CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On the first episode of Inside West Virginia Politics for 2022, Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to people about the nursing shortage, pay raises for teachers, highlights from the West Virginia supreme court and more. Joyce Wilson, President of the West Virginia Nurses Association, calls in to talk to our co-host Mark Curtis about the $48 million Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) is designating to address the nurse shortage in West Virginia. Segment Two brings on Fred Albert, Wes...
Jan 03, 2022•22 min•Ep. 152
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — It’s Inside West Virginia Politics’ annual reporter roundtable where co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with journalists from around the Mountain State to talk about the stories that impacted them and West Virginia. In Segment One and Two, Amanda Barren and Mark Curtis are sitting down with our very own 13 News’ This Morning Anchor, Hannah Goetz, and Steven Allen Adams with OGDEN Newspapers. Joe Stevens, WMOV Radio in Jackson County, and Lacie Pierson with th...
Dec 27, 2021•22 min•Ep. 151
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — This week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics is the annual “faith during the holidays,” episode. In Segment One, the episode starts with co-host Mark Curtis talking to Congresswoman Carol Miller (R) from West Virginia’s third district about inflation. Segment Two brings pastor and host of Daily Living, which can be watched on WOWK 13, Father Chapin. Co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with him to talk about what Barren calls the, “spirit of the season....
Dec 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 150
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, in Segment One, our co-host Mark Curtis is joined by Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) to talk about his involvement with the 11 other states fighting to stop federal vaccine mandates. Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginia COVID-19 Czar, calls into the show in Segment Two to talk to Mark Curtis about the Post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 surge. In Segment Three, co-host Amanda Barren sits down with Chris Hamilton, Executive...
Dec 13, 2021•22 min•Ep. 149
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we discuss elements of economics and infrastructure in the Mountain State. In Segment One, our hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren, sit down with State Auditor J.B. McCuskey and talk about how $6 billion from the Build Back Better plan would be used. State Treasurer Riley Moore calls in to talk to Mark Curtis in Segment Two about the 15 state coalition against the banking boycott of the fossil fuels industry and what that ...
Dec 06, 2021•22 min•Ep. 148
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — This week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics welcomes a new co-host to the program. 13 News’ very own Evening Anchor, Amanda Barren. In Segment One, we are joined by Dr. Sherri Young of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to talk about COVID-19 and safety tips on Thanksgiving and travel. We are joined by Gary Zuckett, executive director of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group in Segment Two to discuss Build Back Better and how it can influence West Virginia...
Nov 29, 2021•22 min•Ep. 147
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we discuss what our host, Mark Curtis, calls, “the biggest piece of legislation in the land,” the infrastructure bill which passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 19, 2021. We also talk about the January 6 commission and the turmoil it is causing. In Segment One, we are joined by Representative Alex Mooney (R-WV) to discuss his objection to the infrastructure bill and the January 6 commission. Representative Da...
Nov 22, 2021•22 min•Ep. 146
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we’re dedicating our show to our U.S. military and veterans in honor of the recent Veterans Day holiday. In Segment 1, we’re joined by Capt. James McCormick, (ret.), National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart who is sharing his message to elected officials to make sure they honor their commitments to veterans and their families. McCormick says he met with President Joe Biden on Veterans Day to disc...
Nov 15, 2021•22 min•Ep. 145
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) joins us in Segment One to discuss the infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better plan. In Segment Two, we hear from Kat Stoll with West Virginians for Affordable Health Care on why the organization believes dental care is needed as a part of Medicare Eric Berger of the Oral Health Coalition joins us in Segment Three to talk more about Medicare expansion and how it will be paid for...
Nov 08, 2021•22 min•Ep. 144
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – This week on Inside West Virginia Politics, Dr. Sherri Young, public health officer for the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, joins our host Mark Curtis in Segment 1 to talk about FDA approval of a lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 and the anticipated CDC approval. In Segment 2 and Segment 3, Jim Kaufman, president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association stops by to continue the discussion on the impact COVID-19 has had on the Mountain State...
Nov 01, 2021•22 min•Ep. 143
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay) stops by in Segment One to talk about the biggest political story happening right now in the state – redistricting. In Segment Two, we continue the redistricting conversation with House Minority Leader Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha) to hear the opposing side of the debate.
