Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Metro News this Morning, bringing you this morning's
biggest news headlines from across the state.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
It is Wednesday, September twenty fourth, twenty twenty five. Good morning,
I'm Chris Lawrence. Ready to get the day started with
the information you're gonna need in the Mountain state. We
begin with the forecast shower in thunderstorm activity. You're in
that forecast thanks to an approaching front, and we will
take it in our drought stricken condition here in West Virginia.
We'll have the full forecast coming up in just a moment.
(00:30):
Right now, though, let's check what's been happening overnight across
West Virginia with an update from the Metro New's anchored ask.
The Charleston Police Department and three of its officers are
the target of a lawsuit filed in Knawa County Circuit
Court this week. The lawsuit filed on behalf of Allison Brown,
who alleged sexual harassment and retaliation against officers Richard Bassford,
Eddie Whitehead, and Michael McConaughey, all three supervisors of Brown
(00:54):
at different times during her tenure with the Charleston Police.
The suit alleges that Brown attempted to take her can
concern about the three to hire supervisors, but received notice
in May of this year that an internal investigation had
been completed and that her allegations were not sustained. Governor
Patrick Morrissey says a dozen individuals were arrested over a
(01:15):
two day period by state police working in coordination with
the Federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ICE. The twelve were
apprehended Sunday and Monday during traffic stops on the West
Virginia Turnbike and the area of Pax in Faya County.
The governor last month announced a memorandum of agreement with
ICE consistent with President Trump's executive order in January. The
(01:38):
state's largest food bank is raising concerns about the cancelation
of the National Household Annual Food Security Report. The USDA
announced this week that that survey had been terminated, calling
it redundant, costly, and politicized. That raised concerns of West
Virginia's Mountaineer Food Bank. According to Metro News reporter Brad mclahaney.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Mountaineer Food Bank in West Virginia says the reports are
useful for assessing need. Caitlin Cook, director of Advocacy and
Public Policy at the organization, said quote, the annual USDA
Hunger Survey provides critical, uniformed information to food banks across
the country. Light Mountaineer Food Banks.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
And koukl Cook also noted the survey helps identify where
people are struggling with hunger in West Virginia. You can
read more from Brad on the story at wbmetronews dot com.
A former Putnam County bus driver has struck a plead
deal to charges stemming from the wreck of her bus
with twenty eight students on board. Amy Allen pleaded guilty
to a single count of reckless driving causing serious bodily
(02:39):
injury Tuesday for the crash of the bus in the
community of Eleanor in November of twenty twenty four. The
deal resulted in fifty other charges against her being dropped.
Investigators initially thought she had suffered a medical episode, but
later learned through a blood test that she was actually
under the influence of something, but never revealed what the
controlled substance was in her blood. She'll now ten days
(03:00):
to six months in jail plus a fine. The Ohio
County Board of Education Tuesday night voted unanimously to suspend
two school employees, ordering them to undergo sensitivity training for
social media posts. The board discussed the punishment in an
executive session and then afterward announced the suspension of bus
driver Bill Nolan and social worker Uni Robinson Murphy. The
(03:22):
board did not reveal the nature of the social media
posts and indicated that the offending posts had been removed.
Turns out that material that caused a shut down of
the Tara All To town hall earlier this week was
meth amphetamine. The powder was inside a wallet that was
brought to the town hall after it was found along
the roadway. Cam Sisler is the town clerk who opened
the wallet looking for an ID. She's also an EMT
(03:45):
and said she and fellow worker were immediately feeling these
symptoms and tried to calm one another down.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
Talked back and forth about what we needed to do
if one of us went down, how to see each other.
E and Scot here. They checked our vitals. They wanted
tur guard vitals until state police got here. They got here,
they tested the substance. It did come back as.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
It was mess Cissler said. They did not ingest the substance,
only got it on their skin and as the direction
of state police, both are treated and released at Preston
Memorial Hospital. Three dead bodies found in a vehicle in
Berkeley County Tuesday. Deputies are following up on a complaint
of suspicious circumstances on Quarry Road at Bunker Hill when
they made the discovery. Because of death and identity of
(04:27):
the individuals has not been revealed as that investigation goes on.
The widespread die off of white tailed deer continues across
eighteen West Virginia counties, most of them in the mid
Ohio Valley and central West Virginia, a result of EHD
or epizootic chemorrhagic disease. The virus spread by a biting midge,
has been present for close to two months and is
even worse across the river in Ohio. We as dn
(04:50):
our wildlife disease specialists Ethan Barton if such a high
mortality could impact the upcoming deer season harvest. Based on
past outbreaks, we.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
Would see dips and harvests in the year of a
noteworthy outbreak, but it seemed like, based on our investigations,
that was more related to the fact that hunters may
not have gone hunting because they thought they weren't going
to see anything, and not necessarily because there were no
deer left.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Two hunts across the river. Ohio's DNR has begun the
process of potentially lowering the bag limit for deer in
three counties this coming season. Barton said they do not
feel that's necessary here in West Virginia, c AMC's Cancer
Center in Charleston celebrated a decade of helping West Virginia's
battle the deadly illness Tuesday. The facility opened in twenty fifteen,
and in the background of a celebratory news conference, Lisa
(05:38):
West rang the bell as she was leaving a milestone
for cancer patients who have completed their treatment. It's an
amazing feeling.
