On this West Virginia Week, the air around the site of a chemical leak near Institute is determined safe, the state reaches a settlement with Roblox, and Charleston photographer Perry Bennett represents Team USA in Iceland. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe. 

Learn more about West Virginia Week. 

In author Willie Carver, Jr.’s new book, he reconsiders a negative childhood experience with a neighborhood girl who might have just been looking for a friend.

Also, a southwestern Virginia community rang the alarm after more and more of its children were diagnosed with cancer. A local journalist is trying to unravel the cause.

And, the city of Asheville has a new crusading reporter. He’s a puppet.

You'll hear this story and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Willie Carver Jr.'s Novel Tore All To Pieces
• Health Care Hollow In Tennessee
• Childhood Cancer Rates Rise In Scott County, Virginia
• Preserving Little Green Apples
• Air Pollution Can Cause Lung Cancer
• Asheville's New Puppet Correspondent

Willie Carver Jr.'s Novel Tore All To Pieces

Kentucky writer and educator Willie Edward Taylor Carver, Jr. has a new book. It’s a mosaic novel that draws from his upbringing, and his experiences as a gay man in Appalachia. The title is Tore All To Pieces, and it weaves together poetry and short stories into a narrative about people and place.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Carver about the book, and about the joys of bologna gravy. 

Health Care Hollow In Tennessee

Hospitals in rural America are closing at an alarming pace, and Tennessee has the highest closure rate. 

WPLN in Nashville is looking at the trend, and what's being done to reverse course.

Reporter Catherine Sweeney went to Linden a Tennessee town that watched its hospital go dark but is now on the path to recovery.   

Childhood Cancer Rates Rise In Scott County, Virginia

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. And tragic when it happens to a child.  

But when multiple childhood cancer cases appear in a community, folks start asking questions. That’s what’s happening in Scott County, Virginia. Scott County has seen a dramatic rise in childhood cancer diagnoses.

Marina Waters is a reporter who’s been covering the issue. Host Mason Adams spoke with her.

Preserving Little Green Apples

Fruit trees in much of central Appalachia are just coming off their spring bloom. Their fruit won’t be ripe until late summer, early fall, but some varieties of apples show up early. Some folks call them June Apples, June transparent apples or even early transparents. The growing season and flavor of this fruit set it apart. And generations of Appalachians have kept these apple trees alive.  

In one of our early Folkways stories, from 2020, reporter Connie Kitts discovered that these early apples were in danger of disappearing. 

Air Pollution Can Cause Lung Cancer

For decades, we’ve known smoking can lead to lung cancer. Public health messages usually focus on personal behavior that the only way to prevent lung cancer is for people to stop smoking. But new research finds a connection between lung cancer and air pollution, particularly in urban areas.

The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant spoke with researchers about reducing cancer rates through environmental policy. 

Asheville's New Puppet Correspondent

There’s a new “voice for the people” in Asheville. He’s a blue puppet with bright red hair. His name is Little Ginger and you can find him on Instagram. He’s a crusading reporter, taking on potholes and local property taxes. 

Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Laura Hackett has more.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Mary Hott, Paul Loomis, John Blissard and Hello June.  

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky writer Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr’s new book Tore All To Pieces weaves poetry and short stories into a narrative about people and place. Inside Appalachia’s Bill Lynch recently spoke with Carver and brings us this conversation.

Also, state and federal environmental agencies were on site Thursday at the Catalyst Refiners plant following a fatal chemical leak on Wednesday.

And, money from the Rural Health Transformation Program is about to start flowing into 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence arrives at a moment when Americans are arguing not just about politics — but about our nation’s history. 

As President Donald Trump calls for the removal of what he labels “divisive” history from public institutions, a new documentary from Ken Burns revisits the American Revolution with all of its complexity, contradiction and competing visions of freedom.

In this episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay brings together professors and students at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia along with community members for a public conversation. There’s talk about what the revolution meant then, who it was for, and what it means now — at a time when questions about executive power, citizenship and belonging feel anything but settled.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from WETA and the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, the NPR app and wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.
Learn more about Marshall University.

“My experience with students is that students want unvarnished history. They don’t want the Disney version of American history. That’s boring, right? And that’s not the way it works.

I try to point out that these are people that we’re talking about. They’re flawed humans with different kinds of ambitions and desires and counter-ambitions. And if you think about the past in that kind of way, it allows you to put yourself back there, maybe relate to what’s going on and think about those sorts of things.

I’ve never experienced students coming up to me and saying, ‘Look, I want you to simplify this, romanticize this, and I don’t want any of the most unsavory aspects of it to come about because it hurts my feelings.’ I don’t have that experience. I don’t understand that experience.”

— Kevin Barksdale

Learn more about Kevin Barksdale.

“It’s easy sometimes in academia to look at the revolution or the founding and say this was terrible, and ask if there’s hypocrisy there.

But it’s really important to think about how the ideals that come out of the revolution—the founding, the Declaration of Independence—have been used for multiple social justice issues since then.

Part of the American story is believing in things like liberty and equality and self-determination. And we don’t take a lot of time to really think about what those terms mean. Unless we interrogate our history—what they meant to the colonists, and how they didn’t always live up to them—it forces us to ask what we actually mean when we use those words today. Without telling these stories, we can’t have a sense of what those ideas mean.”

— George Davis

Learn more about George Davis.

“I feel like watching the documentary definitely changed my perspective on how I would fit into the nation’s origin story.

Being a young Black American woman, it’s hard to see where we would fit in. As they mentioned, it was more often about what wealthy white women did.

I feel like our part of history goes unnoticed and we’re kind of hidden from that. So we don’t really know what victories we had or what we did during that period of time.”

— Adriana Raymore

“Growing up here in West Virginia, they romanticized the American Revolution very heavily. We focused on what we won—our battles—rather than how we treated the people that helped us along the way.

I think we need to teach everything—the good, the bad, the ugly—all of it, rather than just the one version, the American hero narrative.”

— Benjamin Harrison

“I think the part that makes me feel the most uncomfortable is when they said that Native Americans probably would have been better off if we had never come here.

That’s a really uncomfortable truth to sit with. It’s hard to reconcile it — because here we are on this land, and we’re reaping the benefits of their injustices.

I feel like the sanitized version of history that people think they want is unproductive and uninvolving. It creates apathy.

This is an experiment — the American experiment — and we have to keep refining what that means.”

— E. Provost

“These are all the same questions: What right do I have to speak? What right do I have to think? What right do I have to tell somebody else what to do?

I think it’s important that we never stop revisiting those issues—because the tides of history will never stop.”

— Lio Frye

“You created a system that was perhaps the best in the world at creating wealth. Through that period, you went from landed wealth to a tremendous expansion of mercantile wealth, and then industrial wealth through manufacturing and transportation — now into an era of digital wealth.And this system, with all its warts and bubbles and difficulties, has been able to manage that tremendous transition and address issues with the distribution of that wealth.”

— John Maher

“I think part of the role of universities and colleges is to expand the worldview of people, because sometimes what we do learn in K-12 is very limited and the perspective is very limited.

Part of the role of universities and colleges is allowing people to expand their worldview but then also create a safe space to have these discussions.”

— Lacey Vinegar

“Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Now we have a republic, if you can keep it.’

And to me, that means we have to be bold. We have to not only have these debates within academia, but we also have to have those moments when you are sitting next to somebody who you disagree with—and learn how to respectfully speak to them.

We have to have the courage to stand up and say something.”

— Helen Zublic Fain

“I don’t know if I could say any specific image, but I think the Revolution—absolutely, the ideas.

It wasn’t based off of ancient ideas, it wasn’t based off ancient peoples—it was based on the idea that we’re creating something new for the people.

And I think that we should continue that in our democracy.”

— Mason Skidmore

“With the perception that colleges are indoctrinating per se, do you believe that some of that comes from the fact that, and I mean here in West Virginia, that not half our population has a college education?

Do you believe it’s a threat now with social media playing an influence in kids that are 13 years old seeing political content and not understanding how to process it or what they are exactly seeing, and what do you think that means for the future of democracy?”

— Michael Borsuk

On this West Virginia Morning, the American Lung Association has released its 27th State of the Air report on air pollution and awarded grades for metro areas across the country. West Virginia isn’t perfect but is surprisingly good. No one in the state lives in a county with a failing grade. The Charleston-Huntington metro area got all As.  

