Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Metro News this Morning, bringing you this morning's
biggest news headlines from across the state.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
It it is Monday, October sixth, twenty twenty five. Good morning,
I'm Chris Lawrence, getting you ready for the day with
the Metro News this morning information from all across the Mountain.
Stay with the latest news, sports, and weather, which is
where we start this morning. We have one more day
of dry and hot weather, but we're going to start
to see a significant change with much needed rainfall by
(00:30):
tomorrow and then look for the cooler stuff to arrive
later in the week. We'll have that full forecast for
you in just a moment. Right now, though, let's get
up to date on the news of the day in
West Virginia at the Metro News anchored ess this morning
is Jeff Jenkins.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Good morning, Jeff, Good morning, Chris. Thank you. There's some
concern being expressed in the healthcare community in West Virginia
about the impact and increased fee that Trump administration is
proposing for those with what's called an H one B visa.
The visas are used by hospitals across the state to
recruit doctors from other countries. The current annual fee is
two hundred and fifteen dollars. President Trump signed a proclamation
(01:04):
last month raising it to one hundred thousand dollars a year.
Your Center, Shelley Moore Capital says the visas are important.
Speaker 4 (01:10):
We have heard from our hospitals. We know delivery of
rural healthcare is very difficult in getting professionals in some
sense makes it even more difficult, and the use of
those visas is absolutely critical to our rural hospitals and
our larger hospitals as well.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Capitol says a proposed increase in the fee cut her
office by surprise. He says they are in touch with
the President. Read more of the potential impact and a
story posted this morning. Metro News Statewide cours spond at
Brad McIlhaney at wv metronews dot com. State lawmakers are
in Charleston for our interim committee meetings, and meeting is
scheduled for this morning that'll focus on the state's finances.
(01:47):
Lawmakers had some discussion about public education on Sunday, informal
discussions expected at the Capital this week when the education
funding issue, the call is growing for a change in
the school aid formula. Virginia Chamber of College President Steve
Roberts says he's been discussion for several years about changes.
He says, now's the time to move.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
This is not really criticism of anybody. It's just recognition
that we're not where we want to be. We're spending
lots of money. As everybody has pointed out, How can
we do a better job? How can we do a
better job for the students? Probably should be our number
one question?
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Montgae County dot Goo. Joe Statler's the vice president of
the vice chairman of the House Education Committee. He says
he's checked with other states on their school funding formulas
and changing is West Virginia's could increase costs.
Speaker 6 (02:31):
It has actually increased the budget on education. Now is
that a good thing or a bad thing? It all
depends on what your goal was going into this. So
I just warned him ahead of time.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
The latest discussion ramped up last week with comments made
by State Board of Education President Paul Harvesty at two
o'clock news conference scheduled in the Lower Rotunda at the Capitol,
where the West Virginia Republican Party and West Virginia Coal
Association will be touting President Trump's announcement last week. That
includes keep keeping coal fired power plants up and running.
Western gian Co Association President Chris Hamilton says the priorities
(03:04):
highlighted by the President will have a wide ranging and
long lasting impact.
Speaker 7 (03:08):
It's just to give a big boost to the mining industry,
from permitting to revising the whole regulatory program to upgrading
our power generating facilities to make sure those run harder
and longer, way past their current expiration data.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Critics say what Longmaker should be concentrating on is how
to lower electricity rates for state residents. Also at two
o'clock the day, in the East Wing at the Capitol,
the investger ceremony for new State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Ewing.
He took the bench recently after being chosen by Governor
Patrick Morrissey to replace retired Justice Beth Walker. Ewing has
already started hearing cases as part of the court. Apple
(03:50):
Eachimpower Company looking back on last year's devastating hurricane that
brought storms two parts of southern West Virginia.
Speaker 8 (03:56):
Hurricane Halleen midwind Fall a little over a year ago,
flooding townshend uping up communities in a few states for
Apple Latch and Power. Two hundred and eighty two thousand
customers were without electricity across the zone in West Virginia
and parts of Virginia and Tennessee. That's more than a
quarter of the utilities entire customer base. Mercer County was
hit the hardest in the Mountain state, as thirty thousand
were without power and trees came down across the county.
(04:18):
According to a release from last week, Apple Watchem Power
made repairs in thirty one hundred unique locations, replaced fourteen
hundred poles and four hundred and seventy transformers, and repaired
two hundred and fourteen miles worth of transmission lines. Communications
director George Porter.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
We actually had the pretty much in a lot of
areas rebuild, agree, you know, so much.
Speaker 9 (04:36):
Of our territory was to destroy certain areas we could
even get to.
