One of the great things about being a news reporter is getting to sometimes hit the road and explore parts of the state I’ve never been to, as well as meeting the people who make this state go.

Last Wednesday, I hopped in my car and drove from Charleston to Mason County. I’ve been reporting about the impending sale of West Virginia’s state-owned long-term care facilities, so I wanted to take some photos of the one closest to me, which is Lakin Hospital a few miles outside of Point Pleasant along Route 2.

I was only a few miles away from Lakin when there it was: a pothole right along the right side of the road. Had it been in the middle of the lane I would have seen it in time, but it was conveniently camouflaged. By the time I saw it, it was too late, and my front right tire hit it at 60 mph.

I knew from the wobble that I had an issue even before the tire pressure light came on but come on it did. Luckily, there was an Exxon station up ahead, so I pulled in and checked out the tire. It wasn’t flat and looked to be in good condition despite the pothole, but it was clear it wasn’t holding pressure.

I called AAA and was told a tow truck would be to me in an hour. To my delight, the tow truck driver was there in less time than pizza delivery. He had my car jacked up and my tire off in no time. Sure enough, the tire was fine, but the inside of the rim definitely got bent.

The tow truck driver looked at it and said, “If I have your permission, I can probably hammer that rim back into place.”

As I drive a basic 2017 Nissan hatchback and not an Escalade with spinning rims, I absolutely gave him permission to hammer away at my rim. He broke his hammer on the final swing, but sure enough he had hammered my rim back to round. After inflating it and letting it sit for a few minutes, he poured some water around the inside of the rim. No water bubbles were seen, so he put the tire back on my car.

I continued to Lakin Hospital, took some photos, and stopped back through Point Pleasant for some McHappy’s donuts and a quick photo with the Mothman before heading back to Charleston. And I’ve had no issues with my tire since, though I am pricing a new rim as a precaution.

So, I’m thankful for good cell service, a clean local Exxon, and the handiwork of a good old West Virginia mechanic, and a pothole which caused me to stop in an area that more often than not I drive though.

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The move last week by West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey to request a transfer of the Kanawha County case seeking to halt the Department of Health from handing out religious exemptions to the compulsory immunization law to Raleigh County and combining it with a case – now being appealed to the state Supreme Court of Appeals – stopping the enforcement of the immunization law by state and local education officials was smart.

Most county public schools have already started. On one hand, Morrisey has instructed schools to accept the religious exemption approved by the Department of Health and allowed under his January executive order. On the other hand, the state Board of Education has issued guidance to schools to only accept medical exemptions as allowed under the compulsory immunization law.

That’s the kind of confusion that needs to be lifted by the state Supreme Court. Can an executive order supersede existing state laws? Does Morrisey’s interpretation of the 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act mean he can use his executive order power to create a religious exemption despite the Legislature failing to pass a bill earlier this year that would have codified a religious exemption? Is there a compelling state interest for requiring vaccinations for school-age children?

This matter needs decided quickly by the Supreme Court. And then Morrisey needs to work with the Legislature to craft a religious vaccine exemption that lawmakers will feel comfortable with.

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Morrisey has been keeping his cards close to his chest as to what he plans to do to reform the Public Employees Insurance Agency. Talks continue between Morrisey and legislative leadership towards a possible special session.

Rumors had placed a possible special session for July, though now the target is September, likely coinciding with the resumption of legislative interim meetings in Charleston beginning Sunday, Sept. 7, through Tuesday, Sept. 9.

WV MetroNews Statewide Correspondent Brad McElhinny had a story last Thursday that shook loose a few of the possible proposals Morrisey is offering for PEIA. One would include eliminating spousal coverage if the spouse has access to health insurance through their employer. This has been talked about before, but experience tells me that there likely isn’t much support for this among most lawmakers.

Another option for PEIA would be creating a new plan for future state employees. Instead of the current PEIA plan that splits the costs of PEIA 80% for the state and 20% for the employee, the new plan would be a 75-25 split. I can confirm McElhinny on this, as I was told that Morrisey was touting a new plan for future public employee hires. But that has its own problems as well, especially if it doesn’t come with more pay for those future public employee hires. Otherwise good luck recruiting future qualified state employees for jobs.

The low-hanging fruit to provide costs savings would be a dedicated PEIA fraud unit that could investigate waste and abuse, particularly by providers trying to game the system. And perhaps changes for future pharmacy benefit management companies that help limit the costs of prescription drugs.

As I reported in July, the state Department of Revenue in February projected an 8.5% increase in PEIA medical costs for the current fiscal year, growing to 10% by fiscal year 2029. Prescription drug costs are projected to grow by 15.5% this fiscal year, with fiscal year 2029 drug costs projected to increase by 17%.

Morrisey and lawmakers have their work cut out for themselves.