Talkline | Dec. 30, 2025 - MetroNews Talkline

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:12):
It's the next to last day of twenty twenty five.
We've got a lot to get to, including funding for
rural healthcare in West Virginia, plus the story of a
man who is destined for the Olympics ended up as
a track coach with no legs. Do I have your attention?
This is talk Line on Metro News. We're underway.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
You are surrounded little.

Speaker 3 (00:42):
Radio turned off from the studios of w VRC Media
and the Metro News Radio and Television Network. The voice
of West Virginia comes the most powerful show in West Virginia.
This it's Metro News Talk Live with Dave Wilson and
DJ Meadows.

Speaker 4 (01:01):
Activated.

Speaker 2 (01:02):
Hello, Jelly talk switch network control from Charleston to.

Speaker 3 (01:04):
Morn Stand by you, David, DJ.

Speaker 5 (01:07):
You're on.

Speaker 3 (01:12):
Metro News. Talk Line is presented by Encoba Insurance, encircling
you with coverage to protect what you care about most.
Visit encova dot com to learn more.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
Good morning, Welcome into the program. Metro News talk Line
Live in the Encoba Insurance studios. Down the Man. TJ
is enjoying his last couple of days off of twenty
twenty five. He's back on Friday. Jakelink is running the
video stream and Ethan Collins is our audio producer this morning.
Big thank you if you're checking in on one of

(01:44):
our great radio affiliates across the state of West Virginia,
or if you're watching on the Metro News TV app.
Eight hundred and seven sixty five eight two five five,
eight hundred and seven to sixty five Talk. That is
the phone number. You can text the show three or
four Talk three oh four. That is the text line.
Amelia Nicely will join us. We'll discuss the big stories

(02:05):
that were in twenty twenty five, at least from her perspective.
She'll join us bottom of the hour, hour number two.
Alex Gasseerud, a young Republican who is running for the
GOP nomination for US Senate, will stop by and we'll
introduce you to well a character a character at eleven
thirty three. We'll just leave it at that. But first

(02:26):
news of the day yesterday, Governor Morrissey announced West Virginia
had secured one hundred ninety nine million dollars for the
coming year from the Federal Rural Health Transformation Fund. The
award almost doubled the guaranteed minimum for the first year.
How that will impact West Virginia. How we get our
most bang for our buck. Well, let's pose those questions

(02:47):
to Jim Kauf, and he's president at the West Virginia
Hospital Associations. He joins us on Metro News talk line. Jim,
good morning, Happy New Year.

Speaker 6 (02:56):
Good morning day, Happy New Year.

Speaker 7 (02:57):
Hope.

Speaker 6 (02:57):
We had a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Speaker 1 (03:00):
Sanna was good to me, too good to me as
he usually is. But now we're getting ready to head
into twenty twenty six, and I guess this was a
little bit of a late Christmas present, if you will,
for the state of West Virginia.

Speaker 6 (03:13):
It's really a great opportunity. I got to give kudos
to the governor and his leadership, you know, working with
everybody to get the application, and as you noted, we
got more than double, almost double what was the guarantee
under this Whule Health Transformation program, which really has a
great opportunity to help us improve access across the mountain state.

Speaker 1 (03:31):
So, Jim, how do we maximize these dollars and get
our get the most bang for our buck?

Speaker 6 (03:38):
I think several things. When the governor was looking at this,
and he put his leadership team together and got great
inputs from everybody really looking at three big buckets. One,
how do we help improve the number of healthcare providers
that we have. And it's not just doctors and nurses,
And I say that over and over again. I mean,
right now, West Virginia hospitals we have more than three
thousand bacont physitions. Nurses are the backbone. And that's also

(04:01):
you know, radiation technologynographers, respiratory therapists. We really need to
work on improving the workforce overall.

Speaker 8 (04:10):
I got to.

Speaker 6 (04:11):
Uphold the Governor's efforts of how do we get West
Virginians back into the workforce and helping address their own
healthcare issue so they can work. So making West Virginia
healthy is a key part of it. And I know
a lot of the hospitals have been working on doing
similar things to improve their health in their communities. And
that economic development opportunities is going to be key and
really taking advantage of technology and how do we better

(04:33):
leverage that And these followers will help in all three
of those buckets.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Jim Kaufman is joining US President of West Virginia Hospital Associations. Jim,
This Rural Healthcare Fund Transformation Fund was created in the
One Big Beautiful Bill Act because of other changes that
were made to Medicare and Medicaid. Does this offsets those
changes and the impact that will have on rural hospitals
and specifically rural health systems.

Speaker 6 (04:59):
Dave, that's a great question, as your life talk before.
I mean, the Big Beautiful Bill is a huge package,
and this Rule Health Transformation program was added toward the
end after there was a lot of concerns about the
cuts that the Medicaid program was going to suffer. In
the package on Rule providers will hospitals specifically to give

(05:19):
you an idea in West Virginia, once all the provisions
in the Big Beautiful Bill are fully implemented, just West
Virginia hospitals will lose more than one billion dollars a
year in Medicaid cuts. That is a huge impact. So
these dollars will it is a great opportunity. It is
not replaced in dollars for what we will see if
those cuts are fully implemented.

Speaker 1 (05:40):
Jim, it seems to me being just kind of a
leg guy here trying to take it all in what's
proposed through these programs in the buckets, getting more access,
living a healthier lifestyles, prevention. It's going to take time.
So I believe we can get there, Yes, I do.

(06:01):
But do we have funding in place to make certain
these health systems are thriving so we can get to
the point where we have a healthier population in West Virginia.

Speaker 9 (06:13):
Maybe we don't.

Speaker 1 (06:15):
We don't need so much in the way of expensive
care because we have a healthier population. Kind of a
rambling question, but I think you see where I'm headed there.

Speaker 6 (06:24):
Yeah, you raise several good points. I mean, you're right,
a lot of these initiatives will take time. I mean
to get our population healthier, it takes time workforce. We
cannot produce nurses overnight. It takes a minimum of two
years to produce or nurse. So we do have some
opportunities in there, and that's why this funding it's over
five years, which is good. One of the concerns that

(06:46):
I always raise is right now, when you look at
the average operating margins for the hospitals in West Virginia,
the larger hospitals you're what we refer to as your
prospective payment system hospitals that's a federal designation. Those operating
margins are negative point seven percent, so basically negative one
our smaller rule, hospitals have an operating margin of basically

(07:08):
three percent, very very thin margins, so the cuts, if
fully implemented, will have a huge impact. However, these dollars,
I do think we'll create an opportunity to help improve
the health of West Virginia and create some economic development
opportunities as well. And as you said, hopefully we can
reduce the need for care by getting a healthier population.

(07:30):
That's critical. I mean, if you think about it, you
can make a huge impact for your New Year's resolution
walking more, as the governor called for changing your diet
that can radically improve diabetes and pre diabetes, which then
therefore reduces demand for care. Because we know obesity is
tied to so many different healthcare issues.

Speaker 1 (07:50):
What can we do, and we're talking to Jim coffin
West Virginia Hospital Association President, what can we do immediately
with this funding to improve healthcare in West Virginia.

Speaker 6 (08:01):
Well, I know the Governor's already talked about you know,
of course he's going to need authorization from the state
legislature to spend these dollars. So I know there's been
talk about legislation to first Ay session to get these
dollars moving. We've already been working with the Governor's office
on a couple of workforce initiatives because we know, as
I said, it takes two years to produce a nurse.
With some of these other positions, some of the technology

(08:23):
positions that we need, technology tech tech positions, they can
be produced in a series of months. So how do
we get that ball rolling and how do we all
work together on implementation? So we're all holding hands and
rolling in the same direction. And I know the Governor's
Office is already working on recruiting staff up administer this
program within the Department of Health.

Speaker 1 (08:45):
Jim, a little bit of a curveball question here, but
I heard you are a very good curveball hitter in
your day, so it shouldn't be too big of an
issue coming up here. Let's see what today's the thirty
it's March thirty. First Congress did not pass or or
find some solution to those expanded ACA subsidies. So that's
going to impacts tens of thousands of West Virginia's about

(09:07):
seventy thousand West Virginians. How's that going to impact hospitals?
In early twenty twenty six, while Congress tries to figure
out some sort of a resolution to that.

Speaker 6 (09:18):
That's a great question, but I will say curveballs. I
couldn't hit anything more than a quarterback, so that was
my sport. But you raise a great tent. I mean,
one of the concerns in the Big Beautiful Bill was
the changes in the Medicaid program. So we know we're
going to see people lose Medicaid coverage starting in twenty
twenty six with some of the administrative requirements. And we
know we're going to see people lose coverage now since

(09:39):
Congress did not extend the subsidies for basically the Exchange program,
the health insurance program. That is a huge concern for
hospitals because our fear is we're going to see uncompensated
care increase. Right now, the average hospital is about two
percent uncompensated career total revenue. That will probably increase. One

(10:01):
of the bigger concerns is if people don't have coverage,
build delay receiving care, and that's what we're going to
increase costs because if they delay receiving care, we're going
to be treating them at a later, thicker stage, which
actually drives up costs. So hopefully Congress can go back
and reconsider reach across the Island fund some way get

(10:22):
get those subsidies extended, because we know a lot of
small businesses use those subsidies to help their employees buy
health insurance. So hopefully this can get resolved very very
quickly in the new year.

Speaker 1 (10:34):
He's Jim kaffin West Virginia Hospital Association President. Jim, thank
you for hopping on this morning, and look forward to
Seeda and Charleston here next month.

Speaker 6 (10:42):
Hey, thank you, look we're seeing you session, and happy
New Year.

Speaker 1 (10:45):
Happy New year to you as well. Eight hundred and
seven to sixty five Talk and three or four talk
three four. That's the phone number, that's the text line. Well,
check out with Fox News Radios Jeff Bonasso when we return.
Fraud in Minnesota and a viral video sparking more federal resources.
We'll get into that right after this.

Speaker 10 (11:04):
We are there for you to care for you at
the health Plan.

Speaker 8 (11:10):
The health Plan is still growing, giving you a large
network of doctors, friendly and helpful customer service representatives, and competitive,
flexible pricing plans that meet your needs. Log on to
health plan dot org for more information.

Speaker 11 (11:23):
We are there to care for you. We are here.

