West Virginia Morning: Recent Episodes
Teresa Wills
Local news stories from West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Whether it's important news events, interesting features about people and places, the latest in environmental news, stories about education or the economy, West Virginia Public Broadcasting's team of experienced reporters bring listeners in depth stories and interviews from around the state.
Most of the state is experiencing drought conditions, but the Eastern Panhandle and its agricultural industry are feeling the worst of it. Eastern Panhandle Reporter Jack Walker traveled to Jefferson County to see the drought’s impact firsthand.
Also this week, a Charleston-based non-profit is hosting a summit to discuss crisis care and mental health in West Virginia. Emily Rice walks us through the event.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Much of Appalachia has a deep-seeded history connected to the original inhabitants of the land. But often, West Virginia is presented not as a homeland for Native Americans, but simply a transient hunting ground and trading path.
As Chris Schulz reports, a series of events in Elkins is working to change that perception.
Plus, it’s been two years since devastating floods swept through eastern Kentucky. The state has a novel bet: It hopes hundreds of affected families will settle on seven new mountain-top communities. Kentucky Public Radio’s Justin Hicks reports researchers say it’s an example of climate migration.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, crocheters started making “temperature blankets” as a way to document daily life, but the tradition of telling a story through textiles goes way back. For Inside Appalachia, folkways reporter Wendy Welch looks at how this ancient tradition is being carried on.
Also in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from newgrass pioneer and mandolinist Sam Bush. We listen to his song “I’m Still Here” from his 2022 studio album, Radio John: Songs of John Hartford.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Trey Kay brings us an excerpt from the award-winning Us & Them podcast: “Re-Entry,” where he speaks with a range of people on the challenges of reentry into society after a prison sentence.
Also, It’s been more than 50 years since a sitting president chose not to run for re-election and News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Marshall Associate Professor of Political Science Marybeth Beller to get her take on the country's current political situation.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Department of Health is reminding parents of the importance of immunization. And Briana Heaney talked to Democratic state legislators about their support for Vice President Kamala Harris, their party's presumptive presidential nominee.
Also, a species of bamboo native to Appalachia was nearly wiped out, but volunteers in southwestern Virginia are trying to restore the plant.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, President Joe Biden stepped away from his bid for a second term on Sunday and has now endorsed his vice president and running mate Kamala Harris. Briana Heaney spoke with West Virginia voters about how this decision affects what they will decide to do in November.
Also, in this show, Martinsburg native Sabrina Harrison grew up dancing at a local studio. She took that passion for dance with her into college, and now into a full-time career in New York City. Next month, Harrison will join the touring cast for the musical Hamilton, and she’ll be dancing on stages across the United States.
Eastern Panhandle Reporter Jack Walker spoke with Harrison to discuss her upbringing in West Virginia and her career so far.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, electricity prices in West Virginia have increased faster than the rate of inflation. A recent report concluded that the state’s heavy reliance on coal is the reason. Curtis Tate spoke with the report’s author, Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling for Energy Innovation Policy and Technology.
Also, in this show, the West Virginia Film Office has had a bumpy ride to get to where it is today. As part of his capstone project, Max Bruce, a recent graduate from West Virginia University (WVU), looked at the new Film Office's impact on the state's burgeoning entertainment industry. He spoke with Chris Schulz about his reporting.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, chicken and dumplings are an Appalachian tradition, but different kinds of dumplings from all over the world have made their way here, including the pierogi from eastern Europe. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Will Warren went to a weekly pierogi making session in Wheeling and has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from fiddle man Jason Carter, who joined us with his all-star band of friends. We listen to their performance of “Queen of the Nashville Night” off his 2022 album Lowdown Hoedown.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as our state’s population gets older, and since the topic of age has been in the news so much recently, many families are wondering what to look for when it comes to cognitive decline.
In Wednesday’s show, News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Teresa Morris, the program director for the West Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, about the topic. In part two of this conversation, we discuss more signs to look for.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story looks at advanced recycling in the Ohio River Valley.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as summer kicks into full swing and people head outside, exposure to ticks increases. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with West Virginia state entomologist Eric Dotseth who urges vigilance against tick bites that could cause major health issues.
Also, in this show, as the presidential race speeds toward election day, there has been a lot of discussion about age and declining mental acuity. But a lot of families are facing the same questions every day.
News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Teresa Morris, the West Virginia program director for the West Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, about what to look for in our own families.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the AIDS epidemic beginning in the 1980s took hundreds of thousands of lives across the country, and even more around the world. A new theater production at this year’s Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) in Shepherdstown highlights how the disease impacted the lives of Black Americans in particular.
Jack Walker sat down with playwright Donja R. Love and his colleagues to discuss the project, and what it means to tell this story in the Mountain State.
Also, in this show, experts are concerned about a growing mental health crisis nationally. In this story from our sister station WEKU, Stan Ingold takes a look at the struggles faced by those dealing with mental health access in eastern Kentucky.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, from allergies to introducing solids, the first few years of a child's life have a surprising number of decisions for parents to make. In our latest entry of "Now What? A Series on Parenting," Chris Schulz talks with Isabela Negrin, an assistant professor of pediatrics at WVU Medicine, about the ins and outs of early childhood nutrition.
Also, in this show, it’s been a year since Pennsylvania’s largest coal-fired power plant shut down. Like hundreds of these plants around the country, the Homer City generating station in Indiana County faced stiff competition from natural gas and renewables. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier went to Homer City to find out how the closure is affecting a community that relied on this plant for decades.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, one person’s roadside weed is another’s “golden” treasure. So says a North Carolina fiber artist.
We also talk with a children's book author about a school system that suspended its community reading program over concerns about the sex of her book's main character — an oak tree.
And, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is now available in every Kentucky community. We revisit our 2022 interview with the American icon.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Colors In The Weeds
- A Controversy About Wishtree
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Continues To Grow
The Colors In The WeedsDede Styles in North Carolina uses common roadside plants to make natural dyes for fabrics. She teaches the craft, but it’s also part of a bigger mission for Styles.
Folkways Reporter Rebecca Williams brings us this story.
A Controversy About WishtreeKatherine Applegate signs a book at the Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd, Virginia.
Photo Credit: Mary CrookFloyd County schools in Virginia host a program called “One Division, One Book.” They distribute a copy of the same book to every family, with a schedule to read a few chapters each night. This year, the book was Wishtree, by Newbery Award winner Katherine Applegate, but partway through the reading, the school abruptly suspended the program.
Applegate recently visited Floyd and Mason Adams spoke with her.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Continues To GrowFormer WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins (right) speaks with Dolly Parton during her visit to Charleston, West Virgin0ia on Aug. 9, 2022.
Photo Credit: Butch Antolini/West Virginia Public BroadcastingOne program that’s connecting rural counties with books is pop icon Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library.” Started in 1995, the childhood literacy program sends books to children all over the world at no charge to their families.
Last month, the program became available to all children aged five and under in Kentucky.
When that happened in West Virginia in 2022, Dolly Parton visited Charleston and spoke with former WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sturgill Simpson, Todd Burge, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood, Jeff Ellis, John Inghram, Dolly Parton and Gerry Milnes.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from Folkways editor Jennifer Goren.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, we spend some time in the Eastern Panhandle and learn about a new Battlefield Park, hear from a Harpers Ferry author and explore the unknown future of the John Brown Wax Museum.
We also travel to Morgantown to experience a Silent Book Club, and then south to Logan County to check out the hopes riding on the inaugural Governor’s School for Tourism.
In other news this week, we learn the latest on the health of the coal industry in West Virginia, check in on a campaign to improve foster care, hear from the state Board of Education meeting and visit an archeological dig in Malden.
Liz McCormick is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Dede Styles in North Carolina uses common roadside plants to make natural dyes for fabrics. It’s a skill she teaches and part of a mission that’s bigger than just yarn. Folkways Reporter Rebecca Williams brings us this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from folk hero and storytelling master Steve Poltz. We listen to his performance of “Can O’ Pop,” backed by the Mountain Stage Band.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas produced today’s show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, every summer, fireflies emerge for a few weeks — sending love signals in the dark. Those fireflies — including synchronous ones — are the stars of a festival at a farm in Forest County, Pennsylvania. As WPSU’s Anne Danahy reports, that farm draws both firefly fans — and researchers — looking to learn more about lightning bugs.
Also, in this show, overcrowding and understaffing have pushed West Virginia’s prisons and jails to what many believe is a crisis point. It’s an issue we’ve delved into on WVPB’s Us & Them. But just last week, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to force the state to spend $330 million to improve prison and jail conditions in West Virginia.
So, this month we’re sharing an encore, award-winning episode entitled “Mental Health Crisis Behind Bars In West Virginia.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, imagine packing all the highlights of things to do in West Virginia into one fun-filled trip. That’s what the inaugural Governor’s School for Tourism did recently for several dozen high school students. But as Maria Young reports, there are some high hopes riding on the career choices these students will make in the years ahead.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story is all about the final recommendations after the East Palestine, Ohio rail accident.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, John Michael Cummings is an author in Harpers Ferry. He’s published three novels, two novellas and many short stories. Cummings recently spoke with Bill Lynch about writing and his latest collection of short stories, The Spirit in My Shoes, available from Cornerstone Press.
Also, in this show, several of the state’s county school systems are currently under state control. Chris Schulz has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Eastern Panhandle saw major military activity in the Civil War. But, driving through the region today, you wouldn’t know some of these historic sites exist. One county’s government is partnering with a historic preservation nonprofit to change that. Together, they’re creating a new battlefield park that commemorates local history.
Jack Walker visited the battlefield site to discuss plans for the park, and why preserving West Virginia history matters.
Also, in this show, from movies and TV to live music, there are a lot of options for entertainment in your free time these days. As Chris Schulz reports, one group in Morgantown has found a way to read and socialize in silence.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we visit with a West Virginia man who shows his love for fishing by building exquisite, handmade fly rods. It’s a long process, but he shares his knowledge with others.
We also spill the tea on a classic roadside attraction in Chester, West Virginia.
Andpunk music photographer Chelse Warren takes us into the pit for stories and observations.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Passing On The Craft Of Making Fly Fishing Rods
- Among The Bees Of The Mountain State
- Spilling The Tea On An Appalachian Roadside Attraction
- Open Head Takes Photos
Passing On The Craft Of Making Fly Fishing RodsLee Orr fly fishing on the Elk River.
Photo Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public BroadcastingMost athletes welcome technical innovations in sports equipment, but fly fishing is different. Some fishermen prefer the old-fashioned way, with fishing flies and wooden rods made by hand.
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold took us to the Elk River to learn more.
Among The Bees Of The Mountain StateBeekeeping is busy all summer long in West Virginia.
Photo Credit: MERCURY Studio/Adobe StockHoneybees have been at work since the first days of spring.
In 2022, Folkways Reporter Margaret McCloud Leef brought us a report from a community of West Virginia beekeepers.
Spilling The Tea On An Appalachian Roadside AttractionThe World's Largest Teapot in Chester has been an attraction for generations.
Photo Credit: Zander Aloi/West Virginia Public BroadcastingSummer is a good time to take a road trip. Out on the roads of Appalachia, you never know what you’ll see.
Last year, Inside Appalachia’s Zander Aloi took a trip to Chester, West Virginia, to learn the story behind a classic roadside attraction there – a souvenir stand known as the World’s Largest Teapot.
Openhead Takes PhotosSam Moore during Terror’s set at the Flying Panther Skate Shop in Roanoke, Virginia.
Photo Credit: Openhead Takes PhotosLast summer, Mason Adams visited a two-day DIY music festival called The Floor is Gone.
In the middle of it all was photographer Chelse Warren, who goes by Openhead Takes Photos online.
Mason reached out to talk music and more.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Mary Hott, John Blissard, Town Mountain and Sean Watkins.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Chris Julin.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, cases of seniors being scammed by strangers, or even victimized by loved ones and caretakers, are common in West Virginia and the country at large. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia William Ihlenfeld prosecutes these crimes far too often. He spoke with Chris Schulz to raise awareness of these crimes and how to avoid them.
Also, in this show, as the number of COVID-19 cases across the country soars, West Virginians have access to a new tool to check their vaccination status. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, writer Jonathan Corcoran grew up in Elkins. While in college, his mother discovered he was gay. She disowned him and told him to never come back to West Virginia. She died in 2020. They never reconciled.
Corcoran, a writing professor at New York University, has written a book, No Son of Mine, which explores grief and his relationship with his mother. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with the author, who began with a reading.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story takes us to an art exhibit highlighting our local pollinators.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, roughly 20,000 people traveled to Braxton County for an annual Bigfoot Festival hosted in the small town of Sutton. One of them was reporter Briana Heaney, who spoke to festival goers about the annual celebration of cryptids.
Plus, new legislation takes effect today that allows permit holders to carry a firearm on any college campus in West Virginia. Reporter Chris Schulz spoke to some of these schools about how they're preparing for the change.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, dinos fight Civil War soldiers at a theme park throwback — Dinosaur Kingdom II in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Also, if you’re hungry for a pepperoni roll in West Virginia, you can find one at just about any gas station. So — how did they get so popular? We’ll hear one theory.
And we check out the backstory of a bus that sits at the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers — and the man who put it there.
Hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Dinosaur Kingdom Of Natural Bridge, Virginia
- The Riddle Of The Pepperoni Roll
- The Mystery Of The Bus On The Rock
- Traditional Herbalism More Than A 'New-Age' Trend In Appalachia
The Dinosaur Kingdom Of Natural Bridge, VirginiaA dinosaur-solider creation from Mark Cline's roadside attraction Dino World in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Photo Credit: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife ProgramEvery summer, Americans hit the road for vacation. The tradition of summer road tripping dates back for as long as there have been automobiles.
On these long drives, people needed breaks. So they’d stop at fruit stands, or fireworks stores, or … bizarre roadside attractions. A lot of those weird old-style attractions have disappeared, but some have managed to hang on.
In 2020, Mason Adams visited artist Mark Cline’s Dinosaur Kingdom II, in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
The Riddle Of The Pepperoni RollThe story of the West Virginia pepperoni roll is more than its creation, but also how it spread.
Photo Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public BroadcastingPepperoni rolls have been enshrined as part of West Virginia history through their connection to coal miners. They're absolutely a favorite and available almost everywhere, but that wasn't always true. How pepperoni rolls became a statewide convenience store staple might have less to do with coal mining and more to do with lunch ladies in Kanawha County.
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold took a bite out of pepperoni roll lore.
The Mystery Of The Bus On The RockAnna Sale in 2014.
Photo Credit: Amy PearlIf you listen to the popular podcast Death, Sex and Money, you know Anna Sale. Back in 2005, Anna was a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. She got curious about an old bus that sits on a rock at the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers, just past the town of Gauley Bridge.
So Anna traveled by boat with producer Russ Barbour to meet the man behind the mystery.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sierra Ferrell, Paul McCartney, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood, Blue Dot Sessions, Yonder Mountain String Band and Hot Rize.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Chris Julin.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, we mark two years since the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which protected access to abortion nationally. We discuss what women are doing now.
This week also marked the 50-year anniversary of a heated debate over whether the Kanawha County Board of Education should adopt new, multicultural language arts textbooks. Trey Kay, host of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s podcast Us & Them, reflects on the controversy and his journey reporting on it.
Plus, we’ll hear about concerns over an unexpected figure popping up in a mural at the State Capitol, and how lawmakers are addressing chronic absenteeism in West Virginia schools.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Ohio poet laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour has a new collection of poems titled Dirt Songs. In it, she recalls her small-town upbringing in the ‘70s and ‘80s. But also thinks of the people who owned the land where she lives. Bill Lynch spoke with Gunter-Seymour about her new book and what she sees as good in Appalachia.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner Alisa Amador. We listen to her performance of “Slow Down.” It’s the second track on her EP Narratives.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, there’s a deadline looming for business owners across the state. Tens of thousands of them still haven’t filed their annual reports as required by state law. Assistant News Director Maria Young sat down with Secretary of State Mac Warner – who’s hoping all of them get the job done by midnight Sunday night – just, not all at once.
Also, in this show, 50 years ago, June 27, 2024, the Kanawha County Board of Education set off a chapter of the nation’s culture wars as it debated whether to purchase a controversial series of new textbooks. The meeting room was packed, and emotions were hot. Us & Them Host Trey Kay produced an award-winning documentary about the textbook controversy and provides this reflection.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia students are struggling to achieve proficiency in basic academic skills like reading and math, according to national test scores in recent years. One possible contributing factor: chronic absenteeism. But as Chris Schulz reports, a new law hopes to address the issue this fall.
Also, in this show, nearly 20,000 active-duty military service members died from 2006 to 2021. That’s not to mention thousands of veterans who died from issues tied to their service. Dubbed “Gold Star families,” the loved ones of service members who die are left with grief that can last a lifetime. But many of these families turn their hardship into an opportunity to help others in need.
West Virginia University (WVU) graduate Emily Zirkelbach spoke with reporter Jack Walker about what she learned from several Gold Star families across West Virginia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, dozens of BASE jumpers leap from the New River Gorge Bridge during Bridge Day each year. High school students Dylan Neil and Nella Fox of the Fayette Institute of Technology got curious about how to become a Bridge Day BASE Jumper. For Inside Appalachia, they talked with expert BASE jumper Marcus Ellison.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story explores flood prevention along the Ohio River.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This conversation originally aired in the June 23, 2024 episode of Inside Appalachia.
The broad strokes of the opioid epidemic are well known.
The widespread availability of Oxycontin and other opioids that could be obtained with a prescription led to an epidemic of substance abuse that took hold across the country. That, in turn, has led to more conversations — about treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.
But, alongside opioids, there’s been another addictive drug that became well-known in the 1990s, and never really went away. Methamphetamine, or meth, is a stimulant that some people made in their homes during the ‘90s and early ‘00s. But the U.S. cracked down on the sale of the drug’s ingredients, so meth labs are no longer quite so ubiquitous.
But meth has evolved, too.
That history is the topic of a new podcast, called Home Cooked. It’s produced by the Daily Yonder, a national news site that covers rural America, and is headquartered in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
The show is hosted and produced by Olivia Weeks, a reporter for the Daily Yonder based in southern Illinois. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams recently spoke with Weeks about Home Cooked.
Olivia Weeks.
Photo Credit: The Daily YonderAdams: I remember meth because it exploded into the national consciousness in the early 2000s, just as I was entering the media business, but I've heard a bunch of meth stories recently — both in the news and from friends who are dealing with people on meth. How have methamphetamines changed over the last 20 years?
Weeks: Yeah, so that's sort of the starting point of the podcast. We're all really familiar culturally with these stories from the early 2000s. I grew up in a small town. There was a lot of conversation all the time when I was a little kid about, “Oh, that's a meth lab house. They're cooking meth out in those woods,” — that kind of stuff. That fell off of everybody's radar in the later 2000s and 2010s in some places, and then around 2018, you start seeing this flood of new stories that's like, “Meth is back. And it's not your neighbor's cooking it anymore.” That's a St. Louis Post-Dispatch headline that always sticks in my head, because that's really the formula of this new kind of news article that started coming out in 2017, 2018.
Part of it is a little bit silly, because meth never disappeared in that time period between the early 2000s meth-lab-explosions era and today, but I also see why it got so much media attention starting in the late 2010s. Because a transition really happened where, over the course of the 2010s, this vast free market of drug traffickers and producers in Mexico got really good at making methamphetamine really cheaply, and it's transporting it into the United States. That's in a landscape of meth getting really difficult and pretty expensive to produce here domestically, that imported meth really just took over the whole national methamphetamine economy. Instead of being this sort of weird drug that people would make in their barns, and it's very locally specific, and the recipes get passed from person to person, like it has this kind of folk culture around it in the early 2000s.
Then it really transitions into a more traditional drug that's being trafficked along pretty traditional drug supply chains, kind of the way that cocaine is, or one of those other less mythologized drugs, or differently mythologized drugs from different eras.
Adams: Methamphetamine is associated with rural areas, and even with Appalachia, to some degree. Is that just pure myth?
Weeks: There are two questions there. One is meth’s association with rural, and one is meth’s association with Appalachia. I think the answers are pretty different. There is some real factual basis for methamphetamine’s outsized popularity in rural places, especially in the '90s and early 2000s. Back then, meth was largely produced domestically by groups of people in the kitchen, or in the barn or whatever. When you're producing meth in the U.S., you really want some wide open space to do that, because it's a process that smells pretty bad, [and] you don't want your neighbors watching you. Also, there's this sort of association with the countryside because anhydrous ammonia, which is a farm fertilizer, is obviously much more common in agricultural places, sparser places. So people were able to steal anhydrous ammonia from farmers more easily if they lived in the country. Also, they probably had easier access to the farm supply store. So there was this real kind of rural association.
Also, the usage rates were higher for many, many years, and still I think probably are slightly higher, in rural places as compared to the rest of the U.S. now. The rural association makes sense especially in the Midwest. That's where that sort of mom-and-pop-lab problem of the early 2000s was really concentrated. It makes sense that meth picked up that rural association; it makes progressively less sense as time goes on, especially today. It might still be true that meth is more common in rural places, but it's really a problem in all of our major cities, too.
Now, when it comes to Appalachia, it's interesting. I think that places on the East Coast or eastern United States always had a smaller meth problem than in the Midwest and the West. That's for some complicated supply chain reasons. The problem was always kind of slower to take off. Now, that's not to say that there was no meth in these places, certainly, all throughout small towns. In Appalachia, there definitely was meth in the heyday. People could get the recipe online. There was no stopping people from making it, but it didn't quite take off in the way that it took off in the Midwest.
Adams: What accounts for that connection to Appalachia then? Is it people linking rural America and Appalachia, and lumping them together when there's really distinct differences in this case?
Weeks: Yeah, I think that's part of it. There was this very popular and widely known campaign that started in Portland, Oregon, against methamphetamine that was called the Faces of Meth campaign. It was this sheriff taking pictures of people who had been arrested on meth related charges, who were looking pretty rough. He would basically put up a photo of them early in their meth use, [during] their first arrest, and then a photo of them later on in their lives when drug use or whatever lifestyle choices had taken their toll.
A lot of people don't need me to explain it to them; the images just come to mind. There's been really good analysis of the Faces of Meth campaign that hit on hillbilly stereotypes like toothlessness. It's really nasty stuff, and I don't even really want to talk about it, because I don't think this connection actually makes any sense. But I think that those images, especially to urban people, read as, “Oh, those are hillbillies,” — even though the photos are of people from Portland, Oregon. I think those images are honestly responsible for a lot of the connection to the countryside. And I think Appalachia automatically gets lumped in with that, and it automatically hits on a hillbilly, hill people stereotype.
Adams: The podcast covers the 50-year history of meth. Where is methamphetamine in 2024? What do you think the future holds?
Weeks: We're in a pretty scary place right now. Methamphetamine and fentanyl are both produced in really high quantities in Mexico, and those supply chains have sort of merged in some way. Some people call them twin epidemics. A lot of people have started using the term “synthetic drug crisis” because you can't really talk about methamphetamine without talking about fentanyl, or vice versa. Overdose deaths are the highest they've ever been, both for fentanyl alone, both for methamphetamine alone, and for fentanyl and meth combined. Concomitant use of those drugs is really, really common.
Now, addiction has always been one of the dangers of methamphetamine. Also in the early 2000s, meth lab explosions and the interactions with toxic chemicals, that kind of thing. Those were major risks because of methamphetamine-use back in the day. Those aren't really risks anymore. The risk today is fentanyl contamination. That's a big problem. It's a scary situation. At the same time, there's been in recent decades a general turn against mass incarceration as a solution simply because it hasn't worked and because a lot of people have been really negatively affected by that system. Right now with really high levels of homelessness and addiction and overdose, there might be a backlash against that sort of positive turn against mass incarceration. That's kind of scary to me.
In general, people are more open-minded to strategies like harm reduction, more open-minded, trying to be more compassionate to people who use drugs. I think that's positive. I think part of that is the opioid epidemic — that sort of stereotypical narrative of the blue collar man who got hurt at work, and then got addicted to opioids by no fault of his own, and then wound up using heroin, and on and on. That narrative that took hold of the public imagination did some good for people who use drugs, because it showed one possible way in which a person who was really easy to empathize with could wind up addicted to drugs.
I think people are more open to harm reduction, clean needles, fentanyl, test strips, that kind of thing. So that's positive, but overwhelmingly, it's a really scary, scary drug market right now. I think I would tell people that you'd be surprised where you can find a harm reduction organization to get involved with. Even if you live in a small town or a rural place, it's very possible that there's someone out there doing the work, trying to keep people alive, even while they're in the throes of addiction. Look out for that and look out for ways to get involved.
Home Cooked is now available wherever you get your podcasts.
Recovery from addiction is possible. For help, please call the free and confidential treatment referral hotline (1-800-662-HELP) or visit findtreatment.gov.
On this West Virginia Morning, each year, tens of thousands of Americans die from firearm injuries. In 2022, that figure included more than 300 West Virginians. Nationally, U.S. residents are split on a solution. But residents of a town in Brooke County are advocating for an end to gun violence through political organizing, public art and prayer.
Jack Walker spoke with three Bethany residents about their annual demonstration, and the changes they’re pushing for in the Mountain State.
Also, in this show, film director Elaine McMillion Sheldon's latest documentary is called King Coal. The imaginative film focuses on central Appalachia, how coal mining has influenced its culture and how that may be changing. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with Sheldon and co-producer Molly Born about the film.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, old-time music jams aren’t just fun, they’re good for your mental health.
Also, the opioid epidemic has changed how we talk about addiction in Appalachia. But it’s not America’s only drug crisis.
And, every year, hundreds of people parachute off the 876-foot-tall New River Gorge Bridge for Bridge Day, but not just anyone can do it.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Mental Health And Old-Time Music Jams
- The Other Drug Epidemic
- No Son Of Mine
- Breaking Down Base Jumping At Bridge Day
Mental Health And Old-Time Music Jams(Left to right) Hilarie Burhans (banjo), Mark Burhans (fiddle), Mark “Pokey” Hellenberg (mandolin banjo), Steve Owens (banjo), Julie Elman (bass) and Caitlin Kraus (guitar) are playing old-time music on a Monday night at the Burhans home in Athens, Ohio. Hilarie is a sought after claw hammer banjo instructor, and she and Mark also own and operate a local Mediterranean restaurant in Athens named Salaam.
Photo Credit: Liz Pahl/West Virginia Public BroadcastingHuman beings have used music to do everything from soothe children to sleep or to fire up crowds during football games, but there are other benefits, too.
Folkways Reporter Liz Pahl explored them during an old-time jam session in Athens, Ohio.
The Other Drug EpidemicOlivia Weeks hosts Home Cooked, a podcast that looks at the continuing crisis of methamphetamines.
Courtesy PhotoWhen we talk about addiction, a lot of us think about opioids. But there’s another drug still circulating in communities –methamphetamine, or meth.
The powerful stimulant could be manufactured in people’s homes, but after the US cracked down on the sale of meth making ingredients, the ways people make meth evolved. That history is the topic of a new podcast, called Home Cooked, produced by the Daily Yonder.
Mason Adams spoke with the show’s host and producer, Olivia Weeks.
No Son Of Mine West Virginia native Jonathan Corcoran's memoir No Son Of Mine is about coming out and coming to grips with loss.
Photo Credit: Sam KlugmanWest Virginia writer Jonathan Corcoran hid his sexuality growing up, but then in college, his mother discovered he was gay. She disowned him and then died during the pandemic before they could reconcile.
Corcoran, now a university professor in New York, wrote a book exploring grief and his relationship with his mother.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with the author.
Breaking Down Base Jumping At Bridge DayThe New River Gorge Bridge.
Photo Credit: E-WVIt’s a few months off, but thrill seekers are already planning for Bridge Day at the New River Gorge in Fayetteville, West Virginia.
High school students Dylan Neil and Nella Fox of the Fayette Institute of Technology got curious about how to become a Bridge Day BASE Jumper and talked with BASE Jumper Marcus Ellison.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jeff Ellis, Noam Pikelny, Joe Dobbs and the 1937 Flood, Sierra Ferrell and John Blissard.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Mallory Noe-Payne.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, we hear from residents living near the now operational Mountain Valley Pipeline.
We also have the latest on the systemic issues that failed to prevent the death of a 14-year-old girl, and we hear from the man who will oversee the distribution of millions in opioid funds across the state.
We also get an update from a politician recovering after an animal attack, and the sounds of some of this week’s celebrations.
Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Wednesday was the federal holiday Juneteenth, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Briana Heaney talked to West Virginians as they hit the streets to celebrate the nation’s, and the state’s, newest holiday.
Also, in this show, Cecelia Mason spent 23 years as a reporter for West Virginia Public Radio, even helping establish the Eastern Panhandle Bureau in Shepherdstown. She moved onto a role with Shepherd University’s Office of Communications in 2014 but said her time in journalism shaped the course of her career and her life.
Mason retired from Shepherd earlier this month. But she returned to campus and sat down with our current Eastern Panhandle Reporter Jack Walker to reflect on her time in public radio and how the industry has changed since she left.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, people have always used music to do everything from soothe children to sleep to revving up the crowd for the big game, but it can do so much more. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Liz Pahl learned about the healing power of old-time music when she visited a weekly jam session at the home of a couple in Athens, Ohio.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from the Drive-By Truckers. We listen to their performance of “The Ballad of Cecil McCobb,” which appears on the group’s 14th studio album Welcome to Club XIII, which was released in 2022.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the foundation responsible for divvying up West Virginia's opioid settlement money chose its executive director in March. After taking on the position full-time at the beginning of May, Executive Director Jonathan Board sat down with Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice to discuss his qualifications for the job and plans for the future.
Also, in this show, Kyneddi Miller was found dead in her home in April. A police report said the 14-year-old girl was found in a near skeletal state. Her grandparents and mother have been charged with abuse and neglect. There are conflicting reports about the actions of state agencies involved in the case. Now, officials are pointing fingers at what organizations and policies created the crack that Miller fell through. Briana Heaney has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, some residents living near the Mountain Valley Pipeline have been watching it for several years. Now that the pipeline is carrying natural gas, they say they’ll continue to do so. Curtis Tate has the story from Bent Mountain, Virginia.
Also, in this show, former legislator Doug Skaff in May was taking down signs for his secretary of state campaign when he felt a sharp sensation in his foot. He only realized what happened when he looked down and saw a copperhead. By the time he got away, Skaff was bitten four times by two separate snakes.
One month after the incident, Jack Walker caught up with Skaff about what happened, and the status of his recovery.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week,hip hop started in New York and took root in places like West Virginia. We explore some of the history of the music and where it is today.
Also, food deserts are places where it’s hard to find nutritious food, but they’re found in more than just rural counties in Appalachia. Food deserts are also in disenfranchised neighborhoods, like in East Knoxville.
And, the Reverend George Mills Dickerson of Tazewell, Virginia, was born in the years after slavery ended. During Juneteenth, he’s remembered especially through his poetry.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- A Hip Hop History In W.Va.
- Food Apartheid In Appalachia
- Dirt Songs Sing Of Remembrance
- Celebrating A Poet During Juneteenth
A Hip Hop History In W.Va.Eric Jordan has led a West Virginia hip hop movement.
Photo Credit: Vanessa Peña/West Virginia Public BroadcastingLast year, communities celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Over the past half century, hip hop has gone from a marginalized art form to a mainstream powerhouse. It developed in major metropolitan centers like New York, Los Angeles and the dirty South, but took root in Appalachia, too.
Folkways Reporter Vanessa Peña reports on hip hop in West Virginia.
Food Apartheid In AppalachiaFemeika Elliott uses food to heal her neighborhood.