News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Kevin Stewart, director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association, about the report and what it all means.  

Also, West Virginia has reached one of the first settlements in the country with a popular children’s online gaming platform.

And, a West Virginia folklorist has been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Finally, the Appalachian Regional Commission is accepting applications for projects to help people in recovery enter – or reenter – the workforce.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, a West Virginia photographer is representing Team USA in the 2026 World Photographic Cup in Iceland this week – and he’s there because of a photo he almost didn’t take. We hear from longtime photographer for the West Virginia Legislature and two-time winner of the Professional Photographers of West Virginia Photographer of the Year award, Perry Bennett.

Also, a federal hearing in three weeks could determine the next step for the historic but struggling Greenbrier Resort.

And, it's time to get your bird feeders out. The hummingbirds are 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, especially in a land-locked state, the idea of caring for our natural waterways may not come easily. The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region, brings us their latest story on the healing power of water.                

Also, the search for extra-terrestrial life is on at the Green Bank Observatory in Pocahontas County.

And, the Spring Gobbler Season has kicked off. After a long, cold winter the annual spring harvest offers a chance to enjoy West Virginia’s great outdoors under sunny skies. 

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, a Florida energy company plans to build a high voltage line across four West Virginia counties. Also, the state’s horse racing industry gets a boost, and be sure to watch out for ticks this season. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe. 

Learn more about West Virginia Week. 

Coal power can be expensive. Utilities run coal-fired power plants harder in the winter and summer when demand is high. 

Also, two films made in West Virginia shot to the top of Netflix’s streaming charts. The state wants to encourage even more movies to be made in West Virginia by helping keep production costs down. 

And, an Eastern Kentucky pharmacist serves vegan food for the holidays.

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Coal Drives Up Tension, Energy Rates Between Virginia And West Virginia
• Tennessee State Police Consider Implementing AI Facial Recognition
• High Profile W.Va. Movies Highlight Growing Film Industry
• The Modern Mountain Cookbook
• Brain Tanning In Athens, Ohio

Coal Drives Up Tension, Energy Rates Between Virginia And West Virginia

Lawmakers across the country are talking about affordability, especially when it comes to rising power bills. But states are taking different approaches to make that happen. Virginia is pushing for more renewable energy, while West Virginia lawmakers are trying to keep coal plants open.

Host Mason Adams teamed up with Radio IQ reporter Roxy Todd. They talked with economists, politicians and ratepayers to try to learn why tensions between the two Virginias may be driving up costs.  

Tennessee State Police Consider Implementing AI Facial Recognition

More states are using cameras to aid police and other law enforcement agencies. In Tennessee, state police are exploring the idea of pairing cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition software. That’s according to public records obtained by the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. But that technology also comes with privacy concerns.

Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer spoke with reporters Pierce Gentry and Justin Hicks to learn more.

High Profile W.Va. Movies Highlight Growing Film Industry

It’s always exciting to recognize parts of Appalachia in movies. Today, more and more films and TV shows shot in Appalachia are turning up on streaming services. In March, two films shot in West Virginia made the Netflix Top Ten list for movies streamed in the U.S. And it’s not just the state’s geography that’s a draw for filmmakers. 

WVPB’s Maria Young has more.  

The Modern Mountain Cookbook

When you think of “Appalachian cooking,” what comes to mind? For a lot of folks, it’s savory comfort foods like biscuits with sausage gravy, crispy fried chicken and mashed potatoes loaded with butter. But, what about folks who want comfort food without involving animals? Jan Brandenburg is a pharmacist and poet in Eastern Kentucky. Over the last 30 years, she’s perfected recipes that take a plant-based approach to the Appalachian table.

Last spring, Bill Lynch spoke with Brandenburg about her new book The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A Plant-Based Celebration of Appalachia. 

Brain Tanning In Athens, Ohio

Tanning hides for clothes, blankets, shoes – for all kinds of things – goes back millennia. But over the years, some tanning techniques have become less common, like brain tanning.  

As it turns out, women in Appalachia are reclaiming the practice. In 2020, Clara Haizlett, a brain tanner herself, brought us this Folkways story. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Hello June, Dinosaur Burps, Blue Dot Sessions and John Inghram. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 guest editor Andrea “River” Peterson and Folkways Editor Nicole Musgrave.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, lawmakers in both West Virginia and Virginia have been looking at ways to make power bills more affordable, but their approaches are very different. Virginia is pushing for more renewable energy, while West Virginia lawmakers are trying to keep coal plants open.  

Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams and Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd spoke with economists, politicians and ratepayers to learn why tensions between the two states may be driving up costs.  

Also, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Thursday she’s in favor of data centers in West Virginia but also admits their limitations.

And, a Florida energy company is planning to build a high-voltage power line in southwest Pennsylvania to feed data centers in northern Virginia. It crosses four West Virginia counties along the way. The Allegheny Front’s Reid Frazier reports the company is seeking the right of eminent domain. 

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, some unusual things are happening in the leadup to the state's primary elections next month. Leading Republicans are directly challenging other Republicans to try to steer the makeup of the West Virginia Legislature. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Marshall Political Science Professor Marybeth Beller about the context of these unusual moves and how they are shaking up the races -- and political watchers.

Also, middle school students win a national award for their work on water filtration and a month-long sweep by law enforcement nets 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 Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, with the war in Iran now in its second month, many questions remain about the motivations for and the objectives of the conflict. 

Ace Parsi’s family left Iran for the U.S. because of the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. He shared his perspective on the situation with reporter Chris Schulz.   

Parsi is also running for Congress in West Virginia’s second district. 

Also, there are yard signs, candidate forums and ads for candidates out, but if you’re not sure exactly who you can vote for, there is a tool.

And, Thanksgiving is more than seven months away. But starting this weekend turkeys across the state have reason to hide.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, America’s rural hospitals are closing at an alarming pace. That’s become a concern in many parts of West Virginia. We look at nearby Tennessee, which has the highest hospital closure rate in the nation – but also some shining examples of hope. WPLN’s Health Reporter Catherine Sweeney takes us to Linden – a Tennessee town where the shuttered hospital there has recently reopened. 

Also, the public will soon have an opportunity to express their opinion on a proposed electric transmission line project in person.

And, a longtime Charleston priest, activist and central figure in one of West Virginia’s most turbulent cultural conflicts has died. The Rev. Jim Lewis was 90.

Finally, you might say there’s now more horsepower driving a small but important industry 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, we’ve long known that smoking can cause lung cancer. But what about air pollution? As The Allegheny Front reports, a new Appalachian study finds a connection.

Also, we have the latest from our occasional series Almost Heavens, where the astrophysicist and Clay Center educator Shannon Silverman guides us through the cosmos above the Mountain State. In this segment, we learn about what can be seen in the springtime skies overhead.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, the state supreme court decides on vaccine requirements, the office of miners health and safety releases its findings about recent accidents and money talks on Planet Money. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe. 

Learn more about West Virginia Week. 

Our Common Nature is a new podcast from WNYC. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and producer Ana González, as they explore America and talk to folks like West Virginia coal miners.

We follow Yo-Yo and his team as they venture into Appalachia. And we talk with González about meeting people where they are.  

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• West Virginia: Yo-Yo Ma And W.Va. Coal
• The Smokies: Mountains And Forgotten Family With Yo-Yo Ma
• Kentucky: Yo-Yo Ma And The Louisville Orchestra Perform In Mammoth Cave

Our Common Nature: The Smokies, Mammoth Cave And W.Va. Coal

We’re sharing a new podcast from our friends at WNYC. It’s called Our Common Nature. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who you probably know best from his rendition of Bach’s Cello Suite Number One in G Major.

In the podcast, Ma teams up with producer Ana González. They travel around the country, meeting people and hearing their stories and music. They visit parts of Appalachia, including West Virginia and the Smokies. We’re excited to share an excerpt from their travels.

Also, host Mason Adams speaks with González about what she and Ma had in mind for these trips — and what they learned along the way. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Yo-Yo Ma and Blue Dot Sessions.

Special thanks this week to WNYC for sharing their podcast with us. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, lots of public radio listeners know acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In the fall, WNYC released Our Common Nature, a podcast that follows the musician and producer Ana Gonzalez as they explore the country. This included a visit to West Virginia. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Gonzalez about the podcast and what she and Yo-Yo Ma learned along the way.  

