Mountain State Views

On episode 012 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams sits down with all three Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate in West Virginia seeking to succeed U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who is retiring at the end of his term in 2024. Steven talks with Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, community organizer Zachary Shrewsbury, and Republican-turned-Democrat former Massey Energy chairman and CEO Don Blankenship.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 011 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams sits down with all three Republican candidates for West Virginia commissioner of agriculture. Current Agrilcuture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt is running for his third and final four-year term, while former delegate Joshua Higginbotham wants to bring a new perspective and Roy Ramey wants a rematch and to slash red tape for farmers.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 010 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams sits down with all four Republican candidates for Secretary of State of West Virginia to discuss their plans and priorities for the office that manages elections, business registrations, charities, and filings from the Governor's Office. Adams talked with former House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, former lawmakers and county commissioner Ken Reed, Putnam County Clerk Brian Wood, and Economic Development Authority Executive Director Kris Warner, the brother of current Secretary of State Mac Warner.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

In episode 009 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams wraps up a two-part series talking with Republican candidates for state auditor in West Virginia. Adams talks with state Sen. Mark Hunt, R-Kanawha, and former Nicholas County delegate Caleb Hanna about their plans and policy platforms for state auditor. Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

In episode 008 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams begins part one of a two-part series talking with Republican candidates for state auditor in West Virginia. Adams talks with House Majority Leader Eric Householder, R-Berkeley, and Jefferson County Commissioner Tricia Jackson about their plans and policy platforms for state auditor. Stay tuned for part two, featuring interviews with former Nicholas County delegate Caleb Hanna and state Sen. Mark Hunt, R-Kanawha.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

In episode 007 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with State Auditor J.B. McCuskey, a Republican candidate for attorney general of West Virginia. The two discuss the role of the Attorney General's Office and McCuskey's platform should he be chosen to succeed Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor of West Virginia.McCuskey is one of two announced Republican candidates for attorney general. As of now, McCuskey faces freshman Kanawha Count state Sen. Mike Stuart in the May 2024 Republican primary. McCuskey is in his second term as State Auditor, first elected in 2017. McCuskey, the son of retired state Supreme Court Justice John F. McCuskey, is a former two-term member of the House of Delegates representing the 35th District in Kanawha County.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

In episode 006 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with state Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, a Republican candidate for attorney general of West Virginia. The two talk about what Stuart sees as the priorities for the next attorney general and why his qualifications make him the best choice.Stuart, R-Kanawha, is one of two announced Republican precandidates for attorney general, entering the race in May with his wife Katrina by his side. As of now, Stuart faces two-term State Auditor J.B. McCuskey in the May 2024 Republican primary. Stuart, an attorney with Dinsmore and Shohl, was elected in 2022 to the newly redistricted seventh senatorial district, representing Lincoln, Boone, Logan counties and southern Kanawha County. Previously, Stuart served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia from 2018 to 2021. He was appointed by former president Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Stuart also served as chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party. Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

In episode 005 of Mountain State Views, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams joins host Steven Allen Adams in the Capitol Press Room to discuss officially jumping in to the race for governor of West Virginia last week as he seeks the Democratic nomination. The two discuss his background, the challenges of running as a conservative Democrat in a red state, and some of the issues Williams will tackle as the state's chief executive.Williams is a three-term Mayor for the City of Huntington, a former Democratic member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and a businessman with a background in finance.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 004 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams wraps up his four-part series with the top four Republican candidates for governor of West Virginia by sitting down with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.Morrisey was first elected to the office of attorney general in 2012 after defeating long-time Democratic Attorney General Darrell McGraw, then re-elected in 2016 and 2020. Morrisey was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, defeated by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. A native of New Jersey, Morrisey came to West Virginia shortly before 2012 after a career in Washington D.C. as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives then later as a lobbyist.  The Race for the Dome series asks each candidate a series of eight public policy questions to see how they would tackle some of the state's major challenges.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 003 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams continues part three in a four-part series with the top four Republican candidates for governor of West Virginia by sitting down with Secretary of State Mac WarnerWarner is in his second term as Secretary of State, taking office in 2017. He is a retired U.S. Army officer and attorney. Prior to being elected, Warner worked as a contractor for the U.S. State Department in Afghanistan, helping the post-Taliban elected officials organize government departments.The Race for the Dome series asks each candidate a series of eight public policy questions to see how they would tackle some of the state's major challenges.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 002 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams continues part two in a four-part series with the top four Republican candidates for governor of West Virginia by sitting down with Huntington business Chris Miller. Miller is an officer in the Dutch Miller Auto Group, a chain of car dealerships throughout most of southern West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Miller also owns several other businesses. He is one of the sons of 3rd District Congresswoman Carol Miller, R-W.Va., now in her third term in Congress. The Race for the Dome series asks each candidate a series of eight public policy questions to see how they would tackle some of the state's major challenges.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 001 of the re-launch of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen begins a four-part series with the top four Republican candidates for governor of West Virginia by sitting down with Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha. Capito is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, son of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and grandson of the late Republican Gov. Arch Moore.  The Race for the Dome series asks each candidate a series of eight public policy questions to see how they would tackle some of the state's major challenges.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