Speaker 12 (11:34):
Tens of thousands of hard working West Virginians earn their
living in our states growing natural gas industry, including thousands
for Intero Resources, west Virginia's top natural gas producer, and
Taro's investments are boosting our local workforce in small businesses.
We're proud to give back and invest locally to support
West Virginia workers producing West Virginia energy. But the Mountain

(11:56):
State's best days are ahead, and in Taro Resources is
just it's getting started. Visit Entaro Resources dot com to
learn more.

Speaker 3 (12:15):
Metro News talk Line is presented by Encova Insurance and
circling you with coverage to protect what you care about most.
Visit Encova dot com to learn more.

Speaker 1 (12:25):
Text line is three or four Talk three oh four.
Phone number is eight hundred and seven sixty five eight
two five five eight hundred seven sixty five eight two
five five t alk Talk. You can read Brand's story
on yesterday's announcement from Governor Morrissey over at wv Metronews
dot com this morning regarding the Rural Healthcare Fund Award.

(12:47):
West Virginia was one of the top funded states as
far as the wards go. Yesterday I think Alaska got
a little bit more than West Virginia did. I think
I was reading several different article this morning, and for
some reason, Alaska stuck out to me. But again, you
can see Brad's article over at the website wv metronews

(13:07):
dot com. Kind of along those lines. A reminder that
starting Thursday, January first, the state's soda pop ban, as
far as Snap Benefits go, goes into effect. Starting on
January one, Snap Benefits cannot buy soda pop, which launches

(13:32):
a larger question of is it soda, is it pop?
Or is it soda pop? Snap Benefits cannot be used
to purchase pop per the Governor's executive order that was
issued earlier this year. Other new laws taking effect on
January first, Morse's executive order, new state law banning the
use of some food dies. We talked about those yesterday.

(13:53):
Now that will not take effect obviously, it wasn't set
to go in effect until twenty twenty eight anyway. And
then of course Judge Berger's decision granting that prelminary injunction.
Let's see anything else to make note of, but yeah,

(14:14):
the Snap Benefits can no longer use those to purchase
soda Pop starting January. First text line is three oh
four talk three oh four and the phone numbers eight
hundred seven sixty five talk eight hundred seven to sixty
five eight two five five. Many of you, I am certain,
have seen the video it was posted on x over

(14:36):
the weekend regarding fraud in Minnesota. Now, federal agencies have
descended on Minnesota to investigate suspected fraud at childcare centers
and other facilities after the viral YouTube video claim to
uncover one hundred and ten million dollars in fraudulent payments.
Joining us to explain more is Fox News Radios Jeff Naso. Jeff,

(14:56):
good morning, thanks for joining us. Happy New year, Jeff.
Is that Jeff three four talk through four is the text?

Speaker 7 (15:11):
Oh?

Speaker 1 (15:11):
That was not Jeff error on the host there Ethan
Sorry about that. Uh, let's go to Chris in Huntington.

Speaker 13 (15:17):
Hey, Chris, Hey, how you doing today?

Speaker 1 (15:20):
Doing well? Chris? What's on your mind? Buddy?

Speaker 13 (15:23):
Well, I just there was just a few he has
let into the segment about the Minnesota child's care just
I'm definitely coming from a left center position, but just
from my understanding, it seems like a lot of this
was kind of hearsay. Some of the daycares they went

(15:46):
to were actually been closed for a year or two.
It just feels to me a lot like the uh,
they're eating the cats and dogs situation we ran into
with the the immigrant immigrant population in Ohio. And I'm
just kind of wanting to know, like, does anybody have
a feeling is this is different than that or is

(16:07):
this just another Maybe there was some some people that
were trying to do something that was underhanded, but from
what I've seen, it just feels a lot louder than
the actual situation that's on the ground.

Speaker 1 (16:22):
Well, Chris, to answer your question very unsatisfactorily, I don't know.
It seems to me there is something. There is something
going on with the fraud, especially with the Somali daycares. Now,
to what extent that fraud extends, I don't know, and
I can't say now this was the video that's going viral,

(16:44):
this one. If you want to call him an independent reporter, influencer,
whatever he is, claims to have uncovered all kinds of fraud.
Is there fraud? There sure seems to be something fishy
going on there that seems to be fairly apparent to
what extent, I don't know. I don't know, but it
certainly begs further investigation by authorities in journalists in Minnesota.

Speaker 13 (17:10):
So, but would this be a place for federal investigators
or was this more more like a local investigation. If
a local investigation would come up with something, we would
kind of expand to federal resources.

Speaker 1 (17:24):
If it's involving federal funding, I would imagine then yes,
federal investigators would be involved at that point if it's
involving money that's coming from federal agencies like the Spawn
Business Administration.

Speaker 14 (17:35):
Or.

Speaker 1 (17:37):
You know, maybe it's coming from the federal Department of
Health and Human Services DHS. Uh So, yeah, I could
see why the how there would be a federal and
federal oversight there. Chris, Okay, I.

Speaker 13 (17:51):
Mean, I guess just you know, from from the resources
that I get, I think that this is not a
clear cut case that you know, this is kind of
as it was displayed, and because I watched the influencer's
video and it does seem like they, you know, cherry
Picking was involved. And also just kind of from the

(18:15):
immediate response from not not him, just outside sources, it
seems like they're, you know, they they were they were
looking for something and they found something that they were
looking for, which is you know, the general I guess,
the modus operandi for the influencer generation. So you know,
they want to make something that maybe will stick to

(18:38):
people who want to hear this, people who want to
think that, you know, these bad people are getting money
and it's undeserved. Wow, I think that, you know, when
we're talking about money for children, I would I would
prefer that we walk into this with the little mindset
that okay, yes, okay, maybe one out of ten is

(18:58):
getting something that they shouldn't. Are we going to take
from the non to coward coll the crowd?

Speaker 1 (19:07):
Well, Chris. What also muddies these types of situations is
when an allegation is made or the question is brought up,
is there fraud going on? Is there something something doesn't
smell right? We need to look into it further, And
you get this immediate reaction where just asking the question
or making the allegation, you get this reaction of well,

(19:31):
that's just Trunk trying to come after us, or you
are only doing that because you are a racist, or
you're making that accusation because you hate these people, whatever
the case may be that reaction muddies the water and
does not allow for people to look at a situation,
investigate and try to determine is there fraud or is
there not fraud? Is there some over here but none

(19:52):
over there? It muddi's the water, and then you have
people picking sides before you have good information available.

Speaker 13 (20:02):
I can I can absolutely accept that. And I do
think that that is as a as a social issue
that that we have yet to kind of come to
terms with. What is the the old saying that a
a lie can make it around the world before the
truth wakes up for breakfast for however that goes. And
and that's we've accelerated that. We we've we've we've we

(20:24):
have this instant access to information that one would kind
of conform to the biases that we already have. But two,
it just lends itself to the group mentality that my
side's correct in this side is wrong. So I totally
understand what you're saying. But from my you know, I
don't know exactly the date of the video, but this

(20:47):
is a pretty new this well I don't know how,
I don't know the date of the video, but this
is going viral. Is a you know what, a day
or two and we already have the federal age on
the ground. It just seems like this was a situation
where we use of tazooka to kill the hands the

(21:09):
ant hill, and it just seems like, you know, maybe overkill.
I accept that we don't want to give money out
to people who are using it fraudulently. So if that
is the case, I totally support the idea that we're
going to investigate this. I just hope that if it
does come out that this stuff maybe wasn't to the.

Speaker 1 (21:31):
Hey, Chris, I hate to cut you off, buddy, but
we're coming up against the news break. I gotta run.
Thank you so much, great call, buddy, appreciate your input.
We'll take a break really nicely. Well join us. This
is talk Line on Metro News for forty years, the
voice of West Virginia. It is ten thirty in time
to get a news update, Let's check in with the
Metro News radio network. Find out what's happening across West Virginia.

Speaker 15 (21:53):
West Virginia Metro News. I'm Chris Lawrence. West Virginia will
soon benefit from a new federal initiative.

Speaker 16 (21:58):
The state has secured one one hundred ninety nine million
dollars in twenty twenty six from the Federal Rural Health
Transformation Fund. Governor Patrick Morrissey announced that on Monday afternoon,
thanking the Trump administration. The investment will help solve issues
in the states such as the distance between patients and providers,
the lack of access to rural healthcare providers, and resources
that are needed to support those providers in rural areas.

Speaker 14 (22:21):
This is a needle mover. This is really going to
allow us to help improve healthcare in rural communities. Whether
you're talking about diabetes or COPD or number of other
disease states, we have a chance to get a lot
of our people healthier.

Speaker 16 (22:37):
The award nearly doubled the guaranteed minimum for the first
year of the program. I'm Aaron Parker, wv Metronews dot com.

Speaker 15 (22:44):
Morgan County's animal control officer is credited as being a
hero this morning saving a life. Monday afternoon, the officer
was nearby when he heard a dispatch of a mobile
home on fire in the area of Fish Archery Road.
He arrived at the scene to learn there was a
person trap inside, went into the burning trailer and dragged
out the victim who was found in the floor. The

(23:04):
victim taken to the hospital. Huntington Police are looking for
the public self for a pair of hit and run investigations,
the first December twentieth, the second on Christmas night. Anyone
with knowledge about those two incidents is asked to contact
Huntington Police. You're listening to Metroneues for forty years, the
Voice of West Virginia.

Speaker 17 (23:22):
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We use real buttermilk to craft our delicious biscuits one
batch at a time and serve them with our signature platters.
Here you'll taste the freshness in every bite, from our
classic breakfast sandwiches to favorites like our breakfast wraps. Every
meal brings a taste of simpler times. Let Tutors do

(23:45):
the cooking for you or gathering this holiday season. Visit
Tutorscatering dot com for all your catering needs.

Speaker 18 (23:51):
Greer Industries. For over one hundred years, Greer Industries has
been providing products that build a solid foundation and pains
away to a bright future. Greer Asphalt Company has three
conveniently located asphalt plants in north central West Virginia where
they can produce a superior product with unparalleled customer service.
All WVDOH approved. To learn more, visit Greer Industries dot

(24:14):
com or call three oh four two ninety six two
five four nine. Greer Industries.