Also, a panel of federal judges has upheld the constitutionality of West Virginia’s vaccination requirements.

And, much of the state is facing an elevated risk of fire right now.

Finally, Trump administration officials in February announced a change in rules intended to help coal, and March data show solar is quickly catching up.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

For some Americans home ownership is a way to build wealth for future generations.

But West Virginia presents the complexities and nuances of that reality. The Mountain State has the nation’s highest homeownership rate but the second lowest personal income rate.

And much of the state’s housing is old and needs repair. In one West Virginia county, 67% of the homes are more than 80 years old and half rate below normal on standard quality measures. By several measures, there are 500,000 people living in such conditions.

In this encore Us & Them — which was recently honored by the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters for Best Podcast — we travel just across the state line to western Virginia to experience a side of the housing crisis we don't often see — structures in disrepair that people call home.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, the NPR app and wherever you get your podcasts.

"We have about 3.8 million households in Appalachia, and by several measures, there are half a million people living in homes built before 1930 or in families earning less than 30% of area median income. Cuts to the HUD budget this year have hit federal assistance hard, leaving people with less buying power. All things equal, if your income is very low, your ability to find a decent place to live is very limited."

— Jim King, CEO of FAHE

“Back then I would get the water in a barrel for cleaning and cooking and all that stuff. I got a big pot out there that I use to heat water in to bathe and stuff. I used wood and had a flue that I had built in for heat.”

— Joyce Vest

“I just realized when I came out here that that’s not a way for her to live, and if I could help her, we were going to do so. We started searching and looking [to find a service to help], and it took a couple of years before we had the house. It was one of those things that was on my heart that I had to do. To be honest, I didn’t realize people lived like that — without electricity and without water. I’m not sure how she did it, but she did. She managed. It was an eye-opening experience for me, and it made me realize that I needed to do some things.”

— Stacey Reeder, veterinarian in rural Virginia

“The Indoor Plumbing and Rehabilitation program is designed for low- to moderate-income homeowners who have no indoor plumbing, no potable water or a failing septic system. In her case, she had no well, no indoor bathroom and no septic system — so she qualified for the program. It’s a common challenge: even if a septic system was installed 50 years ago, it may now have failed or be underperforming and must be replaced to meet current regulations and prevent groundwater contamination. And if someone who is 70 or 80 years old — who has lived in their home for decades — suddenly finds that their septic system has failed, they may be forced to install an alternative system that can cost up to $40,000, an expense that is often unaffordable on a fixed income.”

— Kenneth Rogers, rural housing specialist with Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP)

Before-and-after composite images of Joyce Vest’s home document conditions before the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) built a new structure with electricity and running water. The images were provided to Us & Them by SERCAP.

Photo by Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting; composite images courtesy of SERCAP

“That means their families haven’t accumulated the wealth needed to pass on from generation to generation to ensure stability. People my age — and I’m among the oldest millennials — can buy homes largely because of intergenerational wealth. Without that, you lose access to safe, stable housing. Anyone could become homeless at any time — a huge medical expense could wipe you out and leave you on the street. We hear stories like that, but housing insecurity is mostly rooted in generations of being left out. We see it in Appalachia, where people live in old trailers, and in urban areas, where tenants endure poorly maintained rental homes while paying high rents. This isn’t so much a political divide as it is the result of setting our country on a wealth-building track that didn’t include everyone — and still doesn’t. It’s become an us-and-them scenario.”

– Mel Jones, co-director of the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech University

On this West Virginia Morning, by some measures, West Virginia has the nation’s highest homeownership rate. However much of that housing is old and needs repair. Our latest episode of Us & Them is a recent award winner from the Virginia AP Broadcasters. Trey Kay uncovers an aspect of the housing crisis we don't often hear about – structures without electricity or running water that people call home. We listen to an excerpt. 

Also, state education leaders are highlighting some of West Virginia’s most successful schools.

And, DirecTV workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America — or CWA — have voted to give union leaders the authority to call a strike if negotiations with the company fail to reach a fair agreement.

Finally, democrats in the House of Delegates held a press conference Wednesday to call for a special session to address skyrocketing gas prices.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, fluorspar is a mineral used to make everything from steel, aluminum and gasoline to uranium fuel and batteries. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WKMS’ Lily Burris reports the largest known deposit of the critical mineral in the U.S. is in western Kentucky – and its applications in artificial intelligence (AI) could reawaken the region’s mining industry. 

Also, the West Virginia office of Miner’s Health Safety and Training has released their initial findings from last week’s two fatal accidents.

And, state leaders from both parties are calling on Gov. Patrick Morrisey to help alleviate skyrocketing gas prices.

Finally, state and federal grants are coming to West Virginia for workforce development.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, the economy is everything we buy or sell and services we use. It can be a broad category and most of us struggle to understand what it all means. The show Planet Money from NPR dives into those topics and attempts to make sense of it. And now, the show has published a book called Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life.

WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas spoke with the author of the book, Alex Mayyasi, and one of the show hosts, Sarah Gonzalez, to break it down and learn more about what readers and listeners can gain.

Also, a new program to ease communications between law enforcement and people with disabilities was recently signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

And, the state Attorney General’s office is trying a new approach to help keep West Virginians informed about scams.

West 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 Communications.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is a young adult novel set in Appalachia. Written by West Virginia native Don Martin, the book follows the story of a witch-in-training who uses her magic to help a forgotten mountain coal town. It was an instant New York Times bestseller after it was released last year. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Martin about the book and his podcast Head on Fire. 

Also, there were two fatal mine accidents at the end of last week. The first took place in Raleigh County, followed less than 24 hours by an accident in Marshall County. 

And, it’s well known that smoking can lead to lung cancer. New research also finds a connection between lung cancer and air pollution. The Allegheny Front has the story. 

Finally, this past weekend saw the finals of the women’s NCAA tournament and the final game for the men is tonight. 

West 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 Communications.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey vetoed 12 bills that made it through the legislative process.  

We hear the latest in the battle over which vaccines are required for school attendance in the state. And, we learn about a Cardinal Institute analysis on the state’s distressed school districts – and learn about West Virginia’s new Office of Entrepreneurship.  

Also, a growing interest in data centers has the attention of people around the state – both for and against.  

And last weekend, thousands of West Virginians came together to have their voices heard at ‘No Kings’ rallies. 

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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young – and occasionally, Liz McCormick.

Learn more about West Virginia 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.

In This Episode:

• Snuffy Smith In The 21st Century
• Folk Cures For Poison Ivy
• What's The Buzz With Bees?
• Mussel Restoration In Tennessee River
• Preserving The Music Of The Mountains
• Big Emma: Remembering Appalachia's Steam Locomotive
• Rosalie Haizlett Explores Tiny Worlds

Snuffy Smith In The 21st Century

Like it or not, the hillbilly stereotype still permeates American pop culture. It’s been used to degrade and shame folks in the mountains, but there are gentler versions. Like "Snuffy Smith," the long-running comic strip character who still appears in newspapers. Although these days, it’s easier to find Snuffy online. 

He originally started out as a supporting character in his comic strip, which first launched in 1919 when Billy DeBeck created "Barney Google." Artist Fred Lasswell was brought in during the ‘30s to create Snuffy Smith and his friends. And now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. 

Host Mason Adams spoke with Rose.

Folk Cures For Poison Ivy

With warmer weather, more folks are spending time in the woods or yards, and it’s just a matter of time before some will get into a patch of poison ivy.  

You can find ways to treat the itchy rash that comes from poison ivy at the pharmacy, but there are plenty of people who still use folk remedies.  

Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch explored the intersection of folk cures and mainstream medicine. 

What's The Buzz With Bees?

When we think of livestock, we might think of animals like cattle and sheep. But, what about honeybees? Both honeybees and native bee species face challenges some in common, and some not. 

WMRA’s Ayse Pirge reports. 

Mussel Restoration In Tennessee River

The Tennessee River runs like an artery through Knoxville, Tennesee. It feeds the recreation and tourism business and also a rich ecosystem. And some of the river’s biggest protectors are really very small: freshwater mussels. They live on the riverbed and clean up the river. But their numbers have been declining for generations.

WUOT’s Heather Haley spoke to a group working to protect these creatures.

Preserving The Music Of The Mountains

North Carolina musician Murphy Campbell is trying to preserve old ballads from Yancey and Mitchell counties. And some of them come from her family. Blue Ridge Public Radio’s Gerard Albert III has more. 