Mountain State Views is coming back for a re-launch. Host Steven Allen Adams gives you a preview of what to expect from the new Mountain State Views podcast, including an upcoming interview series with the top four Republican candidates for governor of West Virginia.Mountain State Views is sponsored by Ogden Newspapers - the publisher of 10 daily and weekly newspapers in West Virginia with more than 100 publications across the United States.Follow Steven Allen Adams on Twitter (X)Follow Steven Allen Adams on Facebook

On episode 20 of Mountain State Views, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., makes her second appearance. Capito and host Steven Allen Adams talk about her new position as number five in the Senate Republican leadership, as well as her public policy priorities for 2023.

On episode 019 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks Kelli Caseman, executive director and founder of Think Kids. The two discuss the recent drama surrounding a report by the McChrystal Group looking at re-organizing the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. They discussed the systemic problems within DHHR and how the agency can improve.Kelli has worked on kids' health issues since 2004, founding Think Kids in 2020. She is a 2021 graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Interdisciplinary Research Leaders program, studying the linkages between health care and public education in rural West Virginia. In 2019, she received the West Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics' Friend of Children Advocacy Award. In 2021, she was named a West Virginia Wonder Woman by WV Living magazine.https://thinkkidswv.org

On episode 018 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, over Zoom. The two talk about Amendment 2 and Gov. Jim Justice's opposition to the constitutional amendment, Justice's plan to rebate the tangible personal property taxes paid by West Virginians on vehicles through state personal income tax filings versus the Senate Republican plan to eliminate that and other tangible personal property taxes, and the possibility of additional Republican pick-ups in the state Senate.

On episode 017 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams sits down with state Sen. Rich Lindsay, D-Kanawha. The two talk about the unfolding tax reform drama on Amendment 2 between Gov. Jim Justice and Senate Republicans, why Amendment 4 would hamstring educational policy making in West Virginia, and how Senate Democrats can work to pick up additional seats in November.

On episode 016 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams sits down with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, to discuss Senate Bill 4001 that opened the door for BHE Renewables and Precision Castparts Corp. to announce a new titanium melt facility on the old Century Aluminum site in Ravenswood. They talk about bringing all the interested stakeholders and members of the opposite party together to help pass economic development bills quickly, and the economic environment being created in West Virginia that will help new and old businesses alike.

On episode 015 of Mountain State Views, Chris Stirewalt returns for his second time to talk with host Steven Allen Adams about Stirewalt's new book "Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Drives America and How to Fight Back." The two talk about the current state of journalism, the power of local news reporting, and Stirewalt's start in West Virginia news.Stirewalt is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a weekly columnist and senior editor at The Dispatch, a political editor for Nexstar's NewsNation, and co-host of Ink Stained Wretchs, a podcast focused on the American news media with Washington Free Beacon Editor-in-Chief Eliana Johnson. Click  link for Ink Stained Wretches. Order Stirewalt's book here. Read Stirewalt's work at The Dispatch. Stirewalt's bio at AEI.

On episode 014 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Brian Dayton, the vice president of policy and advocacy for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce from the chamber's 86th annual meeting and business summit at the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. The two talk about the importance of the business summit in promoting the state, the need for workers for future construction projects, and the fight over tax reform.

