West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Ostrich Burgers Take Off At Kentucky Farm, This West Virginia Morning
- Title
- Ostrich Burgers Take Off At Kentucky Farm, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 8:54
- Date posted
- 5 hours ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, in recent years, physicians across the country have monitored surges of a condition known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which can cause allergic reactions to red meat. Hannah Saad with Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/) member station WKMS reports that, now, farmers, restaurateurs and the afflicted are flocking to a new source of protein.
Also, with just over six weeks until state and federal midterm elections, West Virginia Democrats are launching their Kitchen Table Tour this week. The tour includes a series of rallies to be held in Marion, Kanawha, Cabell, Boone, Hancock and Jefferson counties.
And, educators will come together in Charleston later this week to learn to better support students in the state’s public schools.
Finally, over the weekend...
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- Coal Gets A Lifeline And WMUL Wins A Murrow, This West Virginia Week
- Runtime
- 22:54
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, the coal industry gets a lifeline, the U.S. Secretary of Education comes to Cabell County, and WMUL wins a Murrow – again.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Encore: The Love Of Competition, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:26
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- One thing about Appalachians, we can get competitive.
We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules and celebrate our victories. But there’s more to competing than just winning or losing.
This week, Inside Appalachia, we’ll meet competitors who are keepers of beloved Appalachian traditions.
- Title
- Join Us for Be My Neighbor Day 2026!
- Runtime
- 0:31
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- Just one more week! 🐯🎈 The countdown is on! Be My Neighbor Day! 2026 will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Center in Slack Plaza, Charleston, WV. Learn more on wvpublic.org!
- Title
- Decades-Old Musical Tradition Pays Tribute To Welsh Immigrants, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:00
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, in southern Ohio, there’s a musical tradition that goes back nearly 1,000 years and 4,000 miles. For Inside Appalachia (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/inside-appalachia/) , Folkways Reporter Capri Cafaro has this story.
Also, for decades, two West Virginia counties have had extremely limited access to wireless communications that first responders need in emergencies. But a solution could be on the horizon.
And, the state treasurer has helped establish a new scholarship at his alma mater.
West Virginia Morning (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-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 and Marshall University School of Journalis...
- Title
- MU Radio News Program Rakes In Prestigious Awards, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:29
- Date posted
- 4 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, in August, the student-led team that produces the news for WMUL at Marshall University learned they had won an Edward R. Murrow award for Outstanding Newscast for the second year in a row. One of the big reasons students and staff alike list for the overall success of the program is Chuck Bailey, who is entering his 42nd year on faculty. Over that time, WMUL has won more than 2,700 awards in total.
News Director Eric Douglas, a Marshall journalism alumnus, but not in the radio program, sat down in a classroom studio with Bailey, the student news director Emma Johnson, and the Director of the Marshall School of Journalism and Mass Communications Rob Quicke, to learn more.
Also, state police will soon have more resources to expand DNA testing capacity.
And, Pennsylvania’s Department of Health says a fourth...
- Title
- WV Public Broadcasting Foundation Meeting
- Runtime
- 1:04:59
- Date posted
- 5 days ago
- Description
- Quarterly meeting of the WV Public Broadcasting Foundation Board.
- Title
- WV Educational Broadcasting Commission
- Runtime
- 36:12
- Date posted
- 5 days ago
- Description
- Quarterly meeting of the WV Educational Broadcasting Commission
- Title
- Exploring Appalachian Lore, History Through Plants, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:32
- Date posted
- 5 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, a new book called Appalachian Plants: In the Garden, In the Yard, and In the Wild (https://wvpublic.org/story/arts-culture/lushly-illustrated-book-features-folklore-of-appalachian-plants/) explores some of the history and lore of plants that have been used by many in the region. Inside Appalachia (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/inside-appalachia/) ’s Mason Adams spoke with author Linda Hager Pack and illustrator Pat Banks about their book.
Also, a new digital system is designed to make background checks for child and adult protective services faster and more efficient.
And, the Trump administration threw another lifeline to coal generation Monday. The federal government will drop limits on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
Finally, state leaders reacted positively to that announcement by the EPA M...
- Title
- Data Center Proposals In Neighboring Pennsylvania, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:37
- Date posted
- 6 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, data center proposals are popping up in West Virginia – and in neighboring Pennsylvania, where one small community is juggling seven different potential projects. From The Allegheny Front (https://www.alleghenyfront.org/) , a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, we hear from that community and their concerns.
