Governor Jim Justice switched parties again today, returning to the Republican roots he left in 2015. On this special edition of the Front Porch podcast, we debate what this means for Justice, the Democratic and Republican parties and the state as a whole.

In West Virginia, a growing number of working-age adults are qualifying for federal disability benefits. But once they're receiving an SSI or SSDI check, they rarely return to work. And that's leading to growing resentment across Appalachia of some people with disabilities. Helping disabled people overcome barriers to work isn't easy. But the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) does it every day. Here in West Virginia, for every $1 we spend helping a person with disability find work, we

Here’s what happens 97 percent of the time in federal court: a plea deal. The defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser offense, and the prosecution gets a guaranteed conviction. But earlier this month, Judge Joseph Goodwin rejected a plea deal for a drug dealer, saying the defendant should face the “bright light” of a jury trial. He said this is especially important in West Virginia, which has the highest drug overdose rate in the country. “A court should consider the cultural context

"I did not come to Washington to hurt people." That is how Sen. Shelley Moore Capito announced, on Twitter, she would not support the GOP effort to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan that addresses her concerns "and the needs of West Virginians." Capito was one of a handful of GOP Senators who dealt the Obamacare repeal a serious blow this week. Is "Trumpcare" dead? And if so, what does that mean for heathcare in West Virginia, and for Capito's political future. Listen to the Front

The state Legislature just cut $16 million from higher education, starting this month. Meanwhile, WVU announced a 5 percent tuition increase. What’s that mean for students and the state as a whole? We have WVU Vice President for Legal, Government and Entrepreneurial Engagement Rob Alsop on The Front Porch podcast.

Sara Limb has practiced yoga in places you might not expect- first while serving as a medic in Iraq, and now in West Virginia. On this week's episode of the Front Porch, Sara shares how yoga helped keep her sane in a war zone, and how it continues to help veterans and others. Welcome to “The Front Porch,” where we tackle the tough issues facing Appalachia the same way you talk with your friends on the porch. Hosts include WVPB Executive Director and recovering reporter Scott Finn; conservative

Dozens of women marched topless through the streets of Charleston recently to protest the objectification of women, and norms that discourage breastfeeding in public. Charleston Mayor Danny Jones called it "a naked spectacle" and asked marchers to stay clear of a street fair going on nearby. West Virginia state law does not specifically prohibit women going topless. But the uproar around the march shows that it continues to be controversial. On this week's Front Porch podcast, we debate nudity

After months of a budget standoff, Governor Jim Justice announced he would allow a budget heavy on cuts and with no tax increases to become law without his signature. That doesn’t mean he was happy with it. “I can’t possible sign this,” he said. “They voted against the people of this state. They didn’t hurt me. They hurt the people.” Justice and Senate Republicans wanted to cut the state income tax to generate economic growth. A coalition of House Republicans and Democrats blocked that proposal,

With just days until the end of the fiscal year and no budget agreement, there’s a real possibility of a government shutdown in West Virginia. We asked the man who pays the bills, state Auditor J.B. McCuskey, 10 questions about what he’s doing to prevent a total disaster if state government shuts down.

West Virginia is one of 27 states with no firm minimum age for marriage. Between 2000 and 2010, a total of 2,759 minors got married in West Virginia - one of the highest states per capita, according to the New York Times . Some states are moving to bar marriage for minors. On this week's Front Porch, we debate whether this is a good idea for West Virginia and the rest of Appalachia. Also, we discuss The Struggle to Stay , our ongoing series following five young people's decision about staying or