Speaker 15 (24:21):
Governor Patrick Morrissey has extended the time off for state
workers for the New Year's Holiday. The Governor issued a
proclamation on Monday, marking Friday as a day off that
will come in addition to the half day they'll get
tomorrow and full day on New Year's Day. The New
York the New Year's Holiday will arrive with winter weather
in the Mountain state. After a brief lull in the
snowfall this afternoon, forecasts expect another round of arctic air

(24:43):
and winter weather for Wednesday night into Thursday. From the
Metro News anchored ask, I'm Chris Lawrence.

Speaker 1 (25:09):
At some point, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I'm not sure yet.
I did print out. I do this every year. It
aggravates me. It's it's self punishment. I don't know why.
The twenty twenty five words of the Year from dictionary
dot Com. From Mariam Webster, the Oxford word of the

(25:32):
Year we'll get to those. Speaking of words. A word
smith joining us on Metro News talk line. She's Amelia
faraoll nicely. She is on loan from West Virginia. Watch
Good morning, Amelia, Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, all the above.

Speaker 19 (25:46):
Good morning. How are you today doing well?

Speaker 1 (25:48):
Do you torment yourself with these silly words of the
year that they get put out by you know, the dictionaries,
you know, Merriam Webster, Dictionary dot Com. Yea, what good
for you?

Speaker 7 (26:00):
You all talk about it, so I know it's out there,
but I'm just trying to keep up with like the
trendy words that my seven year old brings home from school.

Speaker 1 (26:08):
Well then you probably know the dictionary dot COM's word
of the year was six seven? Am I doing it right?

Speaker 9 (26:16):
Is that how you do it?

Speaker 4 (26:16):
Six seven?

Speaker 19 (26:17):
I refuse to acknowledge you're doing that.

Speaker 1 (26:23):
I take it you heard that around the House of
Time or two it was.

Speaker 19 (26:26):
It was banned in this house.

Speaker 1 (26:28):
But yes, you know what drives me. And look, I
don't claim to be one of these great wordsmiths, like
like some of the guys that I have met through
my career who can just spend a story and right
in a way that makes me very jealous, but it does.
It does make me die a little inside when I

(26:48):
see the word of the ears slop or rage bait,
and I'm like, can we just can we want a
few new words as a society moving forward?

Speaker 19 (26:59):
Is it bad that I felt something when you said those?

Speaker 7 (27:01):
Though? Like, both of those are pertinent to my life
being a political reporter, and twenty twenty fies.

Speaker 1 (27:09):
There's a lot of slop and rage bait out there,
love us. Ah, So what sticks out to you as
you look back on twenty five and the stories you covered.
What jumps to the top of your mind?

Speaker 7 (27:21):
Oh gosh, I was thinking about this this morning. My
life always dies on one hair. I feel like this
year definitely was marked by a new governor, right, like,
just both politically but also as a reporter. You kind
of have to get in an ebb and flow of
covering a new administration. I will say for as a reporter,
this year was a little bit I don't want to

(27:42):
say easier, but different. Like there we saw Foya's being
responded to more timely pressed inquiries for the most part,
not always, but there was a little bit of an
improvement there.

Speaker 19 (27:52):
So that stood out to me.

Speaker 7 (27:54):
But I think also what really stood out to me
is that the things I was hearing from readers so often, closures,
utility rates, the cost of food, rarely matched what we
saw being talked about in government, right, Like we didn't
see a lot of press conferences addressing affordability issues or
even addressing school closures. We saw a lot of talk

(28:15):
about it from the school board, but we didn't hear
a lot about that from our elected officials. So I
think that's what really stands out to me, like a
difficult year for so many West Virginians as utility rates
and everything is skyrocketed, and feeling a little bit that
that was disconnected from what we heard. I'm not saying
that officials aren't aware of those things are working on them,
but that wasn't always what was at the forefront of

(28:36):
the press many press conferences I covered this year.

Speaker 1 (28:39):
You know, I've thought about that, that disconnect, if you will,
maybe I guess it is just a disconnect where we
had a lot of attention on the social issues on
you know, vaccine, you know, should we have the vaccines
or not? Some of the social issues that were still
lingering out there, and again this people are supposed to

(29:01):
have a hot take me to the show, Amelia, right,
But but I think a lot of things are true.
I think politicians, the men and women who are running
for office, heard about those when they were out on
the campaign trail because that was a lot of the
national talking points. So I think they heard a lot
of that while they were out talking to the road
you know, the rotarians, or when they were stopping at

(29:22):
you know, these different community events. But then when you
and I as neighbors are talking, it's you know, the
cost of daycare, it's the cost of eggs, it's you know,
trying to make the mortgage payments. Do you know how
much a cost I had a simple procedure done? Do
you know how much that cost me? So I think
they're I think all of it's true at the same time.

(29:43):
That's very again, unsatisfying, but I think all of it
can be true at the same time. Yes, they heard
about those things, but people are really talking about these
things over here.

Speaker 7 (29:51):
Yeah, And I think you know, again, I don't want
to say that people aren't aware of those things, are
working on them behind the scenes, But press conferences and
the budget I feel like so often are a measuring
stick of where our priorities are. And I think back
to this year and I covered multiple press conferences at
the state capitol with Governor Morrissey about immigration. Now, we
are a very Trump friendly state, right we elected Trump

(30:15):
in a large margin, so I imagine that voters here
do care about immigration. But how much is that affecting
the everyday West Virginian And we have less than two
percent immigrant population in West Virginia, right, And so that
just kind of stood out to me that I felt
like I spent a lot of time writing stories that yes,
maybe many West Virginians agree with the governor and what
he's doing, but not so much press conferences focused on

(30:38):
how do we help school closures?

Speaker 19 (30:40):
For example?

Speaker 7 (30:41):
I mean, I think some of our my editor was
going through some of our top read stories, and many
of them were about schools because in these communities, schools.

Speaker 19 (30:49):
Are the employer, right there were most of the kids
go to school.

Speaker 7 (30:52):
They are an economic driver in these small counties. And
we've just seen what is it, over two dozen school
closures already this yearnnounced, But where we didn't really hear
a lot about that in the House, Senate or from
the governor. So I think there we are going to
go into this next year with maybe a little bit
more focused from what we hear. But as you and
I have talked about already, it's an election here and

(31:15):
so that can sometimes mean those real issues don't always
get the attention that we expect them to.

Speaker 1 (31:21):
Was there a story or interview or somebody you met
while you were out covering that really sticks out to
you from over the last year.

Speaker 7 (31:29):
You know, gosh, so many, but I'm going to go
foot this top of my mind. I went to Hinton
during the snap benefits delay and met so many women
who were pulling twenties and fifties out of their purses,
dollar bills out of their purses to feed their neighbors.
These were not wealthy people. They were going door to door,

(31:49):
church to church to collect money to feed kids in
southern West Virginia. And while the snap benefits crisis is
behind us, we have a lot of changes coming up
to that are going to affect West Virginians. We are
a very poor state, and I think that stands out
to me, not only because it was so moving and sad,
but also to know like that crisis really is not

(32:12):
behind us. That was one crisis of probably many we're
going to see with social programs in the coming years.
So that really stands out to me. Just seeing these women.
I just can picture this one kind of elderly lady.
She just came like barreling through the door and was like,
I went to every church and collected twenties and I'll
be back tomorrow and make them donate. Just like so
West Virginia, right, and so that really stands out to me.

Speaker 1 (32:34):
Amelia nicely, he's joining us alone from West Virginia. Watch
I think, Sorry, I don't have all of your articles
indexed in my brain from the last year. You made
a trip down to McDowell County, a couple of trips
after the flood last year. That sticks with me. We
did a live show from down there and followed up
with the folks down there. The devastation number one from

(32:56):
the flooding sticks out. But more than that, how just
how resolute everybody was that I met. They weren't going
to weigh around on, you know, federal help to come
in there. We're gonna grab a shovel, We're gonna go out.
We're gonna dig out. You know, we're gonna muck out
this guy's basement, we're gonna muck out this girl's living room,
and we're gonna figure this out one way or the other.

(33:17):
And that that sticks with me in a world where
almost a year later, but they're still dealing with the
impacts of those floods from last February.

Speaker 7 (33:27):
Yeah, that was actually the second one that kind of
popped into my brain. You know, I think I hadn't
been to McDowell County since during COVID it it had
been a while for me, and I couldn't believe that
it looked worse in some ways, right because I've spent
years reporting down there in the past. But yeah, I
think they're nowhere near being done with the flooding that

(33:48):
devastated and already devastated area. And yes, so many neighbors
were helping their neighbors, but it's difficult to see people
trying to rub together a couple pennies to help each other, right,
And so that really stands out to me, just seeing
people's floors completely gone. Like one couple I interviewed, the
man was using a walker and they didn't have a

(34:08):
floor in their home, Like how could he get around?
Seeing an elderly couple with health problems that had so
much mold already starting to form in their home. So
that really stands out to me too. And I think too,
I interviewed so many foster kids this year, and they're
so brave to share their stories. Because when I work
with kids, well really anyone, but especially someone under eighteen,

(34:32):
I really try to walk them through. You know, this
is a news article, and so whatever you share some
of the most heartbreaking things about being abused or sexually abused,
is going to be on the Internet forever. And I
want you to know that. And if you're not comfortable,
that's okay. And they still choose to share those stories,
and I think that's really brave to show how difficult
the system.

Speaker 13 (34:52):
Is to be in.

Speaker 7 (34:53):
So that really stands out to me too, and I'm
really grateful that they trust me to tell their stories.

Speaker 1 (34:58):
And that is another issue the Morris the administration has
taken some steps to try to address the foster care situation,
but getting a handle on just how wide ranging that
the issues are, and some of it look is just
there's not enough. I think a lot of it comes
down to not enough people, from CBS workers to all

(35:18):
the bureaucratic paperwork you got to deal with on the
other end, But trying to get a handle on fixing
and I use scare quotes, they're fixing the system so
we can give these kids an opportunity to flourish once
they become you know, young adults, and then go get
further education, whether that's trade school or college or whatever
the case may be. I hope we continue on that path.

(35:41):
I think we started on it. I hope we continue
on it and make some big strides in twenty six.

Speaker 19 (35:45):
I hope so too.