Also, West Virginia has tried several approaches to addressing a persistent teacher shortage in schools, and one scholarship is showing results.
And, proposed legislation to ensure the safety of children who withdraw from public school was the subject of a hearing before the Joint Legislative Committee on Children and Families.
Finally, the state has seen five major flooding events since February 2025, but FEMA has given very little direct support to return people to their normal lives.
- Title
- Efforts To Retain Name On Aircraft Carrier For W.Va. Cook, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:02
- Date posted
- 7 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians may not remember the name Doris “Dorie” Miller, but he served on the USS West Virginia when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Miller was a cook and had never been trained to fight on the warship. But on the morning of Dec. 7, he raced to the deck, manned a machine gun and engaged the enemy, shooting down at least one enemy airplane. He was later awarded the Navy Cross, the first Black man to receive the honor.
The U.S. Navy commissioned a new aircraft carrier, CVN-81, and chose to name it after Miller, but stories have surfaced recently of discussions about renaming it after President Donald Trump. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Scott Womack, the commander of American Legion Post 100 in Monroe, West Virginia, to discuss the group’s recent resolution that the Navy should retain Millier’s name on the ship.
Also, with parts of th...
- Title
- West Virginia Hopes For Nuclear Investment And 9/11 Remembered
- Runtime
- 21:16
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, the state signs a memorandum of understanding about nuclear energy, the Public Service Commission (PSC) disputes need for a transmission line, and 9/11 is remembered.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Encore: Torn All To Pieces And Marina Waters, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:43
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Encore: Torn All To Pieces And Marina Waters, Inside Appalachia
- Title
- Remembering 9/11, 25 Years Later, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:07
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, 25 years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., a hijacked plane hit one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York City, ending for this nation a certain innocence, and the belief that such an attack would never happen on American soil. Maria Young caught up an economics professor from WVU who was on site when the planes hit – and gave an exclusive interview to then-West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Director Beth Vorhees.
Also, West Virginia’s flagship universities will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday.
And, a public-private partnership has led to a planned expansion of broadband across rural West Virginia.
Finally, more than 700 people have moved to West Virginia in recent years through the Ascend WV program. Now, the program wants to ...
- Title
- ‘Us & Them’ Explores The Challenge To Stay Or Go, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:46
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, economic growth in West Virginia ranks close to the bottom in national rankings. It’s not just losing jobs, it’s also losing young people. In the first of two new Us & Them episodes, host Trey Kay talks with several young adults from the Mountain State asking whether they will stay put or find their future elsewhere.
Twenty-five-year-old Lilly Barickman is senior manager of communications and engagement for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. She told Kay it’s a challenge to find opportunities.
Also, community members from across West Virginia have come together to try and affect how data centers are being developed in the state.
And, West Virginia has been selected to host one of four locations for a special program from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Title
- Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting Board
- Runtime
- 58:47
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- Public quarterly meeting for the WVPB Friends Board
- Title
- Us & Them: Stay or Go — Part 1: The Stayers
- Runtime
- 53:12
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- While Americans disagree about many things when it comes to politics, elections and domestic and global affairs, most agree that a robust economy is essential for a strong nation. In recent months, nearly all U.S. states have shown economic growth, except West Virginia, and it’s not just losing jobs, it’s losing young people. In this first of two Us & Them episodes, host Trey Kay talks with a number of young adults from the Mountain State about whether they will stay put or find their future elsewhere. This episode focuses on those who want to stay in West Virginia, or are leaning toward building their lives here, even as they wrestle with whether the state can offer the opportunities they need. In a state where the death rate exceeds the birth rate and the workforce participation rate is the nation’s lowest, there are efforts to retain population. But some say the state needs to do something else to become more competitive.
- Title
- National Report Highlights Use Of Opioid Settlement Funds For Police Surveillance, This West Virg...
- Runtime
- 10:12
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, as one of the hardest hit states in the country's opioid crisis, communities across West Virginia have started spending their portion of the roughly $1 billion in settlements from pharmaceutical companies and distributors. Schuyler Mitchell, assistant news director at nonprofit newsroom Mother Jones, reported last month on the use of the funds to purchase automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, from companies like Flock. She spoke to Chris Schulz about her findings.