Speaker 6 (05:46):
I didn't think when I walked in here day one.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
I would never think i'd be here today.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
The cancer center sits on the side of the former
Watt Powell Park baseball field in Charleston. Coming up in
our backgrounder, Daniel Woods will tell us more about out
one state agency that was mighty happy to see that
rain coming down, and then he'll have sports for us
stick around. We've got more to come.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
For over forty years Metro News Radio Network has kept
West Virginia informed with breaking news, sports and talk programming.
We are West Virginia's trusted source.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
The vigil continues this hour in the Upshire County community
of Tollminsville as desperate relative as a wait word on
the fate of thirteen coal miners trapped in the Sego mine.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Metro News has a wide range of daily programming, including
the Morning News talk Line, Metro News, Midday Hotline, State
White Sports Line, and West Virginia Outdoors and Now. You
can watch all your favorite Metro News programming on Metro
News Television, plus the most comprehensive high school sports coverage
in the States. They get it into c J.
Speaker 7 (06:45):
Burks three seconds, two seconds, one second, He launches it.
Good if it goes now, and then the Redscans have
upset the number three seed Hedgesvilleagals.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
For forty years, Metro News Radio Network has been one
of the most trusted, respected, and award winning radio networks
in America. The voice of West Virginia Metro News Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
In a moment, Daniel Woods, We'll check sports, but first
in our backgrounder. He also reports that this week's weather
has been a welcome sign for one state agency.
Speaker 8 (07:20):
The West Virginia Division of Forestry, is breathing a cyghber
leaf thanks to rain around the state this week. State
Forester Jeremy Jones says, while this is at the time
of year they normally worry dry conditions, we're starting to
get his offices attention.
Speaker 9 (07:32):
We were starting to obviously be concerned things were drying out.
We were getting back to a little bit towards the
similar conditions that we had late last summer, but traditionally
we don't start getting really worried until after the leafs
come down.
Speaker 8 (07:47):
None of the state's fifty five counties were above moderate
fire danger on Tuesday, with the majority rating as low danger.
Jones says, the rain is a big help keeping the
threat down.
Speaker 9 (07:56):
What that'll do, that'll just kind of reset all of
our fire dangers starting to creep up into moderate fire
danger throughout the state with those few small pockets of
elevated fire danger.
Speaker 8 (08:06):
Well, there are not currently any burning restrictions in West Virginia.
Jones encourages anyone conducting burning to be sure to maintain
the Division of Forestry guidelines. The state's false statutory fire
season begins on October first, and Jones says they're getting
ready for the task.
Speaker 9 (08:21):
We're just getting out all of our equipment, going through
the checks on those our leaf blowers, are water pumps,
the firing news that we do have, and making sure
all that equipment is caught up on maintenance and is
ready to go.
Speaker 8 (08:32):
Jones added that the rainfall should help so called flashy
fuels like grass fields and yards to become less susceptible
to fires. I'm Daniel Woods WV Metro News dot com.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
And Daniel is live at the sports desk this morning,
pulling double duty this week.
Speaker 8 (08:48):
My man, yes, am been very busy this week and
the WVU football coaching staff is very busy this week
because of mounting injuries. The Mountaineers have been hit at
a lot of spots and now they've been hit at
the quarterback position. Head coach Rich Rodriguez said Tuesday, starter
Nico Markiel is seeing a specialist for a foot injury,
(09:10):
and then opportunities are coming for other signal callers.
Speaker 10 (09:13):
We don't know how long Nico is going to be out,
but it's gonna be for those other four. It's going
to be an opportunity for him and they've done a
good job in practice, stay and engaged.
Speaker 8 (09:21):
Jalen Henderson and Khalil Wilkins both saw time at quarterback
against Kansas this past Saturday. Rodriguez says, the injuries aren't
becoming tough to deal with, but a roster has to
be built with that in mind.
Speaker 10 (09:32):
You build your roster hoping that you don't have to
have injuries and guys moving up on a depth chart,
but it's gonna happen, so you know, you better know
what's going to happen.
Speaker 8 (09:40):
WVU hosts Utah Saturday at three point thirty. Marshall is
coming off of its second win of the season, forty
two to twenty eight at Middle Tennessee State. Head coach
Tony Gibson says, even with a second half deficit, the
herd was just focused on winning.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
We never ever lost confidence on that sideline, and you know,
our kids just kept battling. I was and even thinking
that we're going to lose this game. We're going to
fight a way find a way to win it. And
the kids believe that, our staff believe that, and I
believe that.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
Marshall goes to Louisiana to be in Sun Belt play
on Saturday at eight pm. The latest edition of the
Metro News High School Football Power Rankings are out now
at wv metronews dot com. Three of the four number
ones are the same, with Huntington in Quada, Bridgeport in
Triple A, and Wahama in Single A, while Frankfurt jumps
ahead of Independence for the top spot in Double A.