Oct 25, 2021•21 min•Ep. 142
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin discusses her request for a special session of the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Jim Justice’s reaction. She also talks about what the city has been doing with federal funding and how events returning to Charleston have affected the city’s economy. We hear more about the money of politics from State Treasurer Riley Moore and Seth Distefano, Policy Outreach Director for the West ...
Oct 18, 2021•22 min•Ep. 141
On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, host Mark Curtis and guests discuss various topics including education and healthcare and current issues such as the American Electric Power (AEP) price increase intended to support three coal power plants in the Mountain State. Guests on the shows this week include Erin Anderson, West Virginia Teacher of the Year 2021 and 5th-grade teacher at Tennerton Elementary School in Upshur County, Brian Casto, West Virginia Teacher of the Year 2022...
Oct 11, 2021•22 min•Ep. 140
On this week’s episode on Inside West Virginia Politics, host Mark Curtis and guests discuss a variety of topics important to the Mountain State, including the possibility of extending three West Virginia coal-fired power plants until 2040, National Recovery Month, and the support of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda . Guests on this week’s episode include Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association , Karan Ireland from the West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Clu...
Oct 04, 2021•22 min•Ep. 139
In our first two segments, Attorney Mike Kelly, a former family court judge for Kanawha County for 15 years who has now returned to private practice, stops by to discuss his new book “Marrow Bone,” which delves into the politics of the Mountain State. Kelly says he wrote the book because since he first began practicing law in Mingo County, he has been fascinated by West Virginia politics and how unique and personal the state’s politics are in comparison to other counties. In the book, he uses a ...
Sep 27, 2021•22 min•Ep. 138
New COVID-19 treatment available in Kanawha County In Segment 1, Dr. Sherri Young, DO, FAAFO, is the Health Officer at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. She’s discussing the latest on COVID-19 in West Virginia, including the health department offering a new treatment for the virus. KCHD is offering monoclonal antibody clinics in addition to their free COVID-19 vaccination and testing clinic. Monoclonal antibodies or mAb are made in a laboratory to fight a particular infection, and in thi...
Sep 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 137
COVID-19 continues to spread like a wildfire in West Virginia In Segment 1, Dr. Clay Marsh, the COVID-19 Czar in West Virginia, talks about the spike in coronavirus cases due to the impact of the Delta variant. Marsh says the Delta variant has caused this large spike as it can spread very quickly and that this strain of the virus is over 1,000 more spreadable than with the initial COVID-19 outbreak. West Virginia has broken two COVID-19 records within the last week. According to state health dat...
Sep 13, 2021•22 min•Ep. 136
Rich Trumka and the 100th anniversary of Battle of Blair Mountain In Segment 1, Cecil Roberts, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President, discusses the passing of Rich Trumka , former President of the AFL-CIO. An outspoken advocate for social and economic justice, Trumka was the nation’s most straightforward voice on the critical need to ensure that all workers have a good job and the power to determine their wages and working conditions. Roberts also talks about the 100th anniversary ...
Sep 06, 2021•22 min•Ep. 135
In Segment 1 , Recently retired Judge Will Thompson from Boone County discusses his nomination for US Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. While he cannot disclose anything about the confirmation process, he shares stories from his years on the bench and talks about being one of the pioneers of drug courts and expungements. In Segment 2 , Mark Curtis and recently-retired Judge Will Thompson from Boone County talk about Chelsea Carter , who was addicted to drugs as a teenager. She...
Aug 30, 2021•22 min•Ep. 134
A new recovery center to help with opioid addiction In Segment 1, Rep. Carol Miller, Congresswoman from WV’s 3rd District, discusses West Virginia’s opioid problem. Earlier this week, Miller toured the New Lotus Recovery Facility in Boone County. She says there may be more clinics to open in West Virginia. “Recovery is such an important part of getting over addiction, period,” said Miller. “Because you have rehab and recovery. The tough physical part of rehab, then you have to go into the multil...
Aug 16, 2021•22 min•Ep. 133
The Shawnee Sports Complex estimated to bring more than $100M after first 4 years In Segment 1, Ben Salango (D), Kanawha County Commissioner, discusses his contributions around the county, including his involvement in the Shawnee Sports Complex. Salango says the sports complex will bring in more than $100 million in its first four years — money he says is going back to employees, businesses and workers throughout the valley, not just the county. Salango has also announced his candidacy for the K...