Speaker 7 (35:46):
I mean, I think I'm encouraged by the work of
the Morrisy administration, particularly on bringing out of state kids
back in state. But so many of these issues are
going to take money. They are, and there's just you know,
you can't throw money at every problem in fi FIT.
But with Foster care about you know, whether it's hiring
additional CPS workers to get their case numbers down, or
providing state of the art therapeutic and behavioral health for

(36:09):
these kids once they're back in West Virginia using the
dollars you already have to get them ready to go
on to adulthood.

Speaker 19 (36:15):
All of these things.

Speaker 7 (36:16):
Take money and I think that's going to be maybe
a sticking point moving forward, but I am hopeful and
I think, you know, as long as we're talking about
the problem, that's that's step forward than where we were
even a couple of years ago. So that's good, right,
because for a long time it was like you didn't
hear or no one wanted to talk about foster care
unless unfortunately a child had died, and.

Speaker 1 (36:37):
Talking about the problem, and the administration and the agencies
understanding that talking about it is not trying to blame
or get somebody, you know, try to rake them of
the calls. It's just let's identify the holes and filled
let's identify the problems and make this system work better.

Speaker 7 (36:54):
Right, for so long, I think it is felt like
if we come to the legislature and by we I
mean the Department Human Services or anyone in the administration
and admit the failures, then we will get in trouble
or it will blow back on us. But in reality,
I think a lot of lawmakers just want to know
the reality, How grim is it?

Speaker 19 (37:12):
What do you need?

Speaker 7 (37:14):
Because so often the answers are we'll get you those
numbers later, we'll get you that report later. And then
lawmakers get frustrated because they see the news articles that
show a really bad foster care system and that doesn't
match the testimony they hear. So I think some transparency
and honesty, which I think Governor Morrissey has been more
transparent about. We have some major problems here and let's

(37:34):
try to fix them.

Speaker 1 (37:35):
All right, let's send on a high note. What are
you looking forward to in twenty six?

Speaker 7 (37:39):
Oh my gosh, I mean, I'm a dork, so I
love covering session, so I'm excited for that. And I
think I'm just excited to continue to travel around our
state and tell stories. You know, once the session ends,
I kind of feel like my leash just take it
off and I can leave the capital and go do

(37:59):
the fun things that I'm just excited to, even though
so often they're hard stories. I'm really excited to travel
our beautiful state.

Speaker 1 (38:06):
Well, then you should be excited two weeks from tomorrow
the session begins.

Speaker 7 (38:11):
I know, I'm not excited about my Oakland A's, so
we're not gonna end on a figh.

Speaker 1 (38:16):
Well, they're just the a's now, right, they don't have.

Speaker 7 (38:18):
A I know, I was yeah, So no, I mean
baseball no excitement there.

Speaker 19 (38:23):
But yeah, I'm excited.

Speaker 7 (38:25):
And you know, I'm a mom of three, so I
think I'm so lucky that not only do I get
to like have another year to watch my kids grow,
but it inspires me to report about kids in West Virginia.
So I'm looking forward to a great year.

Speaker 1 (38:36):
I would invite you to come over and join the
Reds bandwagon, but it's been thirty years of disappointment.

Speaker 7 (38:42):
So absolutely not. I do like that ballpark, but those
there's just some weird hot dogs there that I cannot with.

Speaker 1 (38:50):
So can't get Malia faroh nicely with the West Virginia
watch Amelia always a pleasure. Happy New Year. We'll see
it out at the Capitol here.

Speaker 4 (38:59):
In a couple of weeks.

Speaker 19 (39:00):
That's Happy New Year.

Speaker 1 (39:01):
Three of four Talk three or four is the text
line eight hundred and seven to sixty five Talk. The
phone number will open up the phone lines and the
text line when we return. This is talk line from
the Enco Insurance Studios.

Speaker 5 (39:10):
Hospitals drive West Virginia's economy. They produce jobs and create
opportunities while keeping our communities healthy, employing nearly fifty four
thousand people West Virginia hospitals rank among our state's largest
and most dependable employers. They provide more than one billion
dollars in community benefits and generate nearly seventeen billion dollars
in total economic impact each year. Hospitals are investing were counts,

(39:31):
advancing health, ensuring access to care, and powering West Virginia's
economic future.

Speaker 20 (39:35):
A message from the West Virginia Hospital Association online a
WVJA dot org.

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Speaker 1 (40:11):
You're listening to Talkline on Metro News, the Voice of
West Virginia.

Speaker 3 (40:28):
Metro News. Talk Line is presented by Encova Insurance and
circling you with coverage to protect what you care about most.
Visit incova dot com To learn more.

Speaker 1 (40:38):
Text line three oh four Talk three oh four. You
can give me a call at eight hundred and seven
to sixty five Talk. Alex Gasserude will join us at
eleven o six, a young Republican running for the US
sentence nomination. We'll talk to him. We'll meet him at
the top of next hour. Text line three or four
Talk three oh four. Amelia is one of your is

(41:00):
my favorite of your regular guests? Yeah, you know what,
we we have a pretty good core of devoted passionates
and very good, if I must say, reporters here in
West Virginia who cover the state legislature, who cover local
news across the state. And I'm not saying that because

(41:23):
I'm part of that group sort of kind of. I'm
saying that because that I think they're pretty good. I
know most of them. They're pretty good, including Amelia and
Steven Allen Adam is one of the regulars, and Brad mcohenny,
who will join us tomorrow three or four talk three four.
Let me see all right, back to our discussion we

(41:44):
have with Chris from Huntington. Any Somali persons in Minnesota
that received money for a child that wasn't in daycare,
provided no daycare received money for fake autistic children, or
is in a is a state employee co conspirator has
to be denaturalized and deported, or there is no of
law in the USA, says John, How about your caller,

(42:04):
Chris still believes the formula one the fifty one former
intelligence officials concerning Hunter's laptop. By the way, that was
election interference. Taking away one billion dollars of healthcare and
will replace it with one hundred and ninety nine million
dollars does not add up. They've all worked in the
private sector. I was in the private sector business for

(42:28):
forty five years, and all aspects of our financials was
under a constant oversight with frequent audits. We should expect
the same from all government agencies. Just to put a
bow in that conversation we have had with Chris, there
were there was already a federal investigation in a Minnesota's

(42:48):
frog crisis that resulted in eighty six indictments and over
a billion dollars in losses tied to the Feeding our
Future scandal, the largest known COVID nineteen frog case in
the country. So there has been some proven fraud and
like I said, what makes this so difficult to parse out,
I think is you get this immediate reaction. Rather than

(43:11):
someone the governor of Minnesota, for instance, saying, Okay, there's
these allegations, let's investigate, it immediately becomes a defensive posture.
It immediately becomes a Trump is attacking us. It immediately
becomes an US versus them, instead of going, Okay, we're
going to thoroughly investigate these allegations and see if these

(43:34):
things are happening. And because of those reactions, you have
people choosing sides, you have people making snap judgments. Then
you get into the social media world, and you know
that's a universe and into itself there Therefore, talk three
or four is the text line. One hundred seven and
sixty five eight two five to five the phone number.

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Speaker 2 (44:22):
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Speaker 23 (45:26):
Some say he's a man of mystery. Others say he's
the holiday hitmaker. No one saw coming.

Speaker 20 (45:31):
It's showtime.

Speaker 23 (45:32):
The holiday Hitmaker walks the office halls with West Virginia
Lottery holiday scratch offs and an unstoppable spirit. What are
you doing.

Speaker 4 (45:40):
Bringing the holiday hip here? Enjoy scratch off?

Speaker 3 (45:43):
It's on me?

Speaker 1 (45:44):
Whoa ticket?

Speaker 4 (45:46):
My work here is done?

Speaker 23 (45:47):
Be the surprise hit maker West Virginia Lottery games fun,
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Speaker 1 (46:09):
A couple of more texts here three or four talk
three oh four. Massive fraud by a community that has
no desire to assimilate to our culture, says the text.

Speaker 6 (46:26):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (46:26):
I'm not quite sure what the caller's point was. Seemed
to be talking in circles, Dave. At least your response
was intelligent, says the texter.

Speaker 4 (46:36):
Oh, thank you.

Speaker 1 (46:38):
Fraud is taking funds from states so that Congress has
approved a year ago. That's fraud at its highest shot
at Congress there. Uh, three or four talk three oh four, Dave.
I'm crippled, and it wasn't due to Cheetos and Dorito's
Morsey doesn't have my vote anymore says the Texter. All right,

(46:59):
Coming up out number two will introduce you to a
young man running for the Republican nomination for US Senate,
Alex Gasserude will join us also bottom of the hour.
He was training to run in the Olympics. Well life intervened,
We'll bring you the story of the former track coach
at Liberty High School, Phil Cunningham, will join me in studio.

(47:21):
This is talk line of Metro News, the voice of
West Virginia.

Speaker 3 (47:33):
Metro News talk Line is presented by Encova Insurance, encircling
you with coverage to protect what you care about most.
Visit incova dot com to learn more.

Speaker 1 (47:43):
Second hour Metro News talk Line here on the next
to last day of twenty twenty five. Live show tomorrow,
Best of on Thursday, New Year's Day will be back
live on Friday to ring in the New Year. If
you will phone numbers eight hundred and seven six eight
hundred and seven six five eight two five five, you

(48:03):
can text the show at three or four talk three
oh four. Coming up bottom of the hour, going to
introduce you to a guy who was training for the
Olympic Games, a decathletes and life has a funny way
of throwing challenges at you, and they've thrown a couple
at this guy, Phil Cunningham. He's a former track coach

(48:24):
at Liberty High School, former track coach, a track coach,
no legs, A guy that was going to go to
the Olympics. Now he doesn't have any legs. We'll tell
you his story coming up at the bottom of the hour.
We'll also get your text in three or four talk
three oh four, A couple of these other words, by
the way, words of the year. I was going through
the list during the break. I have not heard of

(48:45):
most of these. Aura farming? Are you aware of this?
Aura farming? Is that peaked in June?

Speaker 9 (48:52):
By the way.

