Outside the Echo Chamber (2024)

It's summertime and that means summer fun! On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with Mackenzie Spencer about all the things to get into in Charleston over the next few months, including some signature events in the Capital City.

On the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, another session has come to a close. But just before Sine Die, we spoke with House leadership and Senator Mike Stuart about all that was accomplished as well as what’s left to do. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/live/outside_the_echo_chamber/

Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming a notable part of our everyday lives. On the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, Delegates Jordan Maynor and Evan Hansen sit down to discuss the expanding technology, its potential benefits and pitfalls. Then, Senator Eric Nelson stops by t…

On this special episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, Hall-of-Fame basketball coach Bob Huggins and Vandalia Health Executive V.P. David Goldberg join us to talk about the 12th annual Bob Huggins Fish Fry, set for April 6th.

On the latest Outside the Echo Chamber, it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Day at the Capitol, so we are speaking with two delegates from opposite sides of the aisle who are co-sponsoring some very important legislation. Plus, we discuss advocacy with a public policy coordinator

Friday is WV Motorsports Day at the Capitol. On the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with Wayne County Senator Mark Maynard about his various recreation bills and what they could mean for the state. Plus, with crossover day fast approaching, we get a status report on the …

It’s AARP Day at the Capitol. On the latest Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with state director Gaylene Miller about what her organization is working on, including some local partnerships with businesses like the Capitol Market (Executive Director Evan Osborn joins us) and celebrity chef …

A bill that would amend private outdoor designated areas (PODAs) for the consumption of alcohol is generating some buzz in the House. Two delegates stop by to discuss the legislation and City Attorney Kevin Baker tells us how Charleston has tried to implement its policy in the most effective…

On Glenville State Day at the Capitol, GSU president Mark Manchin sits down with us to talk about the valuable role that smaller, public universities can play in higher education. Plus, Senator Amy Grady joins us to discuss SB 614 (her education discipline bill) in the latest episode of Outs…

In the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, Delegate Pat McGeehan sits down to discuss his resolution that has caused an uproar in the House, and Senator Tom Takubo joins us to talk about some health bills that he’s running in the upper chamber. Then, South Charleston fire chief Virgi…

Delegates Evan Hansen and Bob Fehrenbacher discuss a controversial environmental bill working through the House. Then, hear opposing perspectives on the legislation from the WV Manufacturers Association and the WV Environmental Council, on the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

Senators Mike Caputo and Mike Oliverio sit down to discuss a unique proposal to fund PEIA, including why Caputo is tying his bill to a controversial issue that would first need to go to the ballot box. Plus, delegates Matthew Rohrbach and John Williams talk about a House bill on the cutting …

We speak with delegates Brandon Steele and Shawn Fluharty about the controversial library bill working through the House, and Senator Ryan Weld joins us to discuss some bills for veterans that he’s sponsoring, on the latest episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

We speak with Delegate Marty Gearheart about the high school transfer portal rule, with many calling for the law to be tweaked this session. And WVSSAC Executive Director David Price sits down to give us an update on the bidding process for the Super Six, on the latest episode of Outside the…

Republican Delegate Heather Tully and WV Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Pushkin join us to discuss the House agenda for the ongoing session, including some legislation surrounding the new-look DHHR, on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

We continue our budgetary discussion with Acting Revenue Secretary Larry Pack, and Senator Mike Oliverio joins us to talk about some proposals likely to work their way through the Upper Chamber, on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we discuss the state budget with House Finance Chair Vernon Criss. Also joining us is AFT-WV President Fred Albert to talk about the proposal for teacher pay raises.

Another legislative session is underway under the gold dome. In this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with leadership from both chambers about their agenda for the next two months and their take on what we can expect from the Governor's State of the State speech.

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we get a status report on the Capital Sports Center from Charleston mayor Amy Goodwin and Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango.

Join us for a closer look at what was certainly an extraordinary session, including a major issue that was finally addressed (and funded,) on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

Batter up! On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we discuss the history and future of minor league baseball in Charleston with the Toastman himself- Rod Blackstone- and Andy Shea, owner and CEO of the Dirty Birds.