Campbell’s performance in the BPR studios can be found here.   

Big Emma: Remembering Appalachia's Steam Locomotive

Railroad writer Charlie Castner died in February at the age of 97. Castner worked for the public relations department at the Louisville & Nashville railroad and authored several railroad books. In 2024, he co-wrote Big Emma: The Story of Louisville & Nashville’s M1 2-8-4s. The powerful engine hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky.

WEKU’s Curtis Tate spoke with one of Castner’s co-authors, Ron Flanary, about the book that was 50 years in the making. 

Rosalie Haizlett Explores Tiny Worlds

In 2022, artist Rosalie Haizlett set out on a trip to illustrate parts of the Appalachian Mountains that often get overlooked – that is, the tiny birds, reptiles and other critters hiding beneath leaves or up in the trees.

Her illustrations came together as Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains, an Artist’s Journey. It’s a stunning book, full of colorful images and thoughts Haizlett recorded as she spent hours exploring the mountains.

In 2024, Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Haizlett about the book.  

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Tim Bing, Dave Odell and Dave Bing, John Blissard, John Inghram, Larry Rader and Blue Dot Sessions. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, for nearly 100 years, Snuffy Smith has been a staple of newspaper comic pages, though these days, it’s easier to find him online. Snuffy Smith was brought to life by artist Fred Lasswell in the 1930s, but now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke to Rose about drawing the famous hillbilly. 

Also, 12 bills that made it all the way through the legislative process have been vetoed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. And, Frontieras North America has patented a new process that brings hope to the coal industry – and it’s bringing that new technology to Mason County. Finally, a Shepherdstown chef has been named a finalist for a prestigious award.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, a panel discussion consisting of community, political and data center industry leaders Tuesday night at Shepherd University has reignited the debate over local control of data center development in the state. Chris Schulz has the story.

Also, after a nearly three-month delay, WorkForce West Virginia has released state unemployment figures for January. And, Amazon this week celebrated the grand openings of two news operations facilities 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 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 week since the bill creating the state’s new Office of Entrepreneurship was signed into law – with an official opening date of July 1. Assistant News Director Maria Young caught up with Secretary of State Kris Warner, to find out what the new office can do to help would-be new business owners turn their hopes and dreams into reality. 

Also, West Virginia has just racked up a top national tourism award. Gov. Patrick Morrisey called it part of the state’s comeback story. And, high school athletes interested in transferring schools will have to do it as freshmen and sophomores to retain their eligibility.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, overwhelming issues at school districts across the state in the last few years have prompted the West Virginia Department of Education to investigate and intervene in the administration of local education.

As the director of Education Partnerships and Strategy for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, Tiffany Hoben conducted an analysis of the state's 10 most recent Special Circumstance Review of school districts.

Hoben spoke with Education reporter Chris Schulz about her findings and the need for a broader look at the issues facing the state's schools.

Also, the review of a lower court’s school vaccine ruling by the state’s highest court is the latest step forward in the battle over which injections are required for school attendance in West Virginia. And, the workers of a bankrupt eastern Kentucky coal producer have sued the company to recover back pay and benefits.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, along with the millions who attended “No Kings” rallies across the country last weekend, thousands of people at roughly 20 different events in West Virginia joined in the protests against President Trump and the actions of his administration. Maria Young has the story.

Also, the Clay Center’s Planetarium and Science educator and astrophysicist Shannon Silverman guides us through the cosmos above the Mountain State in our occasional series Almost Heavens. In this latest installment, we learn about Cassiopeia and Andromeda.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

A new book for young adults Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire mixes historical fact with spooky Appalachian folklore. 

Also, over 15 years, a photojournalist documented an Ohio family. Now, she’s a part of their lives.  

And, an experimental guitarist records an album intended as a call to arms. 

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• New YA Fiction Explores Witches In A Mountain Coal Town
• An Act Of Witness In Appalachia
• Tashi Dorji’s Album, we will be wherever the fires are lit
• Southeast Ohio Residents Advocate For Clean Water
• Online Gambling Impacts Students
• Flies Annoyed Founding Fathers 250 Years Ago
  

New YA Fiction Explores Witches In A Mountain Coal Town

A new young adult novel tells the story of a witch-in-training who uses her magic to help a forgotten mountain coal town. It’s called Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire, and it blends fantasy and Appalachian social history, with a touch of Queer romance. It’s the debut novel by Don Martin, and it was an instant New York Times bestseller. 

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Martin about the book and his podcast Head on Fire.

An Act Of Witness In Appalachia

Late last year, The New York Times published an essay from photographer Maddie McGarvey with writer Emi Nietfeld. It's headlined, “An Act of Witness in Appalachia.” 

The journey to that essay began 15 years ago, when McGarvey was a sophomore at Ohio University. She took on a project to document grandparents raising their grandchildren. That led her to meet 3-year-old Paige Casto and her family. She’s been photographing them ever since. 

Associate Producer Abby Neff spoke with McGarvey about her relationship with Casto and how it’s changed since their first meeting.  

Tashi Dorji’s Album, we will be wherever the fires are lit

Born in Bhutan in South Asia, Dorji moved to western North Carolina in 2000, and he’s been in in Appalachia ever since. Dorji released a slew of albums over the last 25 years, both as a solo artist and collaborator. Last year, he released, we will be wherever the fires are lit. It’s an instrumental record. The album title appears in a poem on its Bandcamp page.

Host Mason Adams asked Dorji to read it. 

Southeast Ohio Residents Advocate For Clean Water

In Central Appalachia, water troubles are all too common. Residents of a town in southeast Ohio have been struggling with dirty tap water since last summer. The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant reports on the string of issues that created the problem and what leaders are doing to fix it. 

Online Gambling Impacts Students

Ads for online gambling have picked up. It seems like they’re everywhere: TV, radio, billboards and anywhere you go online.  

The messages are getting to people you might not expect, like college students.  

Marshall University Broadcast Journalism senior Abigail Ayes reported a story on student online gambling for the campus news program, MU Report.  

WVPB’s Randy Yohe, who is also her instructor, spoke with Ayes about her research. 

Flies Annoyed Founding Fathers 250 Years Ago

The sound of the pesky, annoying horse fly warns us all: stay still and you might get bit. But even more destructive is a particular silent fly that arrived on our shores about 250 years ago, around the same time Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. It became one of the country’s first invasive species. And it spurred suspicions of biological warfare that would threaten the new nation’s economy and inspired citizen science. 

WHYY’s Senior Climate Reporter Susan Phillips reports. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Mary Hott, Dinosaur Burps, Blue Dot Sessions, Tashi Dorji and John Inghram. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, photographer Maddie McGarvey spoke with Inside Appalachia’s Abby Neff about her project documenting grandparents raising their grandchildren that was 15 years in the making.

And our reporters look at business expansion in West Virginia, as well as national recognition for a local hero.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, new tough-on-crime laws in many states have enhanced crime sentencing. Some also ban public camping.  From the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay heads just over the state line to check on the consequences of the Safer Kentucky Law.

And our reporters look ahead to this weekend's "No Kings" protests, to rising water rates and to a food as healthcare initiative.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, two films that made the Netflix Top 10 list this month were shot in West Virginia and produced by the same West Virginia film company. As it turns out, the film industry here has been quietly growing in recent years, thanks in part to financial incentives. But the state is also home to some picture-perfect settings that aren’t easy for movie makers to find. As Maria Young reports, there’s more to attract the industry than the state’s iconic rolling hills and sparkling white waters. 

Also, the estimated cost of a proposed transmission line project in northern West Virginia has been raised significantly. And, Matthew Blackwood has been appointed as the director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, Kathleen Driskell is Kentucky’s current poet laureate. Driskell has authored six poetry collections, and her work has appeared in The New Yorker and Rattle, among others. Her most recent is Goat-Footed Gods. Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch spoke with Driskell about living next to the dead and America’s most lethal cryptid.

Also, an 18-month study aims to develop a plan to distribute opioid settlement monies in West Virginia. And, the state Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of avian flu in a backyard chicken flock.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, GLP-1s have quickly become one of the most popular weight loss drugs in America. One in five people have taken them at some point, according to KFF research. But it takes more than a regular shot to be successful. Cara Anthony and Blake Farmer of HealthQ, as part of the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, are your approachable guides to an unapproachable healthcare system.