Speaker 1 (48:52):
According to dictionary dot com, the term refers to the
practice of intentionally developing one's presence or vibe. Okay, aura farming,
I guess I'm getting old. Three or four talk three
or four is the text line eight hundred seven six
five eight two five five. Senator US Senator Kelly Moore

(49:13):
Capito was on the show earlier this month. She announced
that she is seeking reelection to the Senate. State Senator
Tom Willis has also announced that he is running for
the GOP nomination for US Senate. There is also a
third challenge or and he joins us on the program this morning.
Please welcome to Metro News talk Line Alex Gaserude. He
is also seeking the Republican nomination for US Senate. Alex,

(49:35):
good morning, Thanks for joining us.

Speaker 24 (49:37):
Good morning, Dave, Good morning, West Virginia. I hope everyone's
doing well here at the end of the year.

Speaker 1 (49:41):
Appreciate you.

Speaker 25 (49:42):
Joy.

Speaker 1 (49:42):
Have you ever heard of aura farming?

Speaker 4 (49:45):
I have not.

Speaker 24 (49:45):
That was the first time that's been brought up. I've
heard of an aura ring, but that's about it.

Speaker 1 (49:50):
There's a couple of these I've never heard of before.
But I digress. All right, Alex, introduce yourself to West Virginians.
Who is Alex gasseerud Sure.

Speaker 24 (50:00):
I'm a native West Virginia. I'm a thirty three year
old generational change on the political scene here in West Virginia.
I'm running for the United States Senate in the Republican
primary on May twelfth, twenty twenty six, to breathe new
life into the state of West Virginia and give our
people a much better chance of success and to turn

(50:21):
this state around as we continue on this twenty first
century road.

Speaker 1 (50:25):
So why jump into this race against an incumbent like Capito.

Speaker 24 (50:30):
Well, I believe I'm a true conservative. I don't think
Shelley more Capita center Capito is a real conservative, and
we can talk about our voting record to highlight the
fact that she's not a real conservative. I believe she's
a more moderate liberal Republican and we need to move
on to a more conservative voice, a more conservative style

(50:50):
of leadership.

Speaker 4 (50:51):
In the state of West Virginia.

Speaker 1 (50:53):
Talking to Alex gasrud Republican running for the GOP nomination
for US, Let's get into some of the issues, including
the cost of health care. That has been a big issue.
It was a big sticking point during the shutdown. It
was a big sticking point right up till the time
Congress went home and did nothing about it at the
end of the year. So, from your vantage point as

(51:14):
a thirty three year old, one, what is the biggest
issue when it comes to the cost of health care?
And two how would you address it?

Speaker 24 (51:21):
Well, I think the biggest issue is the fact that
insurance companies aren't able to compete across state lines. We
need to bring a competitive insurance market to the United
States where you know patients can choose their plans and
have more options. You know, the government's not good at
running anything, including healthcare. We've seen Obamacare has been a disaster,

(51:42):
especially recently. The pharmacy managers, those the intermediaries, the third
parties are also driving up the cost. We see medical
technology continue to be more expensive. You know, usually when
you bought a TV, a big screen TV in the
mid two thousands, it was a few thousand dollars. You
can get that same television today in twenty twenty five

(52:02):
for a few hundred bucks. We don't see that in
medical technology, these tests and scans and equipment, it continues
to get more and more expensive. So we need to
drive down the cost of health care. We also need
to get more preventive so we're catching sickness earlier and
we're able to address that. But I want to see
the federal government get out of the business of running.

Speaker 4 (52:26):
The healthcare system.

Speaker 24 (52:27):
They took a system that was working decently well and
ruined it for about thirty to fifty million people, And
now we see pretty soon the people that are utilizing
Obamacare aren't even actually going to be able to afford
the premiums once they go up.

Speaker 4 (52:41):
So i'd like to see.

Speaker 24 (52:42):
A more private approach, of a more market driven approach
and create more competition which will hopefully lower the cost
of healthcare over time.

Speaker 1 (52:50):
So would you support a repeal of Obamacare the federal
government get out of this completely.

Speaker 24 (52:55):
Yes, I would like to support a repeal of Obamacare.
A lot of republic Plans are weary about repealing Obamacare
without putting together a replacement, but I think we could.
We could do things as far as opening up competition
across state lines and getting some of these intermediaries.

Speaker 4 (53:14):
Out as well.

Speaker 24 (53:15):
So I would be for a full repeal without replacing
it immediately, because it's become such a.

Speaker 4 (53:21):
Disastrous policy for the people of the country.

Speaker 1 (53:24):
Alex Gasserud is joining US Republican running for the GOP
nomination for US Senates in the May primary. So, Alex,
I'm this kind of question at this point because of
what you just said. When it came to the youd
have supported the repeal. So you certainly, if you were
in Congress, would not have supported extending the ACA subsidies,

(53:45):
would you?

Speaker 24 (53:46):
Absolutely not. Now, I would not have supported extending the
ACA subsidies. I think it was ridiculous that the Democrats,
particularly Democrats tried to use ACA subsidies as a justification
for shutting the government down. I think we need to
take a more a new approach to healthcare. Alex Casseroude
is joining us.

Speaker 1 (54:06):
President Trump has already given his endorsement for your opponent,
Senator Capito, the incumbent. This is a state that President
Trump is very popular in. So how do you combat
that endorsement.

Speaker 24 (54:18):
Well, I don't think that Donald Trump's endorsement has the
same effect that it might have in other states. You know,
usually the Trump endorsement is the kiss of death for
anybody that's challenging, whether it's the challenger that receives the
endorsement or it's the incumbent that receives the endorsement. But
I think West Virginians right now, especially more conservative West Virginians,
and that's what the Republican primary elector it's going to

(54:38):
consist of. It's going to consist of the most politically
active and the most conservative, the most anti establishment, anti rhino,
anti status quo group of voters. So I think as
long as the Republican primary stay closed, we're going to
be looking at roughly two thirds of the electorate being
more conservative and anti establishment. I think that West Virginian voters,

(54:59):
especially Republican primary voters, are sophisticated enough to see that
even though Donald Trump has endorsed Senator Capito, that she's
not a true conservative and we need a generational change
in West Virginia. That's one of the reasons I'm running.
I'm coming into this race with seventy four hundred votes
in my back pocket from the second Congressional district primary
in twenty four I've got consolidated name idea across the state.

(55:21):
Our ideas, our intellect, our verbal ability, and our messaging
is winning out. So I don't think that Trump endorsement
has the same impact that it might have in other states,
and I think the establishment is going to be quite
surprised on May twelfth, twenty twenty six. But obviously Trump
endorsement is something that you have to contend with and
it does have some impact.

Speaker 1 (55:42):
President Trump announced yesterday another strike on drug operations out
of Venezuela. This time it appears to have been a
drone strike, a CIA operation involving loading docks where reportedly
drugs are being loaded on boats to be smuggled into
the US. All that said, should the US be involved
in this type of escalation with Venezuela.

Speaker 4 (56:03):
Well right now.

Speaker 24 (56:03):
I mean, obviously, I've learned from the mistakes of the
past when we look at some of American's foreign policy
with the Iraq War, the you know, the Afghanistan withdrawal.
You know, we've seen a lot of mistakes made. We're
not the best at nation building and intervening in other countries,
but there are circumstances where we do have to be
more hawkish, and I selectively am hawkish where it makes

(56:24):
sense Iran for instance, and then here in Venezuela. I
believe that we need to send a strong message to
the rest of the world and our hemisphere, specifically that
we are in charge of the seas and we're not
going to allow these poisons to continue to come into
our country without some sort of deterrence and without action.
And I think Donald Trump, it's a breath of fresh air,

(56:46):
whether it's securing the border or it's taking on evil
nations like Iran or quelling the drug running in our hemisphere,
particularly coming from places like Venezuela and Central America. So
I am totally on board with the actions that are
being taken currently by the executive a unitarian executive theory.

(57:07):
I think that he's well within his power to do that.
If we were to, you know, obviously increase or put
troops or something like that, or ramp up escalation with Venezuela,
and I think we would need to see congressional approval
for that. But I think right now the conduct of
the Trump administration securing our hemisphere and just sending messages
all over the world that we're the superpower of this world.

(57:30):
We're in charge, and you're not going to dictate terms
to our country anymore.

Speaker 4 (57:34):
We're going to dictate terms to the rest.

Speaker 9 (57:35):
Of the world.

Speaker 1 (57:36):
Affordability seems like it's going to be the word of
the election here in twenty six, not just healthcare, but
the cost of living overall, cost of groceries, cost of housing,
cost of going out and buying a new vehicle, et cetera,
et cetera, et cetera. So can Congress address affordability or
should Congress be addressing something that's market driven?

Speaker 24 (57:56):
Yeah, So, I mean, there's obviously things that can be done.
You know, we've seen the economy was a disaster under
Joe Biden, I mean, and the economy is a very
intricate situation. You're not going to be able to just
turn the economy in eleven months. But we've taken a
lot of strides to turn the economy around. Where we
saw a very positive GDP number that came out, We're

(58:20):
seeing lower gas prices, We're starting to see an energy
exploration renaissance. We're starting to cut a lot of these
three letter agencies that create red tape and regulations, and
things are turning in the economy, and I think the
economy is going to get.

Speaker 4 (58:36):
Better in the long term.

Speaker 24 (58:37):
But to tell West Virginians or to tell anybody in
this country that the economy is doing great and affordability
is not a real thing, that's a lie.

Speaker 4 (58:46):
I know what it's like.

Speaker 24 (58:46):
One of the reasons I'm running for the United States
Senate is I'm a regular, real American. I know what
it's like to juggle grocery bill, a power bill. I
know what it's like to maybe stay in line in
the grocery store and put something back. And I think
we need to have people that are more cognizant of that,
that are making decisions and making policy in the United
States Senate and Washington D C. In particularly, but the

(59:10):
economy is improving. It's not going to improve overnight. It's
not going to get fixed in eleven months. But I
think by the end of this second administration, to the
second term of Trump's administration, we're going to see a
much better economy, more vibrant economy than what we see today.

Speaker 4 (59:25):
But to we.

Speaker 24 (59:26):
Have to make it more affordable because I talk to
West Virginians every day and they're having a hard time
making it out here.

Speaker 1 (59:32):
Alex Gasroute is joining us on mentioning his talk line
this morning. Republican running for the US Senate GOP nomination.
We're coming up on the clock here, but I wanted
to squeeze this question in President Trump basically shut the
southern border down. Illegal immigration has been reduced there on
the southern border. Another president could come in, different policies,

(59:55):
different executive orders. It could be wide open again. What
does Congress need to do or can Congress come up
with some sort of legislation to fix this? So it's
not a fluctuating situation based on whatever administration is in
the White House.

