Inside West Virginia Politics

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren have their semiannual interfaith show with faith leaders from across the Mountain State. Amanda Barren sits down with Father Chapin, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, to discuss Easter in Segment One. In Segment Two, Amanda talks to Rabbi Victor Urecki, Congregation B’nai Jacob, about Passover. Mark Curtis talks to Reverend Mark Boyd, First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans, about Easter in the Christian faith in Segment Three. We end today’s episode with Iman Nasir Abdussalam, Islamic Association of West Virginia, about Ramadan

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk about the gas tax, military affairs and candidates being endorsed. In Segment One, Mark Curtis talks to Ted Diaz, Secretary of the WV Office of Veteran’s Assistance, about military affairs in West Virginia. Segments Two and Three discuss the gas tax from both aisles with Mark Curtis. State Senator Richard Lindsay (D-Kanawha) in Segment Two, Del. John Hardy (R-Berkeley – Asst. Majority Whip) in Segment Three. We end today’s episode with Amanda Barren talking to Stephen Smith with West Virginia Can’t Wait.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we discuss basketball, new television shows, labor unions and more. In Segment One, WOWK-TV Sports Director Cassidy Wood talks to Coach Kim Stephens, Glenville State University Women’s Basketball Coach, about their historic win. Mark Curtis talks to Maj. General William Crane in Segment Two about Military Retiree Appreciation Day. Mark discusses the premiere of the only network television show that originates from West Virginia, Barnwood Builders on the Magnolia Network, with the host, Mark Bowe. To end today’s show, Mark talks to Ken Hall, President of WV Teamsters 175, about labor issues.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — It’s the end of the 2022 legislative session for West Virginia and co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to a variety of people about what were their hits and misses of the session. In Segment One, Amanda Barren talks to Jane Marks, AARP West Virginia State President, about what she thought were the highlights of the session for seniors. Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, calls in to talk to Amanda Barren in Segment Two about higher education policy. Segment Three and Four brings back the Reporter Roundtable with Mark Curtis talking to Steven Allen Adams, Reporter for OGDEN Newspapers, about the end of the 2022 legislative session.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, our co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren to talk people about what they thought of the legislative session for 2022 in West Virginia and about a race for a good cause coming to Ripley, WV soon. In Segments One and Three, Mark Curtis sits down to talk about the hits and misses of the 2022 legislative session. Segment One, he is joined by Speaker Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay) and in Segment Three, he is joined by Minority Leader Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha). Amanda Barren talks to Sen. Mark Maynard (R-Wayne County) about the same topic in Segment Four. In Segment Two, Amanda Barren talks to Ripley Mayor Carolyn Rader and Race Chairwoman Sophia Wigal about the Tunnels for Towers 5K.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to people about the U.S.-Mexico border, the International Space Station and more! Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) calls in to talk to Amanda Barren in Segment One about her trip to the Del Rio Border Patrol Station and what is and isn’t going on at the border. Amanda Barren talks to author, veteran, NASA engineer and cat lover, Homer Hickam and what he thinks of what is going on in Ukraine and how it impacts the International Space Station. Mark Curtis travels to Morgantown to talk to Amy Bush, COO of WVU Medicine Children’s, about the WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital Program as a part of the Mediathon sponsored by Nexstar. We end today’s episode with Mark Curtis talking to Benjamin Krasna, Deputy Head of Mission Israeli Embassy, about his trip to West Virginia and why he came to the Mountain State.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with a variety of guests to discuss various topics that revolve around the Mountain State, including Suddenlink, homelessness and more. In Segment One, Mark Curtis sits down with Del. Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha, Minority Leader) about the controversial homelessness bill, House Bill 4753. In Segment Two, Mark talks to Attorney Rusty Webb of the Webb Law Centre about the class action lawsuit against Suddenlink. Amanda Barren talks to Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) in Segment Three about the EPA and what Morrisey calls, “sweeping broad-brush regulations.” We end today’s episode with Amanda Barren talking to Treasurer Riley Moore (R-WV) in Segment Four about the Smart 529 program.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with a variety of guests to discuss topics ranging from the war in Ukraine to celebrating Black History Month with a local Black entrepreneur.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with a variety of people to talk about a racist email sent to a black delegate in West Virginia, Medicaid, north-central West Virginia, and Gold Star Mothers. In Segment One, Mark Curtis interviews Del. Danielle Walker (D-Monongalia) who recently filed a civil lawsuit against the pro-life group West Virginians For Life after she received a message from the group with a photo of a KKK klansman. Kelly Allen, Executive Director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, talks to Mark Curtis about what is happening with Medicaid in the Mountain State. Patsy Trecost II, Harrison County Commissioner, calls in to talk to Mark Curtis about why north-central West Virginia is seeing a boom in economic development. We end this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics with Amanda Barren talking to Gold Star Mothers and what their organization’s goals are.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with a variety of people to talk about topics that include the manufacturing industry, Evan Jenkins stepping down and more. In Segment One, Mark Curtis sits down with Former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Evan Jenkins to talk about why he stepped down. Amanda Barren asks Brandon Dennison, Founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, in Segment Two what they do and then asks him to talk about the “next layer of excitement,” surrounding Coalfield Development. Rebecca McPhail, President of the West Virginia Manufacturer’s Association, calls in to talk to Mark Curtis in Segment Three about why companies like Nucor and GreenPower Motor Company are coming to West Virginia now. We end today’s episode with Stan White talking to Amanda Barren about how he’s helping our Veterans heal by taking them into the outdoors.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Amanda Barren and Mark Curtis talk to people to discuss the bill to repeal the ban on nuclear power plants in the Mountain State, renewable energy, and teachers getting a pay raise. In Segment One, Mark Curtis talks to Dale Lee, President of the West Virginia Education Association to talk about the status of the 5% state employee pay raise and 2.5% bonus, which includes teachers. Nancy Payne Bruns calls in to talk to Mark Curtis about the oldest business in West Virginia, the Dickinson Group, to talk about their plans to get into the renewable energy field. Segments Three and Four talk about repealing the ban on nuclear energy, which passed the Senate on Jan. 25, 2022, and passed the House of Delegates on Jan. 31, 2022. Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to Del. Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh) in Segment Three and Del. Evan Hansen (R-Monongalia) in Segment Four.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren talk to people about infrastructure, Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement, the annual Budget Breakfast, and Girl Scout cookies. In Segment One, Mark Curtis sits down with Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) to talk about the $6 billion that is coming to West Virginia. Segment Two brings in Sen. Joe Manchin to talk to Mark Curtis about Justice Breyer’s retirement and if Biden were to nominate someone who did not represent the values of West Virginia, would he be willing to vote no? Sean O’Leary with the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy calls in to talk to Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren about the annual Budget Breakfast and some of the highlights that came from it. We finish this week’s episode with Girl Scout cookies. Candace Nelson, Director of Marketing with the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, talks to both co-hosts about their new cookies and how supply chain issues impacted Girl