Also, extreme weather and aging infrastructure are a tough combination for many rural communities. One impact? The quality of drinking water. The Allegheny Front, a public radio program in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region, shares its latest story on water quality. Kara Holsopple 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, we take a look at the dramatic ending of the state Legislature’s 2026 regular session. We’ll hear from Gov. Patrick Morrisey about his legislative successes, as well as from lawmakers and our reporters about what did and didn’t make it out of session.

Also, we hear about Marshall University’s reversal on the dissolution of its swim team. And we’ll learn about the state’s data center developments, including a major agreement and residents’ frustrations.

Inside Appalachia also gives us a look at the tradition of locally-made chocolate Easter eggs.

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, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe and Maria Young.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

We meet the woman behind the popular TikTok account “Appalachian Forager.” She makes jam from pawpaws and jewelry from coyote teeth. 

Also, we sit in on a master class in foraging for wild mushrooms. 

And, when a West Virginia pastor got assigned to a new church, folks tried to warn him. 

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia. 

In This Episode:

• Appalachian Forager Found On TikTok
• Fun With Foraging For Fungi
• Kentucky Meat Shower
• The West Virginia Egg Church
• Black Bears Eating Trash In West Virginia
• Humans Letting Black Bears Eat Trash In Virginia
• The Sweet Taste Of Syrup In Virginia And West Virginia

Appalachian Forager Found On TikTok

Here in central Appalachia, it’s spring planting season. Gardeners are dropping seeds in the ground, with hopes of a good harvest later this year. Folks in the mountains also gather food and medicine from the forest. Foraging is an acquired skill. It’s not easy to learn without someone to guide you. With the internet, it’s become a lot easier to meet folks in online communities devoted to mushroom hunting and using native plants. One woman in eastern Kentucky made a name for herself online as “Appalachian Forager.” And her videos have gone viral.   

In 2024, Folkways Reporter Amanda Page visited Appalachian Forager and had this story. 

Fun With Foraging For Fungi

Along the Blue Ridge, it’s almost morel season. Mushroom hunting has always been a part of Appalachian culture, but in recent years, it’s become almost an obsession for some. In 2023, Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch spent time with fungi enthusiasts in Virginia and West Virginia. She brought us this story. 

Kentucky Meat Shower

We celebrate all kind of things in the lead-up to spring. There’s Groundhog Day, Mardis Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. And then one you probably haven’t heard of. The people of Bath County, Kentucky celebrate an odd bit of history. In 1876, pieces of meat fell out of the sky and onto a farm. A hundred and fifty years later, why that happened is still a mystery.

Cheri Lawson from the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom has more.   

The West Virginia Egg Church

A lot of holidays have their own particular kind of candy. At Christmas, you have candy canes. Valentine’s Day has those conversation hearts with sayings on them, like “XOXO” or “Be mine.” At Easter, you might be thinking chocolate bunnies (you’d be right), but it’s also the time of year when you find those big chocolate eggs. Some regional churches sell them before the holiday. One West Virginia church has become known far and wide for its chocolate eggs.

Last year, Zack Harold reported this story for the Rural Remix podcast from the Center for Rural Strategies. 

Black Bears Eating Trash In West Virginia

Warm weather brings out critters, which can be a problem. And while people in cities often get their trash picked up at the curb, folks who live in more rural places have to haul it to dumpster sites. Those sites are destinations not just for folks hauling trash, but also for bears seeking an easy meal. Now, some places have made moves to keep the bears out of the trash, which also helps keep them alive.

WVPB’s Eric Douglas has more.  

Humans Letting Black Bears Eat Trash In Virginia

In Virginia, some localities have tried using bear boxes but found they can’t seem to train people to use them right, like in Floyd County. Mason Adams reported this story for WVTF.

The Sweet Taste Of Syrup In Virginia And West Virginia

Temperatures this time of the year can be hard to pin down. We have warm days and then a bitter cold snap. This back and forth, which drives sap up and down maple trees, is how we get syrup.   

Highland 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. 

From our Folkways archives, we bring you this story from Clara Haizlett. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Ron Mullennex and Gerry Milnes, John Inghram, Tim and Dave Bing, Jeff Ellis and Hello June. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 Jennifer Goren, Chris Julin, Nicole Musgrave and Mallory Noe-Payne. 

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, around this time of the year, some area churches get into the business of selling chocolate Easter eggs. These are the kind of eggs that have some weight to them, but one West Virginia church has become known far and wide for its chocolate eggs. Zack Harold has the story.

Also, a high school teacher in Taylor County pled guilty this week to not reporting suspected abuse of a student. And, the owner of several North Central West Virginia cemeteries admits he took as much as $550,000 from customers trying to buy grave markers and instead spent it on himself. 

Finally, the organization responsible for managing most of the state’s opioid settlement funds is adjusting its approach to distribution.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, the state Department of Agriculture earlier this month issued an advisory to poultry owners about the rising number of avian flu cases in surrounding states. So far, it has infected only a small number of poultry farms in West Virginia. But in nearby Pittsburgh, the number of avian flu cases is high. Here’s The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant with that story.

Also, a bill now on Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s desk would direct nearly $3 million to vaping cessation programs. And, the Women’s Swimming & Diving program at Marshall University – which the school said last month it would discontinue – will go on after all.

Finally, lovers and scholars of Appalachian culture will convene at Marshall University this weekend.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, a desperate attempt to pass a bill that had support from both parties in both chambers came down to the final minutes of the 2026 state Legislative session Saturday night. Aimed at keeping children in desperate situations safe, debate over the bill led to high emotions as hope from supporters began to fade. Senior Reporter Chris Schulz looks at what happened – and what comes next.

Also, West Virginia is getting an early jump in the race to power the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. And, scammers are back at it, this time claiming to represent the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and asking for immediate payment.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, Charlie Castner, a longtime Louisville & Nashville railroad employee and author, died last month. He co-wrote a book in 2024 on one of L&N’s most powerful steam locomotives, titled Big Emma. That was the nickname railroaders gave the engine that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WEKU’s Curtis Tate spoke with one of Castner’s co-authors, Ron Flanary, about the book that was 50 years in the making.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey says the 2026 state Legislative session was a success that will help move West Virginia forward. And, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.

Finally, announcements of new and proposed data centers across the state have been met with great fanfare from state government, but not as much enthusiasm from the communities where the facilities will be located.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, the 2026 state Legislative session stretched all the way to midnight Saturday night. WVPB reporters Randy Yohe, Chris Schulz and Maria Young were in the rotunda as the session concluded and brings us this recap.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Saturday posthumously awarded the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal to Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who was fatally wounded during an attack in Washington, D.C. last November.

And, Alex Mayer is no longer Secretary of the state Department of Human Services. His abrupt departure was effective on Sunday. Morrisey has appointed the department’s deputy secretary, Christina Mullins, to serve as acting secretary.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, a group sues over SNAP waivers, the coal forecast for next year is gloomy, and we learn how online gambling is affecting college students. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe. 

Learn more about West Virginia Week. 

On The Legislature This Week, we hear from reporters Randy Yohe and Chris Schulz, as well as Assistant News Director Maria Young as they discuss what they’re watching to cross the finish line as we near the close of session March 14. We also get a look from a West Virginia University (WVU) student reporter at an attempt to better protect first responders.

We’ll hear the latest on student athlete transfers in state schools as the legislature moves to repeal its own rule change from 2023. And we’ll get a look at the state’s final budget and this year’s income tax cut.

Chris Schulz is our host. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m. during the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature.

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, host and reporter Randy Yohe speaks with Senior Reporter Chris Schulz and Assistant News Director Maria Young. They discuss some of the biggest bills they covered during the 2026 regular session of the West Virginia Legislature — and what issues did not come up. They also look ahead to the legislature's final day, Saturday, March 14.

Join West Virginia Public Broadcasting Saturday, March 14, 8 p.m. to midnight, for The Legislature Today: Final Hours Live. Learn more — and see our live blog — here.

Wednesday this week was the last day for bills to make it out of committees. In total, there were 2,776 bills introduced this session, which is more than last year. We won’t know how many will officially pass until everything wraps Saturday night.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey sent out a press release Thursday night indicating he signed Senate Bill 250, the budget bill, and he highlighted several of his key priorities, including full funding for the Hope Scholarship, increased funding for roads, and progress made toward the 5% tax cut he included in his version of the budget.