Speaker 24 (01:00:10):
So my biggest single issue in the Republican primary for
the second congressional district in twenty four was border security.
I was putting together basically a three point policy proposal
at that time, which was saying, if you elect me
and send me to Washington, DC, I'm going to push
for the authorization of lethal force and send the military
to the border so people cannot just come across our

(01:00:31):
country without any rules or ramifications. The second component of
that was to form a mass deportation task force to
deport millions of illegal aliens that have come into our nation.
And it came into our country and raped our women,
killed our police officers, and West Virginians, tax dollars paid
to put them.

Speaker 4 (01:00:47):
In hotel rooms.

Speaker 24 (01:00:48):
And then the third component of that policy, very important policy,
and I will be pushing for this in the United
States Senate, is to end the concept of asylum in
US law, to no longer allow people to just stake
some sort of claim and to come here. And if
we would have been able to implement the third component
of that border policy, which is to disband the concept
of asylum in US law, there's a chance today that

(01:01:09):
Sarah Beckstrom would still be alive and we wouldn't be
seeing people from Afghanistan and other people from legal parts
of the country, continuing to come in and take Americans lives.

Speaker 1 (01:01:18):
Alex Gasrude joining us running for the Republican US Senate
nomination in the May twelfth primary. Alex I checked first
campaign finance this morning. Senator Capito has nearly four million dollars.
Tom Willis has raised two hundred and fifty thousand. You
had zero dollars listed in the campaign finance. So with
that disadvantage in funding, how do you mount a challenge

(01:01:40):
to a sitting US Senator and a sitting state senator
in this campaign?

Speaker 24 (01:01:44):
Sure, so we're going to have money that's going to
come into the campaign. We've actually started to ramp up
our fundraising here to start the year off. There's only
so much money in West Virginia that's going to go
around right now. We're going to effectively target our primary voters.
We're going to continue to get our message out. We'll
have radio commercials, television commercials towards the end of the
race when most people are paying attention. But a lot

(01:02:07):
of West Virginia is already familiar with me. They're ready
for generational change. They're ready for a new, bold vision
of leadership to turn West Virginia around and again, I
already have consolidated name ID and I think that again
we are going to see that the establishment is on
the run in this race, and we're going to shock
the world and win this race on May twelfth, twenty

(01:02:29):
twenty six. So we're going to be on the ground,
We're going to target these Republican primary voters, We're going
to get our message out, and we already have a
lot of support. But neither one of us, Me or
Willis is going to have any sort of money to
compete with Capito. But again, I don't think that the
money in a traditional metric. Obviously money is important, but

(01:02:49):
I don't think that's going to cost us the race here.

Speaker 1 (01:02:51):
Alex Gaserude, Republican running for US Senate nomination coming up
the May twelfth primary election. It seems like a long
way away, but it's not just a couple of months. Alex,
thanks for stopping by this morning. Happy New Year. We'll
talk to you again in twenty six.

Speaker 4 (01:03:05):
Dave, thanks so much. You have a great new year
you as well.

Speaker 1 (01:03:08):
Coming up, we'll get to some text three or four
talk three oh four. This is talk line from the
in Cove Insurance Studios.

Speaker 26 (01:03:16):
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Rick Springfield and Scotty McCreary in twenty twenty four. Clarksburg, Yes, Clarksburg.
Did you know that the Robinson Grand has played host
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Speaker 15 (01:03:32):
Clarksburg.

Speaker 26 (01:03:33):
Yes, Clarksburg. Explore more at come home to Clarksburg dot com.

Speaker 5 (01:03:44):
opportunities while keeping our communities healthy. Employing nearly fifty four
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(01:04:05):
economic future.

Speaker 20 (01:04:10):
A message from the West Virginia Hospital Association Online a
WVJA dot org.

Speaker 10 (01:04:16):
We are there for you to care for you at
the health Plan.

Speaker 8 (01:04:22):
The health plan is still growing, giving you a large
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Speaker 4 (01:04:30):
That meet your needs.

Speaker 8 (01:04:32):
Log on to health plan dot org for more information.

Speaker 10 (01:04:35):
We are there to.

Speaker 23 (01:04:37):
Care for you at the plan.

Speaker 10 (01:04:41):
We are here.

Speaker 1 (01:05:01):
Text line is three or four Talk three h four
phone numbers eight hundred seven to sixty five. Talk Texter says,
what did the guy say his name was running for
US Senate? That said he had name recognition already. That
would be Alex Gasserude, Alex Gasserude, Dave. We are not
the typical Republican or Democrat two party state. We need

(01:05:24):
the Working Families Party in West Virginia as a third party.
Look him up, says the Texter. I strongly disagree that
the ACA is bad. At least Obama did something all
Republicans do is talk.

Speaker 9 (01:05:39):
One.

Speaker 1 (01:05:40):
I have never been a fan of doing something just
to do something. That doesn't mean whatever you did was
the right thing to do, or it was a good
thing or a positive thing that you did, so just
you don't get credit for doing something.

Speaker 13 (01:05:54):
Now.

Speaker 1 (01:05:55):
To your point, Republicans can't ever seem to agree on
their approach to it, whether it is a full repeal
of Obamacare or whether it is some sort of tweak
Is it health savings accounts? Is it a year looking
at the current situation. Is it a year of a
year extension of the ACA subsidies. They can't seem to

(01:06:17):
figure out what it is they want to do. To
your second point, you're right, there's a lot of talk.
They can't seem to figure out exactly how to address
the situation as a whole. Now, as far as at
least President Obama did something, well, that doesn't mean it
was the right thing or a positive thing to do,

(01:06:37):
because what was it seventeen years ago? Was it seventeen
years ago? Is that how long it's been. This was
going to this was going to address the healthcare costs,
and here we are, we're having the same conversations almost
two decades later about the rising cost of healthcare. Three

(01:06:58):
or four talk three or four? Uh, he has it
all wrong. Moderates can work together for the state and society.
He's telling the Trump line, which is toxic and not
good for all. No substance. I'm a Republican moderate and
can see both sides and what benefits all. Ronald Reagan
guy would never vote for this, dude, No depth, says

(01:07:19):
the Texter.

Speaker 9 (01:07:21):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (01:07:21):
Three or four talk three or four is the text line?
Eight hundred and seven to sixty five eight two five
five is the phone number? All right, Coming up other
side of the break after the news update, will introduced
you to a guy. Well, I had described him in
the open as a character, and I think that is
a pretty good descriptor of our bottom of the hour guest.

(01:07:43):
He was training, was destined to be in the Olympics
as a decathlete. He played football with guys like Jimbo Fisher.
He would later go on to become a track and
field coach and then life has an interesting way of
throwing you curveballs. His was being a track coach with
no legs. Now he speaks to groups. He is a

(01:08:06):
motivational speaker and will tell his story. His name's Phil Cunningham.
Will introduce you coming up on the other side of
the news break. Also a reminder live show tomorrow on
New Year's Eve. We'll take a look back at the
year that was in twenty twenty five, maybe even talk
a little college football because the quarterfinal of the college
football playoffs come up starting tomorrow, So Brad McIlhenny will

(01:08:30):
join us on tomorrow's program. Will get your top stories.
You have a homework assignment today. I want to hear
your top stories, topics, issues, rants, whatever it was from
twenty twenty five. We'll do that on tomorrow's final show
of twenty twenty five. Phil Cunningham the character. He's going

(01:08:51):
to join me in studio, coming up next eight hundred
and seven to sixty five. Talk is the fun number.
You can always text me anytime at three oh four.
Talk three to four. We'll get a check of the
news break back in a moment. This is talk line
from the Acoba Insurance Studios talk line on Metro News.
Metro News for forty years, the voice of West Virginia.

(01:09:13):
It is eleven thirty times to get a news update.
Let's check in with the Metro News radio network. Find
out what's happening across the great state of West Virginia.

Speaker 15 (01:09:21):
West Virginia Metro newsheim Chris Lorens work happening this hour
to battle a forest fire at Capan State Park in
Morgan County. Cruise from the State Park, Division of Forestry,
and local volunteer fire crews have all been on the
scene of that blaze that was first noticed about seven
o'clock this morning. State park officials say the fire is
about two acres in size. And it is not threatening
any buildings or improvements in the park, but it's unclear

(01:09:44):
what caused the fire, and that investigation is underway. Specialized
firefighting teams from neighboring states are also coming to the
scene to help with the area that's difficult to access.
Adding to the problems is a wind advisory in effect
for that region of the state as well today, with
windy conditions spanning the flames and Charleston. A driver is
in critical condition after a crash on the interstate. According

(01:10:04):
to emergency officials, the wreck happened just after eight o'clock
on I seventy seven at northbound of the ninety six
mile marker. The vehicle crashed from an interstate overpass, landing
on Cannon Boulevard below and then caught fire. Fireman on
the scene were able to free the victim, who was
trapped in the burning wreckage for several minutes. An accident
reconstruction team is working on the investigation. West Virginia in

(01:10:26):
line to get one hundred ninety nine million dollars from
the Rural Health Transformation Fund. Governor Patrick Morrissey says the
idea here is an overall improvement of not only health
but lifestyle in West Virginia.

Speaker 14 (01:10:35):
Trying to create a virtuous circle healthier people, more productivity
in the workforce, more people overall in the workforce, and
then a stronger economy with the higher standard of living.

Speaker 15 (01:10:47):
You're listening to Metron, Who's the voice of West Virginia.

Speaker 17 (01:10:51):
There's nothing quite like a homemade meal from Tutor's Biscuit work.
We use real buttermilk to craft our delicious biscuits in
one batch at a time and serve them with our
signature platters. Here you will taste of freshness in every night.
From our classic breakfast sandwiches to favorites like our breakfast wraps.
Every meal brings a taste of simpler times. Let Tutors

(01:11:13):
do the cooking for you or gathering this holiday season.
Visit tutors Catering dot com for all your catering needs.

Speaker 4 (01:11:20):
Hi.