Speaker 8 (04:40):
Porter also said that they had to fly in a
lot of the new polls by helicopter. I'm Aaron Parker
for wv Metronews dot com.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
Authorities in Greenbrier County say rescue teams were able to
find and bring to safety nine people who had become
lost in the cave Saturday. The group it's about twenty
five hundred feet into that cave, located near Frankfurt in
Greenbrier County. There were no serious injuries for reported. A
twenty eight year old woman is dead after being struck
by a car in Boone County. State Police troopers say
Caitlin Gilham died from the injury she suffered Saturday morning
(05:08):
on Palm Fork Road near Madison. Troopers s a witnesses
told them Gilliam ran into the road shortly before the collision.
The driver's not been charged and investigation continues. A truck
driver is dead after a rollover crash in Montingea County.
It happened Saturday evening in the Fairview area when a
water truck crashed. Montingey County Sheriff's deputies are investigating driver's
name there has not been released. A Gilmore County resident
(05:30):
who served eighteen years in the House of Delegates being
remembered for her service. Mars Burke, died in recent days.
Burke the Thursday, a Democrat, served in the House from
nineteen seventy eight to nineteen ninety six.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
All right, thank you, Jeff. Coming up in our metro
news background or in a moment, will Hil Moore from
Senator Capito talking about federal worker job cuts that has
been a proposal from the Trump administration during this ongoing
government shutdown. And then Daniel Woods will join us well
a check on sports all still ahead, Stay with us.
Speaker 10 (06:01):
October High school football continues Friday Night, presented by Gomar.
You can catch Partnersburg Versus Huntington, Woodrow, Wilson and Riverside,
South Charleston and Saint Albans, West Side of Independence, James
Monroe and Greenbrier, West Or Rohn County and Ravenswood, along
with Shady Spring and Liberty, plus Bluefield and Nicholas County,
all on Metro News TV. Rot to you by the
Thrasher Group, Marshall University and the Mountaineer Challenge Academy. Stream
(06:24):
the action live on Metro News Television, download the free
Metro News Television app or visit WV Metro newstv dot
com for more information.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Coming up, Daniel Woods, We'll check sports for us right
now in our backgrounder. The work week begins today with
continued uncertainty for federal government employees impacted by the shutdown.
President Donald Trump has talked about possibly eliminating some of
those federal jobs. Metro News Statewide Course minder Bred mclahaney
ask US Senator Shelley Moore Capito if that could happen.
Capitol's answer and our backgrounder.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Let's go back to January, when the President came into
office and DOGE became a way to streamline government. You
saw a lot of people opting for early retirement as
an option the President put on the board. But he
also went in and summarily reduced force in many of
(07:17):
the cabinet positions. It was painful, and some of it's
still caught up in court. So we know that the President,
as I do, wants to shrink government, but I want
to do it with a scalpel and not a sledgehammer.
And I think that's what could happen here. I think
RUSS vote and the President basically warned the Democrats that
(07:40):
this was a possibility because he is entrusted with making
sure that government is moving while we're here in a
government shutdown. And so I think that I can't control
what the President does obviously or RUSS vote at this point,
but I think they've been pretty clear that this is
some thing that they might attempt to do and that
(08:05):
getting the government open again with a pure and simple
seven week continuation is a solution to that issue.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
There could be more votes in the Senate today on
the government shutdown issue. And now to the sports desk,
Daniel Woods is in with the update. Good morning, Daniel,
Good morning Chris. Let's go back to Friday. The West
Virginia football team now two and four after a thirty
eight to twenty four loss against BYU. Despite that defeat,
(08:33):
head coach Rich Rodriguez says he saw good things from
freshman quarterback Khalil Wilkins in his first career start.
Speaker 11 (08:39):
Freshman in that environment, I thought he was into the game.
I think he'd like to have a lot of plays back,
but I also think he can beat his tail off.
Speaker 9 (08:47):
Rodriguez is focused on making sure his team is committed
going forward and says effort is the most important thing
they can have.
Speaker 11 (08:53):
I told the team or guys in the locker room,
is everybody doing everything they can to help us win?
If they are, we still ain't winning, then I know
how to fix it. It's not my first rodeo. I
know how to fix it. Something that's going to be
fixed after season. But are we doing everything we.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Can to win.
Speaker 9 (09:06):
WVU is on a bye this week. In high school football,
another exciting week complete. In our Class Quad A Metro
News Game of the Week, Morgantown beat Wheeling Park twenty
eight to seven. Mohegan's coach Sean Beizer says it's a
win they can build on.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It was a big win for our guys and we've
been working towards that and hats off to them. They
came out and things were perfect tonight, but we made
it work and we'll take the w.
Speaker 9 (09:28):
In the Class Triple A Game of the Week, Huntington
beat Capital thirty eight to six. In the Double A game,
Doddridge County stayed undefeated with a twenty one to seven
win against Petersburg, and in Class A, Claybateel made a
statement against meadow Bridge fifty four to twelve, the final score.