Photo Credit: Wendy Welch/West Virginia Public BroadcastingAcross the country, poor and largely Black neighborhoods were bulldozed and replaced with new highways and civic centers in the 20th century. That concept is known as urban renewal — and it tore communities apart. Now, one woman in Knoxville, Tennessee, is using food to try to heal generations of damage in a city neighborhood.
Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch has more.
Dirt Songs Sing Of RemembranceOhio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour's latest book is Dirt Songs.
Courtesy PhotoOhio poet laureateKari Gunter-Seymour often writes about disenfranchisement, racism, poverty and addiction. In her new collection of poems, Dirt Songs, she recalls her small town upbringing and remembers the original owners of the land she now lives on.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Gunter-Seymour about her new book and what she sees as good in Appalachia.
Celebrating A Poet During JuneteenthJeanette Wilson holds a portrait of her grandfather, Rev. George Mills Dickerson, standing to the right of his son George Murray Dickerson.
Photo Credit: Connie Kitts/West Virginia Public BroadcastingPoetry has been an enduring tradition in Jeanette Wilson’s family. They’ve recited the poems of Wilson’s grandfather and her uncle George for nearly 100 years. Now, these poems about African American life in southwestern Virginia are read during the Juneteenth celebration in Tazewell, Virginia — where they reach a wider audience and connect the past to the present.
Folkways Reporter Connie Kitts brought us the story.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Ed Snodderly, Frank Hutchinson, Hazel Dickens, Johnny Statts and Dinosaur Burps.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editors Nicole Musgrave and Jennifer Goren.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, Folkways reporter Vanessa Peña explores the history of hip hop in West Virginia and beyond. Plus, Mountain Stage provides our the Song of the Week: “So Much Love” by Southern Avenue.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, pharmaceutical products are winding up in West Virginia waterways, contaminating local rivers and wildlife. Chris Schulz spoke with two researchers about the issue and its environmental implications.
Plus, with the Mountain Valley Pipeline approved to begin operations, Curtis Tate spoke with residents who live near the pipeline about some ongoing health and safety concerns.
Also in this show, we share part of an episode of Us & Them that won a Best Podcast award from Virginias AP Broadcasters. Host Trey Kay dives into the state's food support resources connected to a federal program called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, two companies are working side by side to build a new titanium plant in Jackson County, powered by solar. Curtis Tate went to take a look.
Also, in this show, even in ideal circumstances, the removal of a child from their home by Child Protective Services (CPS) is always traumatic. Emily Rice spoke with community advocates about this process and what resources children need to adapt.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, President of the American Library Association, Emily Dubinsky, is on a three-week road trip from New York to the annual Conference in San Diego. Along the way, she will stop at different rural libraries to talk to them about the work they are doing and what they need to continue that work.
Dubinsky took a pit stop in Charleston, to sit down and talk with Briana Heaney about what she has been hearing from rural libraries during this road trip.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, with the summer season in full swing, grills, fireworks and campfires are making a comeback into our lives. Chris Schulz sat down with Mark Lambert, director of the West Virginia University (WVU) Fire Service Extension about some fire safety basics.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we visit with West Virginia trappers to learn about the fur trade in the 21st century.
We also meet a county fair champion who keeps racking up the blue ribbons and has released a cookbook of some of her favorites.
And we hear an update on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Construction has begun again, but some people wonder if it’s even needed.
These stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The West Virginia Fur Trade In The 21st Century
- Blue Ribbon-Winning Fair Food
- Cruising With Vintage Vehicles
- The Mountain Valley Pipeline Saga Continues
- Extended Family Pitching In To Care For Dementia Patients
The West Virginia Fur Trade In The 21st CenturyBefore coal or timber, the fur trade was one of Appalachia’s first industries.
Fur trapping flourished for centuries, made fortunes and led to wars and was still lucrative into the last few generations.
Now, most West Virginia fur trappers struggle to earn a living, but some have adapted or found new careers using their particular skills. Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin brought us the story.
Blue Ribbon-Winning Fair FoodThere’s nothing quite like the county fair, where you can pet a goat or get motion sick on the tilt-a-whirl.
A staple of county and state fairs are the annual craft competitions, where the hopeful vie for the coveted blue ribbon.
Few people have been as successful as Russell County, Virginia resident Linda Skeens, who has won hundreds of ribbons, become a social media sensation and released a cookbook featuring some of her winning recipes.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with her about winning contests and collecting recipes.
Cruising With Vintage Vehicles For over 50 years, in Roanoke, Virginia, on any given Friday night, you can see modified cars and trucks with neon lights, spinning rims and streamlined spoilers strutting from north to south and back again. And often — you’ll see old-timey antique cars out there among them.
Host Mason Adams reported this story in 2020, about a family of mechanics who have spent years developing the skills to get those vintage cars just right.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline Saga ContinuesWe’ve reported on the Mountain Valley Pipeline for years. Completion of the pipeline has been held up because a federal court keeps throwing out its permits. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled to allow work to resume again. But some energy analysts question whether the pipeline is even needed.
WVPB's Curtis Tate spoke with Suzanne Mattei of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Extended Family Pitching In To Care For Dementia PatientsSpouses or adult children typically care for people with dementia, but more and more extended family members are taking on that role. CareEx is a project at the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech that studies extended family caregivers in central Appalachia.
WVPB’s Eric Douglas spoke with project coordinator Brandy McCann about their work.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sturgill Simpson, Ron Mullennex, Mary Hott and Noam Pikelny.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, we’ll look at Black LGBTQ Pride in West Virginia. We’ll also hear how a federal agency regulates the nation’s pipelines and we’ll talk to a national park ranger about summer activities at the New River Gorge.
We’ll also discuss new rules to prevent black lung disease, a new role for the state’s solicitor general and how the state’s opioid settlement money will be spent.
Curtis Tate is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Pride Month is underway, and the West Virginia Black Pride Foundation is carving out a space specifically for Black LGBTQ community members. Jack Walker spoke with founder and Executive Director Kasha Snyder-McDonald to discuss her organization’s vision for a better West Virginia for Black LGBTQ residents.
Also, in this show, 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller was found dead in her Boone County home in April. A police report said she was found in a near skeletal state, her grandparents and mother have been charged with abuse and neglect. Recently, there have been conflicting reports about the actions of state agencies involved in the case and calls for accountability. Briana Heaney has an update on the story.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Stephane Wrembel. We listen to her performance of "Bistro Fada.” He’s joined by Josh Kaye, Ari Folman-Cohen and Nick Anderson. This Django-influenced tune is heard on his fifth album Origins, which became the theme song for Woody Allen’s 2011 Oscar-winning film, Midnight in Paris.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz spoke with a master gardener from Monongalia County about difficulties with his crops — and two plant scientists who say it's likely the result of herbicide contamination.
Also in this show, Pittsburgh-based public radio program The Allegheny Front dives into challenges with oil well wastewater being dumped onto local roads.
Plus, Briana Heaney reports that a new study found calls to poison control centers now more often lead to hospitalizations and deaths.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is meant to help students access funds to pursue higher education. But as Chris Schulz reports, recent changes to the federal form have left students and schools scrambling for answers.
Also, in this show, a new federal silica dust rule is about to take effect. Monday, a panel of Black Lung experts expressed hope for the future of young miners — if they’re educated about their rights. Emily Rice has more.
A U.S. Senate committee approved West Virginia’s solicitor general Tuesday to serve as a federal energy regulator. Curtis Tate has the story.
And, new funding for Preston County aims to improve and expand local water access. Jack Walker reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, summer has nearly arrived here in West Virginia. The mountains have filled in and rounded out with lush green trees. The air is getting warmer and the days are longer. Briana Heaney sat down with National Park Ranger Eve West to talk about ways to enjoy the nation’s newest National Park at the New River Gorge.
Also, in this show, we have a special report from graduate students Meaghan Downey and Anastasia Mason of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism based in Washington, DC. Voter turnout in West Virginia, and across the country, is low. It’s even worse among young voters who say they are disconnected and not interested.
Just before the May 14 Primary Election, Downey and Mason came to West Virginia to report on the state’s low voter turnout and the impact it has on young voters. They spoke with students at West Virginia University and BridgeValley Community and Technical College.
This story is part of a larger project they are working on about how young peoples’ disillusionment with political institutions is a threat to democracy.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Mountain Valley Pipeline is under scrutiny from federal regulators after it failed a pressure test in Virginia last month. Curtis Tate spoke with Cynthia Quarterman, the former head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 2009 to 2014, about the federal agency’s role in regulating 3 million miles of pipeline.
Also, in this show, just before the start of the fall semester last year, the band director at Midland Trail High School left for another job. With no one else to take over, senior Carol Nottingham stepped in. We bring you this story from student reporter Kelsie Carte.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we meet a West Virginia artist who designs stickers, t-shirts, patches and pins. She draws on classic Appalachian phrases her family has used for years. They’re not all radio-friendly.
Also, people who live near Indian Creek in southern West Virginia say something is wrong with the water. Tests show contamination from a nearby mine. Now people and animals are getting sick.
And, lots of schools are seeing teacher shortages. But what happens when the band director quits?
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Hippie’s Daughter Makes Stickers
- Jayne Anne Phillips Talks Night Watch
- Trouble At Indian Creek
- Leader Of The Band
The Hippie’s Daughter Makes StickersElizabeth Elswick has turned a love of design and Appalachian pop culture into a popular line of clothes and stickers.
Photo Credit: Maddie Miller/West Virginia Public BroadcastingStickers have been a regular part of American pop culture for generations. Over the last several years, they’d become more local.
Folkways Reporter Maddy Miller visited with a West Virginia favorite, the Hippie’s Daughter, to talk about some of her best designs and most memorable phrases.
Jayne Anne Phillips Talks Night WatchWest Virginia author Jayne Anne Phillips is this year's winner of the Pulitzer Prize for literature.
Courtesy PhotoThis year’s Pulitzer Prize for literature went to West Virginia writer Jayne Anne Phillips, for her novel Night Watch.
Set years after the end of the American Civil War, the book takes readers to the Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, a mental hospital in the town of Weston, West Virginia.
Last fall, Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Phillips about Night Watch and growing up near the asylum.
Trouble At Indian CreekWest Virginia Department of Environmental Protection workers collect water samples from Indian Creek, which dirty mine water flows into in Wyoming County.
Photo Credit: Erin BeckResidents of Wyoming County, West Virginia, say there’s something wrong with the water in a local creek. Residents says it’s making them sick and killing fish.
Reporter Erin Beck has been following the story. Mason Adams spoke with Beck about what she’s learned.
Leader Of The BandJust before the start of the fall semester the band director for Midland Trail High School left for another job. With no one else to take over, a high school senior stepped up.
Kelsie Carte, a student at the Fayette Institute of Technology reported.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sierra Ferrell, Amethyst Kiah, John Blissard, John Inghram, Sean Watkins and Little Sparrow.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our Executive Producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our Audio Mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, longtime Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin has officially changed political affiliations, registering as an independent on Friday.
We’ll look into his decision, plus the sudden departure of the watchdog for West Virginia’s foster care system and a lawsuit filed against a state hospital over allegations of physical abuse.
We’ll also discuss efforts to preserve historic Black churches from Harpers Ferry to Charleston, and the rise of solar energy across the Mountain State.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker and Liz McCormick.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Elizabeth Elswick couldn't find a lot of merchandise to represent her home state of West Virginia while she was growing up. But today, she represents Appalachian culture and sayings through her sticker shop. Folkways Reporter Maddie Miller brings us this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets. We listen to their 2019 performance of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" - a song from their EP, Love Starvation/Trombone.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker and Liz McCormick.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Tersea Wills is our host. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, more than 25 million children across the United States ride the school bus each day, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. But these vehicles emit greenhouse gases that can harm both the environment and public health. To address this, federal officials are encouraging schools to switch to electric buses. As Jack Walker reports, new funds aim to help four West Virginia school districts do just that.
Also, in this show, the appointed watchdog of the West Virginia Foster Care System has resigned, effective June 6. Emily Rice has more.
And, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story features an interview on the Mountain Valley Pipeline with our very own Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, solar is expanding in West Virginia, thanks to shifts in federal and state policies. Curtis Tate spoke recently with Dan Conant, founder and CEO of Solar Holler, about solar growth in the Mountain State.
Also, in this show, a patient at Sharpe Hospital has filed a lawsuit against the facility, its CEO and state health officials. Emily Rice has more.
And, freshwater mussels are like nature’s Brita filters — treating up to 300 gallons of water each month. But their populations are in jeopardy in places like the Ohio River because of poor water quality, and man-made dams. Six years ago, the City of Philadelphia and partners began propagating mussels in a lab to bring them back to the Delaware River Estuary.
WHYY’s Zoe Read reports the hatchery is producing more mussels, thanks to new scientific discoveries.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we dive into the preservation of historic Black churches across the Mountain State and the nation.
Plus, in the latest installment of our series “Now What? A Series on Parenting,” we’ll hear about efforts to train new child care professionals.
West Virginia is facing a shortage of child care providers, but reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Kerri Carte, assistant director for West Virginia University’s Extension's Family and Community Development, about an apprenticeship program looking to change that.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, the woman behind the popular TikTok account “Appalachian Forager” makes jam from wild pawpaws … and jewelry from coyote teeth.
We also talk with the hosts of a new podcast that looks at coal dust exposure beyond the mines, affecting people far downstream from Appalachia.
And, in some places, slavery continued in different forms well after the end of the Civil War. A new marker in Western North Carolina acknowledges that history and commemorates a disaster that killed 19 Black prisoners.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Appalachian Forager Found In TikTok
- Let’s Talking About Taxidermy
- Downstream Dangers Of Coal Dust
- Remembering The Continuation Of Slavery
- The Last Of The Ramps
Appalachian Forager Found In TikTokThe Appalachian Forager brings native know-how to TikTok with a side of silly.
Photo Credit: Amanda Page/West Virginia Public BroadcastingGathering wild foods has long been a way to put food on the table in the Appalachian mountains. In recent years, the practice has gone digital, with online communities devoted to foraging in the wild, springing up like wild mushrooms after a spring rain.
One woman in eastern Kentucky is sharing what she knows (and some humor) with the TikTok generation through an account called “Appalachian Forager.”
Folkways Reporter Amanda Page has the story.
Let’s Talking About TaxidermyTaxidermist Amy Ritchie is sharing the love of her craft with other enthusiasts.
Photo Credit: Margaret McLeod Leef/West Virginia Public BroadcastingA lot of folks are fascinated by the results of taxidermy. The preservation and mounting of dead animals has been around since at least the middle ages.
In 2023, Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef visited a modern practitioner in Yadkin County, North Carolina.
Downstream Dangers Of Coal DustThe Dominion terminal and coal storage facility in Newport News, Virginia, where residents in nearby neighborhoods have complained of blowing coal dust.
Photo Credit: Adrian WoodAppalachia plays an important part in the world economy. The region produces less coal than it used to — but it’s still a hot commodity for steel makers. That demand creates problems for people living near the terminals where coal is moved from train to ship, to then be carried overseas. Residents of Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia, say airborne coal dust from export terminals is coating their cars and houses — and getting into their lungs.
A new podcast called Crosswinds links that fight on the coast to communities in West Virginia.
Host Mason Adams spoke with spoke with Crosswinds producer Adrian Wood, and Lethaniel Kirts, a pastor and activist in one of the affected communities.
Remembering The Continuation Of SlaveryNo known photographs remain of the convict labor crew that the Cowee 19 worked on, but historians say this crew working on the Western North Carolina Railroad in the late 1800s was similar.
Photo Credit: Hunter Library Special Collections, Western Carolina UniversityNorth Carolina is unveiling a roadside historical marker that officially acknowledges the 1882 Cowee Tunnel disaster. Nineteen prisoners were drowned when their boat capsized in a river west of Asheville.
The marker also acknowledges a form of de facto slavery, used for decades following the Civil War. We heard from Jay Price at WUNC.
The Last Of The RampsToward the end of the season, ramp leaves begin to shrivel and die off.
Photo Credit: Bill Lynch/West Virginia Public BroadcastingRamp season is winding down in central Appalachia, but before the last ramp was picked, Producer Bill Lynch followed a friend out for a late harvest at her secret ramp patch.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, Bob Thompson, Dinosaur Burps and Tim Bing.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from folkways editor Jennifer Goren.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, lawmakers returned to the capitol for interim committee meetings and a special session of the West Virginia Legislature. We’ll talk about some of the policy decisions lawmakers made.
Plus, we’ll look at updates on the Mountain Valley Pipeline, the latest news for a Charleston postal facility and a case of neglect that led to the death of a Boone County teenager. Finally, we’ll dive into a West Virginia bike race, and we'll learn how funding changes are affecting housing shelters across the Mountain State.
Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker and Liz McCormick.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about an incident at a state-run psychiatric facility, we meet a TikTok sensation who forages in Appalachia and we listen to our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
The commission that oversees West Virginia’s state-run hospitals questioned state officials but received few answers following the January death of a man held at a state-run psychiatric facility. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, gathering wild foods in Appalachia has been a way to put food on the table for decades, but one woman in eastern Kentucky is introducing foraging to the TikTok generation through an account called “Appalachian Forager.” She shares her knowledge, along with some humor, and her videos have gone viral. Folkways Reporter Amanda Page has the story.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from three-time Grammy winner and Austin, Texas-based vocal powerhouse, Ruthie Foster. We listen to her performance of “Healing Time,” the upbeat title song from her ninth studio album of the same name.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker and Liz McCormick.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Memorial Day weekend brings the return of the Vandalia Gathering at the state capitol. Bill Lynch has more.
Also, in this show, nearly half the children in America under 18 have experienced serious trauma. Those early events can affect our physical and psychological health. In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay learns how neglect, abuse and violence lead to poor health outcomes. Kay talks with a West Virginia woman and her granddaughter about the traumas they’ve survived.
Hear the rest of the episode on WVPB May 23 at 8 p.m., on Saturday, May 25 at 3 p.m. or on demand here on wvpublic.org.
And, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story explores planting native plants in our own backyards.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced last week it would postpone delivery network changes that would downsize the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center. But this news hasn’t remedied months-long tensions between local workers and USPS officials. As Jack Walker reports, union representatives are now filing grievance claims for some workers.
Also, in this show, throughout the year, Kentucky sees a transient workforce that calls the Commonwealth home. The seasonal migrant workers participate in a variety of jobs. Stu Johnson of WEKU looks at some of the picture in Fayette County.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Mountain Valley Pipeline failed a water pressure test in Virginia earlier this month and the Pipeline Safety Trust is urging federal regulators to take a close look at the failure.
Also, in this show, we hear about radioactive waste in the Marcellus Shale fields, one of the country's largest natural gas producing formations.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s mechanism for funding emergency shelters shifted earlier this year to an application-based system. As Chris Schulz reports, that change has proved a boon for some – and a problem for others.
Also, in this show, this last week the National Pro Road Championships came to the streets of Charleston. Events included a time trial along the Kanawha River, a one-mile loop through the downtown streets and a longer course through the hills and flats around the city. The event is a qualifier for the Paris Olympics this summer. Some of the winners will go directly there to compete. A cyclist himself, our on-air host Joseph Zecevic has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s mechanism for funding emergency shelters shifted earlier this year to an application-based system. As Chris Schulz reports, that change has proved a boon for some – and a problem for others.
Also, in this show, this last week the National Pro Road Championships came to the streets of Charleston. Events included a time trial along the Kanawha River, a one-mile loop through the downtown streets and a longer course through the hills and flats around the city. The event is a qualifier for the Paris Olympics this summer. Some of the winners will go directly there to compete. A cyclist himself, our on-air host Joseph Zecevic has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
For nearly a century, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has staged a formal dance. We visit the festival and learn about a manual that’s been passed down for generations.
Also, abortion is illegal in most cases in Tennessee. A photographer spent a year following one mother who was denied an abortion.
And we talk to Marshall University professor and poet Sarah Henning about her latest book, Burn.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Tradition Of The Grand March
- Indian Creek Water Worries Residents
- Stacy Kranitz And “A Year After A Denied Abortion”
- Memories Of Family And Loss With Burn Poet Sarah Henning
The Tradition Of The Grand MarchThe Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is the oldest festival in the state of Kentucky, and it happens Memorial Day weekend.
It’s a four-day celebration culminating in “The Grand March,” a traditional dance that has been passed down since the first festival in 1931.
Folkways Reporter Will Warren, a Pineville native, went to the festival over Memorial Day weekend last year and brought us the story.
Indian Creek Water Worries Residents One of the three places along the creek where water started sprouting out, and with it a white stringy slime.
Courtesy of David StoverResidents of Wyoming County, West Virginia, say their drinking water is making people sick. But it’s unclear exactly why — and who’s responsible for fixing the problem.
State regulators say water from a nearby mining complex is flowing into the creek, but who owns the mine and who is responsible for cleaning up the toxic water?
WVPB’s Briana Heaney reported.
Stacy Kranitz And “A Year After A Denied Abortion”Photographer Stacy Kranitz documented a family's difficult year, following a denied abortion.
Photo Credit: Stacy KranitzTennessee photographer Stacy Kranitz acknowledges the complicated history of people taking pictures of poor Appalachians, often focusing on the harsher, ugly elements that reinforce stereotypes. She actively wrestles with it in her work.
Host Mason Adams spoke with Kranitz about her work documenting the lives of a young family last year called “The Year After a Denied Abortion.”
Memories Of Family And Loss With Burn Poet Sarah HenningSara Henning's latest book of poetry is Burn.
Courtesy PhotoIn her new book Burn, Marshall University professor and poet Sara Henning draws on her complicated family history and rough upbringing to explore young love, loss and the weight of grief.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with her.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sierra Ferrell, Ed Snodderly, Ron Mullenex and Gerry Milnes, Jeff Ellis, Eric Vincent Huey and John Blissard.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our Executive Producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our Audio Mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Week, West Virginians went to the polls for primaries to decide some national and local issues. We’ll talk about the results of some of Tuesday’s elections and hear from some voters.
We’ll dive into the soon-to-be legal raw milk trade. West Virginians will be able to purchase raw milk, as long as it is properly labeled. But that might come with a risk.
We’ll also learn about a demonstration at West Virginia University (WVU) calling for the university to disclose investments in and ultimately divest from Israel over the war in Gaza, as well as child nutrition.
Finally, we hear about Gov. Jim Justice's call for a much-anticipated special session of the state legislature this coming Sunday.
Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, Kentucky has staged a formal dance for nearly a century that has remained the same for generations. Folkways Reporter Will Warren takes us for a visit.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Ohio University alum and Nashville singer-songwriter Kim Richey. We listen to her performance of “A Place Called Home,” which was originally released on her 2002 album Rise.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker and Liz McCormick.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the stage is now set for a two man, two party political race for governor of West Virginia. Randy Yohe gives us an initial look at what we can expect from the Republican and the Democratic nominees.
Also, in this show, African Americans played a pivotal role in the development of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. In honor of those contributions, the park recently offered special programs dedicated to telling the stories of the enslaved African Americans that helped introduce the largest cave system in the world to visitors.
KPRN’s Alana Watson went on one of those tours and learned more about the park’s history of Black guides — a tour that included a member of a celebrated legacy.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the results from Tuesday’s primary election came in mostly as expected. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has covered the intense campaigning leading up to the primary and he joins us live in the studio with results and reactions.
Also, in this show, we have the latest installment of our series "Now What? A Series on Parenting." Parents are often left with many questions about how to raise a child. Two of the areas that are most concerning and confusing are feeding and nutrition. Government programs can offer many kinds of support, as Chris Schulz learned when he sat down to speak with WIC Outreach Liaison Sarah Moore.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Tuesday’s primary election may be the most important the state has seen in a while. Voters have endured a gubernatorial media campaign blitz with unprecedented mudslinging – coupled with a dominant charge to see a new but familiar face representing West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Randy Yohe has our story.
Also, in this show, starting in early June, West Virginians will be able to purchase raw milk, as long as it is properly labeled. As Emily Rice reports, that may come with a risk.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a pipeline safety watchdog said federal regulators “should be on notice” about a pressure test failure on the Mountain Valley Pipeline earlier this month.
Plus, students at West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus demonstrated in support of Palestine for the second time in as many weeks. Reporter Chris Schulz covered the protest from downtown Morgantown.
With the May 14 primary election fast approaching, nonprofit newsroom Mountain State Spotlight has created a statewide voter's guide. West Virginia Public Broadcasting's News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Editor-in-Chief Ken Ward about the guide and how to access it.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Curtis Tate tells us about problems with the Mountain Valley Pipeline as it nears completion, Emily Rice discusses children’s mental health with state expert and Mountain Stage brings us the Song of the Week with Watchouse performing “The Wolves.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the League of Women Voters of West Virginia has released their 2024 Legislative Scorecard. It compiles the votes from all delegates and state senators on 26 bills that became law to give an idea where they stand on issues.
Judy Ball, chair of the League’s Legislative Action Workgroup, spoke with Government Reporter Randy Yohe on the scorecard results.
Also, in this show, many communities see people turning away from homeless shelters to temporary encampments. Nonprofit agencies and government programs struggle to support a vulnerable population with complicated needs.
At a recent AP award’s event, the Virginias AP Broadcasters acknowledged an Us & Them episode focused on homelessness with a second place for Best Podcast. In that episode, host Trey Kay talks with Barbara DiPietro, the director of policy for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. We listen to an excerpt.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, while Republican candidates dominate the media leading up to next week's primary election, there are also Democrats up and down the ballot running for state offices. Their campaign strategy, however, takes a different path.
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, spoke with Randy Yohe on the efforts to rebuild the party and restore Democrats to state offices.
Also, in this show, Harpers Ferry is a hot spot for Black history in West Virginia. The town was home to a major abolitionist uprising, a Black civil rights conference and the historically Black Storer College.
But preserving the city’s historic sites requires upkeep. When the town’s residents saw a historic Black Baptist church falling into disrepair, the idea for a new preservation project was born.
Now, the project has received a $100,000 rehabilitation grant. Jack Walker spoke with Lynn Pechuekonis, incoming chair of the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar Historic Town Foundation, about what’s in store for First Zion Baptist Church.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a West Virginia circuit court removed two members of the Jefferson County Commission from office. But as Jack Walker reports, a last-minute party change has cast confusion over which party will name her successor.
Also, the construction of a pipeline in western Pennsylvania and a rupture in the Mountain Valley Pipeline has left environmentalists asking questions.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as chief legal officer for West Virginia’s citizens, state office holders, agencies and boards, the attorney general’s (AG) responsibilities cover the litigation gamut. The four candidates in the upcoming primary races for AG have diverse views on how those responsibilities should be handled – and prioritized. Randy Yohe has our second story on this race.
Also, in this show, ramp season in West Virginia may be winding down, but before the last ramp has been picked, Bill Lynch went out to see what was left.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for the state’s educational system. We’ll also learn more about a group of organizations asking the state Supreme Court to side with Cabell County and Huntington in their lawsuit against opioid distributors. And we’ll hear about a South Charleston landfill listed as a Superfund site.
We’ll also talk about new investments in energy communities spurred by tax credits and federal programs. We’ll dive into the attorney general’s role in the state and what each candidate brings to the upcoming election. And we’ll learn about a group that works to give prisoners access to books.
Emily Rice is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, Asheville, North Carolina is home to an eclectic dining scene with hidden gems like Neng Jr.’s, which serves up elevated Filipino cuisine. Tucked away in an alley, it’s a slice of home no matter where you’re from. Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef has more.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Los Angeles-area musician Joachim Cooder. Cooder plays an electric mbira and sings accompanied by Gabe Noel on bass and Sam Gendel on saxophone. We listen to their performance of “Fuchsia Machu Picchu.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, being a parent is a 24-hour role, and a lifetime commitment that has historically fallen to women. As men have started to take on more domestic work, what it means to be a father has started to shift.
Chris Schulz looks at these changes in our latest installment of “Now What? A Series on Parenting.”
Also, in this show, across the country, people who are incarcerated have reduced access to libraries, books and educational resources, according to the Appalachian Prison Book Project. For the past 20 years, the West Virginia-based nonprofit has worked to change that. They say that accessing books is a fundamental human right.
Jack Walker reports on the group’s history, and what it takes to get a book into an Appalachian prison.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, according to state code, the attorney general’s job is to enforce West Virginia’s laws as they relate to – listed in order – consumer protection, unfair trade practices, civil rights and other important areas. As Randy Yohe shows us, the four primary candidates running for attorney general, two Republicans and two Democrats, have diverse views on the overall mission of the office.
Also, in this show, Marshall University professor Sara Henning draws on personal history, taking some of the rough edges and smoothing them into art. Her latest book of poetry, Burn, was released earlier this month. Bill Lynch spoke with Henning about some of her background and what drew her to poetry.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia is seeing a boom in low and no-carbon manufacturing, thanks to tax credits and other federal programs designed to spur investment in energy communities. Curtis Tate spoke recently with Brian Anderson, a senior adviser on energy communities at the U.S. Department of Energy. They spoke at the University of Charleston.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Jewish holiday of Passover is coming to an end. It is a time for celebration and reflection. This year, it has been a bit more difficult, according to Rabbi Victor Urecki from Charleston. He spoke with News Director Eric Douglas to discuss the holiday and the struggle with the war in Gaza.
Also, in this show, student protests in support of Palestine have emerged on college campuses across the country in the past few weeks. As Chris Schulz reports, students at West Virginia University (WVU) joined their voices to the movement Sunday.
And we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story is about a planned advanced plastics recycling plant along the Susquehanna River.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Week, Earth Day was Monday. We’ll hear from a hydrologist about the state’s rivers. We’ll learn more about why two leading candidates for governor are trading accusations in ads over transgender youth. And we’ll visit a community in southern West Virginia affected by contaminated water.
We’ll also talk about what’s next for opponents of new federal power plant rules. We’ll find out who Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has endorsed to be his successor in the Senate. And we’ll learn when a long-delayed controversial natural gas pipeline proposes to begin operating.
Curtis Tate is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.
West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.
Learn more about West Virginia Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, an experimental apple orchard in the state is helping to fight pollution, improve food scarcity and some hope even heal veterans. Briana Heaney has the story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from co-founder, artistic director and former host of Mountain Stage, Larry Groce. Groce is joined by the Mountain Stage House Band in this 1991 performance of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, health care services for nearly 30 percent of West Virginia’s population may be difficult to access if lawmakers don’t fully fund the Medicaid program in an expected special session. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, America has a foster care crisis. More than 390,000 children are in foster care nationally. On the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks into the shortage of licensed foster homes. Last year, more than half of all states saw a drop in licensed foster homes, partly because new foster parents don’t stay in the system for long.
A wide range of agencies and nonprofit organizations offer help navigating what can be a complicated system. We listen to an excerpt from the new Us & Them episode called “Our Foster Care Crisis.” Listen to the rest of this episode Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, an encore broadcast on Saturday, April 27 at 3 p.m. or you can listen on your own time here on wvpublic.org.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, drinking water in Wyoming County is making people sick. But it’s unclear who is responsible for the creek’s pollution, or when residents will have clean water.
Also, with West Virginia primary elections in about three weeks, government reporter Randy Yohe gauges voter concerns and readiness before they head to the polls.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, domestic violence prevention advocates lined the State Capitol rotunda in February, seeking a budget increase. They said lawmakers were receptive to the idea. But no increase was passed before this year’s regular legislative session ended. Jack Walker checked in with domestic violence prevention advocates on funding needs as a potential special session approaches.