Also, State Treasurer Larry Pack has responded to a Mingo County lawsuit over the expansion of the Hope Scholarship program.
And, West Virginia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy to become the sixth state chosen for a nuclear energy opportunity that could bring thousands of new jobs.
Finally, data ce...
- Title
- A Look At Whether Big Tech Is a Good Neighbor, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 8:40
- Date posted
- 13 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, the mayor of Gallatin, Tennessee, says a Meta hyperscale data center is the city’s largest taxpayer, but residents still have concerns about its effect on utilities, the environment and property values. Travel up I-65 and data center fights are playing out in several Kentucky communities. Lisa Autry from the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/) went to Gallatin to find out if Big Tech is a good neighbor.
Also, it’s National 988 Day, a day to remind West Virginians that help through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
And, if you have a disability, or are a family member or caregiver for someone who does, the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council wants to hear from you.
West Virg...
- Title
- A Second Data Center In Mason County And Kathy Mattea Remembers Dolly, This West Virginia Week
- Runtime
- 25:43
- Date posted
- 16 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, a second data center is coming to Mason County, the Rural Health Transformation Program Funds are beginning to be distributed in the state, and remembering Dolly Parton.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Remembering Dolly Parton, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:00
- Date posted
- 17 days ago
- Description
- This week, we remember the one and only Dolly Parton.
Dolly was more than a musician or a celebrity. She used her musical success to help others. She started the Imagination Library, a free book program for children that included some of her favorites, like the Little Engine that Could.
And Dolly’s kindness touched people from all walks of life.
Today, we’re honoring Dolly Parton, Inside Appalachia.
- Title
- Singer, Mountain Stage Host Kathy Mattea Remembers Dolly Parton, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:23
- Date posted
- 17 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, we remember Dolly Parton, not just as a musician and celebrity, but as a voice for Appalachian humor, resilience and kindness. Inside Appalachia (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/inside-appalachia/) ’s Mason Adams spoke with Mountain Stage (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/mountain-stage/) host and country star Kathy Mattea, who shares some of her memories.
Also, a second data center is coming to Mason County, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday.
And, Justice William “Bill” Wooton has been released from a hospital following a medical incident Wednesday morning in the midst of oral arguments at the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice is offering free training and prevention resources to help schools and youth groups keep children safe online.
- Title
- Understanding How Heat Affects The Body, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:02
- Date posted
- 18 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, NPR recently released a story showing that heat-related deaths in the United States have likely been undercounted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks deaths, but it isn’t always easy to attribute a death to heat. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Brian Leary, assistant professor and director of tactical performance physiology with the WVU School of Medicine Division of Exercise Physiology, to discuss what heat does to the body and what it means in West Virginia.
Also, Justice William "Bill" Wooton experienced what was described as a medical incident Wednesday morning during oral arguments at the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
And, a new analysis from the state treasurer's office hopes to dispel confusion around potential tax revenue from data centers.
West Virginia Mo...
- Title
- Dealing With The Hottest Days, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:56
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, every week, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/) ’s Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know - and what we don't - about the climate and weather in the region. This week, we're talking about when different areas of the country have their hottest days.
Also, education leaders, families and community members are calling on lawmakers to take immediate action on school funding.
And, a memorial that honors a West Virginia hero and generations of soldiers who bravely served with him is one step closer to reality.
Finally, state tax collections for August came in higher than expected, but the pace is expected to cool as the most recently passed personal income tax cuts are fully implemented.
...
- Title
- What To Expect At A National Save A Life Day Booth, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:48
- Date posted
- 20 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, National Save A Life day began in West Virginia, but organizers say some people are reluctant to pick up the free, easy-to-use naloxone kits that could someday help someone in need due to stigma. Maria Young caught up with Caroline Wilson, the National Save A Life Day coordinator, to find out what to expect if you stop by one of the dozens of booths planned across the state later this month.
Also community and conservation groups are asking West Virginia courts to make sure their challenges to an air permit are properly reviewed, and a second climber dies near Seneca Rocks.
West 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communi...
- Title
- Unchecked Data Center Noise Pollution, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 8:54
- Date posted
- 21 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, noise pollution has reached dangerous levels for residents living near the Memphis-Mississippi border. That’s the home of Elon Musk’s X-AI data center campus that runs Grok, the AI chatbot for the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/) , WPLN’s Caroline Eggers reports on what’s becoming an emerging model of data center – and unchecked noise pollution.
