School Finances, Economic Development, Historic Bibles And Senate President Randy Smith, At The Legislature This Week

While the West Virginia Legislature may consider hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, there is only one thing they are required by the state constitution to do and that is to pass a balanced budget. The state is…

This week, some of the stories on our show inspired college student art — including a vivid image of a bear smashing a clarinet. Also, a Hare Krishna community in West Virginia serves vegetarian food made in three sacred…

Our program, Inside Appalachia, in December was tagged in an Instagram post by WVU Professor of Art Joseph Lupo. The post showcased four-color reductive relief prints made by WVU students — each one inspired by a story o…

Blood is a key part of modern medical care, but keeping a regular supply relies on thousands of volunteers donating regularly. We learn about the importance of blood drives and how technology is making it easier than eve…

For most of us, the cold and ice of the last few weeks have been a struggle, but a group of local rock climbers made the best of it. Also, lawmakers considered bills related to absentee ballot deadlines and medications u…

It has been three years since the East Palestine train derailment. What have we learned about the health impacts from exposure to chemicals on board? Also, ICE officers arrested 650 people in West Virginia over 14 days l…

We hear from Senate President Randy Smith who in last week's episode of The Legislature Today discussed his goals for supporting small businesses in the state. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom examines how cold…

This week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey talks tax cuts, the state Senate discusses adding Bibles to certain classrooms, and the American Lung Association released its annual report card on states’ efforts to reduce smoking. ...

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Sen. Randy Smith, R-Preston, is in his second year as the Senate President. In that role, he is also the lieutenant governor. Smith sat down with News Director Eric Douglas to di…

This week, we take a look at how the U.S. government built a secret city in East Tennessee during World War II to work on the atomic bomb. Also, almost everybody has a favorite cup or coffee mug, but how far would you go…

"Bombshell" is a new film from American Experience that explores how the government manipulated the public about the bomb’s development and deployment. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with author Greg Mitchell, who…

We hear the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, that reports on environmental issues in the region. In this story, we learn how electricity costs are on a sharp rise despite…

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia, accounting for about 4,200 deaths annually. The American Lung Association released its annual report grading West Virginia with Ds and Fs. We spoke…

How important is habitat for survival? We listen to The Allegheny Front’s latest story on what’s happening with federal efforts to limit protections for endangered species. Also, following a major winter storm, West Virg…

We hear from House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, who outlines his goals for the 2026 West Virginia Legislative session. Also, if you’re newly pregnant and haven’t been able to afford health insurance, there’s a good cha…