Also, Maria Young has been following legislative efforts to get struggling students the help they need – but not everyone agrees on the best process for doing that. 

And, the West Virginia Legislature has completed its work on Senate Bill 4, called the halo bill, that creates a misdemeanor for approaching law enforcement officers and first responders in the field. The bill passed Thursday in the House of Delegates by a vote of 83 to 12 with four members absent. WVU student journalist Samantha Smith asked State Police in Monongalia County how they felt about the bill and brings us this report. 

Finally, our student reporters Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker report on bills related to education and the foster care system that were introduced in both chambers this session.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting during the state's regular session.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

A new novel about two girls and an astronomy textbook draws inspiration from one of the quietest places in West Virginia.

Also, author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle talks about growing up as part of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

And, a Kentucky tattoo artist practices traditional tattooing and traditional music. He says they’re not too different.  

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• The Secret Astronomers Creates A Mystery In W.Va.
• Appalachian Author Reflects On Heritage, Portrayal Of Cherokee In Literature
• Traditional Music And Tattoos At The Parlor Room
• Wildflowers Blooming Early
• If Lost

The Secret Astronomers Creates A Mystery In W.Va.

A new novel for young adults captures a slice of life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It tells the story of a friendship between two high school students as they unravel a decades-old mystery. It’s the debut novel by Jessica Walker.

Host Mason Adams spoke with her.

Wildflowers Blooming Early

According to a new scientific paper, climate change is causing native wildflowers to bloom earlier. Ryan Utz, an associate professor of water resources at Chatham University, used botanical records from over 100 years for a study called “Are Blooming Plant Species More Phenologically Responsive?”

Kara Holsapple has more. 

Appalachian Author Reflects On Heritage, Portrayal Of Cherokee In Literature

Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle is an acclaimed Appalachian author who lives in Cherokee, North Carolina. Clapsaddle’s debut novel, Even as We Breathe, was the first novel published by an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. She was also the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence last year at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

WVPB’s Liz McCormick spoke with Clapsaddle about her writing and the importance of reclaiming Cherokee identity through literature.

Traditional Music And Tattoos At The Parlor Room

John Haywood of Whitesburg, Kentucky says he got his first guitar and his first tattoo when he was about 13 years old. These days, Haywood is the proprietor of Parlor Room Art and Tattoo in downtown Whitesburg. It’s a place where some people get inked up and some play traditional string-band music. It’s a place unlike any other. Earlier this year, Folkways Reporter Zack Harold documented his visit.

In this story, we hear from regular Brad Centers, who died in September following a battle with colon cancer. Before Brad's death, Haywood gave a little support toward Brad's treatment with each new tattoo.

If Lost

When Clint Bowman of Black Mountain, North Carolina couldn’t find the writing group he needed, he formed the Dark City Poets Society. Bowman used the group to develop his poetry, some of which explores people and their connection to nature.

Early last fall, Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Bowman about his collection, If Lost.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Charlie Mccoy, Blue Dot Sessions, Hello June and Tim and Dave Bing.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 Chris Julin and Nicole Musgrave.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, a new young adult novel titled The Secret Astronomers captures a slice of life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This debut novel by author Jessica Walter tells the story of a friendship between two high school students as they unravel a decades-old mystery. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Walker before the book was released a few months ago.

Also, the House of Delegates took up more than 130 bills Thursday as the end of session looms Saturday. And, a national group has sued the Trump administration over SNAP food waivers like the one granted to 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Children are often described as our future. But in many rural communities across America, pregnant people are traveling farther from home to deliver babies. Since the end of 2020, 124 rural hospitals have closed or announced plans to eliminate their labor-and-delivery units — that’s about two a month. As small hospitals struggle with rising costs and staffing shortages, obstetrics departments are often among the first services to disappear.

In this encore episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay hears from families living with those changes — and explores what the loss of maternity care could mean for the future of rural towns and communities.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify and beyond.

“With twins you are considered high risk. You get more ultrasounds, more doctor’s appointments, more bloodwork and tests.

…Every appointment means taking time off work and driving 30 to 45 minutes. And it does go through your mind — how am I going to get there if I go into preterm labor? What happens if I don’t make it?

At least give us a place to say, if I need you, you're there. Give us the comfort of knowing I will be okay if something happens.”

— Amy Staton, medical assistant at Williamson Health and Wellness Center and mother of five

“None of us were happy [about the closing of Williamson Memorial Hospital]. Two of my children were born at that hospital. It was something the community didn’t want to lose.

But when you look at it financially, obstetric services are some of the hardest for rural hospitals to sustain. They require specialized staff, equipment and doctors available around the clock.

…Hospitals reach a point where they have to decide whether they can continue providing those services or risk losing the ability to offer other care altogether.”

— Dr. Dino Beckett, CEO of Williamson Health and Wellness Center and family physician in Williamson, W.Va.

Learn more about the Williamson Health and Wellness Center.

“Rural health is a microcosm of what we see in our larger health care delivery system. We’re seeing more and more closures of rural facilities — entire hospitals, but also hospitals that once provided maternity care.

What has historically been a challenge is becoming more difficult in many of our communities. When a hospital loses services in a rural area, it affects far more than health care — it impacts jobs, economic development and whether families can continue to live there.”

— Carrie Cochran-McClain, chief policy officer, National Rural Health Association

Learn more about the National Rural Health Association.

On this West Virginia Morning, in rural communities across America, there are people traveling many miles from home to deliver babies. In the past five years, nearly 125 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies or announced that they will. That’s about two closings a month. On the next Us & Them, host Trey Kay hears from families facing that change, and how it’s affecting prospects for their rural cities and towns.

Also, a school district that faced a financial crisis at the start of the year is getting back on the right path. And, lawmakers are weighing how best to intervene when students are chronically absent from school.

Finally, a new design for West Virginia’s “I Voted” sticker has been selected through a contest organized by the Secretary of State’s office.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, online gambling commercials in the state seem to dominate the television and radio airwaves. Those messages are not lost on our college students. Marshall University Broadcast Journalism senior Abigail Ayes just completed an impactful story about student online gambling for the campus news program, MU Report. Randy Yohe, who is also Ayes’ instructor, spoke with the student reporter about her findings.

Also, West Virginia is closer to tapping into the federal Rural Health Transformation funds, but it’s not fast enough for Gov. Patrick Morrisey. And, the chambers of the state Legislature find themselves at odds over an energy bill.  

Finally, Marshall University announced its plan to discontinue the women’s swimming and diving team, but a group of swimmers has asked a court to put that move on hold.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, the annual Mothman Festival has a competition for the title of ‘most unusual Appalachian celebration.’ Bath County, Kentucky, celebrated a historic occurrence this week. The meat shower of 1876. That’s when pieces of meat mysteriously fell from the sky onto a farm. Cheri Lawson was at the festivities and has this report.

Also, a bill to test private management of some child protective service cases drew concern from lawmakers and constituents Monday. And, the West Virginia Senate finalized two bills aimed at improving school security and providing significant support for those aging out of foster care.

 West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, with a final budget now approved by both the House and Senate and headed to Gov. Patrick Morrisey for a signature, West Virginia budget watchers say there are looming expenses that haven’t been taken into consideration. We listen to an excerpt from the latest episode of The Legislature Today, where we spoke with Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.

Also, more Americans than ever have access to a kind of savings account that lets them set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. But this option takes a little effort to set up and navigate. As part of the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Blake Farmer and Cara Anthony from our HealthQ series explain how it works.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, the state budget is headed to Gov. Patrick Morrisey, a statewide public camping ban bill moves forward, and Inside Appalachia visits Good Hot Fish.

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

On The Legislature This Week, we hear from Kelly Allen, the executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy, on the West Virginia Legislature’s budget bill and proposed tax cuts. We also get a look at lawmakers’ concerns around locker rooms and protecting children from inappropriate situations.

We’ll hear the latest on a statewide camping ban passed in the House of Delegates for the second year in a row. And we’ll get a look at the latest proposal to fix the state’s child protective services (CPS), including a move to privatize part of the case management system.

Chris Schulz is our host. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m.

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Wednesday this week marked Crossover Day, the last day to consider bills in their chamber of origin, and next week is the final week in the 60-day West Virginia Legislative session. Nearly 2,800 bills were introduced this year. It remains to be seen just how many pass. Lawmakers have until Saturday, March 14 at midnight to work through those bills.