Also, SNAP recipients in four West Virginia counties are now able to purchase hot foods using their SNAP benefits through Sept. 26.
And, 54 low-security inmates at the Ohio County Correctional Center in Wheeling are in the process of being moved to other facilities so the jail there can close.
West Virginia Morning (https://...
- Title
- Data Center Client Revealed And Flock Cameras See Resistance, This West Virginia Week
- Runtime
- 27:21
- Date posted
- 23 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, a client for a big data center is revealed, flock cameras see resistance and social media settles in court.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Dolly Parton, The Adaptive Climbing Festival And Appalachian Plants, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:32
- Date posted
- 24 days ago
- Description
- This week, we reflect on Dolly Parton’s passing and her legacy in the region.
Also, the Adaptive Climbers Festival at Kentucky’s Red River Gorge feels like home for climbers with disabilities from around the world.
And, a new book spotlights Appalachian plants and encourages readers to get in touch with nature.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
- Title
- Remembering Dolly Parton’s Appalachian Roots, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:41
- Date posted
- 24 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, we lost the beloved Dolly Parton this week. The Tennessee native was an American music icon, an actress and a philanthropist. She was also, undeniably, Appalachian.
To mark her passing, Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with Ted Olson, a country music historian at East Tennessee State University’s Department for Appalachian Studies.
And South Charleston High School's varsity football team took to the field for the first game of the season Thursday night wearing new, safer helmets that are showing up on football fields across the state.
Also, a West Virginia whistleblower alleges federal funds for HIV treatment are being misused, and some of the best whitewater in the country is coming to West Virginia in a few short weeks.
West Virginia Morning is a product...
- Title
- Why The Youth Are Disconnected, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:57
- Date posted
- 25 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, Hollywood may have coined the term 'failure to launch,' but it's showing up in young adults in West Virginia – for a troubling reason. There are so many young people in the U.S. who are not working or going to school, there’s a name for it - disconnected youth. About 12% of West Virginia’s young people from 16 to 24 fall into that category. And while the rate has dropped, it’s still a challenge.
In the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay works with co-producer Kyle Vass to learn why the state has such a high number. Vass talks with psychologist Colleen Moran about what prevents some people from moving ahead.
A national settlement with the makers of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram means not only big money for West Virginia, but changes to the sites themselves.
Also Dolly Parto...
- Title
- Us & Them Encore: Disconnected Youth
- Runtime
- 52:45
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- There are so many young people in the U.S. who are not in school, working or training for work, that there’s a name for it. They are ‘disconnected youth,’ and while West Virginia’s rate has dropped in recent years, it’s still one of the highest in the nation. Just under 12%, or 24,000, young people are in this category, and they can be tough to track down because there’s a stigma attached to this status. However, some programs are trying to bridge the gap - to connect with young people and help them train for a job and a career. On this Us & Them episode, we’ll find out why some young people get stuck and the things Mountain State leaders say could help this next generation.
- Title
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library In W.Va., This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:31
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, singer, actress and icon Dolly Parton visited West Virginia in 2022 to celebrate the state’s full participation in her Imagination Library, an early childhood literacy program she started in honor of her father in 1995. Dolly Parton died Tuesday after a brief illness. We listen to a clip from an interview she did with then WVPB Executive Producer Suzanne Higgins. Watch the full interview here (https://wvpublic.org/story/arts-culture/dolly-parton-speaks-exclusively-with-wvpb/) .
Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has announced the replacement for a state delegate who recently resigned.
And, National Save A Life Day is less than a month away, but there's still time for you or your organization to get involved.
West Virginia Morning (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/) is a production of West Virginia...
- Title
- Efforts Underway To Protect A Rare Plant, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:45
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, one of the world’s rarest plants, the Peters Mountain Mallow, lives on only one mountainside, in the New River Valley along the West Virginia line. Last year, scientists counted just five plants still alive – and the recent drought means protecting it from extinction is getting tougher. Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd reports.
Also, another vehicle has fallen off an interstate overpass in Charleston. Traffic officials are looking at how to make that stretch of road safer.
And, updated draft rules for West Virginia's Military Hall of Fame are now open for public comment.
Finally, with the autumn season right around the corner, West Virginia’s fall foliage projection map is back.
West Virginia Morning (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-mornin...