There are just two new teams in the pool this week,
(10:30):
with Washington taking the number ten spot in Class Quada
and Williamstown entering at number ten in Double A. You
can also find this week's WVSSAC playoff ratings at wv
metronews dot com. The Big Twelve conference schedule is set
for the West Virginia men's basketball team. Head coach Ross
Hodge's first conference game in charge will be the first
league game of the year, coming at Iowa State on
(10:51):
January second, with the home conference opener coming against Cincinnati
on January sixth. Other home opponents for the Mountaineers include
Kansas Colorado, Baylor, Texas Tech, UCF, Kansas State, and Utah.
Both the WVU and Marshall men's soccer teams are ranked
in the top ten of the United Soccer Coaches Poll
again this week. The Herd at number four of the
Mountaineers at number ten WVU is coming off of a
(11:14):
heated game drawing number nine High point two to two
in Morgantown last night, and head coach Dan Stratford says
his team needs to start carrying itself like one of
the best in the country.
Speaker 11 (11:23):
I've just said to them, look over the course of
nineteen minutes, no matter however good I think they are,
if you don't think that we were the better team
and don't think that we should have or create enough
chances to win the game, then you're you're sadly mistaken.
And at what point are we going to start carrying
ourselves and believing that we're a top ten team.
Speaker 8 (11:37):
Marshall goes on the road to play VCU tonight. The
automated ball strike Challenge system is coming to Major League
Baseball next season. The league's Joint Competition Committe announced the
change on Tuesday, which will allow players to challenge the
call made by the umpire on the field using that
automated system. Each team will get two challenges per game.
And In college football, Mike Gundy has parted ways with
(11:59):
Oklahoma State. He led his alma mater since two thousand
and five, but the Cowboys started this season one and
two with losses to Oregon and Tulsa.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Thank you, Daniel. Be sure and download the Metro News
TV app and enjoy watching the Voice of West Virginia Daily.
Live video of some of our best radio shows is
on the appalong with live sporting events like high school
football ever Friday night.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Check it out.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Download the Metro News TV app and see what's happening
across the Mountain State. Now today's commentary the co host
of Metro News talk line t jy Meadows.
Speaker 12 (12:29):
Chris talk of data centers has become commonplace in West Virginia.
They may not create large numbers of jobs, but they
promise significant tax revenue. Lawmakers in Charleston thought the potential
was strong enough that they passed legislation last session to
make sure the state shared in the money instead of
leaving it all at the county level. Yet, for all
(12:51):
that anticipation, West Virginia still hasn't landed a single project. However,
two proposals are in play in Tucker County and another
in Mingo County. Both are framed as economic opportunities, but
residents see them differently. Instead of welcoming new growth, Some
locals have voiced strong opposition. A recent hearing in Mingo
(13:15):
County made that clear. Residents lined up to challenge two
natural gas power plants proposed by trans Gas. The plants
would operate as microgrids to power data centers, each relying
on more than one hundred methane fueled engines with diesel backup.
That means hundreds of tons of pollutants carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides,
(13:37):
fine particulates pushed into the air every year. People fear
more health problems, constant noise, light pollution, and lasting harm
in a region some say already carries scars from decades
of extraction, and there's frustration with the process itself. Many
feel the projects were imposed without real local input. One
(13:58):
resident summed it up quote they were here first. Regulators,
for their part, offered little comfort. The Division of Air
Quality explained that if the plants meet federal and state standards,
permits must be approved. Noise, light, or quality of life
aren't factors they can weigh. Out. Of dozens who spoke,
nearly all opposed the projects. The loan supporter had a
(14:21):
financial stake in the land. But here's the rub. Mingo
County is one of the most economically challenged in the state.
In twenty twenty three, it produced just over half a
billion dollars of economic output, less than one percent of
West Virginia's total. Tucker County faired even lower. Meanwhile, Kanall
County alone produced more than eleven billion dollars. In fact,
(14:46):
just seven counties generated half of West Virginia's entire economy.
You heard me right, seven counties. That math raises a
hard question. Can struggling counties afford to reject development, even
development they don't like. Local concerns are real. Economic disparities
(15:07):
are just as real, and at some point West Virginians
will have to reconcile the two. How we strike that
balance will shape not only Mingo or Tucker Counties, but
the future of the state as a whole.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
Chris, thank you, t Jane. He returns with Dave Wilson
at ten oh six this morning for Metro News talk
line You're West Virginia. By the forecast on this Wednesday,
another quickly approaching disturbance will bring a return of widespread
shower and thunderstorm activity today. Heavier thunderstorms or training. Thunderstorms
could potentially cause flash floodings. Keep an eye on that.
The chance for showering thunderstorms will continue right through the
(15:44):
end of the week. Temperatures are going to be near
seasonal in their values. And now you're up to date,
have yourself a great day for TJ. Meadows and Daniel Woods.
I'm Chris Lawrence, and you're listening to Metro News for
forty years the voice of West Virginia.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Metro News This Morning is an exclusive production of the
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