Speaker 25 (01:11:20):
I'm Matt Bainbridge. I'm a principal with CEC and the
survey practice lead in West Virginia. My journey with THEEC
started as a staff consultant in twenty fourteen. From surveys
to well pad design, CEC is nurtured micro in twenty fifteen.
They empowered me to build a remote sensing group, providing
the resources to get the job done. The best part
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(01:11:40):
At CEC, we engineer progress in the great state of
West Virginia.

Speaker 1 (01:11:44):
Find out what CEC can do for you. Visit ceci
NC dot com.

Speaker 15 (01:11:49):
Huntington Police asking the public for help and two separate
hit and run incidents, the first reported December twentieth. Then
the department has posted photos of a potential suspect and vehicle.
An incident was on Christmas Day at about nine thirty
at night on Third Avenue. Police say a suspect struck
a pedestrian and fled along Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Officers are
asking anyone with information regarding either incident to give them

(01:12:12):
a call. From the Metro News anchor desk, I'm Chris Lawrence.

Speaker 1 (01:12:35):
We'll get to your calls and text coming up three
or four Talk three oh four, eight hundred and seven
to sixty five. Talk the phone number. When it comes
to cybersecurity, citty net has you covered. Their expert team monitors, detects,
and protects your network twenty four to seven. Keep your
business secure with citty Nets, cyber suitet Solutions, citty Net Connects,

(01:12:55):
Protects and perfects. Joining me in steut udio. My next guest.
He was a an elite college athlete. He was training
to be in the Olympics. But life has a way
to throw curveballs at you. He's got a pretty amazing story,
so I said, well, why don't you just come in
studio and tell it? Joining me former I guess retired

(01:13:18):
now Liberty High School track coach has been a career
working in the mental health field as well. Phil Cunningham
joins me in studio. A character.

Speaker 9 (01:13:26):
Hey Phil, thank you dave a character? Really?

Speaker 1 (01:13:30):
Yeah, well I thought that was a good description. Hey
do me a favor pool that mic just a little
bit closer to you there. Well, yeah, we hang on
every word you say, Phil, miss same thing.

Speaker 9 (01:13:40):
That's the first time you've ever done that.

Speaker 1 (01:13:42):
I gave kind of the broad overview. But it's an
incredible story. So I guess let's just go back to
the beginning. Guy growing up in north central West Virginia,
and you were at one point training for the Olympics.
So get me from point A to point B there.

Speaker 9 (01:13:58):
Uh, Like you said, I grew up in Clarksburg, as
I like to say historic Chiefta in West Virginia, real
big metropolitan area. We do have a stop sign. It's
finally back up. But I went to Liberty High School,
played football, ran track, and then I went to Saving College.
I played football for Terry Bowden, and then after that

(01:14:23):
I trained to be a decathlete. And if you know
what that is, it's a two day track event. One
hundred meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, four
hundred meter dash what Bruce Jenner did. Then the second
day you have one hundred and ten meters high hurdles, discus, fall, vault,
jab in fifteen hundred meters. And that's what I was

(01:14:44):
training for. In eighty four, I didn't make it because
I got hit by a car and no Olympic Games.

Speaker 1 (01:14:54):
Wait wait wait wait wait wait you got hit by
a car.

Speaker 9 (01:14:56):
I got I was training on a bicycle, Okay. Yeah.
Then in eighty eight, because I thought, wow, I'm still young,
I can go ahead and go back. And so eighty
eight i'm training, I tear a ten in the bottom
my left foot. No let me games, okay, said, well,
God has a plan. I don't know what it is yet,

(01:15:17):
but we're going to go with it. Ninety two, I'm
coming back from North Carolina. I saw one of my
coaches there training for you know, the Summer Games in Spain,
and I have a bad car wreck and I had amnesia.
I think I did I forget I had to do it, Dave.
Then in ninety six, as you said, I was a

(01:15:41):
mental health worker. I'm training for Atlanta. I felt work
broke my neck and broke my back. But other than that,
Missus Lincoln, I was to play.

Speaker 1 (01:15:51):
Holy you spend a decade right training and it's just
it's what kept you going back and going, Okay, I'm
going to try it one more time. You get hit
by a car, you have a car crash, you was
what else was in there? Attend? And yeah, why'd you
keep trying?

Speaker 9 (01:16:07):
Again? Boy, that's a great question. No, once you have
a goal and you have that desire, you always want
to make sure you work as hard as you can get.
Just like I heard Edwin Moses say one time. He said,
you never trained for medals. You trained to improve. And

(01:16:29):
that's what I did. And now with this, I found
out the seven hours of a day, seven days a
week of training, it wasn't getting me ready for a
world record or an Olympic gold medal. It was getting
me ready for this.

Speaker 1 (01:16:44):
So ninety six is out of the picture. And at
this point you're realizing it's just not going to happen now,
So where do you go from there?

Speaker 9 (01:16:53):
I got a call from mister Book at Liberty High
School and he asked me to coach their track team,
and I said, yeah, I'll go for one year five
years later. But so that's what I did. I you know,
I trained young athletes at Liberty High School. Loved every

(01:17:15):
minute of it, loved the kids, you know, they were fantastic.
Then in sixteen, we went through two weeks of training
and then I called my girlfriend up was now my wife,
and I said you better get down here. I said,
I'm freezing and my left foots were red. She said,

(01:17:38):
let's go to the hospital.

Speaker 1 (01:17:39):
And you're never cold.

Speaker 9 (01:17:40):
I never never, if anyone knows Coach Cunningham. I had
a short sleeve shirt and shorts on. It could be
twenty nine degrees. So we go go to the go
to Ruby and so they told me, they said, you
have necrotizing fastiatis and I said, God bless you. So

(01:18:04):
they said we take this leg off, you'll be dead
within twenty four hours. I said, okay, let me think
about Okay, do it right? And so you know, in
life you always set goals. So I went back to
coaching because of the power God and yes, definitely determination.
I went back to coaching after twenty days.

Speaker 1 (01:18:24):
After that small procedure there, well it's.

Speaker 9 (01:18:26):
Just a little you know, just the leg Day've no
to a world class spread, right, So anyway, I went
back and the kids, you know, the girls are crying
and the boys wanted to cry, but you know they're guys.
They're not gonna cry, right. So I looked at him,
I said, what is wrong with you people? Haven't you
ever seen one legged track?

Speaker 4 (01:18:47):
Coach?

Speaker 9 (01:18:49):
So the next year, Dave the first the first day
of the season, I said, are you kidding me? Same thing.
So the first day they go, they take my other
leg off since I had one left, and you set
goals in life. So I went back after fifteen days. Well,

(01:19:09):
this time the kids told me, hey, coach, how you
doing that? Where you've been?

Speaker 4 (01:19:12):
Buddy?

Speaker 9 (01:19:13):
They called me Lieutenant.

Speaker 1 (01:19:14):
D Different this time around here. Yeah, so let me
throughout your career.

Speaker 6 (01:19:18):
Here.

Speaker 1 (01:19:19):
You are a guy played college fault. You kind of
glossed over that. By the way, he played for Terry Balden.
It's saying college football decathlete training for the Olympics. You've
had all of this adversity right now, you go through
not just one amputation, two in back to back years,
right how do you deal with all that?

Speaker 9 (01:19:36):
Phil You just do honestly, And I'm not being you know,
I'm not like one of these TV preachers that worry.
I'm not going to ask for any money. But I'm
telling you, I just put it in the hands of God,
and I said, whatever your you know, whatever your plan is,
I'll do it. I don't know what it is, but

(01:19:56):
I'll do it. So I just kept going. See, Dave,
there's only two type of amputees. There's ones that lay
in the corner in a fetal position they feel sorry
for themselves. And then there's guys like me, we're not
smart enough to know we're supposed to be upset. So
I had fantastic doctors, physical therapists, you know, at Hell South,

(01:20:19):
They're incredible. But you just keep going and you look
at the people that were there for you, Like you know,
my wife now was my girlfriend. She saw me through
non surgeries two amputations as in Health South four times. Oh,

(01:20:42):
and I had a stroke. I forgot that one. Uh
so I was like, my goodness, I've got to marry
this woman.

Speaker 3 (01:20:48):
So I had to.

Speaker 4 (01:20:51):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:20:51):
And by the way, she's outside the door right now
making sure you we don't have to use the eight
second delay as her job here today. Did you ever
have any of your runners or your athletes come up
and try to complain about an injury? Did that ever
happen to the guy that had a double amputation?

Speaker 9 (01:21:07):
Yes, that actually did happen.

Speaker 1 (01:21:09):
Did they realize what they were doing?

Speaker 9 (01:21:11):
I had a kid come up to me crying, and
I looked at my daughter because my daughter Katie, who
by the way, said that the reason you left Festivus
early is because you were scared of her. But anyway,
no feats of strength for you guys. Anyway, he came

(01:21:33):
up to me, and I looked at my daughter because
she got my wheelchair in that one I had no legs.
And he's crying and I said, oh, Katie, he's lost
dad or mom. Something's happened. So he comes up and
I said, first of all, there's no crying in track,
And I said, what's wrong? He said, with the no

(01:21:54):
legged track coach, I'm kicking my stumps and he said
my leg hurts.

Speaker 1 (01:21:59):
Katie.

Speaker 9 (01:22:00):
Look, same says, are you for real? So yes, that
and he had a cramp. Yeah that's tough.

Speaker 20 (01:22:08):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:22:09):
Phil Cunningham joining me in studio, a former track coach
at Liberty. Now, you do you speak to groups, you
speak to teams? What I guess you talked to businesses
as well. What kind of message do you deliver?

Speaker 9 (01:22:20):
I asked my wife. I said, what what can I
tell them? She said, your message is about perseverance, is
never giving up, never losing your faith in God, never
losing your you know, your will, and definitely don't lose
your sense of humor because see Dave, as you know,

(01:22:42):
I don't have a leg to stand them. And if
she was in here, now remember this, she's a nurse
and she tells everyone he's an okay guy, but he's
only half the man he was my medding she is.

Speaker 1 (01:22:56):
She said that within ten minutes of meeting her. Oh yeah,
when I met her for this exactly how.

Speaker 9 (01:23:01):
We'll look okay?

Speaker 1 (01:23:03):
But seriously, though, sense of humor, how how did that
help you through all of getting hit by a car,
the injuries, missing the Olympics, having to deal with this
later in life. How did that sense of humor get
you getting struck.