The state budget was the focal point this week. Thursday night, the House of Delegates concurred with final tweaks made by the Senate earlier that morning to increase Hope Scholarship funding, covering five quarters of payments into the 2027-2028 school year, trim road paving, and for the first time, fund the Flood Resiliency Fund.

During the very minutes the Senate took its vote on the budget bill, News Director Eric Douglas was speaking with Kelly Allen, the executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, to discuss the budget and tax cuts. While some of the questions raised in the interview have now been answered, what remains is how they will play out for the state. Allen mentioned she hoped the budget compromise discussions would play out in public, but it those discussions were held in private. 

Also, in this show, West Virginia University (WVU) News student reporter Lilly Reisenweber spoke with lawmakers and Monongalia County Board of Education officials to see how the Third Grade Success Act is working, and how it is changing elementary education.

And, our student reporters Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker report on bills related to Child Protection Services (CPS) that were introduced in both chambers this session.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

When an award-winning Asheville chef decided to launch a restaurant, she returned to a rich community tradition. 

Also, the popularity of weaving waxes and wanes. At the moment, it’s having a renaissance. 

And, during Lent, Yugoslavian fish stew is a local favorite in Charleston, West Virginia.

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Good Hot Fish With Ashleigh Shanti
• Intergenerational Loom Weaving
• Mini Journalists With Major Confidence
• The Derailment That Never Ended
• How Flooding Impacts Substance Use Recovery
• Students Help Rehabilitate Turtles
• Sampling Yugoslavian Fish Stew In Charleston, W.Va.

Good Hot Fish With Ashleigh Shanti

Tucked away at the edge of downtown Asheville is one of the city’s culinary gems. It’s called Good Hot Fish.

The small restaurant started as a pop-up. Now it’s got a permanent spot next to Burial Beer Company. Drop in and you’ll find the taste and vibes of an old-fashioned fish fry, with plates like the trout bologna sandwich and sides like stewed greens, baked mac n' cheese and hush puppies. 

Good Hot Fish is run by Ashleigh Shanti. In 2020, Shanti was a semi-finalist for the James Beard "Rising Star Chef of the Year" award. 

Last year, she won a James Beard Foundation Media Award for her cookbook, Our South: Black Food Through My Lens. Recently, host Mason Adams stopped in at her restaurant for a catfish sandwich with a side of hot slaw and a conversation.

Intergenerational Loom Weaving

Loom weaving has been around for thousands of years. With the industrial revolution, it became more often a hobby than an occupation, but there’s been a resurgence in interest. And experienced weavers have been working to make the craft more accessible to newcomers.

Weaver Toni Doman reported this story for the Rural Remix podcast from the Center for Rural Strategies.

Mini Journalists With Major Confidence

Each weekday morning in Chattanooga, Tennessee, fifth graders deliver the day’s news at Calvin Donaldson Elementary School. Their newscasts lean heavily on birthdays, the Pledge of Allegiance and school sports. But the kids are getting more — a chance to look at the news from the inside out. 

Ian-Alijah Bey of Chattamatters shared their story. Special thanks to Mary Helen Montgomery at Chattamatters and Ray Bassett, host and producer of WUTC’s Scenic Roots for providing us with that story.

The Derailment That Never Ended

Three years after the Norfolk-Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a lot of residents who were part of a successful lawsuit against the company still haven’t been paid.

The Allegheny Front’s Kara Holsapple spoke with Katya Schwenk about her story for the Lever, “The Derailment That Never Ended.” 

How Flooding Impacts Substance Use Recovery

During bad flooding events, people often find themselves stepping into new roles to become rescue, repair and recovery workers. That’s what happened in Oceana, a West Virginia town of about 1,200 people. The nonprofit One Voice operates a coffee shop and a warehouse, and helps with substance abuse recovery.

After the floods of February 2025, One Voice staff and volunteers stepped in to assist with the response to flooding. The challenges in trying to help were nothing like what they expected. WVPB’s Wendy Welch has more.

Students Help Rehabilitate Turtles

Some turtle patients from the Wildlife Center of Virginia are spending the winter at Bridgewater College. They’re not just living there – they’re also giving students hands-on experience with rehabilitation.

WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.

Sampling Yugoslavian Fish Stew In Charleston, W.Va.

During the 40 days of Lent, some people forego meat on Fridays in favor of fish. But getting a variety of fresh seafood is harder if you live in a landlocked state.  

In Charleston, West Virginia, there’s General Steak and Seafood. Trucks arrive daily with salmon filets, swordfish, Chilean sea bass, scallops, Chesapeake Bay oysters and more. But if you want to taste a little of everything, pick up a bowl of the shop’s renowned Yugoslavian Fish Stew. What started as a way to use up some leftovers turned into a local favorite.

In 2023, Folkways reporter Zack Harold brought us this story.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Hello June, Tim Bing, John Inghram and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, Ashleigh Shanti won a James Beard Foundation Media Award last year for her cookbook, “Our South: Black Food Through My Lens.” For Inside Appalachia, Mason Adams visits her Asheville restaurant Good Hot Fish for a fish sandwich and a side of conversation.

At the legislature, lawmakers have approved a state budget earlier than anyone can remember. And a federal lawsuit seeks to expand access to methadone, while an oil spill surfaces 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, WVPB had a conversation with Us & Them host Trey Kay earlier this week on the significance today of the 250^th anniversary of America’s founding. This week, WVPB is hosting a special screening event at Marshall University with excerpts from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, and Kay will lead a panel discussion. We once again hear from Kay, this time speaking with one of the panelists — Marshall University political science professor George Davis — about why revisiting the nation’s founding story still matters. 

Also, state leaders pledged to pursue an agenda of economic development at this year’s legislative session, and a major part of that agenda passed the House of Delegates Wednesday. And, there was a flurry of activity on the Senate floor Wednesday as the upper body recognized Crossover Day. Among more than two dozen bills that passed: the West Virginia First Energy Act.

Finally, Gov. Patrick Morrisey is taking his message of tax cuts to the people. Wednesday, he made a stop at Tamarack in Beckley.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, after a frigid winter, we are now in the month that will bring us spring. The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, that reports on environmental issues in the region, brings us this look at how climate change might affect just how early spring flowers bloom.

Also, the House of Delegates has narrowly passed a statewide camping ban, and a bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday creates a pilot program to privatize parts of West Virginia’s child welfare system. We also learn that as of Monday, the Hope Scholarship is available to every child 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 and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. To commemorate that milestone, West Virginia Public Broadcasting is hosting a public screening and community conversation at Marshall University. The event is built around Ken Burns’ recent PBS documentary series The American Revolution. Us & Them host Trey Kay will moderate the event, and he spoke recently with WVPB News Director Eric Douglas about why revisiting the nation’s founding story matters today.

Also, all West Virginia children in kindergarten through 12th grades are now eligible to apply for the Hope Scholarship. And, a bill to temporarily delay moving a child to homeschooling during an active case of abuse or neglect hit a snag in the Senate on Monday.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginians gathered at the capitol last week to urge lawmakers to take action on rising electric bills. They were promoting legislation called the Ratepayers Bill of Rights. In last week’s episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Emmett Pepper, the policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia, to learn more.

Also, state leaders have been quick to respond to news of the U.S.-led attack on Iran. And, Larry Kump, a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, died over the weekend.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, residents demand action on energy bills, the Hope Scholarship bill moves forward and changes to homeschooling requirements meets resistance. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

On The Legislature This Week, we hear from Emmett Pepper, policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia, about what the West Virginia Legislature can do to protect ratepayers against rising energy costs. We also get a look at the legislative page experience from our high school reporters.

We’ll hear the latest on the state’s budgetary process after the House of Delegates advanced an amended version of the Senate’s budget bill. And we’ll get a look at some unique bills ranging from honeybees to homeschooling and Hope Scholarship changes.

Chris Schulz is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m.. 

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

In the 1920s, Oscar Micheaux was an entrepreneur filmmaker in western Virginia. He became a world-renowned director and producer.

Also, Kentucky’s poet laureate lives down the road from what has been called the country’s most lethal cryptid. Attempts to spot it have led to deaths. 

And, we talk soul food with Xavier Oglesby, who's passing on generations of kitchen wisdom to his niece.