On episode 013 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Ryan Frankenberry, the new executive director of the West Virginia Democratic Party. The two talk his role and mission in growing the Democratic Party in a state that's now red, where he sees the Legislature after the 2022 elections, and preparations for elections in 2024 when everything is on the ballot, including president.Ryan Frankenberry is the newly appointed executive director of the West Virginia Democratic Party. He previously served as executive director of the West Virginia Working Families Party, a grassroots advocacy organization. He has also served as political director for the West Virginia chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, an analyst for the House of Delegates, and worked on the campaigns for President Barack Obama in 2008, former House Speaker Rick Thompson's Democratic primary campaign for Governor, and former Democratic Congressman Nick Rahall.

On episode 012 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha. The two talk about the continued pause of the West Virginia Legislature's special session, the need to tax relief for West Virginians, drama within the House Republican caucus, and what the House Democratic caucus could look like after the November elections.Skaff has been the minority leader for the House Democratic caucus since 2020. He has served in the House from 2009 to 2013 and since 2019. Skaff is a businessman and entrepreneur who also serves as president of HD Media, owners of The Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Huntington Herald Dispatch, and  multiple other newspapers in southern West Virginia.Listen to Del. Skaff's podcast, Outside the Echo Chamber here.

On episode 011 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt over Zoom from the State Fair of West Virginia which began Thursday. The two talk about what to expect at the State Fair over the next 9 days, how the Department of Agriculture is keeping the state safe from swine and avian flu, the need for better lab facilities, and how new rules would change the goalposts for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.Kent Leonhardt is in his second term as Commissioner of Agriculture in West Virginia. Previously, Leonhardt served one four-year term in the West Virginia Senate as a Republican representing the 2nd District, spanning from Marshall and Monongalia counties in the north, to Calhoun and Gilmer counties in the south. He is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel.Click here for more information on the State Fair of West Virginia.

On episode 010 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Jason Pizatella, a former staffer and cabinet official for four West Virginia governors, getting an outsider's perspective in state politics from a former insider. The two talk about the now-paused special session on tax reform and abortion, Gov. Jim Justice's style when dealing with the Legislature, and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin being back in the news for his Inflation Reduction Act.Jason Pizatella is an attorney for Spilman Thomas and Battle. He is a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Jim Justice before he switched parties from Democrat to Republican. He served multiple roles in the administration of former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, including as acting cabinet secretary for the Department of Administration and the Department of Revenue, as deputy chief of staff, as director of legislative affairs, and as deputy state tax commissioner.

On episode 009 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier via Zoom. The two talk about Gov. Jim Justice's proposed 10% cut in personal income tax rates, the need for clarity in West Virginia's abortion access laws, how lawmakers and state education officials can get back on the same team for West Virginia's students, and the state's efforts at improving flood mitigation.

On episode 008 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with State Treasurer Riley Moore in his office at the State Capitol Building in Charleston. The two talk about the recent ruling that blocked West Virginia's Hope Scholarship education savings account program, Moore's fight against Environmental Social Governance and financial boycotts of the fossil fuel industry, the new Jumpstart Savings Program and how it can help get people back into the workforce, and why Moore considers himself to be a national conservative.Riley Moore is West Virginia's 25th State Treasurer, taking office in 2021 after defeating seven-term State Treasurer John Purdue, the last remaining Democratic member of the Board of Public Works. Moore served one term in the West Virginia House of Delegates. He served as a national security advisor to the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and has private sector experience as a contractor with the Department of Homeland Security and in the defense and aerospace industry. Moore is also the grandson of the late Republican Governor Arch Moore and nephew of U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

On episode 007 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Gov. Jim Justice just days after West Virginia celebrated 159 years of statehood. The two talk about major issues facing the state, such as recruiting a workforce, what to do with more than $1.2 billion in surplus tax revenue expected at the end of the fiscal year next week, how to provide tax reform, and Friday's earth-shaking decision by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion decision. Plus, Justice looks ahead at the final 2 1/2 years of his second term as Governor and what he still hopes to accomplish.

On episode 006 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks with Mitch Carmichael, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development. The two talk about about the state's approval to spend $136 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars for several broadband expansion projects; how those programs will work; and how to avoid the waste, fraud, and abuse that occurred nearly 13 years ago during a similar broadband expansion program. Mitch also talks about his newly created department, economic development projects across the state, and what it is like to make the leap from lawmaker to executive branch official.

