Podcasts about senate president mitch carmichael

On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, reporters from around the state join our host and Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis for an annual “free for all” to discuss the top stories of 2020.Reporters weighing in include Brad McElhinny of WV Metro News, Joe Stevens of WMOV Radio, WOWK 13 News Morning Anchor Lily Bradley and Steven Allen Adams of Ogden Newspapers.In Segment 1, we discuss the biggest story of the year – the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guests discuss how West Virginia has handled the crisis in comparison to other states, highlighting how West Virginia took precautions early before the virus reached the state and how health officials made it easier for West Virginians to get tested for COVID-19.We also take a moment to remember two tragedies in the Mountain State. First, the murders of seven veterans at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg. An unlicensed “nursing aid,” Reta Mays pleaded guilty to those murders and will be sentenced in February. We also remember 28-year-old Charleston Police Department Patrolman Cassie Johnson, who was shot in the line of duty Dec. 1. She died two days later on Dec. 3 and as a final heroic act, donated her organs to continue saving the lives of others.In Segment 2, we switch from pandemic to politics. One of the biggest election headlines in the Mountain State came in the June Primary Election when incumbent and Senate President Mitch Carmichael was defeated by Amy Grady, who went on to win the Nov. 3 race.We also talk about policy in the state, especially surrounding elections and early voting, which became a hot topic as states worked to make voting as safe and accessible as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.The pandemic also highlighted the Mountain State’s crucial need for better broadband. With schools moving to virtual learning as well as telehealth and telework, the pandemic showed how many of the state’s rural areas do not have reliable access to broadband to connect.In Segment 3, we discuss politics and what the upcoming legislative session will look like between the pandemic and the Republican supermajority.One question on the session is what will it look like? With the pandemic still ongoing and cases on the rise, the public has only been able to enter the building for specific businesses, questions arise as to how the public’s right to observe the sessions and have a voice in the building will work out, especially if legislators are moved to the gallery for social distancing. Plans for keeping the sessions safe have not yet been finalized.In Segment 4, the topic turns to the state’s continued economic struggles, made more difficult by closures and unemployment caused by the pandemic. Some major economic stories from the Mountain State include the closure of the Mylan plant in the Morgantown area. The loss of the Minor League Team West Virginia Power in downtown Charleston.In good economic news of 2020, West Virginia was chosen as the new site for the Virgin Hyperloop Certification Center. Construction on the site is expected to begin this year.Lily also reflects on Medal of Honor Recipient Woody Williams, who turned 97 in 2020, and getting to travel with him to Norfolk, Virginia before shutdowns began as the USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams was converted to the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams.Mark also remembers another pre-pandemic moment – the fifth day of the 2020 legislative session and the standing ovation Delegate Sean Hornbuckle received when he announced he had missed the first four days because he had been in the hospital donating a life-saving kidney to his sister. 

On this week’s episode, we talk with Professor Robert Rupp with West Virginia Wesleyan and those running for West Virginia Secretary of State including incumbent Mac Warner and Natalie Tennant about how they each believe the current pandemic impacted last week’s Primary election. We also begin the discussion of November’s General Election by talking about the Secretary of State race.In segment 1, Professor Robert Rupp with West Virginia Wesleyan explains how this year’s primary was a “campaign without traditional campaigning” and how Gov. Jim Justice helped secure the Republican nomination by how he managed West Virginia’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.In segment 2, Rupp explains what he described as the teacher protest movement that helped secure Amy Grady victory in the State Senator District 4’s Republican Primary over incumbent and current Senate President Mitch Carmichael and how the negative ads often shown during elections help to poison the atmosphere of the race.In segment 3, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner explains how he thinks the West Virginia Primary went with the increased number of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus and how he thinks current conditions will impact November’s General Election.In segment 4, Natalie Tennant, who will challenge incumbent Mac Warner for West Virginia Secretary of State in November explains why she believes West Virginia should elect her and why she thinks West Virginia should continue allowing mail-in ballots. 

Amy Grady is the Republican nominee for WV Senate in District 4. Amy defeated not only Senate President Mitch Carmichael, but also Delegate Jim Butler.

Butler is challenging Senate President Mitch Carmichael in WV Senate District 4.

On episode 004 of the State of the State podcast, it’s the halfway mark of the 60-day 2020 legislative session. Legislative leaders – Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson; state Senator and Democratic candidate for governor Ron Stollings, D-Boone; House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay; and House Minority Leader Tim Miley – briefed reporters, editors, and publishers … Continue reading SOTSWV – Episode 004 – Halfway through the Session →

On this week's episode, our guests reflect on the recent State of the State Address, the status of the Fairness Act, and Ramaco Carbon coming to West Virginia.In segment 1, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice talks about the potential benefits of Ramaco Carbon coming to the Mountain State, as well as the resolution of the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation, which was launched after questions arose about the financing of his Military Tribute tournament at the Greenbrier.In segment 2, Senate President Mitch Carmichael reflects on the governor's recent State of the State Address. He also talks about the status of medical marijuana and where he stands on the Fairness Act.In segment 3, Josh Sword, President of AFL-CIO shares his hopes for this legislative session, including his thoughts on a possible repeal of the business and inventory tax, the future of right-to-work legislation, and why he expects to be on the defense this session.In segment 4, House of Delegates Minority Leader Tim Miley gives us a different view on the governor's State of the State Address and talks about how we need to "start putting West Virginian's first."Finally, we bid a fond farewell to co-host Adrienne Robbins, who has joined our sister station WCMH, in Columbus, Ohio. Best of luck, Adrienne!

Senate President Mitch Carmichael joins the show to discuss passage of the omnibus education bill.

If current Senate President Mitch Carmichael plans to run for re-election in Senate District 4, he'll have fromidable challenger in the GOP Primary. In an exclusive interview, WV Delegate Jim Butler says he's filing to run for WV Senate in the district that includes Mason, Jackson, Putnam (part), & Roan (part) Counties.