Aug 09, 2021•22 min•Ep. 132
West Virginia sees steady rate of unemployment decrease In Segment 1, Steve Roberts, The President of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, recently had an op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail titled “WV coming out of economic slumber.” Robert discusses how West Virginia is seeing some good signs such as an unemployment rate below the national average, steadily-increasing workforce participation and an economy that is improving faster than the national average. Despite these positive signs, man...
Aug 02, 2021•22 min•Ep. 131
In Segment 1 , West Virginia COVID-19 Czar, Dr. Clay Marsh to discuss the state of the virus in the Mountain State. As of Thursday, July 22, the state saw a 60% increase in Delta variant cases, going from 22 to 35 cases overnight, and active virus cases continue to climb. Marsh says this increase is “probably just the beginning” of the Delta variant’s impact on the state. He also believes the overall increase in cases is due to people becoming more “lax” on wearing masks and social distancing, a...
Jul 26, 2021•22 min•Ep. 130
What is the Hope Scholarship? In Segment 1, West Virginia’s Treasurer Riley Moore discusses the Hope Scholarship. According to Moore, the Hope Scholarship Program is an education savings account that allows parents to receive $4,600 per-pupil state funding already set aside for their children’s education onto an electronic, parent-controlled fund for educational expenses. Those expenses can include private school tuition, tutoring, credentialing, therapies, transportation and more. This program ...
Jul 20, 2021•22 min•Ep. 129
How the American Families Plan can improve 90% of West Virginian kids’ lives In Segment 1, Congress is returning to Washington on Monday, July 12, and Seth DiStefano, the Policy Outreach Director at the West Virginia Center of Budget and Policy, discusses why Congress should prioritize the American Families Plan . In July, families with children will begin to see checks as part of the refundable tax credit passed earlier in 2021. According to White House officials, “The American Families Plan wi...
Jul 12, 2021•22 min•Ep. 128
How the infrastructure bill will reconnect West Virginia to the United States In Segment 1, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) talks about the infrastructure bill. Manchin is in the bipartisan group. He said the $1.2 trillion investment will go into repairing bridges, making the Cardinal Rail system ready for daily use, expanding broadband, installing charging stations for electric vehicles and upgrading lead pipes, water and airports systems. Manchin also said he voted yes for the “For the People”...
Jul 05, 2021•22 min•Ep. 127
In Segment 1, former long-time West Virginia legislator Rick Staton (D) joins us to talk about the “For the People Act.” Staton says he is in favor of the “For the People Act” and believes its provisions would stop states from making alleged attempts at voter suppression and create more uniformity in the voting process. He also says he hopes that should the bill pass, it will be upheld by the courts if it is challenged. The former West Virginia delegate says he is also in favor of the provision ...
Jul 02, 2021•22 min•Ep. 126
How to make people stay in West Virginia In Segment 1, Delegate Dana Ferrell (R) Kanawha County makes his first appearance on Inside West Virginia Politics and discusses economic development possibilities in West Virginia after an AP article was published saying West Virginia had gone down population-wise. He also discusses his association with Phillips Global, a company that says they have 150 jobs available in Beckley, WV. What the West Virginia National Guard’s focus has been so far in 2021 I...
Jun 21, 2021•22 min•Ep. 125
‘Much needed’ $150 million to fix West Virginia roads In Segment 1, Del. Lisa Zukoff (D) from Marshall County discusses Governor Jim Justice’s request to move $150 million from the general fund to the road fund. She says the money is “much needed” in her district. “We are a big county; we have oil and gas development still going on. A lot of big trucks in our community, which takes its toll on the roads,” said Zukoff. In 2019, Justice acknowledged that Marshall County had the worst roads in the ...
Jun 14, 2021•22 min•Ep. 124
‘Will rates go up? Of course they will’: The impact of Mitchell Power Plant closure In Segment 1, U.S. Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) from West Virginia’s 1st District visited Charleston to testify before the Public Service Commission regarding the potential closure of the Mitchell Power Plant in Marshall County. At this time, there are two options: shut down in 2028 or shut down in 2040. McKinley says things to be considered before closures are its economic effects for that area and National securi...
Jun 07, 2021•22 min•Ep. 123