Also, in this show, Central Appalachia is home to 16 state and federal prisons. Now, federal officials are considering adding a medium security prison in Letcher County. But as the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting’s Jared Bennett tells — the project is also drawing opposition from activists from across the country.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as the primary race for governor enters the home stretch, some candidate’s negative attack ads running endlessly on broadcast and social media target a minority group – transgender children. But what is the fallout from these ads for this vulnerable group, and West Virginia children and families in general? Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, West Virginia has many rivers and creeks all over the state and they are all a bit different. Some are wide and slow moving, some narrow and turbulent. Some flow north and some flow south. On this Earth Day, Briana Heaney sat down with Nicolas Zegre from West Virginia University’s (WVU) Mountain Hydrology Center to talk about one of West Virginia's most abundant resources – water.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Sue and Stan Jennings for 30 years have run Allegheny Treenware, a company that makes wooden kitchen utensils. But they started off as a couple of coal miners. Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has more.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Sam Weber. Known for his distinctive style that blends elements of folk, rock and Americana, Weber performed a handful of new works during his second appearance on Mountain Stage. We listen to his performance of “Hey, Hey.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice and Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, uncertainty about the future amidst a changing climate has given rise in recent years to a phenomenon known as "climate anxiety." Ahead of Earth Day Monday, Chris Schulz spoke with Amy Parsons-White, sustainability manager for Marshall University, to discuss this mental health issue and potential solutions.
Also, in this show, lawmakers had the opportunity to ask questions of state health leaders about the state’s IDD Waiver program. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, digital devices and social media command more and more of our attention these days. Balancing this and creating healthy boundaries for increasingly younger children is becoming a bigger part of being a parent. Chris Schulz takes a look at this issue in the latest installment of, “Now What? A Series On Parenting.”
Also, in this show, Monday is Earth Day, an annual reminder of the growing importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. Recycling is a major component of sustainability – and composting highlights recycling at the organic level. As Randy Yohe discovered, West Virginia’s first commercial composting facility is spinning its wheels.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, harm reduction advocates celebrated the first anniversary of the installation of a Narcan vending machine in Charleston on Monday.
Also, Curtis Tate speaks with Charlie Burd, president of the West Virginia Gas and Oil Association, about the state’s role in supplying the global market of natural gas after a record year of production.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, you don’t see caned chairs as much as you used to. Cane breaks down with age and there aren’t many people who know how to repair these old chairs. But in Wheeling, there’s a workshop called Seeing Hand, where skilled workers repair old chairs and so much more. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett brings us this story.
Also, in this show, when your power goes out, water bill comes in or your nearby fire hydrant looks ancient, there’s a state organization keeping tabs on all of that and more. Randy Yohe talks with Charlotte Lane, chair of the West Virginia Public Service Commission, on how this regulating entity balances public protection with keeping utilities viable.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, violets bloom across Appalachia throughout spring, but the flowers are more than just some extra color in the yard. They’ve long been a key ingredient in herbal remedies. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us Ed Snodderly, whose songs have been recorded by some of roots music’s most well-known names. We listen to his performance of “Gone with Gone and Long Time,” accompanied by the Mountain Stage Band and Lisa Pattison on fiddle and vocals.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, WVPB last spring covered efforts at Shepherd University to regrow American chestnut forests in Appalachia. One year later, that project has incorporated new technology and a familiar tree variant. Jack Walker caught up with a pair of self-proclaimed “chestnutters” to discuss the project at large, and the future of the American chestnut.
Also, in this show, more than 4.5 million Americans cannot vote because they’ve been convicted of a felony. On the newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks at the patchwork of state laws that restore voting rights to people after those convictions. The laws differ significantly from state to state. A few allow a person to vote from prison, while others require release and completion of probation or parole. Kay meets Anthony Cole who’s been out of prison for nearly a year after serving 12 and a half years. We listen to an excerpt from the next Us & Them: “Locked Out of Voting?"
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Tuesday marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic faith. Like millions across the world, Muslims in West Virginia fasted from sunup to sundown each day of the month. Their fast is traditionally broken with a meal called iftar. Chris Schulz takes us to an iftar in Morgantown.
Also, in this show, during the recent regular state legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill aimed at improving foster care communication and accountability. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, across the country Monday, people took a moment out of their day to watch the solar eclipse. West Virginia was no exception, and at West Virginia University’s (WVU) Morgantown campus, a large crowd gathered to experience the celestial event. Chris Schulz has the story.
Also, in this show, the state Senate unanimously approved a resolution in February to place a statue of Hershel “Woody” Williams in the U.S. Capitol. Williams, who died in 2022 at age 98, was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The measure, though, did not get a vote in the House of Delegates before the regular session ended. Curtis Tate spoke with Chad Graham, Williams’ grandson, about what happens next.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn from graduate students about how to view Monday's eclipse safely and why the celestial event is scientifically important.
Also, in this show, Randy Yohe looks at changes made in the latest legislative session - on how and when political parties can fill vacancies after the candidate filing deadline in state elections.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, which caused the deaths of 29 miners, happened 14 years ago. Ashton Marra worked for WVPB at the time and covered the trial of Don Blankenship, CEO of the company that owned the mine. Briana Heaney sat down with Marra to talk about what it was like being a reporter covering the trial.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from four-time GRAMMY winner Sarah Jarosz. We listen to her performance of “Good at What I Do,” which recently reached #1 on the Americana Radio charts.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as temperatures start to rise, people are taking the opportunity to get outside. One group in Morgantown is taking to the streets on their bicycles. Chris Schulz takes us with him as he tags along to explore the city in a new way.
Also, in this show, with March Madness underway, some Kentuckians will legally bet on games, thanks to a law passed last year. Proponents of legalizing sports betting said the move would add oversight – and keep tax revenue in the Commonwealth.
But some worry easier gambling could come with harmful behaviors. As LPM’s Jacob Munoz reports, some experts say at-risk gamblers in Kentucky and nationwide need more help.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, from grandfamilies to kin networks and everything in between, families come in all shapes and sizes in West Virginia, and there is a growing need for one particular type.
In the latest installment of our occasional series “Now What? A Series On Parenting,” Chris Schulz speaks with Terri Lynn Durnal of the National Youth Advocate Program about the unique experience of fostering children – and the need for foster parents in the state.
Also, in this show, in the final hours of the 2024 regular state legislative session, lawmakers passed a budget that cut funding for IDD waivers. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Berkeley County in 2022 celebrated its 250th anniversary. Now, the county is looking back at its history through a public art lens. By early June, a mural will be on display in the heart of Martinsburg tracing the history and culture of Berkeley County over the years.
Jack Walker spoke with Lea Craigie, the artist behind the new mural, about her public art piece so far.
Also, in this show, we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest piece looks at proposals to place chemical plastic recycling centers in our region.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the closure of the Port of Baltimore to most shipping has a ripple effect for coal producers in northern West Virginia. Curtis Tate takes a deeper look.
Also, in this show, one solution to slow climate change is for industrial facilities to capture carbon dioxide emissions before they reach the atmosphere. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant looked into a new project that would transport CO2 to underground storage wells, including in Pennsylvania.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, after a new owner took over a Mercer County mobile home park, rents quickly went up while repairs slowed. One resident did some digging and found a reporter in California who had some unexpected answers about who this new owner was. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with reporter Julie Reynolds.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from GRAMMY-winning Australian rock star Colin Hay. We listen to an acoustic rendition of his international hit, “Down Under.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, tourists from around the world visit Harpers Ferry each year to immerse themselves in U.S. history. But the number of visitors fell in 2020, as public health restrictions ramped up nationwide. Jack Walker visited the town to learn how things have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Also, in this show, some of the divides in our nation are defined by where we get our information. As social media sites gain a larger audience, some traditional news organizations find themselves losing out and going out of business.
In a new episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay finds the media landscape has changed, and fewer newspapers and radio and television stations are doing daily reporting. A study from Northwestern University shows 200 counties in the U.S. now have no source of local news.
Kay talks with Steve Waldman, a longtime journalist who is now trying to save local journalism. Co-founder of Report for America, Waldman says the industry has imploded after watching its business model turned inside out. We listen to an excerpt from the latest Us & Them episode, “Another Small Town Paper Down.”
And to hear the rest of the episode, tune in Thursday, March 28 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting or on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. for an encore. You can also listen on your own time, right here.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it has been a year since allegations of illicit recordings of cadets and other women at the West Virginia State Police barracks launched federal and state investigations into the law enforcement department.
In the aftermath, Col. J.C. Chambers was named superintendent of the state police. He spoke with Chris Schulz to provide some updates on the investigations, as well as to discuss reforms he has implemented during his tenure.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Chris Schulz produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, political analysts say the two Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming May primary election give voters some particular, and troubling, food for thought. The candidates themselves say voters need to focus on the positives, not the negatives. Randy Yohe has our story.
Four years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic changed daily life for everyone, but the adjustments were perhaps most acute for schools and students. Then a deputy superintendent, now State Superintendent Michele Blatt spoke with Chris Schulz about adapting learning for the COVID-19 pandemic and its continued effects on the state's schools.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Emily Rice produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, shortly after the first COVID-19 case hit West Virginia four years ago, our way of simple day-to-day living drastically changed. Many of those alterations dealt with how we went shopping. Randy Yohe spoke with West Virginia Retailers Association President Bridget Lambert on COVID-19’s effect on retail – and how our shopping lives have forever been changed.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from the The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their story about the updated growing plant hardiness zone map from the USDA.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, our program Inside Appalachia features stories about all things Appalachia, including an epic quest to find a lost coffee mug. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle. We listen to their performance of “Jim Devlin.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Emily Rice produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, March 17, 2020 marked the day West Virginia became the last state in the U.S. to test positive for COVID-19. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with two state health leaders about the fourth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic arriving in West Virginia.
Also, in this show, distilling a piece of Appalachian heritage bubbled up debate in the West Virginia Legislature during the 2024 regular session. Randy Yohe reports on the spirited exchange of views prompted by the “Moonshine Bill.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, sleep is a key part of both mental and physical health for everyone. But for many parents, ensuring their baby is getting good sleep can be frustrating and elusive. In our latest installment of our new series “Now What? A Series On Parenting,” reporter Chris Schulz speaks with Dr. Paul Knowles, a Marshall Health neurologist and assistant professor at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, about infant sleep.
Also, in this show, a tradition at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind allowed kids from across the state to show off their braille and cane usage skills. It was placed on hiatus during the pandemic. This year, the tradition made a grand return. Jack Walker visited the school’s campus in Romney to learn more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state has long been a standards bearer for vaccination rates across the country, but the legislature this year passed a bill to loosen restrictions for certain students in the state. But it has one final hurdle to clear before it’s implemented. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, a bill Gov. Jim Justice vetoed last week would have helped fund research to treat Alzheimer’s disease, substance use disorder and more. Randy Yohe has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a recent decision by the Biden administration to suspend permitting for new export terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) has drawn criticism from West Virginia lawmakers. To hear what impact the decision has on United States LNG exports, Curtis Tate spoke with Sam Reynolds and Ana Maria Jaller-Markarewicz of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Also, in this show, the U.S. has seen a huge buildout in plants using fossil fuels to make plastics over the last decade. A new report finds those plants routinely break environmental laws, even though they receive major subsidies from taxpayers. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports Shell’s ethane cracker in Beaver County, Pennsylvania was given over $1 billion in tax breaks yet violated its air pollution permit even before opening.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, few wild animals live as close to us as white tail deer. Graceful and majestic, they’re prized by hunters and hated by backyard gardeners. Deer are everywhere and misunderstood.
Erika Howsare is the author of The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship with Our Wild Neighbors, a book that takes some of the mystery out of these animals that have lived on the edge of humanity for a very long time.
Bill Lynch spoke with Howsare for Inside Appalachia.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from James McMurtry and our 40th anniversary celebration. We listen to McMurtry’s performance of “Painting by Numbers,” which appears on his 1989 album Too Long In The Wasteland.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it was a shock when author, musician and West Virginia University professor Travis Stimeling died abruptly in November. They were 43. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold collected remembrances from colleagues, former students and friends. He shared them recently on Inside Appalachia.
Also, in this show, farmers in America’s heartland are watching the effects of a recent federal court ruling about a popular weed killer called dicamba. The decision stops the use of dicamba, saying the herbicide can drift to injure and kill desirable plants, bushes and trees. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now says despite the ruling, farmers may use existing supplies on their fields this year.
On the latest episode of Us & Them, we bring back a story from our archives about this ugly battle in farm country. Host Trey Kay and his colleague Loretta Williams head deep into farm country to hear from Bo Sloan. He’s the manager of a national wildlife refuge surrounded by farm fields where dicamba is sprayed. Here’s an excerpt from Us & Them’s “Dicamba Woes.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we begin a new series called “Now What? A Series On Parenting.” WVPB reporter Chris Schulz recently welcomed his first child and is grappling with how much there is to learn. In this ongoing, occasional series, we ask experts what they think parents – both old and new – need to know to best raise their children.
In this first installment, we talk with Dr. Adriana Diakiw, an assistant professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University (WVU), to explore how discussions between grandparents and new parents reveal just how much advice around what’s “best for baby” has changed in just one generation.
Also, in this show, a familiar species is coming back to West Virginia. Jack Walker spoke to conservationists about how they’re preparing for new arrivals.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a new analysis of special education data hopes to advance understanding and solutions for students with the greatest need. Chris Schulz has more.
Also, in this show, flood events are becoming more frequent and severe in West Virginia, causing millions of dollars in damage to property, disrupting communities and displacing lives. Curtis Tate spoke with Nicolas Zegre, an associate professor of forest hydrology at West Virginia University (WVU), about what’s behind this trend.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature wrapped up its 60-day regular session Saturday night with a flurry of activity in the House of Delegates. The Senate, on the other hand, spent the last hour recognizing staff and shutting down 15 minutes early. Eric Douglas has this lookback.
Also, in this show, the Brasstown Carvers have been a part of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina since the 1920s. The group’s woodwork has been celebrated, sought after and collected. Today, only a handful of Brasstown Carvers remain, but they’re still attracting new students and trying to shape a new future. Folkways Reporter Stefani Priskos has this story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, our state Senate reporter Briana Heaney sat down with Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, on The Legislature Today to discuss where things stand in the legislative process and how that compares to what they planned to do at the beginning of the session.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from singer/songwriter Nellie McKay, whose music incorporates many different styles infused with her zany and profound interpretations of life. We listen to her performance of “Drinking Song.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, with just days left of the 2024 West Virginia Legislative session, WVPB reporters Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney sit down to discuss the many bills that have passed or failed this session.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story looks at air emissions coming from fracking sites and the people who are getting sick.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, amidst a flurry of vaccine legislation, Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with Dr. Susan Flesher, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Marshall University, for a conversation about vaccination laws in West Virginia.
Also, in this show, community air monitoring has been debated during this legislative session, and House Bill 5018 would restrict how data from air monitors could be used. But a Senate committee meeting that was expected to consider this legislation Tuesday was canceled, so the fate of the bill is uncertain.
Curtis Tate spoke with Morgan King, the West Virginia regional organizer for the Climate Reality Project, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, to get an update on that and other issues.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as we enter the final week of the state legislative session, we decided to check in with party leaders to see how they feel about the session and whether they met their priorities. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha. WVPB invited Republican House leaders to join in the discussion, but none were available.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, this legislative session, we had high school reporters on The Legislature Today who covered issues of interest to them while they also learned about the legislative process. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Ameera Mustafa and Ben Valleau to hear what they had to say.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story explores efforts to restore the Ohio River Valley.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Willie Carver was Kentucky’s teacher of the year in 2021, but as a gay man, he and some of his students were harassed. So, in 2022, he resigned from Montgomery County High School. Last summer, he released Gay Poems for Red States. The book earned praise and helped turn Carver into a much-followed, outspoken voice on social media.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch recently caught up with Carver.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week is by Amy Ray Band. We listen to her performance of “A Mighty Thing.” It’s the leading title of her 10th solo album If It All Goes South.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, there has been a lot of discussion about artificial intelligence (AI), but many of us use it every day without even thinking about it. Randy Yohe spoke with Joshua Spence, chief information officer for Alpha Technologies, and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, on what AI means for now and the future.
Also, in this show, we listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story looks at issues with natural gas storage wells and their potential for failure.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, there has been a lot of discussion in the West Virginia Legislature this year about vaccines and whether they should be required in private, parochial or virtual schools. Emily Rice spoke with Del. Chris Pritt, R-Kanawha, and Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, to get their perspectives.
Also, in this show, one of the banks barred from state contracts by the Treasurer’s Office is financing the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Curtis Tate has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Mountaineer Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America serves 12 counties in north central West Virginia. On Feb. 8, the council appointed the first woman to serve as its governing board president. Jack Walker spoke with new president Amy Garbrick about her scouting background and gender inclusivity in scouting since the Boy Scouts became co-ed in 2019.
Also, in this show, West Virginia, like most of the country, is enjoying record setting low unemployment numbers after the coronavirus pandemic. For The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney sat down with Josh Sword, president of West Virginia's AFL-CIO union, and Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, to discuss two bills that would reduce unemployment benefits in the state.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a group of Black civil rights leaders in 1905 came together to form the Niagara Movement. Historians describe the group as a precursor to the NAACP. The group was founded in Ontario, Canada. But soon it forged ties with historic Harpers Ferry. Now, a new documentary on aims to highlight the movement’s origins and trajectory. Plus, it’s shedding a light on lesser-known pieces of West Virginia history. Jack Walker has the story.
Also, in this show, for our reporter roundtable in last Friday’s episode of The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with our primary legislative reporters — Randy Yohe and Briana Heaney — to discuss some of the things we’ve been reporting on this week.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, parts of Appalachia saw a natural gas boom from fracking, but as fortunes have changed, the industry has left behind dangerous industrial sites — including one near Fairmont, which became a popular hangout spot for the young. Investigative Reporter Justin Nobel has been looking into this and spoke with Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams about what he discovered.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Wilco. We listen to their performance of “Cruel Country” from their twelfth studio album of the same name.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, many bills and amendments have been introduced in the state legislature this year that focus on women's health policy. But feminine hygiene isn’t one of them. Briana Heaney talks with Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, about women's health in the state and legislation that affects women.
Also, in this show, aftereffects from the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge our health care systems. The most recent spotlight is on Medicaid which offers health coverage for more than 90 million Americans with limited resources. After several years of continuous coverage, everyone must now reapply to determine eligibility. In a new episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay reports on how that process is going for residents of the Mountain State.
Kay talked with Deedra Toppings about her experience. She was covered by Medicaid when her headaches began eight years ago, but that changed. We listen to an excerpt from our latest episode. To hear this full episode, tune in to WVPB Radio on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. or on your own time at wvpublic.org.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a researcher at Marshall University has discovered an entirely new type of plesiosaur after studying the fossils of two different creatures. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Robert Clark, the academic laboratory manager for the Biology Department at Marshall to find out more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, eastern Kentucky’s AppHarvest was called the future of farming and a way to bring new jobs to coal country. But as Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams explores, the company fell nearly as fast as it rose and filed for bankruptcy last year.
Also in this show, in our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, bills in both the House and the Senate would change the way the legislative auditor operates. Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Mike Pushkin and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw about the office, which has long been a watchdog of the executive branch of government, making sure that money is spent properly.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the United States Postal Service (USPS) held a public hearing in Charleston last week where officials discussed their plans to downsize a local mail processing facility. But union representatives came away from the hearing with questions left unanswered. Now, they say their trust in the USPS has only further eroded. Jack Walker has the story.
Also, in this show, in our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, we had our weekly reporter roundtable. Last week, Brad McElhinny from West Virginia MetroNews joined Randy Yohe and Curtis Tate in our studio to discuss the governor’s latest legal trouble and the library obscenity bill, among other things.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Phish. We listen to the band’s performance of “All Things Reconsidered.” It’s guitarist Trey Anastasio’s variation on NPR’s All Things Considered theme, and this performance marks the only time it was ever performed live by the band on National Public Radio.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, having access to childcare so people can go to work is a serious issue in West Virginia for economic development. In our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, and Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, to explore the issue.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” or House Bill 5243, would put certain definitions of “man” and “woman” into code and determine who can use single-sex spaces.
Briana Heaney sat down with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, and Molly Kennedy, a community outreach director at the American Civil Liberties Union, to discuss the bill. West Virginia Public Broadcasting tried several times to get one of the Republican sponsors of the bill to come on the show and discuss it, but they all declined.
Also, in this show, we have a new story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. Their latest story is about the long-term effects of PFAS contamination.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, bills about crime and punishment come before the state legislature every year. Often, they adjust punishment or even establish a new section of the state’s criminal code. For The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, and a former U.S. attorney, to get their take on bills before both chambers.
Also, in this show, a bill passed the state Senate Monday that would prohibit anyone smoking in the car with a minor. Briana Heaney has that story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we regularly invite reporters from outside news organizations onto our program The Legislature Today to discuss what they are seeing during the state legislative session. On Friday, Briana Heaney and Emily Rice spoke with Lori Kersey, a reporter from the independent news organization West Virginia Watch. One of the big stories on Friday was the bill called the Women’s Bill of Rights.
Also, in this show, it’s been a year since the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing chemicals and resulting in the burning of vinyl chloride. Some residents are still worried about chemicals inside their homes. But as The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports, the EPA won’t do indoor testing.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, tucked away in downtown Morgantown is Yama, a cozy diner that serves up homestyle Japanese food. Since the 1990s, Japanese students have come there to share their common language and culture with the staff. It’s also a place of comfort and connection for everyone. Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from Robbie Fulks, whose witty, yet sophisticated songs have captivated our audiences for years. We listen to his performance of “Fare Thee Well, Carolina Gals,” which originally appeared on his 2016 album Upland Stories.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a bill defining what air monitoring systems can and can’t be used in regulatory issues and in court has garnered some spirited and extended debate in the House of Delegates. Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, the nation’s abortion battle is now in the hands of the states. Since a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned federal abortion rights, 21 states have either banned or restricted abortion access, including West Virginia. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s neighbor, Maryland, is one of 22 states that have taken steps to protect abortion rights and expand access.
On the latest Us & Them podcast, host Trey Kay follows the decision of the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia to move its abortion services just over the border to a new clinic in Maryland. However, some residents in Western Maryland say that goes against their more conservative social and political nature. We listen to an excerpt from the next Us & Them, “The Geography of Abortion.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, about 20,000 West Virginia children are homeschooled, with the numbers growing every day. Some in state education and the West Virginia Legislature help champion school choice, while others worry about the quality of the education and the safety of homeschooled children.
For The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe sat down with public school teacher Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall, and Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, Chair of the Senate School Choice Committee, for a discussion.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s been a little more than a year since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. While there’s been much attention paid to the environmental fallout, many local business owners say they’ve struggled to keep their businesses afloat.
Reporting from East Palestine, WESA’s Oliver Morrison checked in to see how business is faring one year later.
Also, in this show, 90 bills to-date have been introduced into the West Virginia Legislature on elections. For The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney spoke with Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, and Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, in a noisy capitol rotunda studio to hear what some of these bills may do.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, to have broadband connectivity for all of West Virginia within five years, there are progress and time markers that must be met to get all of the $1.2 billion federal dollars to complete the work.
In a recent episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe sat down with House Technology and Infrastructure Committee Chair Del. Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, and Broadband Consultant Charlie Dennie to discuss meeting those markers.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a wildfire in 2016 escaped the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and made it as far as Gatlinburg, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams spoke with investigative reporter Tyler Whetstone about new information he’s helped bring to light about the fires.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Americana Tex-Mex, indie rock group Calexico, who made their fourth appearance on the show. We listen to their performance of “Cumbia de Donde,” from their album Edge of the Sun.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, for the last several years, state legislators have introduced bills that make it illegal to discriminate based on hair texture and style — typically referred to as The Crown Act. But it has never passed. Briana Heaney spoke with Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, and Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-Monongalia, who are trying to change that.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front — a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. A year ago, a train derailment in the community of East Palestine, Ohio turned the lives of many residents upside down. We hear from a group trying to make a difference when this happens again.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virgnia Morning, lawmakers have introduced bills this session that they say protect single-sex spaces. Advocates with LGBTQ rights organizations, though, say the legislation follows a pattern of singling out transgender people for discrimination.
Curtis Tate spoke with Eli Baumwell, interim executive director of the ACLU-WV, and Isabella Cortez, gender policy manager for Fairness West Virginia, about those efforts.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a bill to legalize drug test strips passed both chambers last week. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, much of the state, especially in rural areas, is covered by volunteer firefighters. But those departments need money for equipment that can’t be raised with bake sales. Chris Hall, the executive director of the West Virginia EMS Coalition, and Del. Clay Riley, the vice chair of the House Fire and EMS Committee, spoke with Randy Yohe about funding issues.
Here’s an excerpt from that conversation, as heard on The Legislature Today.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, state lawmakers are mulling over countless tax proposals that would directly affect West Virginians and their wallets. On Friday’s episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, and Kelly Allen, the executive director at the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy, to discuss budgets and taxes.
Also, in this show, we have the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their story about replacing coal and natural gas jobs with clean energy jobs.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, school consolidation is always a hot topic in small communities. Giving up longstanding hometown football teams is hard. This week, Inside Appalachia looks at how two old county football rivals came together for something new. Mason Adams has more.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from Grammy Award winner Catherine Russell, who made her sixth Mountain Stage appearance. We listen to her performance of “Sticks and Stones,” which comes from her album Send for Me, released in 2022.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and our producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a criminal record can follow a person forever – and keep them from job and housing opportunities. More than a quarter of West Virginia adults have a criminal record, even for cases with no conviction or jail time. In the latest episode of Us & Them with host Trey Kay, we look at the road toward a second chance. In this excerpt, Kay talks with 37-year-old Amber Blankenship who hopes to expunge her record.
Listen to the latest Us & Them episode “Expungement — Between Hope and Danger” on West Virginia Public Broadcasting Thursday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. or on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. Or listen to this episode now at wvpublic.org.
Also, in this show, new companies and new jobs are coming to West Virginia. And with those jobs comes the need for workforce development and new sources of energy. On our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate spoke with Bill Bissett, the president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, and Dan Conant, founder and CEO of Solar Holler, about these issues.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Tuesday was Facing Hunger Day at the Capitol. Both major food banks in the state were joined by local food pantries to promote legislative priorities. According to the USDA, more than 1 in 4 children are food insecure in the United States. In West Virginia and Kentucky, at least 78,800 seniors are living in poverty.
To continue this discussion, Briana Heaney invited Cindi Kirkhart, the chief executive officer of the Facing Hunger Foodbank, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, to help us better understand the scope of the problem.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia held its winter meeting in Charleston last week. Curtis Tate stopped by and brought us this story.
Also, in this show, dozens, if not hundreds, of bills have been introduced in the West Virginia Legislature this year that involve education. Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Education Chair Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, and teacher Del. Jeff Stephens, R-Marshall, about what some of those bills mean for public education in West Virginia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, sparking a new wave of fighting in a conflict that stretches back at least a decade. As that fighting enters its third year, a small community of Ukrainians, formed around West Virginia University (WVU), recently came together to honor one of the war’s front line veterans. Chris Schulz has the story.
Also, in this show, the corrections system in West Virginia is a point of discussion at the state legislature. Overcrowding staffing is at the top of the list. Last week for The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe sat down with forensic psychologist Dr. David Clayman and Senate Jails and Prison Committee co-chair Sen. Jason Barrett, R-Berkeley, to talk about the diversion of certain persons from the criminal justice system.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a new camping ban went into effect in Wheeling this month. But as Chris Schulz reports, advocates for the unhoused community are pushing back.
Also, in this show, in our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Emily Rice sat down with Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor, and Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, to discuss why the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was broken up into three separate agencies and how it is going.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, in our latest episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, on issues important to him for this general legislative session. We listen to an excerpt.
Also, in this show, we have the most recent story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. In this feature, we learn about rules for hydrogen hubs in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), which has now been split into three separate agencies, is the subject of ongoing litigation about how the agency cares for children in its care, and how it handles emails and other evidence needed for trial. Emily Rice has the story.
Also, in this show, in our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, on issues important to him for this general legislative session. The discussion began with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and ended with helping rural hospitals and supplying childcare to working families. We listen to an excerpt.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, fewer coal miners are killed on the job than in years past, but black lung remains a persistent problem. Curtis Tate and Emily Rice spoke with Chris Williamson, the assistant secretary for Mine Safety and Health at the U.S. Department of Labor (MSHA), about MSHA’s efforts to reduce the safety and health risks in coal mines.
Also, in this show, Katelyn Aluise is a graduate of West Virginia University (WVU) and spent her final semester working on a multimedia piece about the EYES shelter and outcomes for children with intellectual disabilities in the state. She spoke with Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice about what she found through her reporting.
And, as part of the The Legislature Today, our reporters on Friday discussed what happened during the week and gave updates on the bills they’re following. Host Randy Yohe spoke with reporters Curtis Tate, Briana Heaney and Emily Rice.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice delivered his State of the State address Wednesday evening and gave his 2025 budget proposal. In our first episode of The Legislature Today, our daily news show that covers the West Virginia Legislature, Statehouse Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, and House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, to get their response.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week is "Willie Mays Is Up At Bat," which comes from Chuck Prophet's undeniably catchy 2012 album Temple Beautiful. This performance also marked Prophet's tenth appearance on the show. To celebrate this momentous occasion, like all of our "tenth timers," Prophet was awarded an official Mountain Stage jacket with "Chuck" stitched across the front pocket.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and was our producer this week.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice’s final state of the state address Wednesday night highlighted the homespun phrases he’s known for and millions of state surplus dollars proposed for a variety of projects. Randy Yohe has more.
Also, in this show, American politics is now a very ‘us and them’ world. Winners hold the privilege of power while defeat can close doors. Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked in the Trump administration, knows both sides. In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Hutchinson about her memoir Enough, which offers an intimate portrayal of life in the Trump White House.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we’ve heard political campaign rhetoric for a while now, but as of Monday, West Virginia’s official candidate filing period is now underway. Candidates for local, state and federal offices can file for the May 14 Primary Election until midnight on Saturday, Jan. 27. As Randy Yohe discovered, the decision to run for political office comes with rules, responsibilities – and reflection.
Also, in this show, many people plan to start a diet as their New Year’s resolution, but studies have shown that restrictive diets have high rates of failure. Chris Schulz spoke with registered dietician and WVU Extension specialist Gina Wood about more sustainable changes to have a larger impact on your health in the long-term.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, ten years ago, a state of emergency and water advisory was issued for nine West Virginia counties following a chemical spill in the Elk River. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice has more on the health effects of the past decade.
Also, in this show, the water crisis closed schools and businesses and became a national story of corporate distrust and community action, but the news reports began on the local level. Kallie Cart is now the deputy chief of staff for the state auditor's office. Ten years ago, she was a reporter and anchor for Channel 8 out of Charleston and one of the lead journalists covering the devastating event. Cart spoke with Randy Yohe about her water crisis coverage, especially a live interview that went viral.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, foster kids often don't have anywhere to go when they turn 18, but a new program in Philippi, Barbour County is working to help provide housing and work for some of them. Caroline MacGregor reports.
Also, in this show, we have a new story from The Allegheny Front. Their latest story explores the new rules for lead water service lines.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we get an update on the two West Virginia State Troopers injured in a shooting last month and learn about the origins of the folklife books known as Foxfire.
We also hear acoustic music icon Peter Rowan, who has been coming to Mountain Stage since 1985 performing “From My Mountain (Calling You).”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Emily Rice toured the Blenko Factory in Milton where Blenko Glass has been making everything from stem and table ware to decorative glass figurines through traditional, hand-carved cherry wood molds for more than a century.
Also, Curtis Tate spoke with a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity about the spring salamander and proposed federal protections.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a survey found long wait times for dental appointments in West Virginia. Emily Rice takes a look at access to dental care. Also, Randy Yohe looks at the effect of new state vehicle inspection rules.
And the Allegheny Front's latest story about the health risks for pregnant women living near fracking sites.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a West Virginia University student looks at the effect outdoor education is having on student success, as well as the state's future.