In the Major League Baseball playoffs, the Toronto Blue Jays
are in firm control of the Alds, beating the New
York Yankees ten to one and thirteen to seven over
(09:48):
the weekend. In the other American League series, the Detroit
Tigers and Seattle Mariners are tied one game apiece, Detroit
winning game one three to two in Seattle, winning Game
two by the same score. In the National League, Jackey
Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs nine to three and the
Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies five to three
on Saturday, both take one zero series leads. Those series
(10:09):
continue with game two tonight. In college volleyball, West Virginia
is coming off of its first home win over and
ranked opponent ever, beating Number nineteen BYU in five sets
on Friday. Cassidy Tanton led the Mountaineers with twenty one kills,
and also in Morgantown, the West Virginia men's soccer team
is still rolling, beating Number six Georgia's Southern two to
nothing on Saturday, Carlos Hernando and Marcus Caldera both scoring
(10:32):
for the Mountaineers. Marshall picked up a conference victory as well,
beating Georgia State three to one. On the women's side,
wvu's still unbeaten in conference play, winning two to nothing
against Arizona State. Sunday. The Marshall women picked up a
scoreless draw against Old Dominion.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Thank you Daniel. Weekdays from three to six, check out
Metro News Hotline with Dave Weekly and Kob Great conversations
starting out with sports, but then it takes a dozen
different directions, food, tech, pop culture, music, movies, beer, a
host of other stuff. But you'll never wind up in
a political discussion on there that it is decidedly a
no politics zone. And you can catch them from three
(11:07):
to six weekday afternoons on Metro News radio stations all
across the Mountain State, or the live stream at wdvmetronews
dot com. Now Today's Coventry, the co host of Metro
News talk line TJ.
Speaker 12 (11:19):
Meadows Chris with the shutdown ball squarely in the Senate's court.
It's fair to ask, is the United States Senate still
what our founders envisioned? Or has it drifted from its
original design? The truth lies somewhere in the gray. Sometimes
the Senate rises to its purpose, reason, debate, careful judgment,
other times not so much, And that inconsistency might be
(11:43):
proof that the Chamber no longer fully lives up to
what the founders had in mind. The Great Compromise of
seventeen eighty seven created balance. The House representing the people,
the Senate representing the states. James Madison wrote that no
law could pass quote without the concurrence first of a
majority of the people and then of a majority of
(12:05):
the states end quote. The Senate, in other words, was
meant to cool the passions of the moment, a stabilizing
force of experience and deliberation. Originally, senators were chosen by
state legislatures, a reminder that they served the states, not
just the voters back home. But the Seventeenth Amendment changed that,
(12:26):
introducing direct elections. It made the process more democratic, yes,
but also weakened the bond between senators and their state governments.
And here's the irony. The reform that was supposed to
curb corruption opened the door to careerism. Term limits could
have balanced that, but they never came. Columnist George Will
(12:46):
once suggested senators should be barred from running for president,
that too many treat the Senate as a springboard, not
a destination. He's got a point. Sixty senators have run
for president, only three ever made it would term limits
or banning presidential bids make the Senate more focused, closer
to what Madison and other founders envisioned. Probably would senators
(13:11):
ever vote to limit their own opportunity and power? Probably not?
And if you can figure out how to convince them. Otherwise,
you're smarter than me.
Speaker 9 (13:21):
Chris.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Thank you, Tejay, and he'll be back at ten oh
six with talk Line on Metro News.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
Now.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
The forecast warm and dry weather continuing one more day
to day. A moisture laden system coming out of the
Gulf is going to bring beneficial rain showers into the
area four tomorrow morning, ahead of a cold front that'll
bring more shower activity and maybe embedded thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon
and night. All told, rainfall could exceed an inch or
so in parts of the state. That'll certainly help squash
(13:47):
the drought that has continued to be a problem, but
locally higher amounts of upwards of two inches could create
the possibility of flash flooding, particularly in poorter aintagerias, so
keep an eye on that. By Wednesday, that coldfront will
have push southeast to the mountains of appalachiaturing in a
much cooler and dryer air mass from the northwest to
the southeast during the day, and that highest sticks around
(14:09):
for the balance of the week, dry and seasonably cool weather.
Lowest low temperatures could be found in the sheltered valleys
within the near Mountains. The temperatures there could drop into
the mid thirties, leading to the possibility of frost at
least Thursday and Friday morning. And now you are up
to date, have yourself a great day for TJ. Meadows
and Daniel Woods and Jeff Jenkins. I'm Chris Lawrence. I'm
(14:30):
Metro News for forty years, the voice of West Virginia.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Metro News This Morning is an exclusive production of the
Metro News Radio Network. All rights reserved.