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we visit a South Charleston facility trying to diversify West Virginia’s economy and energy portfolio by building electric buses for the Department of Education.

Another legislative session has come and gone. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we discuss the big bills that passed and some that didn’t. Plus, we take a look ahead at what comes next and what it means for you and your family.

On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we continue our discussion on the 2024 Gubernatorial race in WV with candidates Mac Warner and Chris Miller.

The WV Governor’s Office is up for grabs in the 2024 election. This week on Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with candidates who have thrown their hat in the ring to be the state’s next Chief Executive.

On this episode, we discuss HB 3042. Dubbed the "Religious Freedom" bill, opponents say what is really does is give a license to discriminate.

The sweeping PEIA bill has passed the Senate. We discuss what it doesn’t and doesn’t do with legislative, union and hospital leaders on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

The Director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department sits down with Senator Robert Karnes to discuss the bill that would allow for non-religious exemptions for childhood vaccinations, and we get an update on the legislative session from political reporter Roger Adkins on this episode of …

We discuss two bills that will affect high school athletics in West Virginia, and we speak with the State Auditor about some legislation he would like to see get passed, on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

We tackle two Senate bills that have a lot of people talking on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber: The Campus Carry bill and a bill that would classify some popular products as Schedule I narcotics.

The DHHR bill goes up for a vote in the House amid more issues for the agency. We speak with delegates and a foster care advocate about fixing the problems on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

The Senate has passed its own version of the personal state income tax bill. We speak with Senator Ryan Weld about what happened in his chamber, and with Delegate Doug Skaff about what we can expect in his, on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

An important conversation about a controversial bill that has passed the House, plus a status report on that sweeping tax bill from Senate President Craig Blair on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

On Marshall Day at the capitol, we speak with university president Brad Smith about all things Herd, including the Campus Carry bill. And hear from lawmakers to get their take on that legislation on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber. Plus, meet a new member of the HD Media Team who wi…

Benefits for unemployed people in West Virginia could soon be changing. On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we talk with two Senators about a bill that was just passed, and get opinions from the WV Center on Budget and Policy, and from a lobbyist who advocated for the bill.

PEIA is facing a critical shortfall of about $100 million. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, a look at what can and should be done about the program that insures about 200,000 people in West Virginia. WV Hospital Association CEO Jim Kaufman and Delegates Elliott Pritt and Andy Sha…

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we bring you up to speed on a busy first week at the legislative session, discussing some important bills that aren’t getting big headlines with Senator Ryan Weld and Delegate Sean Hornbuckle.

Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins sits down with Rick Lord to talk about his recent honor, his illustrious career and the current state of affairs with the WVU Mountaineer basketball program on this special episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

An in-depth discussion about the income tax bill working its way through the House, with Delegates who offer up very different proposals. Plus, hear from the Governor’s Revenue Secretary and the Executive Director of the WV Center on Budget and Policy on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

Reaction to the State of the State Address, and a discussion about what we might see during session to fix the DHHR in West Virginia, on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we're joined by lawmakers from both chambers, and both parties, to look ahead at the legislative session.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we discuss the significance of Republicans' strong performance in West Virginia's midterm elections with pollster Mark Blankenship.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we speak with pollster Mark Blankenship about the Nov. 8 general election.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we talk to Senator Ron Stollings, a Democrat, and former U.S. District Attorney Mike Stuart, a Republican, about their race to represent the newly formed Senate District 7.

On today’s episode of “Outside the Echo Chamber,” we discuss the four constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot this November. Sen. Richard Lindsay, D-Kanawha, also joins the show to talk about his race for Senate District 8.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper and WV Chamber of Commerce VP of Policy Brian Dayton debate Amendment 2. Do you support local or legislative control for business and property taxes?

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we discuss proposed reforms to the permitting process of pipeline projects.

On today's episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we discuss the future of abortion in WV with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. We're also joined by the executive director of the Women's Health Center of WV for a patient's perspective.

On the latest episode of "Outside the Echo Chamber," we discuss the new manufacturing firms creating a new kind of job in West Virginia -- and why that may indicate good things for the future of economic development here.