Also, reporter Rande Yohe looks at improvements that West Virginia’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation have made ahead of the state legislature’s upcoming 2024 regular session.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the holidays are an important time for everyone to rest and relax. But as Chris Schulz reports, students off from school can still benefit from mental and physical activities.
Also, in this show, as we come to the end of the year, Us & Them host Trey Kay has been reflecting on 2023, and a theme that’s been consistent. Trust, or more importantly, our lack of trust in each other and our institutions. In the latest episode, we explore how that reality could shape the year to come and its social and political landscape. Here’s an excerpt.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has its own version of the Polar Express. Briana Heaney rode along on the Christmas Train at Cass State Park to see what this new offering is all about.
Also, in this show, a state bureau brought an expert out of retirement to study West Virginia’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver program and take a closer look at its state-run psychiatric hospitals. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a Shepherd University professor is overseeing research to make aircraft communication more secure. His research was presented at the 63rd annual conference of the International Association for Computer Information Systems. It has also been published in several publications and is attracting the attention of the country’s defense contractors.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor sat down with Assistant Professor of Business Administration George Ray to talk about his cutting-edge research.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk trees and safety.
The selection of this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Monongahela National Forest is drawing attention to the classic holiday decoration.
Reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Dave McGill, a WVU Extension forest resources specialist, about how best to give trees at home the same level of care as the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Appalachia has been a destination for rock climbers for decades, but now more rock-climbing groups are choosing Appalachia as a destination because of its accessibility and inclusiveness. Adaptive sports reporter Emily Chen-Newton has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from West Virginia native, singer, songwriter, fiddler and TikTok sensation Philip Bowen. Bowen has been named TikTok’s Gamers Greatest Talent and has reached one million followers on the platform. We listen to his performance of his original song “Old Kanawha.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, both of West Virginia’s major food banks purchase fresh produce from West Virginia farmers. But a farmer-food bank flap had some social media pages heated up – and demonstrated the value of a written contract. Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, friendships that endure between people with very different values and beliefs can be a remarkable gift. In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay remembers his dear, albeit unlikely, friend Alice Moore who recently passed away. Kay talks about how their friendship taught him about relationships, politics and people.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a new book by fisheries research scientist and West Virginia University (WVU) professor Stuart Welsh showcases some of the lesser-known kinds of fish in central Appalachia. Bill Lynch spoke with Welsh about his book Hornyheads, Madtoms and Darters.
Also, in this show, as the deadline to split the state agency looms, lawmakers discussed the possibility of overlap in West Virginia’s newly reorganized Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Pennsylvania is the biggest producer of mushrooms in the United States; followed by California. Foragers and foraging clubs find the fungus in the wild, while small farms are growing unique mushrooms to meet demand. Kat Bolus from WVIA brings us this story.
Also, in this show, the president of West Virginia American Water cast doubt Monday on whether his company was responsible for a gas outage in Charleston last month. Curtis Tate has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began at sundown on Thursday. Also known as “The Festival of Lights,” the celebration has taken on a new meaning in the context of the war in Gaza. Chris Schulz spoke with Rabbi Zalman Gurevitch of the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at West Virginia University (WVU) on the first night of Hanukkah.
Also, in this show, the average age of farmers in Kentucky is going up, raising questions about the difficulty young farmers face entering the agricultural industry. Mason Galemore from WKMS spoke with Kentuckians and industry experts about why it’s harder for young farmers to lay down roots.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a deep dive into the mosh pit and the hardcore music scene of Roanoke, Virginia with music photographer Chelse Warren. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams has more.
Also, in this show, this week’s episode of Mountain Stage is a special featuring the 70 plus member West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of Maurice Cohn. Our Song of the Week is “Michael from Mountains” sung by folk music icon Judy Collins. The song was written by Joni Mitchell and released on Collins’ 1967 landmark album Wildflowers.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the holiday season is full of gatherings, get-togethers and parties. At some point in many of them, someone brings out a box to play a game. West Virginia native Harrison Reishman has one he’d like you to try. It’s called Story Wars – a card game where players battle to come up with the wildest, craziest story. Bill Lynch has more.
Also, in this show, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is beginning an Appalachian fact-finding mission in West Virginia. Randy Yohe reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Virginia’s first modern apple cidery Foggy Ridge helped launch a craft cider industry in Virginia, but while the cider business closed in 2018, the farm stayed open. Owner and orchardist Diane Flynt now sells apples to other cider makers and has a new book out. Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd visited Flynt’s farm in Southwest Virginia and has this story.
Also, in this show, with the closing and consolidation of pharmacy chains and independent retailers, patients are left wondering where to go for guidance and their medications. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as an alternative to the indoor shopping extravaganza known as Black Friday, a movement called “hashtag opt outside” urges people to get closer to parks, trails, community areas and the joy of being outdoors on that particular day. Randy Yohe took full advantage of the Friday alternative, going on a Blackwater Falls State Park birding hike.
Also, in this show, throughout the year, News Director Eric Douglas has been reporting on caring for older parents in a series of stories called “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring for Aging Parents.” Coming into the holidays, when families come together, it might be a good time to pay attention to the signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Douglas spoke with Teresa Morris, program director for the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, who outlined the 10 signs to look for.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin announced his retirement from the Senate last month. Curtis Tate spoke with Manchin earlier this week about that decision – what he wants to do next and what he accomplished during his time in office.
Also, in this show, Postal Workers Union leaders say the fight is intensifying to prevent the possible closure or downsizing of the state’s mail processing center. Randy Yohe has more.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from our 2021 Holiday Special. We listen to “Maybe This Christmas” by Holly Cole.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and our producer this week.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, our news department this week has looked at human trafficking in the state. For this final installment, we’ll hear a survivor story.
Also, in this show, Mountaineer Gas said it has restored 100 percent of water-filled gas lines on the West Side of Charleston. But many residents are still without heat, and the outages are taking a toll on the community. Briana Heaney has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, there is a chance that human trafficking is going on right beneath our noses, but most of us don’t know what to look for. In our first story, News Director Eric Douglas shared an overview of the issue in the Mountain State. In this second story of his three-part series, he talks with law enforcement experts about how to spot human trafficking and the ways it is being investigated.
Also, in this show, during the second meeting of the West Virginia First Foundation Board, members approved motions to continue the establishment of the organization. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, many of us have heard the phrase “human trafficking.” It may bring to mind people packed into a truck being shipped across the southern border or kidnapped and sent into sex slavery in another country.
Not that those problems aren’t real, but human trafficking in West Virginia is different.
News Director Eric Douglas wanted to know what human trafficking looks like in the Mountain State and brings us the first in a three-part series on the issue.
Also, in this show, a troubling report about fair and ethical behavior at Bluefield State University has caused a shakeup with the school’s leadership. Randy Yohe has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, Rev. George Mills Dickerson of Tazewell, Virginia was born in the years after slavery ended. He’s remembered today through his poetry.
And a new wave of black lung disease is ravaging Appalachia. We’ll hear more from a black lung town hall in Whitesburg, Kentucky. Coal miners have their own thoughts about black lung, too.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Celebrating Poetry About 20th Century African American Life
- The Voices Of Black Lung Miners
- Black Lung Town Hall Meeting In Kentucky
Celebrating Poetry About 20th Century African American LifePoetry has been a tradition in Jeanette Wilson’s family for generations. They’ve recited the poems of Wilson’s grandfather and her uncle George for nearly a century. Now, these poems about African American life in southwest Virginia are reaching a wider audience — and connecting the past to the present.
Folkways Reporter Connie Kitts brings us this story.
The Voices Of Black Lung MinersFor years, it looked like black lung disease was on the decline, but a new epidemic has emerged. In 2018, NPR and the PBS program Frontline investigated a resurgence of advanced black lung among coal miners across Appalachia. They found that despite mounting evidence and a stream of warnings, federal regulators and mining companies failed to protect workers.
The result was that thousands of miners were afflicted with an advanced stage of black lung disease — known as Progressive Massive Fibrosis.
We bring this story from the miners themselves, as told to NPR’s Howard Berkes and Ohio Valley ReSource reporter Benny Becker. It was originally broadcast on NPR’s All Things Considered on Jan. 22, 2019. The full documentary Coal's Deadly Dust is available on pbs.org.
Black Lung Town Hall Meeting In KentuckyIn July, the Appalachian Citizens Law Center hosted a black lung town hall in Whitesburg, Kentucky. The nonprofit law firm invited miners and their families to hear from experts about the current state of black lung disease in Appalachia. One of those experts is Kentucky radiologist James Brandon Crum, who first alerted federal researchers to what they later labeled an epidemic of complicated black lung.
WMMT in Whitesburg recorded the meeting for its program Mountain Talk. What Dr. Crum has to say is eye-opening — especially if you’re not part of the coal mining community.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jeff Ellis, Charlie McCoy, Southern Culture on the Skids, June Carter Cash, and Tim and Dave Bing
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, Jeanette Wilson’s family poems about African American life in southwest Virginia are connecting the past to the present. Folkways reporter Connie Kitts brings us a preview of this week's Inside Appalachia show.
Also, Emily Rice reports that the majority of West Virginia’s children in foster care are actually teenagers and many of them are placed in group homes instead of foster homes.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from pioneering alt-rock sextet, Wilco. We listen to the title track from their latest, 12th studio album, "Cruel Country," where they lean back into their roots for what the band itself labels as a "country album," with their innovation and influences all on display.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Briana Heaney, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, our radio series “Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia’s Labor Force” continues as Curtis Tate takes a look at federal and state perspectives on the problem of finding enough workers with the skills for new infrastructure jobs.
Also, an international volleyball tournament is taking place at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center this week and West Virginia University faculty vote against the university's proposed cuts to programs.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with a West Virginia University professor studying the remnants of supernovas to learn more about our galaxy.
Also, Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams discussed water inequality with a Virginia Tech professor, recommendations to the Public Service Commission that could affect electricity rates and WVU released its final recommendations for cuts to programs.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, our radio series “Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia’s Labor Force” as Chris Schulz looks at what is being done to address the staffing issues.
Also, Huntington mayor Steve Williams plans to run for West Virginia governor and the Allegheny Front has suggestions to save money and energy.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, a Virginia Tech researcher challenges deeply held ideas about the purity of natural springs.
Also, we meetthe folks behind Angelo's Old World Italian Sausage. They still use a family recipe that’s been handed down from generation to generation for over a century. Customers love it.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Story Of Angelo's Old World Italian Sausage
- Water Woes In McDowell County And The Trouble With Spring Water
- A Picture Of Peerless City
- Inflation Hits Eastern Kentucky Hard
The Story Of Angelo's Old World Italian SausageAngelo’s Old World Sausage is available in stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public BroadcastingAngelo's Old World Italian Sausage is from a family recipe that goes back over a century to the Calabria region in southern Italy. It’s become a grocery store favorite in West Virginia.
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold spoke with the makers of Angelo's Old World Italian Sausage and heard a story about sausage-making spanning generations.
Water Woes And The Trouble With Spring WaterIt’s an old story in Appalachia: failing water systems leaving people afraid to drink from their taps. In McDowell County, West Virginia, people have relied on bottled water and mountain springs for decades, but maybe those alternate sources aren’t so pure.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have been looking into water inequity in the region. Mason Adams spoke with professor Leigh-Anne Krometis about what she’s found.
A Picture Of Peerless City “Peerless City” is a documentary about Portsmouth, Ohio, a city that’s been alternatively described as the place “where southern hospitality begins” and “ground zero for the opioid epidemic.”
Filmmakers Amanda Page and David Bernabo wanted to go beyond slogans, though. Bill Lynch recently spoke with them about the film, and about Portsmouth’s complexity.
Inflation Hits Eastern Kentucky HardRecent reports show inflation is down from what it’s been over the last two years, but people in places like Letcher County, Kentucky are still feeling the pinch.
WEKU’s John McGary has the story.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by The Dirty River Boys, Hot Rize, Hank Williams, Jr., Ron Mullennex, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Tim Bing and Noam Pikelny.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, the four leading republican candidates for governor in 2024 joined in a political forum Thursday. Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, Inside Appalachia this week takes you behind the scenes and lets you see where the sausage gets made: Angelo's Old World Italian Sausage. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold reports.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes from jazz and blues vocalist Catherine Russell. We listen to her cover of “New Speedway Boogie” – a song written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, and first popularized by The Grateful Dead.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Caroline MacGregor is our Assistant News Director and she produced today’s show.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, teaching is the career that all other careers are built on, but recently West Virginia has struggled to fill vacancies in classrooms. Chris Schulz continues our new radio series “Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia’s Labor Force” by exploring the struggle to keep the state’s schools staffed.
Also, in this show, the 44th West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival is gearing up for a full weekend of activities this Labor Day holiday weekend. Caroline MacGregor reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the historic flooding in central and southern West Virginia washed away houses, vehicles and caused damage to roads and homes in the area. Briana Heaney has the story.
Also, in this show, a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is going to support efforts from eastern Kentucky’s Mt. Folly Farm to help innovate agriculture nationwide. As Shepherd Snyder reports, the money is going to help support a regional farming workforce, promote climate-friendly practices, and promote tourism.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, staffing shortages place an immense strain on the entire health care system. They leave hospitals and medical centers overwhelmed and unable to provide optimal care for patients. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice continues our radio series. “Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia’s Labor Force.”
Also, in this show, the House of Delegates chamber has turned from a historic room of legislative decision making, to a renovation worksite, where the decisions are on paint swatches and desk stains. Randy Yohe has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Communication Workers of America reached a tentative contract agreement with Frontier Communications. We learn the details.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about turning part of Lake Erie in Pennsylvania into a National Marine Sanctuary.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a summit at Marshall University will explore critical interventions against xylazine in the opioid crisis. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, this week’s Inside Appalachia episode makes a visit to the Flat Five Studio in western Virginia, which began as a shop that recorded bluegrass musicians, but then caught a big break in the early 1990s. Mason Adams has more.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Loudon Wainwright III. We listen to his performance of “Suddenly It’s Christmas.” The song originally appeared on his 1993 live album Career Moves.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as part of our continuing series on West Virginia’s workforce, we look at the demands for nurses, during the pandemic and now. Emily Rice brings us this story.
Also, in this show, West Virginia University’s Board of Governors met Tuesday to receive updates on the university’s proposed cuts to programs and faculty. Chris Schulz has more.
And, in at least 20 states, including West Virginia, there are laws banning transgender girls and women from competing on girls and women’s sports teams. On the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks at the battle over gender and sports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a free health fair Tuesday offered the community of Oak Hill the opportunity to be tested for respiratory problems and black lung disease. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, at a recent public meeting in Washington County, Pennsylvania, scientists from Pitt announced they had found a link between fracking and some serious health effects. But some in the crowd wanted the study to tell them more about why children in their community have gotten rare cancers. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, students at West Virginia University in Morgantown protested the school’s proposed program cuts on Monday. Chris Schulz has more.
Also, in this show, slogans like “the city that never sleeps” or “the gateway to the west” can help give a community identity, but cities change over time. Filmmakers Amanda Page and David Bernabo explore change and slogans in Portsmouth, Ohio with their documentary “Peerless City.” Bill Lynch spoke with them about the film.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a levy funding battle between one West Virginia county’s school, library and parks systems could have statewide implications.
Also, Briana Heaney sat down with Republican Donna Boley from Parkersburg - the longest serving state Senator in state history - to learn about the changes she has seen.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Caroline MacGregor reports on one of the largest equine events to showcase rescue and at-risk horses taking place in Winfield, West Virginia.
Also, as classes resume at WVU, students react to the university's proposed program cuts, a vocational aviation facility coming to Marion County is expected to stimulate high-tech job growth, and proposed changes to solar energy in the state.
In this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from an encore broadcast of Mountain Stage featuring the powerful soul-rock of The War And Treaty, 2022 Americana Music Association’s Duo/Group of the Year. We hear their song “Lover’s Game,” a soulful rocker with a retro style that brings to mind the glory days of Ike & Tina Turner.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Briana Heaney, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state government has been successful in attracting national corporations to set up shop in West Virginia and they say tourism jobs are ready to explode. The challenge now is filling thousands of positions that demand a wide variety of skill sets. Randy Yohe continues with our radio series "Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia's Labor Force" by looking at the state government’s job creation and retention plans.
Also, Emily Rice looks at advocates that held a press conference to discuss resources available to West Virginians on the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, Curtis Tate learns the creative way Toyota of West Virginia keeps the vegetation under control around its solar array in Putnam County, and more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the pepperoni roll is probably West Virginia’s most well-known food. You can find them at most grocery stores and convenience marts, but Folkways Reporter Zack Harold says their path to popularity came from getting on the school lunch menu.
Also, in this show, the doors recently opened at the University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute. As Shepherd Snyder reports, a school initiative there aims to get students trained to work in Kentucky’s spirits industry.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state has had several recent economic development announcements in the last few years with large companies moving to the state. Those projects require construction workers and a variety of full-time employees once the work is done.
Couple this with recent federal infrastructure programs that demand workers and offer solid salaries, it raises the question, do we have enough people for the jobs?
In this new radio series, “Help Wanted: Understanding West Virginia’s Labor Force,” WVPB reporters focus on the state’s workforce. To start, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Heather Stephens, director of the Regional Research Institute at West Virginia University (WVU), to understand how things stack up in the Mountain State.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia University announced on Friday the initial recommendations for cuts to academic programs to address an estimated $45 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024.
The recommended cuts, which include the complete dissolution of the World Languages Department, are part of a larger transformational process the university has been undergoing for several years. Chris Schulz spoke with Frankie Tack, chair of the Faculty Senate, to learn more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, what you find along the way on summer road trips can be as interesting as where you’re going. Inside Appalachia Associate Producer Zander Aloi has this story about a world-famous roadside attraction in the town of Chester.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Grammy-winning musician Kathy Mattea before she became the full-time host of Mountain Stage. We listen to her 2013 performance of “Coal Tattoo,” written by fellow West Virginian Billy Edd Wheeler and appears on her 2018 album Coal.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and our producer this week.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, lawmakers say bills passed in the special session to help solve the state’s corrections employment crisis are not a cure-all. And a lawsuit demands the state spend more than 10 times the funds allocated. Randy Yohe has more.
Also, in this show, travel can be a wonderful teaching tool. Some tours spend time focusing on specific aspects of our world, like journeying through America’s southern states to learn about the country’s racial legacy and the impact of the civil rights movement. Us & Them host Trey Kay joined an immersive tour that offered multiple perspectives from diverse leaders.
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve inducted the Burnwood Trail into the Old Growth Forest Network last Friday. Briana Heaney has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Randy Yohe spoke to members of both parties that voiced concern over the lack of consideration and debate on dozens of proposed bills during the legislation's special session this week. The session ended Tuesday around 9:30 p.m.
Curtis Tate spoke with Robert Fernatt, president of the West Virginia Electric Auto Association, about how efforts to build out a charging network for electric vehicles is progressing.
Also, a look at improvements in staffing shortages in the state's social services as well as updates to West Virginia University's restructuring efforts.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature returned for its special session after introducing 44 bills in each chamber on Sunday. Several bills were sent to the Finance and Judiciary committees for further consideration. Briana Heaney has more.
Also, in this show, much needed federal dollars could be headed towards small businesses across rural Eastern Kentucky soon through a new technical assistance grant. Shepherd Snyder has more.
And county fairs bring out the cooks and the crafters hoping to take home the coveted blue ribbon. Few have been as successful as Linda Skeens from Russell County, Virginia. She’s won hundreds, which has made her a social media sensation and a cookbook author. Inside Appalachia Bill Lynch spoke with her about county fair contests and collecting recipes.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice called the legislature into special session Sunday afternoon to address the state’s corrections employment crisis, to help fund first responders and to clarify the vehicle tax rebate. Those are just 3 of 44 items on the governor’s call and Randy Yohe has our story.
News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Tatiana Trejos, an associate professor at the WVU Department of Forensic and investigative sciences to find out more about their work to analyze duct tape and make it even stronger evidence in court.
Also, Curtis Tate has the story of a transgender student in Harrison County that can continue to participate on her school’s track team after a federal court ruling, and Randy Yohe reports on a West Virginia communications workers union has agreed not to strike and continue contract negotiations.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, before coal or timber in Appalachia, there was the fur trade, and it made fortunes for centuries. But now, West Virginia fur trappers struggle to earn a living, but some have adapted or found new careers using their skills. Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin has this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Oklahoma’s John Fullbright, who brought songs to us from his album The Liar. This was his first album of new music in eight years. We listen to his performance of “Poster Child,” with Fullbright alone at the piano.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Joseph Zecevic hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center is hosting young athletes through Saturday who are competing in the International Table Tennis Tournament. Delaney Wells has more.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about a movement to ban vinyl chloride after the train crash and explosion in East Palestine, Ohio.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Berea College made history last November by hiring the private school’s first female president. Cheryl Nixon took the reins of the institution in July. Berea is known to offer free tuition for Appalachian students from all over. Stu Johnson spoke with Nixon, those on campus, and people in the community.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a Higher Education Policy Commission vote has put Alderson Broaddus University one step closer to closing its doors. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about an elusive songbird.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia-produced hand-held Ray of Life solar kits with the ability to charge cell phones are bringing light to families in war-torn Ukraine. Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor visited New Vision Renewable Energy in Barbour County to see firsthand how the units are made, and how ambassadors of light are sending a message of hope across the miles.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital has awarded a contract to an out of state company to demolish the former Ohio Valley Medical Center, and virtual Town Hall meetings on the West Virginia 2024 Substance Abuse plan will be hosted by the DHHR.
Also in this show, a preview of this week’s Inside Appalachia looks at flooding. Even after the waters recede, they still can still leave a mark. Connie Kitts brings us a story about a flood and the song Muddy Water by Allan “Cathead” Johnson.
Finally, this week’s rebroadcast of Mountain Stage features our landmark 1,000th episode of Mountain Stage. Slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth and legend of the dobro and lap steel Cindy Cashdollar perform a fiery duo set. Our Song of the Week comes from Landreth and Cashdollar. We listen to “Prodigal Son,” the title track to Landreth’s 2004 album of the same name.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Blenko Glass Company’s Festival of Glass will make its return this year on Aug. 5. Emily Rice has the story.
Also, in this show, we listen to an excerpt from our podcast Us & Them. This week, we’re revisiting an episode from December 2022 that recently won a regional Edward R. Murrow award from the Radio Television Digital News Association for best podcast.
In this excerpt, host Trey Kay talks with a number of people about court-monitored treatment programs in West Virginia, including Sheila Vakharia. She works with the Drug Policy Alliance, a group working to end the war on drugs. Vakharia began her career around drug court programs, but says they are too rigid and punitive.
Tune in Thursday, July 27 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting or listen to an encore broadcast on Saturday, July 29 at 3 p.m.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Michele Blatt became the state superintendent of schools earlier this month following the retirement of David Roach in June. She is the third person to hold the position in less than two years. Reporter Chris Schulz caught up with the superintendent at the INVEST Conference in Morgantown this week to discuss her new position.
Also, in this show, sharing a fun summer feature on Appalachian Trail thru-hikers stopping to eat a half gallon of ice cream in PA, a hallowed trail tradition. WITF’s Rachel McDevitt takes us to the midpoint for a trail tradition.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, as the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree continues this week in Fayette County, there are more females on site than ever before. Randy Yohe reports on the impact of girls furthering their scouting ambitions, with the boys learning a new thing or two as well.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, one year ago, Inside Appalachia introduced us to Ukrainian folk musician Vsevolod Sadovyj for a story about the Appalachian Dulcimer. Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett caught up with him recently to see how things have changed after more than a year of war.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, marching and concert bands from across the world are in Buckhannon this week for an international competition. Chris Schulz has more.
Also, in this show, some West Virginia elected officials have not wanted to be so social on social media. Delaney Wells has more.
And, for the next 10 days, 15,000 scouts from around the country will camp out in Fayette County. As Randy Yohe shows us, the 2023 National Scouting Jamboree takes youth development and diversity to a whole new level.
Finally, this week’s rebroadcast of Mountain Stage features a breadth of musical styles, performed in front of a live audience. Our Song of the Week comes to us from Sophie B. Hawkins, known for her hit songs in the 1990s. We listen to her performance of “You Are My Balloon.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, tap water testing conducted in 18 states by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found New Martinsville had the second-highest level of PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” in the country at 40 parts per trillion.
PFAS are manmade chemicals used in an array of industrial processes and consumer products but linger in the environment and pose a risk to human health. Chris Schulz spoke with EWG senior scientist Tasha Stoiber about water contamination, its health risks, and possible solutions.
Also, in this show, the West Virginia Hospital Association released its Community Benefit report this week. Emily Rice has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, concerns over CO2 build up in the atmosphere causing climate change have people asking where to store that CO2 so it doesn’t cause problems. But not everyone agrees with storing it back underground. Eric Douglas has the story.
Also, in this show, forests can help fight climate change by storing planet-warming carbon. That’s the basic premise behind carbon credits – where companies can buy offsets for their pollution from organizations or landowners that maintain woodlands. The Allegheny Front’s Kara Holsopple reports on one program that started in Pennsylvania and sells carbon credits on behalf of smaller family forest owners.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, voting is underway for the West Virginia Literary Hall of Recognition, which seeks to honor lesser-known writers in the Mountain State. Bill Lynch spoke with grant writer Kandi Workman and Marshall University English professor Cat Pleska, who are overseeing the project.
Also, in this show, Eastern Cemetery is one of Louisville’s oldest burial grounds. It housed the first crematorium in the state. Now, the property along Baxter Avenue lies largely forgotten, just like more than 100,000 people buried there. WFPL’s Breya Jones reports community members are working to ensure the past can’t be reburied.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a group at the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech is researching extended family members who become dementia caregivers throughout central Appalachia. They want to understand how those caregivers moved into that role.
For his series “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents,” News Director Eric Douglas talks with Project Coordinator Brandy McCann to find out what they are looking for.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Curtis Tate speaks with Suzanne Mattei of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis for her perspective on the ongoing debate over construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Ultimately, the pipeline may get built, but some energy analysts question whether the pipeline is even needed.
Also, in this show, the legendary icon of cosmic cowboy country music Ray Wylie Hubbard has our Mountain Stage Song of the Week. We listen to Hubbard’s performance of “Desperate Man,” which closes out his studio album, Co-Starring Too with guest-stars Band of Heathens. In this version, you’ll hear the Mountain Stage Band backing Hubbard.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia is one of the top recipients for food aid of any state. SNAP is a federal nutrition program – the name stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It used to be called food stamps. The program started as a pilot project in the 1960s in McDowell County.
Since then, it’s reduced poverty and hunger across the nation, but it gets caught up in political debates and election cycles. On the next Us & Them podcast, host Trey Kay learns more about a program that some say has changed lives.
Also, in this show, West Virginia State University (WVSU) is holding its archaeological field school at the historic Hale House in Malden. Delaney Wells reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia University’s (WVU) ongoing review of more than two dozen programs has left many in the school’s community with questions that officials have tried to answer. Chris Schulz has more.
Many Somali Bantu refugees began arriving in Pittsburgh in the early 2000s. Members of the community started the Mwanakuche Farm, which includes a volunteer-run garden. For The Allegheny Front, in collaboration with Soul Pitt Media, Terina J Hicks visited Mwanackuche Community Garden in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood last September.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, summer is the perfect time for students of all ages to relax, but it’s also a time when learning loss can occur. One of the best resources to avoid the so-called “summer slide” is the library. Chris Schulz has the story.
Also, in this show, with the addition of the New River Gorge region, the Ascend West Virginia program now has five destinations that are welcoming new remote working residents to the Mountain State. With the incentives of cash and free outdoor adventures, the program hopes to help offset the state’s population decline. Randy Yohe reports.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, most of us turn on the water faucet and clean water comes out. But you may not realize the water pipes that deliver the water to you have micro slime inside them.
WVU professor and researcher Emily Garner has a grant from the National Science Foundation to look into micro-organisms in water systems. She spoke with News Director Eric Douglas to explain what she is finding.
And, from The Allegheny Front in Pittsburgh, their latest story about a children’s book on urban farming and getting kids excited about growing their own food.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the latest legal complaint concerning the West Virginia State Police hidden camera investigation outlines an alleged culture of misconduct towards women, with accusations of sexual assault and concerns over reforms. Randy Yohe has the story.
Also, in this show, Mountain Stage and host Kathy Mattea last year brought the show to Harrisonburg, Virginia at the invitation of our affiliate station WMRA and their partners at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University. One of our guests in that show was Joy Oladokun who has our Song of the Week. We listen to her performance of the simply powerful and beautiful, “If You Got A Problem.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we have a new story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. This latest story explores the East Palestine train crash and recent testimony questioning the need to burn the train cars.
Also, in this show, in an administrative briefing Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced the new director of the state’s Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA). Emily Rice has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, advances to the pastime of fishing include new reels, lures, and gadgets to help you catch fish. But some people prefer the old-fashioned way, which isn’t always simple. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold visits the Elk River where a West Virginia fly rod maker explains his skill.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, most people have heard how Virginia and West Virginia split during the American Civil War, but it may not be the simple story many of us know. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with West Virginia University professor Hal Gorby about what some people get wrong about state history.
Also, in this show, our encore broadcast schedule of Mountain Stage continues this week with west coast Bluegrass music pioneer Laurie Lewis and her band. Lewis performs songs from throughout her storied career, and for our Song of the Week, we’ve chosen her song “Trees.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds of southern West Virginia teachers are gathered in Charleston this week, learning how to best improve student literacy. Randy Yohe reports on implementing the “Ready Read Write” initiative.
Also, in this show, officials have issued alerts about air quality issues in West Virginia. Eric Douglas has more.
The Putnam County Commission approved an ordinance Tuesday that could restrict drag shows. Curtis Tate has more.
And with the July 4 holiday approaching, officials are asking the public to rethink using fireworks. Delaney Wells has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Randy Yohe spoke with Christie Eastman, the Cabell Huntington Hospital Counseling Center manager, who is on a mission to train West Virginia mental health professionals in more effectively treating trauma.
Also, many families have to move a loved one into a nursing home because of dementia. The experience often comes with grief and loss and a sense of failure. For his series Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Julia Smythe, the dementia program director and Natalie Petty, the director of Admissions and Marketing, for the Marmet Center nursing home with a memory care program for people with dementia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Del. Erikka Storch last month stepped down as representative for the 4th House District to become external affairs manager at Appalachian Electric Power. Diana Winzenreid was selected to serve out the remainder of Storch’s term, and reporter Chris Schulz sat down with the state’s newest delegate to discuss her new position and plans.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about soil testing and farm safety after the East Palestine train derailment.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia University (WVU) researchers in a recent study looked at burnout among community faith leaders. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with Angel Smothers, associate dean for community engagement and clinical associate professor at the WVU School of Nursing, to discuss the study’s findings.
Also, in this show, prescription drugs have changed many lives around the world, treating illnesses that were once thought untreatable — mainly because they were considered too small a population for a pharmaceutical company to research it. An early 1980s law passed by Congress changed all of that, encouraging companies to develop what was called orphan drugs. But today, many of those companies are using that law to drum up even larger profits. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with WVU Law professor Sean Tu about the issue.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Mason Adams speaks with Kentucky poet laureate Silas House about his book "Lark Ascending," one of Inside Appalachia's summer read picks. In the book, House explores a future that’s reeling from ecological disaster.
