You, Omu! in the award-winning video that he directed and produced for WVPB s Read For The Record educational initiative.
WVPB has won a national award for community engagement from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA), which honores public media achievements nationwide. The award was presented during its 2021 NETA Conference and CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) Public Media Thought Leader Forum last week.
THANK YOU, OMU! read by the staff of West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Community Engagement National Project Award was presented to WVPB virtually during The 52nd Annual Public Media Awards (PMAs). The winning initiative was a statewide education outreach program targeting early readers. WVPB employees, friends and volunteers – 200 people total – took one day, November 7, 2019, to read the same book to children in all 55 counties in West Virginia. They read Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Listen • 15:46
On this
West Virginia Morning, republican state leadership say a Fairness Act could be a “turning point” for gay and trans rights in West Virginia. But the state has yet to push one through the legislative process. Also, we learn about an online storybook that highlights Medicaid success stories.
The state agency responsible for overseeing the oil and gas industry had budget shortfalls last year and had to cut staff. A group of lawmakers, environmental advocates, and representatives of private property owners are calling for the state legislature to fully-fund the agency. Duncan Slade has more.
Almost a third of West Virginians rely on Medicaid for their health coverage. That includes single moms, caretakers, students and every kind of West Virginian under the sun. A collective of healthcare advocacy groups want to highlight these folks. Their stories include accessing essential health services like delivering a baby or seeing a therapist
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Old Tale Productions
Derek Tyson (right), Editor of the Welch Daily News in McDowell County, shows successful businessman Monty Moran (left) around the newspaper business.
Successful businessman Monty Moran got his pilot license in 2017 and has been flying around the country, dropping into underserved communities to talk with people about their struggles.
“The people in McDowell county had been through a tremendous amount of struggle, and it s caused them not to, not to divide apart and throw things at each other, but instead to draw tighter as a community,” Moran said. “And, you know, I ve learned through this whole docu series, all six episodes the value of struggle. Those who find the most struggle and hardship, though I find often are the wisest, most giving, most generous, most comforting and most compassionate people that I ever meet.”