- Title
- Kentucky Neighbors Call For More Data Center Transparency, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:01
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, as developers rapidly propose data centers across Kentucky, their neighbors are struggling to find out what it will mean for them. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) , Sylvia Goodman reports that residents are calling for more transparency from developers and their own public officials.
Also, the Kentucky Attorney General’s office said a proposed data center in Eastern Kentucky could help offset the cost of a power plant project, but the plan involves West Virginia.
And, just over $1 million is available for the development of an all-in-one care model that coordinates medical care and daily support designed to help older residents with health challenges stay safely in their own homes.
West Virginia Morning (https:...
- Title
- New Transmission Line Sees Resistance And The State Has A New Secretary Of Tourism, This West Vir...
- Runtime
- 21:51
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, plans for a new transmission line may be in trouble, a former state delegate is indicted, and the state has a new secretary of tourism.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Black Lung And Beasts Of The East, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:40
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- This week, a new report finds the number of black lung cases is at its highest since the 1970s. The human cost is high.
Also, the author of a new book says reintroducing nearly extinct animals back into the wild can boost damaged ecosystems, but they can't repair them.
And, roadside attractions pay tribute to our enduring fascination with weird.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
- Title
- Restoring The Eastern Wilderness By Reintroducing Big Game To Appalachia, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:14
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, as wildlife advocates push to reintroduce large game to parts of Appalachia, there's an effort underway to bring back some animals that might surprise you. A new book, “The Beasts of the East: The Fall and Rise of America’s Eastern Wilderness,” looks at the process. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with author Andrew Moore.
And top leadership has changed again at the West Virginia Department of Human Services. Lorie Bragg, who was tapped to be the commissioner of the Bureau for Social Services in May of 2025, is no longer employed with the department.
Also Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a new round of funding aimed at water issues, this time in Wayne County and the application to construct a transmission line in northeastern West Virginia is likely to be delayed.
West Virginia Morning is a production...
- Title
- The Future Of Social Security Benefits, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:25
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, Social Security began 91 years ago when President Franklin Roosevelt signed it into law. Since then, it has provided a social safety net to Americans, allowing many of them to retire with dignity, according to John Hishta, senior vice president of campaigns with AARP. But many experts say that without some action, social security benefits will have to be reduced by 20% in 2032. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Hishta to understand the situation.
Also, a federal grand jury has indicted a former state delegate on charges of sexual exploitation of a child.
And, communities struggling to provide clean drinking water to their residents will get financial and practical help, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday.
Finally, unemployment fell in July compared to the previous month, but so did West Virginia’s ...
- Title
- Understanding Different Kinds Of Thunderstorms, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:28
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, it’s thunderstorm season, but not all of them are the same. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) , Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know – and what we don't – about the climate and weather in the region. This week, they examine different types of thunderstorms.
Also, a middle school in Lewis County is getting a $400,000 advance, so they can get students back in the classroom following severe flood damage.
And, a chemical recycling operation in the Kanawha Valley is raising more than pollution concerns from observers.
Finally, as West Virginians clean up after another round of severe weather this weekend, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division urges those affected to fill out the ...
- Title
- Hyperscale Data Centers Sparking Bipartisan Outrage, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:56
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, for the third installment in our series on data centers (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/when-data-centers-come-to-town/) , we look at how data centers proposals are provoking outrage from local opponents. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) , Kentucky Public Radio’s Joe Sonka reports that such fights are increasingly common — and bipartisan.
Also, heavy rains and thunderstorms passed through the state over the weekend causing flooding and mudslides throughout central West Virginia.
And, a federal judge declined the state’s request Friday to dismiss a lawsuit brought by West Virginia’s largest overdose prevention group, Solutions Oriented Addiction Response of West Virginia, also known as SOAR.
Finally, par...
- Title
- FEMA And Voucher Controversy Continues, This West Virginia Week
- Runtime
- 26:37
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, changes are coming to FEMA, few details on school clothing voucher accusations, and the state has a new guide for data centers.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Shinto Garden In Southwest Virginia And A Healing Mosaic In Kentucky, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:28
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- This week, a Japanese Shinto garden took root in Southwestern Virginia because of family connections spanning geography and generations.
Also, in Whitesburg, Kentucky a new mosaic uses recovered objects to honor the town’s people after the flood of 2022.