Also in this show, Randy Yohe reports on lawsuits over a hidden camera in the West Virginia State Police women’s locker room that continue to pile up.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Los Angeles-based mini-roots orchestra Dustbowl Revival. We listen to their performance of “Let It Go.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Eric Douglas, Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Liz McCormick, Emily Rice, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Delaney Wells, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, when it comes to decoding the language of the drug epidemic, advocates say using compassionate language is vital when speaking with the people behind the numbers. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, we have an excerpt from our latest episode of Us & Them. Host Trey Kay looks at what contributes to racial disparities in our justice system. Some say Black West Virginians are disproportionately harmed.
You can listen to this full episode of Us & Them, “Who Gets Stuck Behind Bars in West Virginia?” at 8 p.m. on June 22 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. There will be an encore broadcast on Saturday, June 24 at 3 p.m.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s hospitals continue to navigate an altered landscape since the onset of COVID-19. As Caroline MacGregor reports, even after the end of the pandemic, significant challenges remain.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about plastic pollution in our region.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a company called Omnis Technologies has stepped forward as a potential buyer of the Pleasants Power Station, which is currently not producing any electricity. The company proposes to fuel the plant with hydrogen. Curtis Tate speaks with Sean O’Leary, senior researcher on energy and petrochemicals at the Ohio River Valley Institute, about the proposal, which he said leaves more questions than answers.
Also, in this show, a longtime legislator and state Supreme Court Chief Justice has died. Randy Yohe reports on the democratic stalwart’s life and legacy.
And, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen, who joined us on his final tour in July 2022. We listen to Keen’s performance of "I'm Coming Home."
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Eric Douglas, Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Liz McCormick, Emily Rice. Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, families in one of West Virginia’s most food insecure counties will receive free groceries delivered to their door this summer. As Emily Rice reports, this project is a culmination of many partnerships.
Also, in this show, the state Board of Education has declared a state of emergency in Upshur County Schools. Chris Schulz has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has not fared well in recent national rankings of educational success. However, in May a report on the country’s pre-kindergarten programs ranked the state among the best in the nation. Chris Schulz has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice John Hutchison recently delivered a letter to the court indicating he will not be seeking reelection when his term ends. Hutchison, who has 45 years of legal experience, 30 of those as a judge and two as chief justice, reflects on his experience with reporter Randy Yohe and offers his insight into the current judicial system.
Also, in this show, West Virginia’s distribution of opioid settlement funds is among the most transparent when compared to other states. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Bill Lynch has health experts explaining what you need to know if you’re out in the woods and you find a tick latched to your body.
Also, there’s a scholarship program now underway in honor of fallen West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Shepherdstown and Romney both lay claim to being the oldest town in West Virginia – but there’s some confusion as to which town is actually correct. Shepherd Snyder spoke to Appalachian historian and Shepherd University professor Benjamin Bankhurst about why the answer is more complicated than it appears.
Also, in this show, officials are encouraging vigilance as smoke from intense Canadian wildfires makes its way south on changing wind patterns. Emily Rice has more.
The nation’s drug czar visited West Virginia University Thursday as the start of a multi-day tour of the state. As Chris Schulz reports, the purpose of the trip is to discuss local and national efforts to address the overdose epidemic.
And, this week’s encore episode of Mountain Stage features one of Americana music’s most heralded and admired writers, James McMurtry. Our Song of the Week is McMurtry’s song “Vaquero,” where his writing manages to capture the unique human experience in particularly vivid ways.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Our Appalachia Health News project is made possible with support from CAMC and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Eric Douglas, Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Liz McCormick, Emily Rice. Chris Schultz, Curtis Tate, and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds of thousands of people are seeking political asylum in the U.S. Many, including folk musician Larry Bellorin, are waiting for an interview with U.S. immigration agents.
In our latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Bellorin and his performing partner Joe Troop who make up the duo Larry & Joe. They play a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music.
Also, in this show, hundreds from close to home and around the nation attended the memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Randy Yohe spoke with some of those who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
And, the drug epidemic is an ever-evolving hot button topic with tons of buzzwords. But what does it all mean? Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with Susan Mullens, West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network Project coordinator to discuss terminology.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2019 to 2022, the state’s overdose death rate increased by 67 percent. But it may be returning to where we were before that. Emily Rice has the story.
Also, in this show, Medicare is a lifeline for many seniors, but scammers and even medical providers can attempt to get Medicare numbers and defraud the program. June 5-9 is Medicare Fraud Awareness Week, and West Virginia Senior Services is out to draw attention to the problem.
For his series “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents,” News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Senior Services Medicare Programs State Director Rebecca Gouty to get a better understanding of the problem and what to do if you feel you have been scammed.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia and western Virginia are some of the southernmost places in the U.S. to make maple syrup, but producers are adapting to changing demands, and a changing climate. Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett has this story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, in April, Del. Danielle Walker stepped down as representative for the 81st House District to become the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia.
Anitra Hamilton was selected to serve out the remainder of Walker’s term, and reporter Chris Schulz sat down with the state’s newest delegate to discuss her new position and plans.
Also, in this show, cardiologists at Marshall Health and St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute are the first in West Virginia to use a new technology and mapping catheter to treat patients with complex cardiac arrhythmias (SMMC). Emily Rice has more.
And, West Virginia is mourning the loss of two police officers. Sgt. Cory Maynard, a state police officer, was killed in a shooting on Friday, and Patrol Officer First Class and K-9 handler Zane A. Breakiron was killed in a single motor vehicle crash while off-duty late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina has put out some of the hottest indie rock records of the year. We talk with one of its co-founders.
We also visit the Allegheny Highlands, where Appalachia’s maple syrup traditions are changing with the times.
And, poet Lacy Snapp introduces us to east Tennessee’s poetry scene.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- The Sweet Taste Of Syrup In Virginia And West Virginia
- Drop Of Sun Studios Sees Success In Asheville, NC And Beyond
- The Continuing Conversation About West Virginia’s Prisons
- Poetry Pub Crawls And Woodworking To Find Words
Highland County, Virginia attracts syrup producers and maple syrup fans for its annual festival.
Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public BroadcastingThe Sweet Taste Of Syrup In Virginia And West VirginiaHighland County, Virginia and its neighbors in West Virginia are some of the southernmost places in the U.S. to make maple syrup.
Generations of people in these communities have turned tapping trees for syrup into a longstanding tradition — but modern producers are experimenting with new syrups while adapting to changing demands, and a changing climate.
Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett brings us this story.
Alex Farrar (left) and Adam McDaniel are the co-founders of Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina.
Credit: Drop of Sun StudiosDrop Of Sun Studios Sees Success In Asheville, NC And BeyondDrop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina has been putting out a string of buzzworthy albums ranging from Angel Olsen and Wednesday to Indigo De Souza.
Inside Applachia host, Mason Adams, wanted to find out more and spoke to record producer Alex Farrar about the studio and making records amid the Asheville music scene.
The Continuing Conversation About West Virginia’s PrisonsWest Virginia’s prison system has come under fire for acute staffing trouble, violence and inmate deaths. But a recent report shows that the number of people incarcerated in West Virginia ranks low among states.
Wanda Bertram is communication strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, which produced the report.
WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Bertram to find out more.
Poetry Pub Crawls And Words That Come From WoodworkingPoet Lacy Snapp lives in Johnson City, Tennessee, where she teaches American Literature and Composition at East Tennessee State University. She’s also a woodworker. It’s a craft she picked up from her father’s side of the family in western North Carolina.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch first met Snapp at the Appalachian Studies Conference in Athens, Ohio. She was there to talk about her work with a group that makes poetry more accessible to the public.
Bill recently caught up with Snapp to talk poetry, woodworking and poetry pub crawls.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by John Blissard, Lucero, Indigo De Souza, Secret Shame, Angel Olsen, Wednesday, MJ Lenderman, Truth Club and Tyler Childers.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville, North Carolina has become something of an “it” record studio. Run by Alex Farrar and Adam McDaniel, the studio has racked up a slew of acclaimed records inside the past year, including albums by Angel Olsen, Archers of Loaf and more.
Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Farrar about recording and the Asheville music scene.
Also, in this show, this week’s encore broadcast of Mountain Stage is from our 2022 fall season and features Ireland’s We Banjo 3 – who has our Song of the Week.
We Banjo 3 made their second appearance on Mountain Stage during this visit. The Galway, Ireland, and Nashville-based quartet incorporates banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and percussion beside strong choruses and melodic hooks, to create their buzz-worth live shows.
We listen to the band’s performance of “Garden Song,” which is included on their album Open The Road.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills is our host. Zander Aloi guest hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, distributing beer, wine and spirits, along with enforcing and controlling the sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages are not the only priorities of West Virginia’s Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA).
Randy Yohe talks with ABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton about the marketing, tourism and product enhancement initiatives that are key aspects of a forward-thinking mission statement.
Also, in this show, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame this Saturday will induct its class of 2023. Ranging from pine fiddles to P-funk – this is an eclectic group of Mountain State musicians. Randy Yohe also has this story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Zander Aloi hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, video games have been around for decades, but in recent years, esports – competitive, multiplayer video games – have exploded in popularity. But playing on a team is still out of reach for many women and lower income individuals. For their capstone project at West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media, students Gabriella Boal and Maxwell Ionno looked at diversity and accessibility in the growing esports space.
WVPB reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Boal to discuss their findings.
Also, in this show, the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities is the only center of its type in West Virginia. As Emily Rice reports, centers like these can assist foster care placements.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s latest documentary is called “King Coal.” The imaginative film focuses on central Appalachia, how coal mining has influenced its culture and how that may be changing. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Sheldon and co-producer Molly Born about the film.
Also, in this show, announcer Tim Hagerty says there’s more to baseball than just the game. He’s the author of “Tales from the Dugout: 1,001 Humorous, Inspirational & Wild Anecdotes from Minor League Baseball,” which looks at sillier parts of America’s favorite pastime. Bill Lynch spoke with Hagerty about minor league ball and even baseball in West Virginia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, a high school football game, a street festival, and a kids' classroom are all settings in a new film about how coal mining shapes Appalachian culture.
We also learn about the results of a new survey showing alarming mental health trends in Appalachia’s LGBTQ community.
And we meet a taxidermist in Yadkin County, North Carolina who was just a teenager when she found her calling.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Conversing About “King Coal”
- The Troubling Toll Revealed In The Trevor Project
- Allergies, Inside Appalachia
- I Was A Teenage Taxidermist
Conversing About “King Coal”Lanie Marsh in the Cranberry Backcountry filming for "King Coal." CourtesyElaine McMillion Sheldon is best known for the academy award nominated documentary “Heroin(e),” which highlighted the opioid epidemic in Appalachia through the city of Huntington, West Virginia.
Her latest film is the visionary “King Coal,” which is a kind of hybrid documentary that explores Appalachia’s relationship to coal.
Host Mason Adams spoke with Sheldon, co-producer Molly Born and breath artist Shodekeh Talifero.
The Troubling Toll Revealed In The Trevor ProjectThe Trevor project is a national non-profit organization that focuses on suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth. In May, the project released the results of a survey about mental health and the LGBTQ community. It revealed some concerning numbers.
Chris Schulz brought us the story.
Inside Allergies In AppalachiaIf your allergies are making you miserable this spring, you’re not alone. Caroline MacGregor talked to a West Virginia allergy specialist who confirms this year is a particularly tough one for seasonal allergy sufferers.
I Was A Teenage TaxidermistA lot of people are fascinated by taxidermy, but we tend to be a little uncomfortable with the process that goes into making these animal mounts. The preservation and mounting of dead animals has been around for centuries.
Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef has the story of one expert practitioner in Yadkin County, North Carolina.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Tim Bing, John Blisard, Erik Vincet Huey and Little Sparrow
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, taxidermy fascinates a lot of people, but the actual work of preserving and mounting dead animals makes some uncomfortable, but not Amy Ritchie in Yadkin County, North Carolina. Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef visited Ritchie’s workshop and brought us this story.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit. We listen to the group’s take on the gospel standard “Working on a Building,” featured as part of our “Horizons of Jam” segment, inspired by the early ‘90s HORDE festivals.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills, Chuck Anziulewicz and Bob Powell are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, students from poor families are more likely to be suspended from school for bad behavior, and data from West Virginia reflects this national trend. We share an excerpt from our latest episode of Us & Them, where host Trey Kay talks with a Yale University researcher about tailored school discipline strategies.
Listen to the latest Us & Them episode “The Toxic Stew of School Discipline” on May 25 at 8 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, or tune in for our encore broadcast on Saturday, May 27 at 3 p.m.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about the loss of a coal-fired power plant and what it means to the community.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, more than 6,000 West Virginia students have signed up for a $4,500 Hope Scholarship savings account that allows them to take state money and apply it to tuition in private schools.
Randy Yohe spoke with state Treasurer Riley Moore, whose office administers the school choice program, on the growing numbers who want to opt out of the public school system.
Also, in this show, one of the places struck by the floods last July was the Hindman Settlement School, home to the Appalachian Writers Workshop. Musician, poet and West Virginia Wesleyan professor Doug Van Gundy was there and wrote a poem about it.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Van Gundy about the poem and writing about tragedy.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, May is mental health awareness month, both nationally and statewide. The job stress and trauma for first responders, especially paramedics and EMTs, too often becomes overwhelming and internalized. Randy Yohe speaks with state Emergency Medical Director Jody Ratliff on what’s being done to relieve the mental anguish these front liners face on the job.
Also, in this show, a graduate student’s project at Shepherd University looks to help reintroduce chestnut trees to the Appalachian region. Shepherd Snyder has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, electricity costs in West Virginia have grown faster than any surrounding state, according to a report by environmental consulting firm Downstream Strategies. Curtis Tate spoke with one of the authors of the report, Joey James, about what’s driving those increases, and what other states are doing differently.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their story about air pollution and misinformation around it.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Chuck Anziulewicz hosted this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, face pottery turns up in art galleries and souvenir shops, but the style has a surprising origin. On this week’s Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Zack Harold traced the story of Face Jugs, from a basement pottery studio in Shinston, West Virginia to Africa.
Also, in this show, episode 1,012 Mountain Stage will be heard on nearly 300 NPR stations nationwide. Our guest-host Larry Groce steps in for this week’s show, with alt-country pioneer Robbie Fulks – who also has our Song of the Week. We listen to Fulks performance of “Fare Thee Well, Carolina Gals,” which originally appeared on his 2016 album Upland Stories.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills, Chuck Anziulewicz and Bob Powell are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, since the 1960s, the U.S. embargo on Cuba has prevented American businesses from conducting trade with Cuban interests. Travel by U.S. citizens to the island has also been significantly limited.
Earlier this year, a young West Virginian member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation traveled to Cuba on a humanitarian mission. Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Jack Tensley to talk about his trip.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s prison system has been in the news lately with deaths and staffing problems. A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative shows that the number of people incarcerated in the state is on the low end nationally. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Wanda Bertram, the group's communication strategist, about the report.
Also, in this show, since the end of the Public Health Emergency and the unrolling of Medicaid, health insurance workers are already seeing an uptick in inquiries. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s still a year away, but already, West Virginia’s U.S. Senate election is set to be one of the most competitive and most watched in the country.
To get an idea of how it might shape up, Curtis Tate spoke with Kyle Kondik, communications director for the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
Kondik is also managing editor of its widely read newsletter, Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
Also, in this show, voters in Kentucky will pare down a 12-candidate field for the Republican nomination for governor. As Lisa Autry of WKYU reports, it’s a job Republicans have struggled to hold, despite a strong showing in other races.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, housing can be a difficult issue for many but especially for those in marginalized communities. A group in Morgantown is working to create Project Rainbow, a shelter and housing aid organization specifically for LGBTQ community members.
Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with three of the project’s board members, Cassidy Thompson, Ash Orr and Erin Shelton to discuss the group’s objectives.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. Here's their latest story about a book that focuses on the people and techniques of cancer prevention.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Mother’s Day is not always a happy day for everyone — like when mom has dementia and is forgetting the family she raised. News Director Eric Douglas is facing this very situation himself.
For his ongoing series Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents, he spoke with Chris Schneider, the director of communications for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, about how to celebrate Mother’s Day when mom has dementia.
Also, a National Science Foundation-funded project will help West Virginia University expand neuroscience education throughout the state and a new software app aims to help sixth and seventh graders in southern West Virginia with their homework and access to academic resources.
Our Song of the Week comes from Calexico. Their performance of “Cumbia de Donde,” from their album Edge of the Sun, is a bilingual masterpiece that puts an original spin on mariachi music. The Tex-Mex indie rockers made their fourth appearance on Mountain Stage this week.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the U.S. has officially canceled the designation of COVID-19 as a public health emergency in the country. Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, the memories of a Mountain State childhood offer some musicians creative images for a lifetime. Phillip Bowen grew up playing the fiddle, and now the 38-year-old West Virginia native includes songwriting in his portfolio. Bowen will release his first album soon.
In our newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Bowen about his hometown of Montgomery along the Kanawha River and how it shaped his music. In this excerpt, we look at Bowen’s wide range of musical skills.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky author Barbara Kingsolver won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her newest novel Demon Copperhead. In light of this achievement, we are listening back to our interview with Kingsolver last fall, when she was recognized as the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd University. To listen to the extended version of this conversation, click/tap here.
Also, in this show, the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary discussed the potential uses, and concerns, of artificial intelligence technology during an interim meeting this week. Shepherd Snyder has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we have an update on the NUCOR steel plant in Mason County and reports from May interims of the West Virginia Legislature.
The NUCOR steel plant in Mason County is expected to be an economic driver for the entire region. Eric Douglas has more.
Lawmakers heard from the office of West Virginia’s Foster Care Ombudsman during Monday’s interim session. Emily Rice has more.
Lawmakers received an update Sunday on an initiative that brings retired personnel back into schools with a shortage of staff. Shepherd Snyder has more.
Legislators are starting to prepare for the implementation of the state’s new early childhood literacy requirements. Chris Schulz has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and last week a nationwide survey of the LGBTQ community revealed concerning numbers. A warning to our listeners, this story contains discussions of self-harm and suicide. Chris Schulz brings us this story.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about phosphorus in our water and on agricultural fields.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we travel two years back in time to 2021, when Inside Appalachia asked the question, “What is Appalachia?” Recently, the show received email responses from students in a writing class taught by Debra Nickles at Ohio University Chillicothe. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Nickles and her class about the assignment, which sparked a conversation about regional identity.
Also, Kroger has settled with West Virginia for $68 million in the latest of the state’s opioid lawsuits against major pharmaceutical chains,campaign finances are beginning to flow as candidates for 2024 state office announce their intentions, state officials are raising awareness around motorcycle safety and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin says he thinks his attempts to change energy permitting will happen this year.
Our Song of the Week comes from Catherine Russell who made her sixth Mountain Stage appearance recently at the Keith-Albee Theater in Huntington. Russell has performed with David Bowie as part of his last touring band, and she's been singing with Steely Dan since the mid-1990s.
We hear Russell's performance of “Sticks and Stones,” which comes from her most recent album Send for Me, released in 2022.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, higher coal and natural gas prices, alongside higher demand for both fossil fuels, generated a severance tax windfall that fattened the state’s budget surplus last year. But the prices for both fossil fuels have declined in recent months.
Sean O’Leary, senior policy analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said the state could find itself with a shortfall instead of a surplus in the coming years. He spoke with energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate about the volatility of the severance tax.
How the state determines its revenue estimates itself is also a subject of debate. West Virginia’s annual budget is based on estimates that come from the governor’s office, with the current surplus coming from taxes collected above those estimates. Government reporter Randy Yohe has more on how those estimated amounts garner differing points of view of how they should be determined.
Also, officials say they have “positive momentum” toward restructuring the Department of Health and Human Resources, an offer from West Virginia American Water to purchase the city of Milton's water system was rejected by city lawmakers Tuesday, the latest national assessment of academic ability shows a continued decline in student achievement nationwide and seven first responders received the state’s first round of Medal of Valor awards during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, if allergies are making you more miserable than usual this spring, you’re not alone. We hear from a West Virginia allergy specialist who confirms this year is a tough one for seasonal allergy sufferers.
Meanwhile, a trade delegation just got back from opening a West Virginia Trade Office in Taiwan. They say they learned much more than increasing global markets.
Also, we now know why part of the John Amos power plant was down during December’s Winter Storm Elliott, an industrial park at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport is set to begin construction and Toyota is expanding its high school education program in West Virginia.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning,energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate speaks with Sierra Club Senior Campaign Representative Karan May about the West Virginia Public Service Commission’s recent agreement to allow a plan to keep the Pleasants Power Station from shutting down at the end of May. Consumer and environmental groups, large industrial users and even the PSC’s Consumer Advocate testified against it.
We also hear from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, about a recent public meeting with the EPA. After the train derailment in East Palestine in early February, the agency tested the soil for chemicals, but some people came with their own results - saying they're still being exposed to toxins.
Also, millions of federal dollars will help early childhood education and development in the Mountain State, and West Virginia experts say efforts to improve child mental health are showing positive results.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University, and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, state agencies work with hundreds of independent vendors and contractors. Recently state lawmakers learned that some agencies pay more quickly than others, and the adverse effects that causes.
We also hear from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region, with a story about wild grouse and how to protect them.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the 2019 death of religious writer Rachel Held Evans shook many who looked to her as a voice for young, progressive Christians. It was also a terrible blow to her sister Amanda Held Opelt of Boone, North Carolina.
Working through her grief, Opelt studied grief rituals and wrote a book. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with her about grieving, writing about grief and her sister Amanda.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Darlingside, who is described by NPR as “exquisitely arranged, literary-minded, baroque folk-pop.” We listen to their performance of “Ocean Bed,” which appeared on their 2020 album Fish Pond Fish.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, America has roughly 400 million guns in circulation. Forty percent of adults say they have at least one firearm in their home. In our latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores the foundations of the Second Amendment. There are some cultural and historical beliefs and myths that contribute to our very American divide over guns.
Also, in this show, a collaborative project is bringing light to the lives of veterans laid to rest at the state’s national cemeteries. Chris Schulz has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, in the spring of 2016, a massive brood of cicadas emerged in northern West Virginia after 17 years underground. The event prompted one West Virginia University professor to study the composition of their wings. Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Jillian Howell began making movies as a grade schooler. The Putnam County native now works in Hollywood, but her passion is telling stories on film about worthwhile West Virginians.
Randy Yohe talked with the Disney animation producer and documentary filmmaker about her show business start, her latest project and her drive to support Mountain State arts.
Also, in this show, the debate over the Pleasants Power Station isn’t just about the future of one power plant. As Curtis Tate reports, it’s about two.
And a foster parent identified problems within the system during testimony in front of the Interim Joint Committee on Children and Families. Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, this past winter was unseasonably mild. As Chris Schulz reports, that’s put some of the state’s fruit farmers in an unexpectedly precarious position.
Also, in this show, lawmakers heard from experts treating substance use disorder during interim session. As Emily Rice reports, long-term programs appear to be more successful.
And, earlier this month, a truck carrying waste from the East Palestine train derailment spilled over 20,000 pounds of contaminated soil. The spill was contained, but it highlighted one question hovering over the cleanup in East Palestine: what happens to the waste? The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier found some of it is going to an incinerator in Ohio with a history of problems.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, each summer for a decade, the West Virginia Tattoo Expo has brought artists and enthusiasts to Morgantown to celebrate body art. This year, the convention has added a second weekend. Reporter Chris Schulz spent some time at the event.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from Chuck Prophet. We listen to his performance of “Willie Mays Is Up At Bat,” which comes from his 2012 album Temple Beautiful. This performance also marked Prophet’s tenth appearance on Mountain Stage.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director. Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state may be “wild and wonderful,” but not everything growing in our forests is supposed to be here. There are many invasive plants that are crowding out the native ones.
Gov. Jim Justice proclaimed April as Native Plant Month, as part of a national drive that got the movement going in more than 40 states in just a few months. News Director Eric Douglas took advantage of the spring weather to get out in the woods and learn more about the plants beneath his feet.
Also, in this show, state fire and EMS leaders face challenges with job recruiting and retention, keeping stations open and maintaining mental health in the wake of experiencing overwhelming tragedy. They are asking for help from the legislature. Randy Yohe has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air Report, which grades Americans’ exposure to unhealthy pollution levels. Aimee MacCleave, advocacy director for the American Lung Association’s West Virginia office, spoke to Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice about West Virginia’s report card.
Also, in this show, Mon Power has offered to operate the Pleasants Power Station into next year. But how much will it cost? Will the plant produce any power? Curtis Tate has more.
And, Morgan County citizens have organized weekly gatherings at Cacapon State Park in protest of a plan by the state’s Division of Natural Resources to build an RV campground on park grounds. Shepherd Snyder has the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it is Holocaust Remembrance Day by the Jewish calendar in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the uprising in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. The day honors six million Jews murdered during the war.
News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Laura Millstein the regional development director for the American Jewish Committee from her home in Greenbrier County to better understand the day and the rise of antisemitism today.
Also, in this show, Shepherd University is encouraging conversations with its students and faculty on how to deal with a new state law allowing students to carry concealed weapons on campus. Eastern Panhandle Reporter Shepherd Snyder has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state has a rich musical history, and in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Morgantown-based band The Argument was a proud part of that tradition. But after almost a decade of touring and a few appearances on Mountain Stage, the band went their separate ways.
Now, after close to 20 years of inactivity and most of the members moving away from the state, The Argument is releasing new music. Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with The Argument’s Chris Russell and Scott Simons to discuss collaborating online, and Morgantown’s enduring impact on their music.
Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about the requirement to lease state lands in Ohio for fracking.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s spring planting season. Sarah Hall, an associate professor of agriculture and natural resources at Berea College, is the author of a new book, “Sown in the Stars: Planting by the Signs.” Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Hall about gardening using astrology.
Also, in this show, this week’s episode of Mountain Stage was recorded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in the Terrace Theater in Washington, D.C. Our Song of the Week is by acoustic music icon Peter Rowan, who has been coming to Mountain Stage since 1985. On this version of “From My Mountain (Calling You),” Rowan is accompanied on fiddle by The High Hawks’ Tim Carbone, who you’ll also hear on this week’s episode.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and producer.
Eric Douglas is our news director.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, nearly 150 rural hospitals in the U.S. since 2010 have shut down – all victims to the financial stresses facing the country’s health care. Residents in West Virginia’s Mingo County have watched as some of their health care options vanished.
On the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks at the challenges facing rural childbirth and obstetric care. About 10 percent of rural hospitals have stopped offering delivery care forcing many families to make tough decisions.
Also, in this show, West Virginia lawmakers have been trying to save the Pleasants Power Station in Pleasants County. A few other coal-producing states are working to protect power plants that burn coal. But they’re going against a national trend away from coal that has only accelerated in recent years.
Curtis Tate spoke with Seth Feaster, an energy analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, about what’s happening in coal states and nationwide.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a real problem facing many older adults is having enough money for their retirement. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Josh Hodges, the chief customer officer for the National Council on Aging to learn about the help that is available for retirees and caregivers.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, after years of failed attempts, Senate Bill 10, the Campus Self-Defense Act, also known as Campus Carry, passed in the recently completed legislative session. The new law authorized the concealed carry of firearms in certain areas of college and university campuses.
West Virginia’s institutions of higher education largely opposed campus carry. As Randy Yohe shows us, campus leaders at big and small schools say they’ll need all year and a quarter to prepare before SB 10 becomes law.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Our News Director Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, artificial intelligence is raising the possibility that students could cheat when writing papers. But as Chris Schulz reports, educators and technology companies are ahead of the curve.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about a lawsuit over the loss of pollution controls at a coke plant.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Our News Director Eric Douglas produced this episode.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Primary Election isn’t until next May, but candidates are already declaring their intention to run for the governor’s office. News Director Eric Douglas talks to Marshall Political Science Professor Marybeth Beller about the political objective.
Also, in this show, this week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage features a highly danceable set from vocalist Victoria Victoria, who brought along jazz-giant Charlie Hunter on guitar, performing songs from her new album Wayside for the live audience in Charleston.
Our Song of the Week is Victoria Victoria’s performance of “Hardware Store,” where the subject roams the isles of the hardware store in anticipation of seeing a lost love-interest.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and our producer.
Eric Douglas is our news director.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the challenge to recruit and retain public school bus drivers remains at a critical level, and it’s having a ripple effect on student education. Meanwhile, a shortage of bus mechanics is only aggravating the problem.
Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with West Virginia School Service Personnel Association Executive Director Joe White about the urgent need to find a solution, including legislative remedies – enacted or dismissed – to fix the problem.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia recently became the 17th state in the nation to pass a law protecting student journalists. It is known as the Student Journalist Press Freedom Protection Act.
News Director Eric Douglas, a Marshall J-school alumnus, spoke with Chuck Bailey, the faculty advisor to WMUL and Makaylah Wheeler, the student news director, to discuss how it will affect their reporting.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, every summer, the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins attracts thousands of visitors who come to learn about traditional arts, music and crafts. Inside Appalachia’s Bill Lynch spoke with Seth Young about the center’s mission and its plans to bring more high school juniors and seniors to its summer workshops – for free.
Also, in this show, the opioid overdose drug naloxone nasal spray will soon be available to purchase over the counter. But there are concerns. Appalachia Health news Reporter Emily Rice has more.
And the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about the deadly Donora smog in the western Pennsylvania.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Audio for this episode will be available later today.
On this West Virginia Morning, “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” is a new book to help locals and visitors explore the Mountain State. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Melody Pittman, who co-authored the book with Angela Richards.
Also, in this show, the future of a West Virginia power plant has become an issue in Kentucky’s Republican gubernatorial primary. Curtis Tate has the story.
And the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued an alert Monday warning of a “sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine,” which is also known as “tranq” or “tranq dope.” Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, and North Carolina native, Jennifer Pharr Davis has not only through-hiked the trail three times, but she has also set records for speed. Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams talks to Davis about her love of hiking and what it takes to get started.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from West Virginia native, singer, songwriter, fiddler, and Tiktok sensation Philip Bowen. We listen to his performance of “The Old Kanawha.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and our producer.
Eric Douglas is our news director.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, some railroads want to cut train crew sizes from two people to one. A former CSX engineer and union official spoke with Curtis Tate about efforts in Washington to prevent that.
Also, in this show, a weekend of comedy kicks off Thursday in Morgantown. Now in its second year, the Red Eye Comedy Festival is not only highlighting the state’s nascent comedy community, but also attracting national talent to the region. Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with festival organizer Cody Cannon to discuss the event.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the first of four public hearings held by the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) Monday drew criticism about changes to the plan. Caroline MacGregor reports.
Also, in this show, last month’s toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, put rail safety in the spotlight. Charleston native Sarah Feinberg was involved in crafting rail safety regulations. She served as chief of the Federal Railroad Administration in the Obama White House. Feinberg spoke with Curtis Tate about some of the issues raised by recent derailments.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a group of state legislative and education leaders will soon embark on another national economic development tour. The program, called ChooseWV, tells West Virginia’s story directly to those who can make a major job and industry impact.
We hear an update on the East Palestine train derailment from The Allegheny Front. The creeks that run through the Ohio town are still contaminated with chemicals, and some residents and researchers are questioning the testing and cleanup of the waterways.
Also, West Virginia University President Gordon Gee outlined several challenges facing the university during his State of the University address Monday morning, renewables surpassed coal for generating electricity for the first time last year and a coal miner who died last week at Century Mining-Longview Mine in Barbour County was pinned beneath a mantrip, according to a preliminary report.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, family recipes are a way for people to connect with their ancestors, but what do you do when the measurements for the recipe aren’t exact and you’ve never actually tried Grandma’s potato candy. Brenda Sandoval in Harper’s Ferry had to find out. Inside Appalachia’s Capri Cafaro has more.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. Here's their latest story about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s response to the East Palestine train wreck.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Our Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor produced this show.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Family recipes are a way to connect generations, but what happens when you’ve got grandma’s recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements?