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) calls in for the first two segments to talk to Mark Curtis about his COVID-19 diagnosis, what it was like, and deploying the National Guard for West Virginia hospitals. In Segment Three, Amanda Barren talks to State Treasurer Riley Moore (R-WV) to talk about why the Board of Treasury Investments stopped using Black Rock Inc. Investment Funds as part of its banking transactions. We end today’s show with Del. Jim Barach (D-Kanawha) discussing the Democrat’s plan to cut the sales tax from 6% to 4.5%.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with a variety of people to discuss the legislative session, taxes, economic developments, Hunger Free Day and more. In Segment One, Mark Curtis talks to Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and if she and the city council can balance the budget like in 2021 again so there are no new tax increases. Segment Two has Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren with Charlie Burd, Executive Director of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GOWV) to talk about the legislative session. Del. Mike Pushkin (D-Kanawha) calls in to talk about the economic developments West Virginia is seeing in Segment Three. We end today’s show with Chad Morrison, CEO of the Mountaineer Food Bank, and Mark Curtis to discuss Hunger Free Day.

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren sit down with multiple politicians in the West Virginia House of Representatives and State Senate to ask them what is their top priority for the legislative session, which starts on Jan. 12, 2022. Mark Curtis sits down with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay) in Segment One and with President of the Senate, State Sen. Craig Blair (R-Berkeley). Minority Leader Del. Doug Skaff (D-Kanawha) calls in for Segment Three and Minority Leader and State Senator Stephen Baldwin (D-Greenbrier) in Segment Four to talk to Amanda Barren.

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, West Virginia AFT President, to discuss the potential five percent pay raise for teachers with co-hosts Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren. Mark Curtis is joined by Chief Justice Evan Jenkins in Segments Three and Four to discuss highlights from the West Virginia Supreme Court in 2021.

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 the Charleston Gazette-Mail are in studio with our co-hosts. We wish you all a Happy New Year!

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.” Rabbi Victor Urecki, Congregation B’nai Jacob joins Mark Curtis in Segment Three to talk about Hannukah and why it was so early this year. The episode ends with Bishop Mikie Klusmeyer, Episcopal Diocese of WV talking to Mark Curtis and Amanda Barren and talk about his thoughts on the church’s role in politics.

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 Director of the West Virginia Coal Association, to talk about the supply and demand of coal. To finish the show, Mark Curtis talks to Attorney Rusty Webb in Segment Four to discuss the opioid crisis and the lawsuits against “big pharma,” and their alleged role in the crisis.

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 means. Amanda Barren talks to Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) about revenue in West Virginia and what he calls the “rocketship ride,” WV is currently on when it comes to general funds and surpluses. Segment Four is a, “switch from politics to fun stuff,” as Mark Curtis calls it. He talks to Joe Stevens of the West Virginia Ski Area Association and how the skiing industry is good economically for West Virginia.