And, the young adult novel “Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire” mixes historical fact with spooky Appalachian folklore.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
- Title
- Digging Deeper Into Rising Black Lung Cases, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:53
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that black lung rates are the highest they’ve been since the 1970s. Justin Hicks and Howard Burkes reported on that for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) . Inside Appalachia (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/inside-appalachia/) ’s Mason Adams spoke with Hicks and Burkes to dig a little deeper.
Also, officials have released an update into a deadly chemical accident in April.
And, the developer of a proposed data center in Tucker County has provided the state proof that it owns the property on which it plans to build.
Finally, a team from American Water is heading to the town of Wayne to investigate a problem that has plagued the community for...
- Title
- Parental Addiction’s Impact On Trust, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:33
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has been at the center of America's opioid epidemic and overdose death toll. While recent reports show the state’s overdose deaths have fallen by nearly 38%, addiction remains the most common reason for West Virginia children to be taken from their families. In the next episode of Us & Them (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/us-them/) , host Trey Kay attends a WVU training symposium, including a screening of the recent film What We Hide, and hears from professionals who work with people affected by addiction.
Also, Logan County Schools have been under some level of state control for close to four years. They are gaining back local control now, but the district’s financial outlook is concerning.
And, it’s still not clear how many needy children received back to school clothes or if any of the funds were instead used for beer and cigarettes follow...
- Title
- Us & Them: What We Hide — Examining The Collateral Damage Of Addiction
- Runtime
- 50:20
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Us & Them: What We Hide — Examining The Collateral Damage Of Addiction
- Title
- Understanding A Complicated Educational Landscape, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 10:29
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, as lawmakers and educational leaders across West Virginia take a hard look at school finances, administrative staff that work outside the classroom have come under increased scrutiny. But Uriah Cummings, School Financial Operations officer for the West Virginia Department of Education, says administrators manage an increasingly complicated educational landscape. He spoke to Education Reporter Chris Schulz about their necessary role in schools.
Also, just in time for severe thunderstorms to roll in across much of the southern half of West Virginia Tuesday, members of the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding heard about changes coming to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
And, lawmakers continue to keep a close eye on school discipline after years of new legislation.
Finally, a new report says...
- Title
- Kentucky Fried Chicken Founder’s Items Up For Auction, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:38
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders' iconic items earned big bucks at auction. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) , reporter Andrew Henderson went to the auction and hung around for the fried chicken.
Also, West Virginia lawmakers have said school funding reform is a top priority in next year’s legislative session, and they got a glimpse of the governor’s perspective on the issue.
And, members of the Joint Committee on Children and Families were frustrated by the lack of detailed information they received regarding critical incidents involving children in state care.
Finally, state lawmakers also discussed AI-surveillance cameras for nearly an hour and a half on Sunday as controversies continue over th...
- Title
- Concerns Over Data Centers And Rising Electricity Costs, This West Virginia Morning
- Runtime
- 9:17
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Morning, residents across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia have packed public meetings in recent months to speak out against data centers. A recurring concern is how the developments could affect the cost of electricity. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom (https://wvpublic.org/newsroom/series/appalachia-mid-south-newsroom/signal-species/) , WEKU’s Curtis Tate reports this comes as utility prices have already been on the rise.
Also, legislative interims got underway at the state capitol in Charleston over the weekend, a chance for lawmakers to address significant issues that come up between the regular 60-day session that begins in January.
And, democrats in the West Virginia House of Delegates are renewing their call for Gov. Patrick Morrisey to bring the legislature back in for a special session to address what they call a crisis with the public school...
- Title
- Pushback On School Clothing Vouchers And Black Lung Numbers Grow, This West Virginia Week
- Runtime
- 23:35
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey gets pushback over school clothing vouchers, Huntington residents seek to ban Flock cameras, and black lung is big again.
Bill Lynch 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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.
Learn more about West Virginia Week (https://wvpublic.org/podcasts/west-virginia-morning/west-virginia-week) .
- Title
- Encore: John Rose And The Snuffy Smith Comic Strip, Inside Appalachia
- Runtime
- 53:31
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- This week, having a very specific talent can lead to a dream job. It’s how cartoonist John Rose got his foot in the door to draw the comic strip Snuffy Smith.
Also, there are dos and don’ts for treating poison ivy.
And, a young, old-time musician wants to save her family’s lost ballads.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