We also talk with Ohio poet laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour about Appalachia, poems — and getting published.
And we revisit a story about an attraction at the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers — and the man who put it there.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- A West Virginia Woman Reverse-Engineers Grandma’s Potato Candy
- Ohio’s Poet Laureate Celebrates Appalachia
- When To Consider Assisted Living For Your Parents
- There’s A Bus On A Rock In A River
A West Virginia Woman Reverse-Engineers Grandma’s Potato CandyOld family recipes are shared and passed down through Appalachia. Sometimes, they come on fingerprint smudged, handwritten note cards stuffed in wooden boxes. Others show up in loose-leaf cookbooks. These family heirlooms can be a way to connect with the past. But not all of those hand-me-down recipes use exact measurements. So how do you know you’re getting it right?
For Brenda Sandoval in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, it involved some trial and error — and an assist from a cousin. Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has the story.
Brenda Sandoval rolling potato candy. Credit: Capri Cafaro/West Virginia Public BroadcastingOhio’s Poet Laureate Celebrates AppalachiaKari Gunter-Seymour is Ohio’s third poet laureate since the state created the position in 2016.
She’s an earnest cheerleader for Appalachian Ohio, which, as she points out, represents about a third of the state.
Gunter-Seymour is the author of several poetry collections. She’s the editor of “I Thought I heard a Cardinal Sing,” which showcases Appalachian writers in Ohio, as well as eight volumes of “Women Speak,” an anthology series featuring the work of women writers and artists from across Appalachia.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Gunter-Seymour about poetry, getting published, and the Appalachian part of Ohio.
When To Consider Assisted Living For Your ParentsOne of the hardest parts of caring for aging parents is deciding when they need professional care. Whether that’s in-home services, assisted living, or something else. Families have to consider what’s best for their loved ones – and how to pay for it.
WVPB’s Eric Douglas spoke with Chris Braley, the owner of an assisted living and memory care facility in West Virginia.
There’s A Bus On A Rock In A RiverAnna Sale. Credit: WNYCIf you listen to the popular podcast Death, Sex & Money, you know Anna Sale. Back in 2005, Anna was a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. She got curious about an old bus that sits on a rock at the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers, just past the town of Gauley Bridge. It’s not far from one of West Virginia’s best known roadside attractions, The Mystery Hole.
In 2005, Anna traveled by boat with former WVPB Video Producer Russ Barbour to meet the man behind the mystery. With warm weather and summer travel not that far away, we brought this story back.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by…Kaia Kater, Jeff Ellis, Erik Vincent, Eck Robertson, Chris Knight and Tyler Childers.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia and on Facebook here.
And you can sign up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, Kari Gunter-Seymour is Ohio’s third poet laureate. She’s the author of several poetry collections and editor of “I Thought I heard a Cardinal Sing,” which showcases Appalachian writers in Ohio, as well as eight volumes of “Women Speak,” a series showcasing Appalachian women writers and artists.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Gunter-Seymour about poetry, getting published and the Appalachian part of Ohio.
Also, in this show, Mountain Stage officially kicks off its 40th broadcast season this week with its 39th anniversary celebration. Our Song of the Week comes to us from Bela Fleck My Bluegrass Heart. We listen to the group’s performance of “Vertigo.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Caroline MacGregor is our assistant news director and produced Friday’s show.
Eric Douglas is our news director.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, more than a decade ago, Huntington made headlines as the “fattest city in the nation.” We listen to an excerpt from our latest episode of Us & Them with host Trey Kay Kay, where we look at continuing efforts to teach healthy habits in West Virginia.
Listen to the full episode of Us & Them Thursday at 8 p.m. or an encore broadcast on Saturday, March 25 at 3 p.m.
Also, in this show, two West Virginia chefs are in the running for one of the most prestigious awards in the culinary world. Randy Yohe spoke with Charleston Chef Paul Smith, who says it's a humbling honor just to be nominated.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, news about book bans have been in the spotlight lately, but books are also being banned in prisons without much public attention.
The Marshall Project, a nonprofit newsroom focused on the criminal justice system, published a searchable database of the books banned in 18 state prison systems.
News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Andrew Calderon about the project and what it means in West Virginia prisons.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Civil War historians are recognizing a unique local celebration that happened during the conflict in the wilds of southern West Virginia, when 20 Jewish Union soldiers came together during the conflict for a Passover feast known as a Seder.
Reporter Shepherd Snyder spoke with Joseph Golden, Jewish researcher and secretary of the Temple Beth El congregation in Beckley, along with Drew Gruber of Civil War Trails, about this celebration’s historical significance.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the last few weeks of news from the world of banking has shaken confidence in financial institutions both at home and abroad. Reporter Chris Schulz set out to find what the real impact has been on West Virginia’s financial institutions.
Also, on this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about when Spring has actually sprung.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we look back at a shocking crime near the Appalachian Trail and speak to the author of a book that re-examines the case.
We also sample a beloved Lenten staple made in Charleston, West Virginia. It’s a Yugoslavian fish stew that has a little bit of everything.
And we talk with the poet laureate of Blair County, Pennsylvania, who invented the demi-sonnet.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Revisiting Unsolved Mysteries Near The Appalachian Trail
- Sampling Yugoslavian Fish Stew In Charleston, WV
- St. Albans, WV Becomes A Dementia Friendly Town
- The Poet Laureate Of Blair County, PA Talks The Demi-Sonnet
CourtesyRevisiting Unsolved Mysteries Near The Appalachian TrailIn the summer of 1996, in Shenandoah National Park, two women, Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, were murdered not far from the Appalachian Trail. The case remains unsolved today.
Journalist Kathryn Miles wrote about the murders in her book, “Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders.” The book goes beyond true crime, though, and wraps in Miles’ personal experiences, and the specter of violence in the outdoors — a place where people go to find peace and solitude. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Miles.
A warning for listeners: Some of this conversation gets into violence, sexual assault and other difficult topics.
Yugo Stew, a Lenten favorite in Charleston, West Virginia. Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public BroadcastingSampling Yugoslavian Fish Stew In Charleston, WVIf you’re in Charleston, West Virginia, General Steak and Seafood is the place to get fresh seafood. Trucks arrive daily with salmon filets, swordfish, Chilean sea bass, scallops, Chesapeake Bay oysters and more. And if you want to taste a little of everything in a single dish, pick up a quart of the shop’s Yugoslavian Fish Stew.
Locally, it’s achieved an almost legendary status, but it didn’t start out that way. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold has the story.
St. Albans, WV Becomes A Dementia Friendly TownFor someone with dementia, or for their family, the possibility of getting confused while out and about can be pretty worrisome. Fortunately, more communities are beginning to respond.
St. Albans, West Virginia was recently recognized for offering services and support for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The town recently held aDementia Friendly Day, to spotlight the new designation. As part of his series on elder care, WVPB’s Eric Douglas spoke with St. Albans Vice Mayor Walter Hall.
Erin Murphy, a poet with a news background and the creator of the demi-sonnet. Credit: Molly De ProspoThe Poet Laureate Of Blair County, PA Talks The Demi-SonnetErin Murphy is coming up on the anniversary of her first year as the poet laureate of Blair County, Pennsylvania. Murphy is the author of 10 poetry collections, the editor of three anthologies and the inventor of the demi-sonnet.
Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch talked with Murphy about inventing a new form and finding poetry in the daily news.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Mary Hott, David Mayfield, Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Sierra Ferrell and Lucero.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia and on Facebook here.
And you can sign up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, General Steak and Seafood in Charleston is a local staple. Along with scallops, sea bass and salmon, the shop is known for its Yugoslavian Fish Stew, particularly during the season of Lent. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold has the story.
Also, in this show, this week’s encore episode of Mountain Stage features Martin Sexton, Nellie McKay, Joseph, Abe Partridge, and Cave Twins, welcomed by our guest-host Larry Groce. Our Song of the Week is McKay’s performance of “No Equality,” which appeared originally on her 2010 album Home Sweet Mobile Home.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, coal’s supporters have bragged about the performance of the fossil fuel during the deep freeze over Christmas weekend. But as Curtis Tate reports, not all coal units were available to help, even in West Virginia. That’s according to a new report from Standard & Poor’s.
Also, in this show, WMMT reporter Katie Myers covered last year’s floods in eastern Kentucky. Then she helped guide British reporter Philip Reevell as he worked on a documentary for the BBC. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams talked with both about covering the floods and being part of the story.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, with the 60-day legislative session over, lawmakers and West Virginians have a chance to reflect on what was accomplished – and look forward to what still needs to be done for the state. Chris Schulz covered the Senate all session and has one last look at the chamber’s activity.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, is a public radio program that reports on environmental issues in the region. We listen to their latest story about the “sunny oaks project” in Ohio and clear cutting.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, several lawmakers called the just completed legislative session historic, while others were concerned over the focus on major economic development rather than helping working West Virginians. Randy Yohe has a final session wrap from the House of Delegates.
Also, in this show, Georgia is probably best known for its peaches, but now, varieties once found only in southern Georgia are moving northward into Appalachia because of climate change. It’s not just peaches, but all kinds of fruit trees. Jess Mador has this story of fruit tree migration.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the 60-day state legislative session ended Saturday night in a quieter fashion than normal. Both chambers finished up all the legislation they intended to pass on Friday and spent Saturday hammering out the differences.
Our news department covered the session extensively for The Legislature Today, West Virginia Morning and on our website.
Sunday, while the session was still fresh in everyone’s mind, the news team came together in the studio to do a final wrap up. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with the reporters on legislative duty.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
Appalachians love to compete. Whether it’s rec league softball, a turkey calling contest or workplace chili cookoffs… Mountain folks are in it to win it.
But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing. In this show, we’ll also meet competitors who are also keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.
In This Episode:
- Musgrave Reports From The Mountain Mushroom Festival
- An Accident Of Appalachian History Led To A New Style of Pizza
- Brave Kids Continue Eisteddfod Tradition
- Playing To Eat And Eating To Play
- A Southern Ohio Town Honors The Appalachian Connection To The NFL
Musgrave Reports From The Mountain Mushroom FestivalTina Caroland shows off a morel mushroom at the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky. Caroland has demonstrated how to fry morels at the festival for about 15 years. She purchased morels for this year’s cooking demonstration because Caroland and her family were slow to find morels at the start of this season. Credit: Nicole Musgrave/West Virginia Public BroadcastingEach spring, people take to the woods in search of morels, a seasonal favorite throughout Appalachia, and they inspire all kinds of competition.
Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave went to the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky and found people looking for the most mushrooms — the biggest mushrooms — and the tastiest way to EAT mushrooms.
An Accident Of Appalachian History Led To A New Style of PizzaEver live in a place where there’s a competition between two restaurants, and people sort of decide which team they’re on?
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold says people in Wheeling, West Virginia are passionate about their pizza.That’s because an accident of history led to a new style and a who’s better/who’s best contest that’s been going on for decades.
In Wheeling, West Virginia, people are passionate about their pizza. People there say that an accident of history led to a new style of pizza - Appalachia’s contribution to America’s great regional pizza traditions. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold visited DiCarlo’s Famous Pizza to find out more. Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public BroadcastingBrave Kids Continue Eisteddfod TraditionEisteddfod is probably not a word that rolls off the tongue of everyone in Appalachia. But in Wales, it refers to a traditional music competition that goes back nearly 1,000 years. Immigrants brought the tradition to southern Ohio, where it/s endured for generations. Thanks in part…to some brave kids. Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has this story.
Playing To Eat And Eating To PlayAnother competitive tradition that’s endured for generations is weekly board game night. Whether with family or friends, we play Monopoly, Settlers of Catan, and sometimes even Candyland.
Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett reported on a board game that matches West Virginia’s favorite cryptids with some of its favorite places to eat.
A Southern Ohio Town Honors The Appalachian Connection To The NFLAppalachia’s connection to professional football has always been a little loose. Lots of pro players have come out of Appalachia, but there’s really only one Appalachian NFL team – the Pittsburgh Steelers, or two if you count the Atlanta Falcons, as a listener recently argued we should.
It turns out, at least one other professional team has Appalachian DNA – the Detroit Lions. That franchise began as the Portsmouth Spartans in Portsmouth, Ohio, just across the river from Kentucky.
Sports fan and WVPB reporter Randy Yohe has this story.
What about you? What kind of competitions are happening in your neck of the woods? Maybe you know about a sport or contest we’ve never heard about. Or someone there makes pizza like nobody else. Tell us about it. (Contact details below!)
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Charlie McCoy, The Steel Drivers, Larry Groce, David Mayfield, and Dean Martin.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia and on Facebook here.
And you can sign up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, there have been a number of health issues discussed by the state legislature this session, from reducing the cost of insulin to women’s health. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with The Legislature Today host Bob Brunner about some of the bills she’s been following.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week is by bassist, songwriter and vocalist John Inghram, who has appeared on Mountain Stage alongside several artists over the years. He steps out as the front man and songwriter for his own band on this week’s show. John’s self-titled debut album, released in May 2022, features the single “Palisades,” which we’ve chosen as our Song of the Week.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the federal government says this year’s count of homeless people shows 40 percent are living on the streets, unsheltered. That’s the highest percentage ever. Many cities are struggling to provide support. In Charleston, West Virginia outdoor encampments have been a focus at the state legislature as debate continues over how to respond.
In our latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with the director of policy for the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. Barbara DiPietro says our current approach to homelessness only exacerbates underlying issues. Here’s an excerpt from our next podcast.
Also, in this show, at the start of the West Virginia Legislative session, the state had to come to grips with several concerning reports showing declines in math and reading scores for public school students. Now, at the end of the legislative session, reporter Chris Schulz looks into what has been done so far to improve student outcomes. He spoke with the House Education Chairman Del. Joe Ellington, R-Mercer.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) has been struggling for years. A lot of that has to do with inaction to solve those problems. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, and House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, to discuss changes to PEIA.
Also, in this show, we have the next installment in our series on caring for aging parents. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Katherine Calloway from Hospice Care of West Virginia to find out more. This is a conversation many people don’t want to have with their loved ones, but it is an important one.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, one hotly debated bill before the state legislature is one that restricts gender-affirming health care for state youth. It’s slowly moving forward in the Senate. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas speaks with reporter Curtis Tate about the bill.
Also, in this show, Shepherd University hosted U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, Monday after close to $3 million of congressional funds were granted to support programs on campus. Eastern Panhandle reporter Shepherd Snyder has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, model trains have grown from a child’s toy to an enduring passion for adults. Inside Appalachia Folkways reporter Zack Harold visited with the Kanawha Valley Railroad Association and has this story.
Also, in this show, we’re entering the last week of the regular 2023 West Virginia Legislative session, and there is a lot still to be accomplished. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, reporters Chris Schulz and Emily Rice sat down with Brad McElhinny from WV MetroNews to get a feel for how things have gone.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, with the state’s abortion ban clarified and solidified in state code by recent legislation, our Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice talks with Sen. Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and Del. Ric Griffith, D-Wayne, about women’s and maternal health in West Virginia.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from singer, songwriter and producer Maia Sharp. We listen to her performance of “Whatever We Are.” It’s a lament that appears originally on her recent album “Mercy Rising.”
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear the latest installment in News Director Eric Douglas’ series on caring for aging parents. We talk with Chris Braley, the owner of a memory care assisted living facility in Kanawha County, who sheds light on in-home care versus nursing homes.
Also, in this show, in our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with Dels. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, and Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, about Crossover Day – the last day bills can be considered on third reading in their chamber of origin.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, some struggling families may now have less government support for food, as COVID-19 pandemic-era emergency allotments come to a close. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice has more.
Also, in this show, the state Senate over the weekend passed a bill making changes to the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). Health costs everywhere keep increasing, but the state program hasn’t kept up, causing some hospitals to declare that they would no longer accept the program.
In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with Fred Albert, president of AFT-WV, and Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, the deputy speaker of the House, to understand the bill.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, with West Virginia tourism growing as a four season, nationwide destination, there's an abundance of legislation to enhance hiking and biking, with rail trails and rest stops along the way.
In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor spoke with House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, and Sen. Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, to learn about what the state legislature has planned to support that industry.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about long-term issues from the East Palestine chemical spill.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, a serious train derailment and chemical release in Ohio has dominated the headlines for the past few weeks. West Virginia has seen its own share of disasters with hazardous materials, including an oil train derailment and fire in 2015. Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with Jesse Richardson of the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic about those events.
Also, in this show, with toxic “forever chemicals” being detected in waterways statewide, the pollutants have caught the attention of both the public eye and state legislators. Eastern Panhandle Reporter Shepherd Snyder has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, flooding is a problem that plagues the state of West Virginia, but a resiliency officer is now designated to help the state recover. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor spoke with Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, and Sen. Chandler Swope, R-Mercer, to see how the state legislature can help further.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from jazzy singer and songwriter Kat Edmonson. She performs “Nobody Knows That” – a sweet and timeless love song, from the perspective of a friend longing for more from a lover with another on their mind.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, climate change is changing what grows in Appalachia, and where. Some peach varieties usually found in Georgia are moving north.
We also learn how the bean dish frijoles charros made its way from northern Mexico — to Appalachian Ohio.
And we revisit our interview with Crystal Wilkinson, who was appointed Kentucky poet laureate in 2021.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Frijoles Charros Makes Its Way To Menus In Ohio
- Climate Change Prunes Peach Trees Of The South
- Tough Conversations About End Of Life Plans
- Revisiting KY Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson
Frijoles Charros Makes Its Way To Menus In OhioA bowl of brothy pinto beans is a comfort food for lots of folks here in Appalachia. In southeast Ohio, one man is serving up soup beans that remind him of his childhood home. Frijoles charros — or charro beans — is a popular dish among the ranching communities of rural northern Mexico. Now they’re on a menu in the former coal town of Wellston.
Folkways reporter Nicole Musgrave has this story.
Climate Change Prunes Peach Trees Of The SouthGeorgia is known for its peaches. They’re practically a state symbol.
You can find peach trees throughout the state. But now, varieties once found only in the southern part of Georgia are moving northward into Appalachia. That’s because fruit trees need a certain amount of cold weather — and climate change is resulting in milder winters and earlier springs.
It’s not just peaches. Climate change affects all sorts of fruit — from apples and blueberries, to pawpaws, pears and plums.
Jess Mador has this story of fruit tree migration. It begins in Georgia.
Tough Conversations About End of Life PlansMuch of Appalachia has an aging population. And with fewer services available in rural communities, it’s often left to families to care for the needs of seniors. That includes end of life care — and beyond.
But talking about funeral arrangements can be awkward. Tom Nichols is the owner of Bartlett Nichols Funeral Home in St. Albans, West Virginia. He spoke with WVPB’s Eric Douglas about ways to ease the conversation.
Revisiting KY Poet Laureate Crystal WilkinsonOur final segment revisits our former co-host Caitlin Tan’s 2021 interview with Crystal Wilkinson. Wilkinson was the first Black woman to be named poet laureate of Kentucky. A lot of her writing focuses on Black women and their experiences in Appalachia.
Wilkinson grew up on her grandparents’ farm in Casey County, Kentucky. Her grandfather, Silas, raised cash crops like corn and tobacco.
Caitlin began by asking Wilkinson to read a poem. She chose an ode to Tobacco and her grandfather.
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Town Mountain, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sierra Ferrell, Wes Swing and Paul Loomis.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.
And you can sign-up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, there are several ways to look at economic development in West Virginia. One is the traditional method of luring large corporations to the state, and another school of thought is to invest that money in poverty programs and to bring the poorest West Virginians up.
In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Mitch Carmichael, the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, and Rev. Mathew Watts from the Tuesday Morning Group, about possibilities.
Also, in this show, America’s prison system releases at least 95 percent of the men and women incarcerated when their sentences are finished. When they re-enter society, many struggle to navigate that freedom successfully. On the next Us & Them, host Trey Kay hears about the challenges of re-entry.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s Dementia Friendly Day in St. Albans. The Kanawha County town is the first location in the state that has been recognized as being dementia friendly.
For his special radio series, "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents," News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Walter Hall, the vice mayor of St. Albans, and one of the founders of the Dementia Friendly program, to find out what it’s all about.
Also, in this show, between the Roads to Prosperity and the federal infrastructure law, there is a lot going on when it comes to roads and bridges. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate spoke with state Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston and Sen. Charles Clements, R-Wetzel, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to discuss the state’s progress.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Senate Bill 10 is expected to pass the House of Delegates this week. The bill would allow people with concealed carry permits to have guns on college campuses. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia, and Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, to get a better understanding on the bill.
Also, in this show, last summer’s flooding in eastern Kentucky caught the Hindman Settlement School in the middle of its annual Appalachian Writers Workshop. Everyone at the workshop made it home safely, but the school was hit hard.
Recently, the school announced plans for this year’s Appalachian Writers Workshop. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with workshop organizer Josh Mullins about the flood and this year’s workshop.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we listen back to our Friday reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today where our WVPB reporters Randy Yohe and Chris Schulz were joined by veteran TV newsman from WCHS in Charleston Bob Aaron. They discussed some of the big ticket items in the state legislature including campus carry, arming public school teachers and splitting up the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR).
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, has its latest story about a new book based on the life and influence of environmentalist Rachel Carson.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, substance use disorder, sober living homes, homelessness and mental health treatment are all challenges facing West Virginia when it comes to helping people regain sobriety.
In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, and Del. Scot Heckert, R-Wood, to discuss what’s working and what needs changed.
Also, in this show, eight-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne returns to Mountain Stage for the ninth time on this week’s broadcast. Her latest album on her Womanly Hips label, Radio Waves, features in-studio radio performances from throughout her career.
Osborne joined us to perform songs from that new release, including her groove-heavy version of Slim Harpo’s “Shake Your Hips,” which we’ve chosen as our Song of the Week.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we hop a tiny train to discover the miniature wonders of a West Virginia model railroad club that now faces an uncertain future.
We also visit Madison, West Virginia — a former coal community that's looking to reinvent itself.
And we visit a cemetery in Bluefield, Virginia and learn how racial segregation extended from cradle to the grave.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Model Train Club Coming To A Crossroads
- Coal Towns Look To Reinvent
- Appalachian Writers Workshop To Return
- Segregated Cemetery Remembered And Restored
Model Train Club Coming To a CrossroadsModel trains are a symbol of American childhood. You can probably picture it. A circle of track, some plastic trees, a few diecast cars sitting at the railroad crossing.
Well, the model train setup in our next story takes things to a whole different scale. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold brings us the story.
Coal Towns Look To ReinventAppalachia’s coal industry has had a pretty good last couple of years, all things considered. But a growing number of places have lost coal altogether. And after decades of relying on it, they’re trying to figure out what’s next.
West Virginia lawmakers established a grants commission last year, to funnel federal dollars to coalfield communities. WVPB’s Randy Yohe visited Madison, West Virginia, to hear about its efforts to build a new economy, after coal.
Appalachian Writers Workshop To ReturnLast summer, torrential rains brought flooding and destruction to parts of Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia and southwestern Virginia. Among the communities hit was the town of Hindman, Kentucky — home to the Appalachian Writer’s Workshop at the Hindman Settlement School. When the floods began, the writer’s workshop was midway through its weeklong session. Several campus buildings were damaged, but all of the students and faculty there eventually made it home safely.
The school announced plans for this year’s Appalachian Writers Workshop. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with workshop organizer Josh Mullins about the flood and the upcoming workshop.
Segregated Cemetery Remembered And RestoredBluefield is a small town on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. For decades, on the Virginia side, graves of the Black residents who helped build the community were neglected in the town’s segregated cemetery. And it might have stayed that way if it hadn’t been for the efforts of one persistent woman whose family was buried there.
Folkways Reporter Connie Bailey Kitts reports.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Otis Gibbs, Del McCoury, Tyler Childers and Amythyst Kia.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.
And you can sign-up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, from the Hope Scholarship to charter schools, West Virginia’s educational landscape has changed in the last few years. Often driven by legislation, supporters of the “school choice” movement have more options now than ever before.
Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, and Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, to discuss how things have changed.
Also, in this show, a study from West Virginia University recently looked at the financial costs of self-injury deaths like suicide or overdose as a way to make people pay more attention to the problem.
Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice spoke with Ian Rockett, one of the authors of the study.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state recently received some bad health grades from the American Lung Association. Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with Del. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, who is also a doctor, to get his thoughts on the state of health in West Virginia and what the legislature can do to help.
Also, in this show, in last week’s installment of the radio series "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents," News Director Eric Douglas spoke with a funeral director on planning ahead. This week, he speaks with Charleston Attorney Franki Parsons about wills and estate planning and the problems that arise if you don’t have them when you die.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, one issue before the West Virginia Legislature this year is judicial redistricting. That means balancing out the number of judges covering the state to make sure that every case gets heard in a timely manner.
Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Del. Moore Capito, R-Kanawha, and Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan, the chairmen of the House and Senate Judiciary committees, to talk about the decision making process and other legislative legal issues.
Also, in this show, the Senate voted unanimously Monday to encourage Mon Power to purchase a power plant in northern West Virginia to save it from closing. Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate has more on what this might mean for ratepayers.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the biggest story to watch at the West Virginia Legislature this week will be proposed tax cuts. Last Friday, WVPB‘s Chris Schulz and Curtis Tate sat down with Leah Willingham from the Associated Press for a reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today.
Also, in this show, Marc Harshman has published more than 15 books and served as West Virginia’s poet laureate for 10 years. His latest poetry collection is called “Dark Hills of Home.” Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch recent spoke with Harshman about poetry and his long tenure as the poet laureate.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, energy costs have gone up for West Virginians in the past couple of years. Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases.
On our most recent episode of The Legislature Today, Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with Emmett Pepper, a member of the Charleston City Council, and Kent Carper, president of the Kanawha County Commission. Both men say they would like the West Virginia Legislature to get more involved in the effort.
Also, in this show, we listen to our Mountain Stage Song of the Week, which comes to us from folk-music icon Janis Ian, who joined us on her final tour. Ian’s performance of her landmark hit from 1975, “At Seventeen,” is one of many “evergreen” songs Ian has penned since she began songwriting at the age of 14. The song was awarded a Grammy in 1976 for Best Pop Vocal Performance-Female.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources touches the lives of nearly everyone in West Virginia in one way or another. But a big problem is internal communication. New legislation aims to fix that.
Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with the chairs of the Senate and House Health committees: Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor, and Sen. Mike Maroney, R-Marshall, to discuss DHHR’s future.
Also, in this show, recent reports show that young people in the U.S. are showing up to vote. Turnout among 18 to 29-year-olds shot up in the 2020 election to a level not seen since the 1970s. The numbers also show there are more young people engaging in conservative politics.
In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores how young people engage with politics.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, discussing funeral arrangements is never easy, but as News Director Eric Douglas found out through personal experience with his mom, it is much easier to do it in advance than it is after a loved one has passed away.
As part of his series, "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents,” Douglas spoke with Tom Nichols, the owner of Bartlett Nichols Funeral Home in St. Albans to understand the process.
Also, in this show, the House of Delegates last week approved House Bill 2007. The bill would limit gender-affirming medical care for anyone under 18. During two committee hearings on the bill, lawmakers called no expert witnesses. Curtis Tate spoke with Dr. Kacie Kidd of the WVU School of Medicine about what gender-affirming care for minors is and is not.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, there are 1,500 classrooms in West Virginia without accredited teachers.
Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, the Senate Education Committee chair, and Del. David Elliot Pritt, D-Fayette, the Minority vice chair of the House Education Committee, to learn more about what is being done to address this and other education challenges in the state.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, book deserts are places without nearby libraries or bookstores, which can be very hard for children just learning to read. Morgantown High School senior Rania Zuri is trying to fight that and bring books to kids in West Virginia. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with her.
Also, in this show, a number of health-related issues have been on the table this legislative session — from gender-affirming care, to PEIA coverage and even foster care splitting up DHHR. For our Friday reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with WVPB’s Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice and Allen Siegler from Mountain State Spotlight.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with West Virginia teachers Shane Healy and Robin Chancey on our latest episode of The Legislature Today to discuss the state of our schools and some of the proposed changes.
Also, in this show, our Mountain Stage Song of the Week comes to us from journeyman songwriter James McMurtry. We listen to his song “Canola Fields,” which is the opening track of McMurtry’s acclaimed New West release The Horses and the Hounds.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder.
Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.
Teresa Wills and Chuck Anziulewicz are our hosts.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
This week, we meet a West Virginia high school student whose love of reading inspired her to bring books to young children.
We also check in on people who were displaced by historic flooding in Kentucky. What’s happening now that we’re deep into winter?
And we find advice for people navigating the difficulties of caring for aging parents.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode
- A High School Student Combats Book Deserts
- Sit For A Spell In The Story Parlor And Hear A Story
- How To Help Manage Legal Issues For Aging Parents
- Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brings People Together in Moorefield, WV
A High School Student Combats Book DesertsMaybe you’ve heard about food deserts. These are places where there’s little access to fresh food, but there’s another kind of desert in our region that affects the literacy rates of young children. Book deserts are areas where there aren’t libraries or bookstores.
Rania Zuri, a senior at Morgantown High School in West Virginia, is the founder of an organization that provides books to preschool children across the state.
Sit For A Spell In The Story Parlor And Hear A StoryAppalachians love telling stories. Lies, yarns, and good ole fashioned tall tales. In fact, the International Storytelling Center is based in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Just across the state line in Asheville, North Carolina, a young family is cultivating another place for people to gather to share stories. Matt Peiken at Blue Ridge Public Radio reports.
How To Help Manage Legal Issues For Aging ParentsHelping aging parents can involve a lot more than getting them to the doctor, church and the grocery store. It might mean managing their checkbook, their bills and their treatment.
WVPB News Director Eric Douglas explores care giving in "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents." He recently spoke with Franki Parsons, a lawyer who specializes in legal and estate planning.
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Brings People Together In Moorefield, WVMoorefield, West Virginia is home to about 3,300 people - about 1 in 10 are immigrants. That includes a small community from Eritrea and Ethiopia. Many work at the chicken processing plant in town, Pilgrim’s Pride. The hours are long and don’t leave much time for socializing. Still, members of that East African community continue to practice a tradition they’ve brought from home: the coffee ceremony.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by The Company Stores, Hillbilly Gypsies, Watchhouse, Long Point String Band and Ona.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.
And you can sign-up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Gov. Jim Justice during Wednesday night’s episode of The Legislature Today. We listen to part of that conversation where the governor discussed budget surpluses and tax reductions.
Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares its latest story about recycling plastics.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, government reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and House Finance committee member Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, to get the latest on the state budget.
We also continue our series "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents" as News Director Eric Douglas speaks with insurance expert Paul Moss about when older drivers should give up being behind the wheel.
Also, West Virginia lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that restricts medical care for transgender youth.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, the state’s jail system is stretched to a breaking point. Even with various programs, incentives and pay raises to encourage more West Virginians to serve as correctional officers, there are still severe vacancies.
Legislative reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, and Del. David Kelly, R-Tyler, on The Legislature Today to get their take on the situation and moves in the West Virginia Legislature to help fix it.
Also, in this show, West Virginia’s farms and forests were on display Monday at the Capitol. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has more.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we listen back to our Friday reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today. Steven Allen Adams from Ogden Newspapers joined our statehouse reporters Randy Yohe and Chris Schulz in the studio.
Also, in this episode, starting at the beginning of the year, the office of Veterans Affairs began processing claims relating to the PACT Act, a piece of legislation that expands health care for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances. Shepherd Snyder spoke with Patrick Zondervan, Acting Director of the Huntington VA Regional Office, on what that means for West Virginia veterans.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
For working comedians, mean-spirited hecklers are part of the job. But what happens when someone gets angry enough to throw a beer?
And, West Virginia poet laureate Marc Harshman had his own experience with an intimidating gig.