On episode 005 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks about the latest tax revenue numbers in West Virginia with one month remaining in the fiscal year. Later in the show, Steven interviews Crystal Good, the founder of Black By God, about improving diversity in the state, lifting up the voices of minorities and marginalized people, and the two dive into the issues with the West Virginia Democratic Party and how it can find itself again.Crystal Good is the founder and publisher of Black By God, a print and multimedia publication centering on Black voices to address the news and information gap in central Appalachia. She is a known regional poet and writer whose artistry combats the erasure of non-white identity in Appalachia; an Irene McKinney Scholar, a West Virginia University Newstart Fellow, and the author of Valley Girl. Crystal holds the completely made up but totally real office of Social Media Senator for the Digital District of West Virginia, which encourages digital and political literacy. Link: Black By God

On episode 004 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks about his recent trip to Washington D.C. and Capitol Hill and the latest investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics into Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va.. Later in the show, Steven interviews U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., from her office on Capitol Hill. The two talk about recommendations by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that could mean major cuts to VA medical centers in West Virginia. Capito also talks about the Biden administrations handling of illegal immigration and Title 42, the opportunities for the state with broadband expansion, and how to start now to reverse the trend of higher gasoline prices.

On episode 003 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks about the May primary elections, and the need for flood mitigation in West Virginia. Later in the show, Steven interviews Del. Mike Pushkin about his desire to seek the chairmanship of the West Virginia Democratic Executive Committee, the need to grow the numbers of registered Democrats and Democratic candidates, the 2022 legislative session and some of the minority party's successes, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, and where the state's priorities should be.Del. Mike Pushkin is a taxi cab driver and musician in Charleston, West Virginia. He represents the 37th District consisting of Charleston's East End, West Side, and North Charleston. Del. Pushkin is running for re-election in the new 54th District against Republican John Luoni. He has served in the House since first elected in 2014. Del. Pushkin is vice chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Executive Committee, and with Chairwoman Belinda Biafore retiring at the end of her term, he is seeking the chairmanship of the state party.Follow Del. Pushkin on TwitterYou can listen to Del. Pushkin on his show Sit 'n Spin, Wednesday's from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on WTSQ LP 88.1 FM in Charleston, West Virginia, or available by livestream at WTSQ.org or the WTSQ app.

On episode 002 of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks about the huge news about the leak of the draft decision on Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban that could toss out Roe v. Wade, the record-breaking West Virginia tax surplus, and what races he is watching for the state's party primaries on Tuesday, May 10. Later in the show, Steven interviews Jefferson County resident and columnist/podcaster Matt Lewis about the political fallout of the Supreme Court abortion draft decision leak, his unique perspective on the Republican primary between Congressmen David McKinley and Alex Mooney, and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's place in American politics.Lewis is a senior columnist for The Daily Beast. He hosts "Matt Lewis and the News," an interview podcast where he directs the news of the day. He also co-hosts The DMZ Show with liberal pundit Bill Scher. Matt also published the 2016 book, “Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Went From the Party of Reagan to the Party of Trump.”Read Matt Lewis at The Daily Beast.Listen to Matt Lewis and the News.Listen to The DMZ Show.Music from today's show is called “I Don't Care,” written and performed by West Virginia-based pop punk band Jerks!

On the first episode of Mountain State Views, host Steven Allen Adams talks about the recent special session of the West Virginia Legislature and drama in a couple of statehouse races. Later in the show, Steven interviews Wheeling native Chris Stirewalt about the Republican primary between Congressmen David McKinley and Alex Mooney, where U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin stands in West Virginia, and about journalism and Stirewalt's upcoming book, titled "Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Drives America and How to Fight Back."Stirewalt is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a weekly columnist and senior editor at The Dispatch, and co-host Ink Stained Wretchs, a podcast focused on the American news media with Washington Free Beacon Editor-in-Cheif Eliana Johnson.Click  link for Ink Stained Wretches.Pre-order Stirewalt's book here.Read Stirewalt's work at The Dispatch.Stirewalt's bio at AEI.

Mountain State Views is coming soon. Host Steven Allen Adams gives a brief update on the new interview podcast coming to streaming platforms at the end of April.Mountain State Views will be a weekly 45-minute interview podcast where Adams talks with elected officials, politicos, newsmakers, journalists, lobbyists, activists, and think tank wonks. Conversations will focus on how to make West Virginia a better place to live.