Speaker 9 (01:23:14):
By lightning and survive earthquake in the eighty five Downy earthquake.
Oh that Uh, honestly, it is a sense of humor.
Doves get me through it. And I mean it's serious,
but you get through it because the seven hours of
a day, seven days a week, the that was what
was preparing me for this.

Speaker 1 (01:23:36):
But you know it at the time, did you No?

Speaker 9 (01:23:38):
I had crep to look at a guy that you know,
and this is legit. You can check it out. I
ran a four to two seven for anyone that's a
football player. I was through a laser two. But anyway,
somebody it's a world class sprinter and then you lose
your legs. Tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor.

(01:24:00):
You bet he does. But yes, I speak to schools.
I speak to churches, civic organization, business corporations. In fact,
Chris Warner's secretary of State, he had me go to
Canaye Valley for his uh uh conference and I spoke.

(01:24:20):
I spoke to you know, all his staff and all
the election officials, and that was that was a fantastic honor.

Speaker 4 (01:24:26):
It really was.

Speaker 9 (01:24:28):
Uh it's like twenty five to thirty minute speech of
just basically never give up. You know that, that's my
whole thing.

Speaker 1 (01:24:36):
Where can people We're running tight on time, as I
tend to do on the program, So how can people
get ahold of you? If they want to hear more?

Speaker 9 (01:24:43):
Have you come? That's Phil Cunningham And I'm on Facebook
and you can get in touch with me at three
oh four six nine three five two three, and you
know I will go anywhere and speak just you know,
you have to give me about two weeks because I

(01:25:04):
do get booked up pretty quick.

Speaker 1 (01:25:06):
Oh yeah, you're very popular, very popular. Phil Cunningham, former
track coach at Liberty High School. Again check him out
on Facebook. Hey, appreciate you coming by and sharing the story.

Speaker 9 (01:25:15):
Thank you, it's been an honor.

Speaker 1 (01:25:16):
And thank you for not getting me fired or sued
during this segment.

Speaker 9 (01:25:19):
Well, you know, my wife, Toy, she said, you two
got to behavior. See we got through it. There wasn't
even one one Seinfeld.

Speaker 1 (01:25:30):
Not one Seinfeld joke. If we could do it.

Speaker 9 (01:25:33):
Well, I was looking for a poll, but I didn't
see it jeez.

Speaker 1 (01:25:37):
Next Festivus feats her strength.

Speaker 9 (01:25:39):
Uh you and Katie.

Speaker 1 (01:25:42):
Phil thanks for stopping bye, buddy.

Speaker 4 (01:25:43):
Appreciate it.

Speaker 9 (01:25:44):
I appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (01:25:44):
We're back at a moment.

Speaker 12 (01:25:46):
Tens of thousands of hard working West Virginians are in
their living in our state's growing natural gas industry, including
thousands for Intero Resources, west Virginia's top natural gas producer,
and Taro's investments are boosting on our local in small businesses.
We're proud to give back and invest locally to support
West Virginia workers producing West Virginia energy.

Speaker 9 (01:26:07):
But the Mountain.

Speaker 12 (01:26:08):
State's best days are ahead and in Taro Resources is
just getting started. Visit and Taro resources dot com to
learn more.

Speaker 23 (01:26:18):
Some say he's a man of mystery. Others say he's
the holiday hitmaker. No one saw coming.

Speaker 20 (01:26:23):
It's showtime.

Speaker 23 (01:26:24):
The holiday hit Maker walks the office halls with West
Virginia Lottery holiday scratch offs and an unstoppable spirit.

Speaker 1 (01:26:31):
What are you doing bringing.

Speaker 20 (01:26:33):
The holiday Hiope here, enjoy scratch off?

Speaker 3 (01:26:35):
It's on me.

Speaker 1 (01:26:36):
Whoam ticket?

Speaker 4 (01:26:38):
My work here is done?

Speaker 23 (01:26:39):
Be the surprise hit maker. West Virginia Lottery games fun,
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Speaker 3 (01:26:58):
Natural News talk line is pre ed by Encova Insurance
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Speaker 1 (01:27:08):
Three or four Talk three or four is the text
line texter says, Phil, God has plans for you. Keep
on showing your strength. Brother, by the way, bringing the
wife to say, howdy, let's she still out there?

Speaker 9 (01:27:20):
Uh?

Speaker 1 (01:27:21):
Three or four Talk three oh four Dave. Phil Cunningham
is a shut example of how to teach optimism. That's
from the Northern outpost. Three or four Talk three oh
four Dave. I am an amputee of forty two years.
What your guest said about two types of amputees is
spot on, says the Texter. I met Phil oh five

(01:27:46):
or six years ago, probably now, when I was doing
the local show on w AJAR in Morgantown. This guy
started texting in and if you are very observant, if
you are very very observant in an astute Seinfeld fan
shows are laced with very subtle Seinfeld jokes, So that'll
give you something. By the way, if you're looking for

(01:28:07):
ways to spice up your listening experience, they're laced with jokes.
They are in there, but they are very subtle. Phil
picked up on all of them and started texting the show,
and the next thing I knew, he was inviting me
to his wedding, which was on Festivus. Fest of Us
is his anniversary. Now I think he did that just
so he wouldn't forget it. But next thing I knew,
I was invited to the wedding. I don't know about this.

(01:28:29):
And eventually we met up for lunch, and I've got
to know him and his wife and have heard his story,
and I wanted to share that story because I mean,
the dude was an elite athlete that I mean, he's
been tried, like job here, getting hit by cars and
having injuries and then the amputations, and through it all,

(01:28:50):
here's a guy that has persevered, and it makes you
kind of think about your Piddley problems. All my back
hurts or my ankle hurts, or don't feel like into work,
and you know, gives you some perspective on things. And
he's a funny guy, great sense of humor. So I
wanted to share that with you. All three or four
talk three or four is the text line eight hundred

(01:29:10):
seven six five eight, two, five five. A couple of
million could go a long way. The Loat of America
jackpot starts at two million dollars and grows until somebody
takes it home. Drawings happen every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday,
and with nine ways to win, even the smaller prizes
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(01:29:33):
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million dollars. Get your chance at manageable millions. A couple
more text will wrap things up, tell you what's coming
up tomorrow. This is talk line from the Encode Insurance Studios.

Speaker 12 (01:29:46):
Tens of thousands of hard working West Virginians earn their
living in our states growing natural gas industry, including thousands
for Intero Resources, west Virginia's top natural gas producer, and
Taro's investments are boosting our local workforce small businesses. We're
proud to give back and invest locally to support West
Virginia workers producing West Virginia energy. But the Mountain State's

(01:30:08):
best days are ahead and in Taro Resources is just
getting started. Visit and Taro Resources dot com to learn more.

Speaker 5 (01:30:15):
opportunities while keeping our communities healthy. Employing nearly fifty four
thousand people, West Virginia hospitals rank among our state's largest
dollars in community benefits and generate nearly seventeen billion dollars
in total economic impact each year. Hospitals are investing were accounts,

(01:30:36):
economic future.

Speaker 20 (01:30:41):
A message from the West Virginia Hospital Association on Mina
WVJA dot org.

Speaker 27 (01:30:46):
I'm doctor Ann Murray, Division Chief of Comperhensive Moona Disorders
at the w Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. We offer world class
care for patients suffering from any type of MOOM disorder
like Parkinson's disease, tremors for dystonia. Our patient centered approach
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(01:31:08):
from your healthcare team. Expect personalized care, Expect excellence. Call
three oh four five ninety eight, six' one two seven.

Speaker 1 (01:31:35):
Three or four talk three oh, four another good. Interview
phil has a great. Attitude he's been through so much
in his, life says The. Texter three or four talk
three or four is the text line scrolling THROUGH x
during the. Break. There New England patriots star wide Receiver
Stefan diggs facing criminal charges charged with felony strangulation or

(01:31:58):
suffocation and this demeanor assault and battery charges dimming from
an incident On, Tuesday december, second a day after The
patriots thrashed The New York giants On Monday Night. Football
this according To boston twenty Five news that was retweeted
then by which one of the, Reporters Ian, Rappaport, well

(01:32:19):
that doesn't sound like a great. Situation Stefan diggs facing Charges,
there all, right a couple more of these words of
the year from this is dictionary dot? Com, OH i have.
Others by the, Way oxford puts out a, List Merriam
webster puts out a. List this is dictionary dot. Com
Did aura? Farming? Broligarchy? Jake have you heard this? One

(01:32:42):
broligarchy became one of twenty twenty five's defining political, terms
first gaining traction twenty. Four the words saw several spikes
in usage this, year notably Around Donald Trump's january, inauguration
which was attended by high profile tech and business. Leaders
off associated with the bro archetype. Broligarchy, Klanker i've never

(01:33:08):
heard of that. One clanker is a term that surged
in popularity mid twenty twenty, five emerging as a, viral
often mocking label for artificial. Intelligence, today it's commonly used
to DERIDE ai, systems, chatbots and other non human, technologies
and its rise mirror is growing uneasy over the role
OF ai in. Society clanker didn't know about that. One

(01:33:33):
kiss kiss cam. BOY i wonder why kiss cam was
on the list this. Year MAYBE i have something to
do with A coldplay. Concert gen z Stare the term
gen z stare surged in popularity mid twenty twenty, five
capturing both a generational quirk and cultural. Flashpoint the term

(01:33:56):
refers to a blank or expressionless, look often attributed two gen,
z particularly in workplace or retail. SETTINGS i have seen.
THAT i have seen, that not From, jake not From
jake the video. PRODUCER i have seen the gen z.
Stare though tariff tariff one of the words of the.
Year go figure all, right we'll have more of that

(01:34:19):
coming up. Tomorrow brad mcaheney we also join us on tomorrow's.
Program as we start to wind down twenty twenty, five
take a look back at some of the big stories
we covered here on The Metro News network over the
course of the last. Year we'll do that With brad
mcwhenny your homework, assignment think about what you were talking
about over twenty twenty. FIVE i want to hear your,
thoughts And i've got some data on what our most

(01:34:41):
hit stories were of twenty twenty. Five we'll wrap up
the year tomorrow For jake And. Ethan this Is dave
Talk line On Metro, news The voice Of West. Virginia

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