We also hear some advice for people caring for aging relatives.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- Kentucky Comedian Ducks A Heckler And Catches Fame
- West Virginia Poet Laureate Looks Back At 10 Years
- More Questions About Elder Care Answered
- Miss West Virginia Champions Appalachian Agriculture
Kentucky Comedian Ducks A Heckler And Catches FameCatching a break in comedy can take years, decades — sometimes never. Usually, stand up comedians slowly work their way up from open mics and local bars — to the grind of touring on the club circuit.
But getting a spot on a late night talk show? That could be a career launcher — leading to a better spot on club shows, national tours and — every once in a while — real stardom.
Kentucky comedian Ariel Elias recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — but not in the way she expected. She went viral after a video emerged of a heckler in New Jersey chucking a beer at her.
It missed Elias’ head by inches. What happened next ensured her place in standup history. Elias picked up the can — and chugged the rest of the beer.
WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf recently spoke with her.
More Questions About Elder Care AnsweredCaring for aging parents is hard — especially here in Appalachia. There’s not always support for caregivers who provide the day-to-day needs of loved ones. Inside Appalachia Executive Producer Eric Douglas is exploring issues around elder care.
He recently spoke with Teresa Morris of the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
West Virginia Poet Laureate Looks Back At 10 YearsMarc Harshman is West Virginia’s poet laureate. Harshman has published more than 15 books over his career, many of them for children. His 2017 book “Believe What You Can” won Appalachian Book of the Year. Producer Bill Lynch recently spoke with Harshman about his long tenure, his current collection, “Dark Hills of Home,” and what it was like when he found out he was chosen to follow Irene McKinney as West Virginia poet laureate.
Miss West Virginia Champions Appalachian AgricultureMiss West Virginia Elizabeth Lynch finished as third-runner up in the Miss America competition. Lynch used the moment to promote Appalachian agriculture. WVPB’s Shepherd Snyder spoke to Lynch about her advocacy.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by The Company Stores, Mary Hott, Paul Loomis and Montana Skies
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia.
And you can sign-up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has long been an energy state. But where that energy comes from is changing. Natural gas is replacing coal in power plants and renewable energy is gaining ground.
Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate talks about the two pieces of legislation with Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, Chairman of the House Energy Committee, and Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, Minority Vice Chair of the House Energy Committee.
Also, in this show, America faces a long-term affordable housing crisis – created by a serious overall shortage in housing. In our latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay takes us to rural communities and urban developments to see how the situation plays out.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians have found themselves caring for an aging parent. News Director found himself in that position with his mom and he didn’t know where to turn for help. So, he got to work and is bringing what he found to our broadcast. In our fourth story in Douglas’ series "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents,” he talks with Vicky Foster, the CEO of Kanawha Valley Senior Services.
Also, in this show, when Gov. Jim Justice signed House Bill 4479 last March, he established the Coalfield Communities Grant Facilitation Commission. The state is obliged to match local grants and help apply for and administer grants. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has been following this story and spent time in Madison, the Boone County seat, where they are looking forward to this commission's help.
West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
On this West Virginia Morning, we share our fourth story in News Director Eric Douglas’ series "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents." He talks with Vicky Foster, the CEO of Kanawha Valley Senior Services.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) is the health care benefit for state employees and teachers among others. Rising costs in health care have put the program in jeopardy. Reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Del. Charlie Reynolds, R-Marshall, and Fred Albert, the president of the American Federation of Teachers – West Virginia, to get their perspectives.
On this West Virginia Morning, our Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams recently spoke with country musician and Virginia native Morgan Wade. “Wilder Days” is the first track on her country album Reckless. The album was released in 2021 and became a hit, charting at number 14 on Billboard’s Heatseekers charts. We hear about her tour and about coming home to Floyd, Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe talks with Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, and Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, about proposed early childhood education reforms to ensure literacy. The renewed focus comes after state and national test results in 2022 showed steep declines in reading and math scores.
On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz sat down with budget policy expert Sean O’Leary from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy to discuss the proposed state budget and the potential possibilities.
On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians at some point are faced with the problem of taking over their parent’s finances and care. As part of his ongoing series, "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents," News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Franki Parsons, a Charleston attorney who specializes in estate planning and works with families who may need a conservatorship or a guardianship.
On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz sits down with Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, to talk about his plan for this year’s legislative session. Improvements to the state’s educational system, departmental restructuring and promised tax cuts are on Blair’s agenda this year.
On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Margaret Pomponio, CEO of reproductive health and rights advocacy group WV FREE, to learn more about HB 2002. If passed, the bill would create the West Virginia Mothers and Babies Pregnancy Support program and fund Pregnancy Help Organizations to encourage women to give birth in the case of unplanned pregnancy.The bill comes after the legislature passed a law during last summer’s special session that outlaws abortion with a few exceptions for rape and to preserve the life of the mother.
On This West Virginia Morning, West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s show The Legislature Today returned to the air last night with a response to the governor’s State of the State Address. Reporter Chris Schulz spoke with Senate Minority Leader Mike Woelfel and House Minority Leader Doug Skaff to get their reactions.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice’s seventh State of the State address Wednesday night covered a wide range of proposed initiatives, including a personal income tax cut and putting half a billion dollars toward economic development.
On this West Virginia Morning, we continue our series “Getting Into Reality: Caring For Aging Parents” with our second interview. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Teresa Morris, program director for the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. They discussed what Alzheimer's is and what it means for the caregiver.
On this West Virginia Morning, Martinsburg native and Miss West Virginia Elizabeth Lynch has been making waves nationally as the third-runner up in this year’s Miss America competition, using her platform to be a voice for Appalachian agriculture.
Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with Halle Cheeseman, program director for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency, about the type of iron air batteries set to be manufactured in West Virginia and how they’re used.
On this West Virginia Morning, the washboard is a traditional tool for doing laundry. It’s also a rhythm instrument. At one place in Appalachia, it is seeing a revival. Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro brought us this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, with statewide Emergency Medical Service worker numbers still down a third, there’s plenty of overtime for those often making life and death ambulance runs. With all that overtime, there’s overwhelming stress – and a dire need for more EMS mental health support. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, the WVPB news team has launched a new, occasional series titled “Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents.” It’s focused on the challenges that come with caring for aging parents in West Virginia — from dementia to Alzheimer’s to mobility issues.
On this West Virginia Morning, major challenges remain across the state in recruiting and retaining enough emergency medical service workers to keep ambulances running. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with state Emergency Medical Director Jody Ratliff on all that’s being done to keep the first responder EMT department fully staffed.
On this West Virginia Morning, parishioners at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Bluefield spend 40 days before Christmas abstaining from eggs, meat and dairy – but that doesn’t mean they still can’t enjoy something a little sweet. Folkways Reporter Connie Bailey Kitts has this story about a Greek-Appalachian cookie recipe.
On this West Virginia Morning, the holidays can be a difficult time for many people, including those in recovery from substance use disorder. Monongalia County Health Department Threat Preparedness specialist Joe Klass sat down with reporter Chris Schulz to remind listeners of the accessibility and usefulness of the overdose-reversing medication naloxone.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Infrastructure Investment Act is bringing millions of dollars for construction and development across the state. As Chris Schulz reports, thanks to a training program, West Virginia is well positioned to meet the demand for more workers with skilled women.
On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with West Virginia's new Commerce Secretary James Bailey on the challenges of managing a diverse department that includes everything from forestry to rehabilitation services.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Justin Nobel, an investigative reporter covering the oil and gas industry in Appalachia. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams caught up with Nobel, who has been writing about health and environmental justice concerns at a facility in eastern Ohio that processes radioactive oilfield waste.
On this West Virginia Morning, our very own Larry Groce contributed to the local music scene even before he helped found Mountain Stage. He has received honors and accolades for his work, but this weekend he is receiving something unexpected. He is going to receive an honorary doctoral degree from WVU.
On this West Virginia Morning, reporter Amelia Knisely spoke with Major Joseph May, area commander for the Salvation Army of Central West Virginia, which serves Boone, Clay, Kanawha, Logan, Mingo, Putnam and Roane counties.
On this West Virginia Morning, as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming 2023 regular state legislative session, they do so with a near historic imbalance of political party power. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with the leaders of both state political parties on what brought them to this point and their expectations for the future.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state has not been immune to a countrywide shortage of certified bus drivers to provide transportation for students. As Education Reporter Chris Schulz reports, the problem and its solution lies with each county and its school system.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state is among the national leaders in apprenticeships. Government Reporter Randy Yohe reports on a growing vocational trend that seems well fitted to the Mountain State’s workforce. Also, in this show, we learn about a new Christmas book that celebrates West Virginia's counties.
On this West Virginia Morning, college football in West Virginia is usually associated with the West Virginia Mountaineers and Marshall Thundering Herd. But Shepherd University’s loyal fans in the Eastern Panhandle will cheer on their football program when they play in the Division II semifinals this weekend.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is now working to implement recommendations from the independent McChrystal analysis group to improve internal communications and client outcomes. Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with DHHR Cabinet Secretary Bill Crouch on the progress so far.
On this West Virginia Morning, News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Dr. Michael Stevens, WVU Health System's Healthcare Epidemiologist, about flu, COVID-19 and keeping your family safe this holiday season.
On this West Virginia Morning, it didn’t take long after the recent general election for several political candidates to announce they’re running for state and federal offices in 2024. More are expected to announce in the next few weeks. But are they officially on the ballot? Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with State Election Director Deak Kersey from Secretary of State Mac Warner’s office on how declaring yourself a political candidate really works.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Monongalia County Quick Response Team was launched in 2019 as a collaboration among public health, first responders, and other health care and private partners. As Chris Schulz reports, robust community responses efforts like these have been built to tackle the state’s opioid epidemic head on.
Drug and alcohol abuse has torn West Virginia families apart and separated parents from their children. But a recent family court graduation shows how a community can come together to change that. Ten parents in Nicholas County celebrated a big milestone in their sobriety as they’ve been reunited with their children. Amelia Knisely has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, earlier this year, the state legislature revitalized the West Virginia Film Office, as well as the state’s film tax credits. The bill went into effect in July and as Chris Schulz reports, in just five months, the state’s film industry is already seeing a bump.
On this West Virginia Morning, there are two schools of thought dominating the politics of improving West Virginia’s education systems. Some promote non-traditional education, while others say public schools must be prioritized. Government Reporter Randy Yohe offers some points and counterpoints on the state’s education debate.
On this West Virginia Morning, another birthing center in a hospital has closed, worsening West Virginia’s critical shortage of care for its mothers and babies. Amelia Knisely has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, most of us think of Thanksgiving as a time to get together with family for a large meal. But many West Virginians struggle this time of year, and the food banks are struggling to keep up, too. Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, economic development and education are two issues that loom large as state legislators prepare for the 2023 regular session. Randy Yohe reports that leaders in the West Virginia House of Delegates from both parties have different views on the varied priority issues that need to be addressed.
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk with two authors about their new books. One, from folklorist Emily Hilliard, explores visionary folklore and everyday culture in Appalachia. The second book, from West Virginia University’s James Van Nostrand looks at West Virginia’s reluctance to let go of coal.
On this West Virginia Morning, a new book called “Y’all Means All: Emerging Voices Queering Appalachia” is challenging the stereotypes and marginalization faced by LGBTQ Appalachians. It shows how the public perception is changing. Mason Adams has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, historic flooding in southeastern Kentucky this summer took lives, destroyed property and at least temporarily cut people off from some of their traditions — like playing music in church. With the help of friends and neighbors, some of these musicians have been able to reconnect with their music.
On this West Virginia Morning, throughout the 20th century, people left Appalachia in search of jobs and opportunities. Some Appalachians came to a part of Atlanta, Georgia for work, bringing with them their mountain culture. Jess Maydor has this story about Cabbagetown.
On this West Virginia Morning, throughout the 20th century, people left Appalachia in search of jobs and opportunities. Some Appalachians came to a part of Atlanta, Georgia for work, bringing with them their mountain culture. Jess Maydor has this story about Cabbagetown.
On this West Virginia Morning, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Affrilachian poet Frank X. Walker about coining the term “Affrilachia” and about his latest work — a children’s book that uses the alphabet to identify and focus on people of color who grew up in Appalachia. It’s called A is For Appalachia.
On this West Virginia Morning, News Director Eric Douglas talks with Affrilachian poet Frank X. Walker about coining the term “Affrilachia” and about his latest work — a children’s book that uses the alphabet to identify and focus on people of color who grew up in Appalachia. It’s called A is For Appalachia.
On this West Virginia Morning, for many Black communities, music is an essential component of end-of-life rituals. When a loved one dies, families often call on a singer to perform at a funeral to offer comfort and healing. Inside Appalachia Folkways Reporter Leeshia Lee spoke with her cousin, Michelle Dyess, about being a funeral singer in Charleston.
On this West Virginia Morning, for many Black communities, music is an essential component of end-of-life rituals. When a loved one dies, families often call on a singer to perform at a funeral to offer comfort and healing. Inside Appalachia Folkways Reporter Leeshia Lee spoke with her cousin, Michelle Dyess, about being a funeral singer in Charleston.
On this West Virginia Morning, some states this fall are redefining their laws and policies on abortion. The move comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. In our newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay takes a look at where things stand.
On this West Virginia Morning, some states this fall are redefining their laws and policies on abortion. The move comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. In our newest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay takes a look at where things stand.
On this West Virginia Morning, voters made their voices heard in the 2022 General Election. The GOP has maintained its control of the West Virginia Legislature, U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Alex Mooney have held onto their seats in Congress, and West Virginia voters have rejected all four proposed amendments to the state constitution. Randy Yohe joins Teresa Wills to discuss the results.
On this West Virginia Morning, voters made their voices heard in the 2022 General Election. The GOP has maintained its control of the West Virginia Legislature, U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Alex Mooney have held onto their seats in Congress, and West Virginia voters have rejected all four proposed amendments to the state constitution. Randy Yohe joins Teresa Wills to discuss the results.
On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe brings us this final preview of ‘Amendment 2’ as voters head to the polls for the 2022 General Election.
On this West Virginia Morning, Government Reporter Randy Yohe brings us this final preview of ‘Amendment 2’ as voters head to the polls for the 2022 General Election.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginians will vote Tuesday in new districts after the state redistricting in 2021. For some voters, it will be the first time they elect only one delegate to the House.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginians will vote Tuesday in new districts after the state redistricting in 2021. For some voters, it will be the first time they elect only one delegate to the House.
On this West Virginia Morning, snake handling churches play a style of Appalachian music few know much about. That music is the subject of a new podcast called “Alabama Astronaut.” Folkways Reporter Zack Harold recently spoke with co-host Abe Partridge about how a project intended to document this music ended up being about a whole lot more.
On this West Virginia Morning, people with disabilities are being abused in state-run facilities, and lawmakers want answers from the state health department. Amelia Knisely has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a look at Amendment 1, which relates to the checks and balances of the legislative and judicial branches of state government. Randy Yohe previews a voter's decision-making process on what’s fair or not fair regarding impeachment procedures.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a look at Amendment 1, which relates to the checks and balances of the legislative and judicial branches of state government. Randy Yohe previews a voter's decision-making process on what’s fair or not fair regarding impeachment procedures.
On this West Virginia Morning, Amendment 3 asks West Virginia voters if churches should be allowed to incorporate, and Deputy Superintendent Michele Blatt talks about education after the pandemic.
On this West Virginia Morning, a spooky tale kicks off Halloween in the Mountain State.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state’s best-known cryptid is back in the locally produced movie “Return of the Mothman.” Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch spoke with film director Herb Gardner about why people are still interested in the Mothman.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia surpassed 7,500 COVID-19 deaths earlier this week, and this has affected some counties in the state differently than others. Chris Schulz has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, Wetzel County has seen the state's highest rate of COVID-19 deaths. Amelia Knisely explored how the pandemic has impacted its community.
On this West Virginia Morning, Lynn Pechuekonis in 2017 moved into her residence in Harpers Ferry, soon discovering it was the previous home of the longest serving Black teacher at the historic Storer College. Pechuekonis’ curiosity and research led her to create a biography about that teacher, William Saunders. Reporter Shepherd Snyder spoke with Pechuekonis about her book Man of Sterling Worth: Professor William A. Saunders of Storer College.
On this West Virginia Morning, there is a 100-year-old building in southern West Virginia that is for sale. But it's not just a building, it is a cultural and personal landmark for many. Jessica Lilly spoke with real estate agent and historian David Sibray about the property.
On this West Virginia Morning, the last two weeks, we’ve looked at various aspects of the tourism industry in our state, and there are a lot of jobs in the hospitality industry. But where do people learn to do the work? Liz McCormick spoke with Tami Maynard, who works with West Virginia HEAT — a program that is dedicated to training the next generation of hospitality workers in West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has more than 500 miles of rail trails, and the state is poised to get increased funding from recent federal legislation to build more. But as Curtis Tate reports, there are challenges getting the funding to cities and counties so they can make their rail trails connect to others.
On this West Virginia Morning, visitors for generations have come to West Virginia for the scenery and a taste of adventure, but over the past few years, they’re coming to sample something else. Bill Lynch talks to some West Virginia distillers about whiskey and tourism.
On this West Virginia Morning, while West Virginia is within driving range of a large percentage of the country, many visitors fly here. Caroline MacGregor looks at the role of airports in promoting the state’s growing tourism sector.
On this West Virginia Morning, a proposed major hiking trail, rivaling the Appalachian Trail, is slated to run through West Virginia. But as Jessica Lilly reports, when hikers get to southern West Virginia, they find a trail that is incomplete.
On this West Virginia Morning, as West Virginia becomes renowned for its outdoor tourism spots, short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb and Vrbos are becoming more in demand. Shepherd Snyder has more on how these affect the state and its tourism communities.
On this West Virginia Morning, Amendment 4 on the Nov. 8 ballot will give the West Virginia Legislature authority to review all rules and policies set by the state Board of Education. Randy Yohe spoke with two West Virginia teachers who both hold positions of power and have very different views on the amendment.
On this West Virginia Morning, tourism is a major component in southern West Virginia’s transition from a coal-based economy. As Randy Yohe reports, tourism success in the coalfields seems to begin and end with a network of ATV trails, but it’s what’s in the middle that creates the challenges.
On this West Virginia Morning, the WVPB news team kicks-off a new radio series focused on the state of tourism in West Virginia. We begin this two-week series with a story from News Director Eric Douglas, who takes a closer look at tourism jobs in the state.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from award-winning author Barbara Kingsolver who is the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd University. Liz McCormick talks with Kingsolver about her Appalachian roots and how they inspire key themes and ideas in her stories.
On this West Virginia Morning, Congress in August passed the Honoring our PACT Act, intended to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. As Chris Schulz reports, a team at West Virginia University is studying how exposure to toxic substances from military burn pits affect veterans’ health.
On this West Virginia Morning, Congress in August passed the Honoring our PACT Act, intended to significantly improve healthcare access and funding for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service. As Chris Schulz reports, a team at West Virginia University is studying how exposure to toxic substances from military burn pits affect veterans’ health.
On this West Virginia Morning, Randy Yohe talks with state business development manager Meghan Smith and workforce developer Dave Lavender about the re-established West Virginia Film Office and revamped Film Tax Credit. They say film production companies bringing new revenues and jobs may soon be calling out lights, camera, action.
On this West Virginia Morning, Randy Yohe talks with state business development manager Meghan Smith and workforce developer Dave Lavender about the re-established West Virginia Film Office and revamped Film Tax Credit. They say film production companies bringing new revenues and jobs may soon be calling out lights, camera, action.
On this West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia’s Bill Lynch speaks with Ohio poet Sara Moore Wagner about “Hillbilly Madonna,” her new book of poems that celebrates hope and resilience in the experience of Appalachian women.
On this West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia’s Bill Lynch speaks with Ohio poet Sara Moore Wagner about “Hillbilly Madonna,” her new book of poems that celebrates hope and resilience in the experience of Appalachian women.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from reporter Chris Schulz as he discusses tick safety and prevention with state health officer Dr. Ayne Amjad. Also, West Virginia’s Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Tuesday on the appeal to lift the permanent injunction on the Hope Scholarship program.
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about the slow, northerly migration of the armadillo to Appalachia, which is now being spotted in the mountains of western Virginia. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Seth Thompson, a biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, who took the first reports on the arrival of armadillos.
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about the slow, northerly migration of the armadillo to Appalachia, which is now being spotted in the mountains of western Virginia. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Seth Thompson, a biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, who took the first reports on the arrival of armadillos.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Monongalia County school superintendent earlier this month sent a letter to the county’s principals asking that Pride flags be removed from classrooms. Since then, community members have spoken at two county board of education meetings in favor of returning the flags to classrooms. As Chris Schulz reports, most recently students have taken matters into their own hands.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Monongalia County school superintendent earlier this month sent a letter to the county’s principals asking that Pride flags be removed from classrooms. Since then, community members have spoken at two county board of education meetings in favor of returning the flags to classrooms. As Chris Schulz reports, most recently students have taken matters into their own hands.
On this West Virginia Morning, earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin announced that a big power plant, fueled by natural gas, would be built in West Virginia. The plant would be designed to capture its carbon dioxide emissions and store them underground. Dennis Wamsted, an energy analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, spoke with Curtis Tate and gave the plan a reality check.
On this West Virginia Morning, earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin announced that a big power plant, fueled by natural gas, would be built in West Virginia. The plant would be designed to capture its carbon dioxide emissions and store them underground. Dennis Wamsted, an energy analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, spoke with Curtis Tate and gave the plan a reality check.
On this West Virginia Morning, recent CDC statistics show a decrease in overdose deaths, but authorities face an uphill challenge in stemming the flow of fentanyl into the state. Caroline MacGregor has this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, recent CDC statistics show a decrease in overdose deaths, but authorities face an uphill challenge in stemming the flow of fentanyl into the state. Caroline MacGregor has this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, this college football season, West Virginia University’s marching band is recognizing 50 years since women entered their ranks. Reporter, and former member of the band, Shepherd Snyder spoke to some of the original female members.
On this West Virginia Morning, this college football season, West Virginia University’s marching band is recognizing 50 years since women entered their ranks. Reporter, and former member of the band, Shepherd Snyder spoke to some of the original female members.
On this West Virginia Morning, there’s a small town just over the state line in Virginia where the population doubles or triples on a Friday night to hear music. Mason Adams takes us to Floyd’s Friday Night Jamboree.
On this West Virginia Morning, there’s a small town just over the state line in Virginia where the population doubles or triples on a Friday night to hear music. Mason Adams takes us to Floyd’s Friday Night Jamboree.
On this West Virginia Morning, this weekend sees the return of “Healing Appalachia” in Greenbrier County. The music festival features performances by regional musical luminaries, but the festival has a larger mission than just a good time. Bill Lynch has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, this weekend sees the return of “Healing Appalachia” in Greenbrier County. The music festival features performances by regional musical luminaries, but the festival has a larger mission than just a good time. Bill Lynch has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, the push to boost West Virginia voter registration for some has an overriding theme. As Randy Yohe reports, all involved want to see informed voters going to their polling places in November.
On this West Virginia Morning, the push to boost West Virginia voter registration for some has an overriding theme. As Randy Yohe reports, all involved want to see informed voters going to their polling places in November.
On this West Virginia Morning, two of coal’s pollutant legacies are acid mine drainage (the waste from mining coal) and fly ash (waste from burning coal). Studies show that storing fly ash with acid mine drainage can neutralize the acid, but a recent study found that the combination can be toxic. The contents depend on where the coal is mined. Jessica Lilly spoke with one of the researchers to find out more.
On this West Virginia Morning, two of coal’s pollutant legacies are acid mine drainage (the waste from mining coal) and fly ash (waste from burning coal). Studies show that storing fly ash with acid mine drainage can neutralize the acid, but a recent study found that the combination can be toxic. The contents depend on where the coal is mined. Jessica Lilly spoke with one of the researchers to find out more.
On this West Virginia Morning, both U.S. Senators for West Virginia want to reform permitting for pipelines, but agreement in the upper chamber of Congress is not always that easy.
On this West Virginia Morning, both U.S. Senators for West Virginia want to reform permitting for pipelines, but agreement in the upper chamber of Congress is not always that easy.
On this West Virginia Morning, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona came to Morgantown Wednesday. As Chris Schulz reports, the visit focused on student mental health.
On this West Virginia Morning, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona came to Morgantown Wednesday. As Chris Schulz reports, the visit focused on student mental health.
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature has outlawed abortion in the state, effective from passage.
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature has outlawed abortion in the state, effective from passage.
On this West Virginia Morning, protesters rallied outside a picnic for legislators at the governor’s mansion Monday evening to let their opinions be heard on the state’s proposed ban on abortion. Caroline MacGregor reports.
On this West Virginia Morning, protesters rallied outside a picnic for legislators at the governor’s mansion Monday evening to let their opinions be heard on the state’s proposed ban on abortion. Caroline MacGregor reports.
On this West Virginia Morning, the House of Delegates will convene in a special session to move the discussion forward on abortion. As Randy Yohe reports, while the session is expected to be short and administrative, any resolution on abortion still seems a long way off.
On this West Virginia Morning, the House of Delegates will convene in a special session to move the discussion forward on abortion. As Randy Yohe reports, while the session is expected to be short and administrative, any resolution on abortion still seems a long way off.
On this West Virginia Morning, we heard earlier this week from the Coalfield Development Corporation, a company leading work to develop the ACT Now Coalition. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, the plan is meant to help southern West Virginia’s economy by creating clean energy and green economy jobs. The West Virginia Hive is one of the partners in the Community and Business Resilience Initiative. Jessica Lilly has more.
On this West Virginia Morning, we heard earlier this week from the Coalfield Development Corporation, a company leading work to develop the ACT Now Coalition. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, the plan is meant to help southern West Virginia’s economy by creating clean energy and green economy jobs. The West Virginia Hive is one of the partners in the Community and Business Resilience Initiative. Jessica Lilly has more.
On this West Virginia Morning, Sept. 8 is Save a Life Day in West Virginia. As Chris Schulz reports, what started out as a pilot program to combat the opioid crisis in two counties during the pandemic has quickly spread across the state.
On this West Virginia Morning, Sept. 8 is Save a Life Day in West Virginia. As Chris Schulz reports, what started out as a pilot program to combat the opioid crisis in two counties during the pandemic has quickly spread across the state.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state’s medical cannabis program is designed to treat a specific list of chronic and terminal conditions. But as Chris Schulz reports, a proposed limit could significantly curb the plant’s strength.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state’s medical cannabis program is designed to treat a specific list of chronic and terminal conditions. But as Chris Schulz reports, a proposed limit could significantly curb the plant’s strength.
On this West Virginia Morning, energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate talks with Brandon Dennison, CEO of the Huntington-based Coalfield Development Corporation, about the challenges and opportunities that come with a federal grant of $62.8 million to create a clean energy hub in southern West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate talks with Brandon Dennison, CEO of the Huntington-based Coalfield Development Corporation, about the challenges and opportunities that come with a federal grant of $62.8 million to create a clean energy hub in southern West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, if West Virginia voters say yes to “Amendment 2” on the November ballot, the state legislature will have the authority to eliminate business equipment, inventory tax and property tax on vehicles. Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, embraces the plan, but many county leaders fear the tax cuts would devastate basic public services. Randy Yohe looked into the contentious issue.
On this West Virginia Morning, if West Virginia voters say yes to “Amendment 2” on the November ballot, the state legislature will have the authority to eliminate business equipment, inventory tax and property tax on vehicles. Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, embraces the plan, but many county leaders fear the tax cuts would devastate basic public services. Randy Yohe looked into the contentious issue.
On this West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch talks with Robert Gipe and Amanda Slone, two writers who were at the annual Appalachian Writers' Workshop in Kentucky during recent, devastating flooding. Also, in this show, Jessica Lilly tells us about the “Courage in the Hollers: Mapping the Miners’ Struggle for a Union" event that will take place in Matewan this weekend.
On this West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch talks with Robert Gipe and Amanda Slone, two writers who were at the annual Appalachian Writers' Workshop in Kentucky during recent, devastating flooding. Also, in this show, Jessica Lilly tells us about the “Courage in the Hollers: Mapping the Miners’ Struggle for a Union" event that will take place in Matewan this weekend.
On this West Virginia Morning, more than 200,000 West Virginians could see relief on student loans as part of a forgiveness plan announced by President Joe Biden. Randy Yohe discussed the West Virginia impact of student debt relief with Dr. Rodney Hughes, an assistant professor of higher education administration at West Virginia University’s School of Education.
On this West Virginia Morning, more than 200,000 West Virginians could see relief on student loans as part of a forgiveness plan announced by President Joe Biden. Randy Yohe discussed the West Virginia impact of student debt relief with Dr. Rodney Hughes, an assistant professor of higher education administration at West Virginia University’s School of Education.
On this West Virginia Morning, many vacationers seek out suitable lodgings near whatever indoor or outdoor experience they are venturing to see. But that trip can become richer when the shelter becomes part of the experience.
On this West Virginia Morning, many vacationers seek out suitable lodgings near whatever indoor or outdoor experience they are venturing to see. But that trip can become richer when the shelter becomes part of the experience.
On this West Virginia Morning, development in the southern coal fields has often run into issues of trust and sustainability. For the West Virginia Hive, business development in Nicholas, Summers, Raleigh and Fayette Counties began with relationship building. Reporter Jessica Lilly spoke with Jenna Grayson, whose new role positions her to take economic development to the next level.
On this West Virginia Morning, development in the southern coal fields has often run into issues of trust and sustainability. For the West Virginia Hive, business development in Nicholas, Summers, Raleigh and Fayette Counties began with relationship building. Reporter Jessica Lilly spoke with Jenna Grayson, whose new role positions her to take economic development to the next level.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about breakdowns in the food supply chain from suppliers to grocery stores, including Buzz Food Service in Charleston, which is trying to alleviate the problem by training new, local butchers. Folkways reporter Zack Harold has the story. Also, in this show, renowned vocalist Holly Cole has our Song of the Week. It’s a performance of “Cry (If I Want To)” originally released on Cole’s 1996 album titled It Happened One Night.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about breakdowns in the food supply chain from suppliers to grocery stores, including Buzz Food Service in Charleston, which is trying to alleviate the problem by training new, local butchers. Folkways reporter Zack Harold has the story. Also, in this show, renowned vocalist Holly Cole has our Song of the Week. It’s a performance of “Cry (If I Want To)” originally released on Cole’s 1996 album titled It Happened One Night.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a look back at the state’s coal industry, including forces that led to the nation’s most violent labor uprising in history. In this encore excerpt from Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with history professor Charles Keeney about the forces that hit the coal miners hard in the 1920s.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a look back at the state’s coal industry, including forces that led to the nation’s most violent labor uprising in history. In this encore excerpt from Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with history professor Charles Keeney about the forces that hit the coal miners hard in the 1920s.
On this West Virginia Morning, people in Wheeling are passionate about their pizza, particularly that cold cheese style that’s become a tasty regional tradition. Folkways reporter Zack Harold explores some Ohio Valley pizza culture and DiCarlo’s Famous Pizza.
On this West Virginia Morning, people in Wheeling are passionate about their pizza, particularly that cold cheese style that’s become a tasty regional tradition. Folkways reporter Zack Harold explores some Ohio Valley pizza culture and DiCarlo’s Famous Pizza.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Kids Count Databook tracks hard data on the challenges facing kids around the nation. This latest report has a particular focus on mental health and anxiety challenges facing kids after the pandemic. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Tricia Kingery, the executive director of West Virginia Kids Count, to learn more about the program and how to improve the lives of West Virginia children.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Kids Count Databook tracks hard data on the challenges facing kids around the nation. This latest report has a particular focus on mental health and anxiety challenges facing kids after the pandemic. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Tricia Kingery, the executive director of West Virginia Kids Count, to learn more about the program and how to improve the lives of West Virginia children.
On this West Virginia Morning, there is a traditional music competition that goes back nearly 1,000 years to Wales. Immigrants brought the tradition to southern Ohio, where it has endured for generations. We learn how youth are keeping it alive. Folkways reporter Capri Cafaro has this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, mushroom hunting is a mountain tradition that goes back centuries, but recently, older generations realized it was slipping away. Folkways reporter Nicole Musgrave went to the Mountain Mushroom Festival in Irvine, Kentucky and brings us this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, three weeks ago, eastern Kentucky was hit by devastating floods. The Federal Emergency Management Authority and the Small Business Administration are on the ground trying to help restore the hard-hit region. WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Patrick Boland from FEMA and Laurie Dana from the SBA about what is going on in the region.
On this West Virginia Morning, three weeks ago, eastern Kentucky was hit by devastating floods. The Federal Emergency Management Authority and the Small Business Administration are on the ground trying to help restore the hard-hit region. WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Patrick Boland from FEMA and Laurie Dana from the SBA about what is going on in the region.
On this West Virginia Morning, NASA last month released the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope. It’s the largest and most powerful observatory in space. Shepherd Snyder sat down with Shepherd University professor and astronomer Jason Best to discuss what it could mean for both the scientific and education communities in West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Inflation Reduction Act is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, but it came from a deal crafted by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Curtis Tate spoke with Sam Workman, director of the Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs at West Virginia University, about Manchin’s role in the legislation and how it fits into his legacy.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Inflation Reduction Act is headed to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, but it came from a deal crafted by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Curtis Tate spoke with Sam Workman, director of the Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs at West Virginia University, about Manchin’s role in the legislation and how it fits into his legacy.
Mountain Eagle has covered Letcher County, Kentucky for more than a century. When historic flooding hit about two weeks ago, the paper’s small staff did what it’s always done: tell the stories of the region and the people who live there. WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf stopped by its office in Whitesburg. Also, in this show, reporter Randy Yohe talks with an expert about the current and future state of construction in West Virginia.
Mountain Eagle has covered Letcher County, Kentucky for more than a century. When historic flooding hit about two weeks ago, the paper’s small staff did what it’s always done: tell the stories of the region and the people who live there. WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf stopped by its office in Whitesburg. Also, in this show, reporter Randy Yohe talks with an expert about the current and future state of construction in West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, musician and American icon Dolly Parton was in Charleston this week talking about her signature Imagination Library program. WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins sat down with her for an exclusive interview. And Inside Appalachia is 20 years old this month! We talk with the show's founders.
On this West Virginia Morning, musician and American icon Dolly Parton was in Charleston this week talking about her signature Imagination Library program. WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins sat down with her for an exclusive interview. And Inside Appalachia is 20 years old this month! We talk with the show's founders.
On this West Virginia Morning, swine flu was recently detected at the Jackson County Junior Fair. The good news is, it's not considered much of a problem. But as Chris Schulz reports, with the West Virginia State Fair this week, state officials are taking all precautions to stop the spread of the virus.
On this West Virginia Morning, swine flu was recently detected at the Jackson County Junior Fair. The good news is, it's not considered much of a problem. But as Chris Schulz reports, with the West Virginia State Fair this week, state officials are taking all precautions to stop the spread of the virus.
On this West Virginia Morning, debut novelist William Brewer says his Morgantown roots have deeply influenced his writing and even the main character of his new book “The Red Arrow." News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Brewer about the book and growing up in the Mountain State.
On this West Virginia Morning, debut novelist William Brewer says his Morgantown roots have deeply influenced his writing and even the main character of his new book “The Red Arrow." News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Brewer about the book and growing up in the Mountain State.
On this West Virginia Morning, a music festival in northern West Virginia brings in blues artists and fans from all over the country — and there’s a reason the music has a continuing appeal. Reporter Chris Schulz recently sat down with festival organizer Bruce Wheeler to discuss the event.
On this West Virginia Morning, the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky caused loss of life and untold property damage. It may have also cost the Appalachian region something else, part of its history. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Melissa Helton at the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman Kentucky about the flood and the struggle to save some of Appalachia’s past.
On this West Virginia Morning, this weekend’s episode of Inside Appalachia takes us outside for a trip to meet beekeepers and learn about what makes West Virginia honey unique. Folkways reporter Margaret McCloud Leef has this story.
On this West Virginia Morning, state officials have been working through the summer to ensure schools are safe in the event of a threat – such as a school shooting. Education reporter Liz McCormick talks with the West Virginia Department of Education’s Jonah Adkins, a coordinator in the office of accountability.
On this West Virginia Morning, Jefferson County resident and avid 5K runner Keryl Rustin recently won a gold medal at the West Virginia Senior Sports Classic. She also qualified for the National Senior Games after competing in the Maryland Senior Olympics. What makes her stand out, though, is that she’s successful despite having lost her ability to see.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state is experiencing a shortage of EMTs. Randy Yohe spoke with Cynthia Persily, the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences with the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia, about the progress so far with West Virginia’s “Answer The Call” initiative.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia teachers in 2018 went on strike for better pay. That movement spread. Now a new book looks at where it all began. The book’s co-author and former West Virginia teacher Brendan Muckian-Bates sat down with reporter Chris Schulz to discuss.
On this West Virginia Morning, traditional music fans are probably familiar with the mountain or lap dulcimer, but there is also the hammer dulcimer – a bigger, stationary instrument that’s a relative of a Ukrainian instrument called the tsymbaly. We learn how the two are connected.
On this West Virginia Morning, traditional music fans are probably familiar with the mountain or lap dulcimer, but there is also the hammer dulcimer – a bigger, stationary instrument that’s a relative of a Ukrainian instrument called the tsymbaly. We learn how the two are connected.
On this West Virginia Morning, after hours of discussion, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 302, restricting abortion in the state. The bill will now be considered in the state Senate. Earlier in the day, more than 100 people signed up to speak at a highly charged public hearing about the abortion law.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginians have been feeling the pinch of recent record inflation. But understanding why things cost more in a modern, globalized world can get tricky very quickly.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginians have been feeling the pinch of recent record inflation. But understanding why things cost more in a modern, globalized world can get tricky very quickly.
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature is in town this week for interims and a special session. The governor has called on the legislature to look into a reduction of the personal income tax and to clarify the state’s abortion laws.
On this West Virginia Morning, the cybersecurity field is growing and evolving quickly, and it takes skilled experts to train the next generation. Reporter Davide Adkins talks with West Virginia’s first cyber security officer.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice announced on June 2 that West Virginia would significantly scale back COVID-19 community testing programs. This led to concerns both in the general public and in the medical community that the next wave of COVID-19 cases would catch the state by surprise. But as Chris Schulz reports, even with the rise of the highly infectious BA.5 variant, that hasn’t been the case.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice has called a special legislative session to discuss reducing the state’s personal income tax by 10 percent. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Revenue Dave Hardy to get an understanding of what the cuts would mean to the state and the average person.
On this West Virginia Morning, a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this November will give the West Virginia Legislature authority to remove or reduce a variety of county level property taxes. Randy Yohe previews the ballot measure.
On this West Virginia Morning, there is a growing community in West Virginia of people interested in the monsters of the mountains, like Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster. It is called cryptozoology. Reporter Chris Schulz went to learn about it.
On this West Virginia Morning, a recent episode of Inside Appalachia looked at folk ballads throughout history. Many of those ballads reflect poorly on women or have women being abused. We talk with ballad singer Suzanna Park on how her own history affects which songs she sings.
On this West Virginia Morning, graves of Black residents in Bluefield, Virginia were neglected in the town’s segregated cemetery. It might have stayed that way if not for the efforts of one persistent woman, whose family was buried there. Folkways reporter Connie Bailey Kitts brings us this story for Inside Appalachia.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s World War II Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams lies in honor in the U.S. Capitol. We begin our coverage from Washington, D.C. as our two United States senators paid tribute to Williams Wednesday evening from the floor of the U.S. Senate. Randy Yohe has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, NPR recently published a list of 50 books for 50 states. The one they identified for West Virginia has an anthology of West Virginia stories called “Eyes Glowing at The Edge of the Woods: Fiction and Poetry From West Virginia.” We talk with editors Doug Van Gundy and Laura Long about the book. Also, we want to hear from you! What is your favorite West Virginia book? Check out our survey.
On this West Virginia Morning, state legislatures across the Ohio Valley are considering a variety of anti-LGBTQ policies, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobb’s decision has some worried about an erosion of rights for gay and trans people. But as Katie Myers of the Ohio Valley ReSource reports, last month’s pride celebrations showed a celebration of identities, from the region’s largest cities to smallest towns.
On this West Virginia Morning, state Secretary of Commerce Ed Gaunch will retire effective July 15. The former state senator and longtime insurance agency CEO led the multi-bureau commerce department for three-and-a-half years. We talk with Gaunch about his accomplishments and the challenges he sees for West Virginia moving forward.
On this West Virginia Morning, an art installation near Pittsburgh is bringing together reclaimed coal mine land and pop artist Andy Warhol.
On this West Virginia Morning, we look at life after racing for greyhounds in the final installment of our series , “Greyhound Racing In W.Va. — Last Of A Dying Breed." Also, as supply chain issues and rising gas prices worsen food access in the Mountain State, we hear from entrepreneurs looking to meet the demand for food.
On this West Virginia Morning, a trial begins Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Charleston with Union Carbide as the defendant. The company was sued by a property owner in South Charleston alleging contamination from an industrial landfill Union Carbide owns. The lawsuit argues the company violated state and federal law and needs to pay civil penalties.
On this West Virginia Morning, we look at the state’s involvement and subsidizing of greyhound racing in part three of our series looking inside this controversial enterprise.
On this West Virginia Morning, we celebrate the life of a member of the "greatest generation" and one of West Virginia’s favorite sons. Members of the general public joined state and national dignitaries in remembrance of Hershel “Woody” Williams as the body of the World War II Medal of Honor recipient lay in state at the Capitol rotunda over the weekend.
On this West Virginia Morning, humane treatment is one of the central issues driving the national push to end greyhound racing. Part two of our new four-part radio series, “Greyhound Racing In W.Va. — Last Of A Dying Breed,” takes us to the veterinarian’s office and the breeder’s farm.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia lost a favorite son and a national hero Wednesday. He survived World War II and was part of the “greatest generation.” Woody Williams was 98. We remember Williams and hear about some of his war experiences in his own words.
On this West Virginia Morning, there are 2.2 million people in the United States who live without running water or a flush toilet, including those in West Virginia – and that comes with some surprising economic consequences.
On this West Virginia Morning, we begin a new, four-part radio series examining the history and future of greyhound racing. By next year, West Virginia will have the last two greyhound racing tracks in the United States. Part one of this series takes us to the track, where wagering patrons and a staff of greyhound handlers keep the tote boards lit up and the dogs running.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Inside Appalachia about ballads and the stories they tell about Appalachian history and culture. One such story about a true-life bandit was changed through a ballad called Otto Wood.
On this West Virginia Morning, Appalachian millipede scientist Derek Hennen talks about the discovery of newly discovered regional species — including one named after megastar Taylor Swift.
On this West Virginia Morning, the United States is dedicating billions of dollars to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing. The goal is to boost our own inventories and increase global supplies. Also, in this show, in West Virginia, gasoline prices are seeing extreme highs and lows. We spoke with some state petroleum and retail experts on the polarity in what you’re paying at the pump.
On this West Virginia Morning, one West Virginia native spent the rest of his life, after the Vietnam War, working to help others injured in conflict – especially civilians and children. We learn about his life and the personal impact of war in a new film.
On this West Virginia Morning, some residents in Wyoming County are finding relief thanks to new water line installation projects. We visit Bud Mountain to hear how the new line is affecting residents.
On this West Virginia Morning, this weekend is the Juneteenth holiday. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Charleston’s Rev. Ron English to find out more about the holiday, the history behind it and its impact.
On this West Virginia Morning, doctors are seeing more cases of black lung disease in younger patients. We learn more. Also, in this show, residents of Wheeling were cleaning up the city Wednesday after a strong storm earlier in the week.
On this West Virginia Morning, thousands are still without power after severe storms passed through the region Tuesday morning. Wheeling was hit particularly hard. We check in with the area. Also, in this show, a new Shell Oil plant is coming to Pennsylvania, and it’s bringing jobs with it but also some additional concerns.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia Legislature discussed a gas tax holiday last week to combat high prices. But it was declared “dead on arrival.” For some, a gas tax holiday might not be the best idea anyway. We talk with a WVU professor and economist who breaks down the pros and cons.
On this West Virginia Morning, medical cannabis is available in West Virginia, but the infrastructure needed to get it all set up has been slow in coming.
On this West Virginia Morning, medical cannabis is now available to more than 8,000 patients in the Mountain State, and doctors say more can be done to realize the product’s full potential.
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s been two weeks since the horrific shooting in Uvalde, Texas. We talk about the impacts these shootings have on child mental health. Keith Zullig, a researcher and professor at the West Virginia University School of Public Health, shares what we can do for our kids to help them feel safe.
On this West Virginia Morning, after years of inconsistent access to tap water, some communities in McDowell County are now connected to a reliable water system. One of those communities is Keystone, where 57 percent of the population is Black.
On this West Virginia Morning, a new podcast from Morgantown titled I Was Never There aims to shed new light on a 30-year-old disappearance against the backdrop of the era’s ‘Back to the Land’ movement. Also, in this show, WDIY in Pennsylvania has a story about vertical farming, and it might be the future of agriculture.
On this West Virginia Morning, a northern panhandle program is training and employing peer recovery coaches. The coaches use their lived experience of substance use disorder to guide others into recovery. Also, in this show, blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland has our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, author Mesha Maren's new novel, Perpetual West, uses characters to look at Appalachia from the perspective of an outsider. Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front, brings us its latest story on plant love stories.
On this West Virginia Morning, murder ballads are a common part of folk and traditional forms of music. They were used to pass on the news, but also to provide morality lessons on how the community felt people — typically women — should act.
On this West Virginia Morning, there is a West Virginia group coming together to help settle refugees in the Mountain State. Also, in this show, rooftop solar panels can cost tens of thousands of dollars to install, but co-ops are making it easier for people of modest means to have them.
On this West Virginia Morning we take a look at how the Memorial Day holiday became a unique holiday for African American tourists visiting West Virginia during the late 19th century. And we listen to some of the sounds of the 45th Vandalia Gathering and how Mountain Stage won the Vandalia Award.
On this West Virginia Morning, in the spring of 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War and the folk music resurgence of the late 1960s, five guys at West Virginia University formed a band. They called themselves The Prior Five.
On this West Virginia Morning, some businesses are hiring people in recovery as a way to find new employees and help others out. But they are also finding out that it takes more than just goodwill.
On this West Virginia Morning, we explore the major issues and opportunities for promoting the health and well-being of the people of Appalachia with Dr. Randy Wykoff, one of the editors of the book “Appalachian Health.” We also take a look at the city of Martinsburg as it celebrates its 250th anniversary and provide an update on the state legislature’s interim meetings in Morgantown as lawmakers sit in on a presentation on cannabis and the workplace.
On this West Virginia Morning, while much of the country has returned to normal with regard to the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals and healthcare providers are still struggling. We talk with Doug Mitchell, Chief of Nursing for WVU hospitals, about how things are going and where we go from here.
On this West Virginia Morning, the ballad of John Henry tells the story of a railroad worker who challenges a steam drill to see who could tunnel into a mountain the fastest and farthest. With his strength and skill, John Henry wins, but he dies from the effort. For some people who grew up in Black communities in Appalachia, the song elicits a variety of feelings.
On this West Virginia Morning, trains have been a large part of the American story since the first steam trains rolled down the tracks – and with them came song and ballads.
On this West Virginia Morning, how does a small town restaurant become more than just a restaurant, and what happens when it's gone? We learn about Fayetteville’s Secret Sandwich Society.
On this West Virginia Morning, the New River Gorge became a national park in 2020. It’s been a boon to Fayette County, but it has also come with heavier traffic. We hear from two student reporters who explore the safety concerns in their community.
On this West Virginia Morning, a new documentary film is exploring why some Appalachian women are choosing home childbirth. Also, in this show, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise, state officials say the pandemic is nowhere near over.
On this West Virginia Morning, state disability agency leaders say the state is putting challenged teenagers at risk when they are discharged from the foster care system. And from Inside Appalachia, Roxy Todd talks to the writer and director of the documentary "Angels on Horseback".
On this West Virginia Morning, Appalachian old-time music brings together numerous cultures, including African Americans and Native Americans. Yet those musicians have often been denied and overlooked. One man is working to make old-time music more available to Black musicians, but he got into it in an unusual way.
On this West Virginia Morning, Mountain Stage is a nationally known treasure that originates from Charleston, West Virginia. Getting your shot on that stage has been a big break for musician John Inghram who has been part of the music scene in the Kanawha Valley for more than 20 years.
On this West Virginia Morning, our Government Reporter Randy Yohe gives us a breakdown of the results from Tuesday’s midterm Primary Election. Also, in this show, we learn about a landfill in Virginia that has a lot of people in Bristol complaining about a noxious stench.
On this West Virginia Morning, a business in southern West Virginia is getting national attention for the work it does to help people recovering from substance use disorder. The owner says the idea is pretty simple – nurture the community.
On this West Virginia Morning, author Neema Avashia grew up in a neighborhood in Kanawha County as the daughter of immigrants. In her book, "Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place," she discusses growing up queer and Indian in West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, Iceland went from having some of the worst teen drinking and smoking rates to one of the best. Now, Fayetteville, West Virginia is trying to replicate those results.
On this West Virginia Morning, for this Cinco de Mayo, we are going to hear about a Mexican artist combining his style with the styles of his new home in Appalachia. Also, in this show, redistricting in West Virginia has led to some House and Senate incumbents running against each other in this year’s Primary Election.
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk with W. Franklin Evans, president of West Liberty University (WLU). WLU’s Board of Governors voted last fall to publicly censure Evans after he was accused by the faculty senate for plagiarizing sections of his speeches since taking office in January 2021. Recently, a survey of the school’s faculty was conducted, gauging their level of support for Evans since the censure.
On this West Virginia Morning, the banjo has deep roots in Africa and a difficult history in the United States. We explore the stories of Black musicians who are reclaiming the banjo.
On this West Virginia Morning, the rail industry has long been a backbone in the American shipping economy, but now it is facing a tremendous strain when it comes to getting agriculture and energy to market.
On this West Virginia Morning, country music, as we know it today, burst onto the scene with some early recording sessions in Bristol, Tennessee. We learn more about this often untold chapter in country music history.
Some Americans say our divisions over social and political topics make them unsure who or what to trust. The pandemic shines a light on this reality. As COVID cases continue to rise and fall, Us & Them host Trey Kay talked with people at different points along this trust continuum.
On this West Virginia Morning, one out of every ten West Virginia children have a parent who has been incarcerated. As the adults navigate life after prison, the odds are stacked against them. A few years ago, the West Virginia Council of Churches created the West Virginia Reentry Council to help people navigate the probationary system while juggling everyday responsibilities.
On this West Virginia Morning, a play about the victims of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster and their families will debut in West Virginia next month. “Coal Country” just ended a successful run Off-Broadway in New York City. WVPB spoke with Theater West Virginia’s Executive Director Scott Hill to learn more.
On this West Virginia Morning, we listen to a conversation with historian Kidada Williams who is the host of a podcast by Virginia Public Media and Molten Heart called “Seizing Freedom.” It includes stories of Black Americans who were enslaved in the South.
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk with Buckhannon native Becca Spence Dobias who wrote a novel called “On Home.” In it, the main character returns home to West Virginia after tragedy strikes. It’s a place she thought she’d left behind forever.
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk with Gilbert Mayor Jennifer Miller about the passage of House Bill 4479, which establishes the Coalfield Communities Grant Facilitation Commission.
On this West Virginia Morning, the newly established Coalfield Communities Grant Facilitation Commission aims to help secure federal dollars to revitalize struggling coalfield communities.
On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about an upcoming feature-length film set in Beckley called “Ambrosia.” It’s a slapstick comedy that’s set in a quirky bed and breakfast. The film’s two directors are from West Virginia, and nearly the entire cast and crew are, too. This story is part of the Inside Appalachia Folkways project.
On this West Virginia Morning, Bob Smakula of Elkins has made a career out of fixing old musical instruments, so that modern musicians can continue to use them. We visit his shop and learn about his work.
On this West Virginia Morning, we explore the complexities of housing, homelessness, and community. A group called “Humans of Morgantown” is using art created by unhoused citizens to bring a humanizing perspective to the discussion.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about an ongoing culture war in classrooms: book banning, and why some activists argue books need to be taken off school shelves. Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, has their latest story on fines against a company that allowed drilling mud to spill for up to a month.
On this West Virginia Morning, in our final segment of our new series West Virginia Water Trails, we hear from retired Department of Environmental Protection Inspector and Supervisor Bill Simmons. Simmons was instrumental in bringing a new stream restoration method to West Virginia. We hear about that experience.
On this West Virginia Morning, Bluefield native Dreama Denver is the wife of Bob Denver, better known as Gilligan from the television series Gilligan’s Island. Dreama spoke with West Virginia Public Broadcasting about her memoir which explores her life with Bob and their experience raising their autistic son Collin.
On this West Virginia Morning, with the signing of House Bill 2096, West Virginia reinstates its film tax credit. We take a closer look at how the filmmaking incentive is expected to put thousands to work and bring millions of dollars into the state economy.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear news updates on legislation addressing the deadly opioid fentanyl, and we learn about the BA.2 variant of COVID-19, which accounts for most new COVID-19 cases in the U.S., but not in West Virginia.
On this West Virginia Morning, we catch up with West Virginia filmmaker Tijah Bumgardner whose writing partner Ashley Ellis recently passed away from substance use disorder. We hear from Bumgardner and Ellis’ mother.
On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians like to head to the beach in the summer for family vacation, but have you ever heard of Gibert Beach? We listen to the next installment of our series West Virginia Water Trails.
On this West Virginia Morning, a business owned and operated by three generations of West Virginia women is gaining national attention. We learn about Moon Flower, a hemp business in Buckhannon.
On this West Virginia Morning, for many families in West Virginia, traditions run deep, often extending back to the place where earlier generations immigrated to the Mountain State. We learn about an old Swiss tradition being revived in the town of Helvetia.
On this West Virginia Morning, a veto by Gov. Jim Justice has pushed a broadband bill back to the West Virginia Legislature for another look. Also, in this show, we listen to Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert’s original song "Bailout Blues" for our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, many kids who dream of space exploration, dream of space camp. A famous West Virginia native is making that dream a reality for two students.
On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s 2021 Teacher of the Year Robert Miller shares how the environment and tourism go together.
On this West Virginia Morning, the U.S. Department of Labor recently released a report that shows a continuing wage gap for women, and it indicates West Virginia is below the national average. But there is a special department in the agency with a mission to change that.
On this West Virginia Morning, the state is looking at a new way to encourage addiction treatment providers to do better, based on how stable and sober their clients are months or even years after initial treatment. We take a closer look at this initiative.
On this West Virginia Morning, when you think of West Virginia, comedy may not be the first or even second on the list, but a multi-day festival in Morgantown is aiming to change that.
On this West Virginia Morning, teachers and coaches have tremendous influence over students with the things they say and do. A new law in West Virginia aims to give them more tools when it comes to student health.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Carla Gover, an Appalachian musician, dancer and activist who during the pandemic started teaching flatfooting and clogging online. Also, in this show, we hear how one West Virginia woman is turning trash found in rivers into treasures.
On this West Virginia Morning, the black bear is West Virginia’s state mammal and lucky visitors can occasionally see them in the woods, but spring is also a time when they are out and hungry. We meet a photographer who has encountered several bears over the years in his career.
On this West Virginia Morning, Democrats from the West Virginia legislature called on Gov. Jim Justice to suspend the state gas tax. Some transportation experts are unsure the savings will make it to consumers.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a closer look at the Appalachian staple meal of beans and cornbread.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a look at the role the Big Coal River is playing in revitalizing and keeping communities together in Boone and Lincoln Counties. Also, a discussion of the possibilities for the infrastructure bill to help remove dams and restore waterways.
On this West Virginia Morning, as the pandemic appears to be winding down and we return to normal, we look back on the essential people who provided medical care at all levels.
On this West Virginia Morning, the 2022 state legislative session ended Saturday night at midnight with a number of important bills passing, but a number of much-discussed bills not making it through in time. We have a reporter roundtable to recap the action from the weekend.
On this West Virginia Morning, as the 2022 West Virginia Legislative session winds down, both chambers are moving forward with several bills covering everything from jails to schools to broadband. We have a conversation with reporters who have been following the action at the statehouse.
On this West Virginia Morning, there are more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the country. The two in West Virginia were born when educational opportunities for Black students were limited and segregated. Today, some schools are actively recruiting a more diverse student population.
On this West Virginia Morning, schools are facing unprecedented staffing shortages. K-12 schools in West Virginia have about 1,000 empty positions, according to a recent study at West Virginia University. We unpack what these numbers mean.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Russian invasion in Ukraine is sending shockwaves throughout the world, but did you know there is a region of Ukraine with close ties to Appalachia? We explore this relationship.
On this West Virginia Morning, mine safety was the topic of a public hearing at the West Virginia Legislature last week. But the response prompted a bill to be withdrawn. Also, in this show, the Allegheny Front share its latest story about a book of poetry that looks at the intersection between humans and nature.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has one of the highest rates of children living in foster care or in group homes. State lawmakers say the system designed to take care of them is broken and are trying to change that.
On this West Virginia Morning, with theaters still closed last spring, WVPB collaborated with West Virginia University’s School of Theater & Dance to film a production of "King Lear." We hear from Director Jerry McGonigal about the unique production process.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear the third installment of a new radio series called West Virginia Water Trails. In this story, we learn how the Guyandotte River in Lincoln County is helping to unite the community.
On this West Virginia Morning, state lawmakers are considering a reduction to the state’s personal income tax by 10 percent. But some say a flat rate only benefits higher incomes. We explore the argument.
On this West Virginia Morning, two activists in Morgantown are organizing a listening project they hope leads to greater racial understanding. We talk with Susan Eason and Eve Faulkes about listening with intent and finding common ground.
On this West Virginia Morning, we get a sneak peek at this week’s episode of The Legislature Today. State lawmakers have been considering a variety of energy-related bills this session, including one with bipartisan support that would create a permitting system for underground carbon storage.
On this West Virginia Morning, as public officials hint at an end of the pandemic, researchers continue to study the after effects of COVID-19. State researchers are taking a leading role in a study on long haul COVID ailments.
On this West Virginia Morning, we continue our new series, West Virginia Water Trails. In the southern part of the state, the Tug Fork River is undergoing major cleanups, including pulling out more than 5,000 tires.
On this West Virginia Morning, the U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating whether states can eliminate access to abortion. Meanwhile, we explore how things look at the remaining abortion clinics in West Virginia and surrounding states.
On this West Virginia Morning, February is Black History Month, and it turns out the founder spent time in West Virginia. We learn more about him and the meaning of the month.
On this West Virginia Morning, state lawmakers are considering a bill that opponents say would limit discussions around race in the classroom, while supporters say it will create transparency on what educators are teaching. We explore this conversation in a preview of this week’s episode of The Legislature Today.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice has signed a bill to repeal the state’s longstanding ban on nuclear power. Also, in this show, after 27 years of service, Huntington’s Fire Chief Jan Rader is stepping down and transitioning to another role with the city. We talk with her about her career.
On this West Virginia Morning, nearly 200,000 African American men served in America’s Civil War. We hear about an art exhibit coming to Charleston that showcases Black Civil War soldiers.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has banned the construction of nuclear power plants for more than 25 years, but lawmakers this year have shown a new willingness to embrace nuclear power as companies shift away from fossil fuels. Also, in this show, the state’s unemployment numbers are at record low levels. But a nagging problem remains – the low workforce participation numbers.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from two West Virginia lawmakers who discuss bills dealing with COVID-19, drug prices, abortion and other health topics. Also, in this show, a West Virginia musical is coming to the stage in Charleston, and singer Natalie Merchant has our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, we chat with Rob Rufus – a West Virginia novelist and punk rocker who talks about the opioid epidemic in his hometown of Huntington. Also, in this show, after generations of a coal-driven economy, state leaders now say energy diversity paves the road for the future.
On this West Virginia Morning, school districts are struggling to keep certified teachers across the country. We hear how this is playing out in McDowell County – an area that’s struggled for years with a shortage of teachers.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about the recent count of those experiencing homelessness in Morgantown. Also, in this show, West Virginia lawmakers are calling for changes to West Virginia’s Child Abuse Hotline, and the state Senate passed a bill related to cameras in special education classrooms.
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s winter in West Virginia, but a warm spell last year has made it made tricky for ski resorts to open. Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, shares their latest story about burning waste coal to mine for bitcoin.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice delivered his 2022 State of the State address Thursday night. The governor was forced to postpone his address earlier this month after testing positive for COVID-19.
On this West Virginia Morning, there’s growing awareness on how trauma and adversity in childhood can affect our health later in life. We hear from a family that’s living that reality. Also, in this show, the Appalachian Regional Commission recently toured a defunct factory in Huntington that’s been turned into a community space.
On this West Virginia Morning, tech companies looking for cheap labor are finding it in West Virginia. We hear from a CEO based in Huntington who’s helping to make these connections.
On this West Virginia Morning, a new housing project has been completed in McDowell County that’s been eleven years in the making. The Renaissance Village is a housing project meant to attract teachers to the county.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Tudor’s Biscuit World employees about their efforts to unionize. Also, in this show, we hear a conversation from the most recent episode of The Legislature Today. WVPB’s energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate spoke with economists John Deskins of West Virginia University and Sean O’Leary of West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.
On this West Virginia Morning, state lawmakers are once again considering restrictions to abortion. We hear from West Virginians on both sides of the issue. Also, in this show, we look at unemployment issues in the state, and British folk-rock icon Richard Thompson has our Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
On this West Virginia Morning, we talk elections with West Virginia’s Secretary of State Mac Warner. Also, in this show, the House of Delegates is considering a bill that would prohibit K-12 public schools and county boards of education from mandating masks for its students and employees, and we hear the latest on tourism efforts in the state.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from a historian about the connection between the Mountain State and slavery abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Also, in this show, hunger is a problem in West Virginia, but recent contributions to local food banks have helped during what is normally a down time for donations, and we look at why coal mine deaths have been on the rise.
On this West Virginia Morning, we check in on mental health in Kentucky. Natural disasters, including a deadly tornado, have destroyed hundreds of homes in the past year alone. Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front has a story about the life of ants and what they can teach us about ourselves, and we look at some of the latest action from West Virginia’s statehouse, which includes bills related to abortion and other priorities.
On this West Virginia Morning, more West Virginians are catching COVID-19 than ever in the almost two years of the pandemic. Also, in this show, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Tri State covers western West Virginia and parts of Ohio and Kentucky. As of this month, the group has expanded into Kanawha, Putnam and Wayne counties as well.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear a preview of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s first The Legislature Today episode of the 2022 session. Senate President Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, share their top priorities for this year.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice had a written version of his State of the State message formally delivered to the West Virginia Legislature Wednesday night, which satisfies his constitutional requirement to deliver the message at the beginning of a legislative session. Earlier this week, the governor tested positive for COVID-19.
On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Jim Justice tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday evening and is experiencing moderate symptoms. He was scheduled to give his sixth State of the State address to the Legislature on Wednesday night, but it will now be delivered by written message to lawmakers to fulfill constitutional requirements.