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• How Oscar Micheaux Changed Filmmaking From Appalachia
• Playwright August Wilson's Life And Legacy
• Angelo’s Old World Italian Sausage
• Kentucky Poet Laureate Talks Deadly Cryptids
• What Is Snow Mold?
• Sharing Soul Food

How Oscar Micheaux Changed Filmmaking From Appalachia

One of America’s pioneering filmmakers had nothing to do with Hollywood but nevertheless left his mark on the emerging industry. Oscar Micheaux was a homesteader, who then turned his attention to making movies in the early 1900s. He was a Black man who made movies for Black audiences at a time when they weren't allowed into mainstream, white-only theaters. And for several pivotal years in the 1920s, he operated out of Roanoke, Virginia.

Host Mason Adams brings us this story.

Playwright August Wilson's Life And Legacy

Acclaimed playwright August Wilson was deeply influenced by his hometown of Pittsburgh. Wilson was the author of 10 plays collectively known as The Pittsburgh Cycle. They include the Pulitzer Prize winning plays Fences and The Piano Lesson. Now there’s a new book about him, titled August Wilson’s American Century, by University of Pittsburgh professor Lawrence Glasco, and it explores that deep influence with his hometown.

WESA’s Bill Driscoll spoke with Glasco.

Angelo’s Old World Italian Sausage

In 2023, Folkways Reporter Zack Harold took us to Angelo’s Old World Italian Sausage. Angelo’s makes a craft sausage distributed throughout West Virginia, as well in southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. The recipe comes from the Calabria region of Italy, and it’s made in West Virginia. 

Kentucky Poet Laureate Talks Deadly Cryptids

Kentucky’s governor appoints a new poet laureate every two years. Last year, Gov. Andy Beshear named award-winning poet, essayist and teacher Kathleen Driskell to the post. Driskell’s poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Rattle, and Appalachian Review, among others. She’s authored six poetry collections. Her most recent is Goat-Footed Gods.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Driskell about living next to the dead, and America’s most lethal cryptid.

What Is Snow Mold?

It’s been a banner year for winter weather across much of Appalachia. And you may be plenty familiar with snow. But how about snow mold?

Louisville Public Media’s Bill Burton and WAVE 3 TV meteorologist Tawana Andrew break it down. 

Sharing Soul Food

Soul food like cornbread, extra-cheesy mac-n-cheese and collard greens plays an important role in Black communities across Appalachia. In 2023, Folkways Fellow Vanessa Peña spoke with Xavier Oglesby, a master artist in soul food cooking from Beckley, West Virginia.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by John Blissard, Bennie Moten Kater, Tim Bing, Paul Loomis, John Inghram and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 Chris Julin.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Friday, Feb. 27, marks the 45th day of the 60-day session, and deadlines are coming fast. Bills must be out of their respective committees by Sunday to be able to meet crossover day next Wednesday, and lawmakers are still working their way through next fiscal year’s budget.

On Thursday, West Virginians gathered at the capitol for Affordability Day to urge lawmakers to take action on rising electric bills. They were promoting legislation called the Ratepayers Bill of Rights. To learn more, News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Emmett Pepper, the policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia. 

Also, before the Senate Judiciary Committee began consideration of a host of child welfare bills this week, they first heard from people impacted by that system.  

And, our student reporters Saja Huggi and Lily Rhodes both had the day off from school and volunteered to be legislative pages. They bring us this insider's look.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

On this West Virginia Morning, we listen to an excerpt from the latest Inside Appalachia and learn about the influence and contributions of Oscar Micheaux, an African American filmmaker who lived in Virginia in the 1920s and shattered stereotypes.

Also, a bill to remove requirements for homeschooling in West Virginia hit significant resistance in the Senate Thursday. And, West Virginians gathered at the capitol Thursday for Affordability Day, to urge lawmakers to take action on rising electric bills.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Maria Young is our assistant news director and producer. Teresa Wills is our host.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

America’s overdose crisis keeps changing shape.

In recent years, provisional CDC data have shown a sharp national decline in overdose deaths — even as public officials warn the street drug supply remains volatile and some communities see signs of a rebound.

That uncertainty is also reshaping the recovery world — especially around opioids. Some people find abstinence-based recovery works best. Others rely on medication-assisted treatment (MAT), using prescribed medicine like methadone or buprenorphine to stabilize a person and reduce the risk of relapse. But MAT has long divided the recovery community, fueling a stigma around a deceptively simple question: 

When is someone sober?

In this encore episode of Us & Them, Trey Kay visits the Clarksburg Mission in Clarksburg, West Virginia — a Christian-centered recovery facility where people pursue different paths toward sobriety — and where debates about medication, morality and survival are never abstract.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the CRC Foundation and the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, or listen to Us & Them on WVPB Radio.

“It was magic. It was euphoria. It was incredible. It was energizing. I was 10 feet tall and bulletproof and it felt really good. I could just grab it and take it and no one would know. … It just continued and then it just progressed. And then it was an every night thing. And then slowly I had to have something to get out of bed in the morning because I felt so bad. … It is madness. I was crazed and it was all about pills. It was all about trying to feel better. I couldn't stop because if you stopped, you were sick. I mean, you'd vomit and have diarrhea and have chills and be anxious and stressed and all those other symptoms would come back.”

— Lou Ortenzio, former Clarksburg physician who lost his medical license after becoming addicted to opioid pain pills

Read the Atlantic feature “Physicians Get Addicted Too” for more on Lou Ortenzio’s journey from West Virginia doctor to opioid addiction and loss of his medical license, and his work in recovery.

“I've just watched people get rejected because of what they're doing. And I know what that feels like and I know what they go through. And I'm the one that's got to scoop them back up, put them back on their feet and encourage them. … We're not supposed to push anybody out of a room. The most important person in the room is the newcomer. Whether they're using or not, that's what we're supposed to do, right. To keep them in the rooms, not push them out of the room. So if we're rejecting them or, you know, using all that stigma against them because of what they're doing, like we're pushing, we're pushing people away. People don't feel comfortable. … There really is something at stake here. … If you can't feel comfortable in your recovery and what you're doing, and know that you're doing the best you can and you're not using drugs, you're not sticking needles in your arms, you're not at risk of overdosing and dying and people support you through that, then what do you do? Because abstinence-based is not for everybody.”

— Melissa Carter

“For the people that know that I'm on medicated assisted treatment, there is labels and I do get put down and shamed from certain members of the recovery community. … That I'm not really in recovery, I'm not clean. I'm substituting — my recovery doesn't count. I'm still using. … It made me question, am I really in recovery? Is what they're saying true? I felt shamed. And so then I felt ashamed of myself. … I wanted to run, to be perfectly honest. Luckily, I didn't. I continued going to meetings because I worked really hard to get in that seat and I want to be in recovery more than anything. So I stuck with it.”

— Angela Knight

“I've been steeped in this tension from day one when we first started using it [medication-assisted treatment]. … We realized that there were too many people who needed help and there were too many people who were dying without it. … When somebody will say to me, ‘Aren't you just trading one drug for another?’ I would say, ‘look at the result.’ … We see enough people over the 20 years we've been doing this that it has made a dramatic and drastic difference in their lives. People get their lives back in ways that as a physician I don't see in other areas of medicine. … Time and time again, we have stories of people who come off the medication because of something they've heard from somebody else in the community, then they end up relapsing and sadly dying because of that. People's lives are at stake when it comes to this.”

— Dr. James Berry

“I don't have an issue - like medically assisted treatment can help some people. I do think also, though, like what is sobriety for people who have that issue just in terms of, are you sober if you're taking suboxone? … Is it OK to take one pharmaceutical, let's say, the opioid that was given as a form of healing and treat it with another pharmaceutical? … That's a really difficult question. Honestly. … My mother was an IV drug user and went on methadone for the last six or seven years of her life and she was a different human. So can I see that with suboxone? Yes, I can see that with suboxone. Do I sometimes feel as though we are just treating one addiction with another? Sometimes I feel that way, too. It is something I wrestle with.”

— Gabriella Dahalia-Jarrett

On this West Virginia Morning, millions of people are addicted to opioid pain medication. Some use medication-based treatment for their addiction. But that has created a divide in the world of recovery. On the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Dr. James Berry who studies opioids at WVU’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. Berry explains the difference between an early medication called methadone and suboxone, which is often used now. 

Also, the state Legislature is one step closer to having a complete budget. And, the state Senate voted Wednesday to ban state agencies from using the term “West Bank” in official government materials.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, we bring you the latest story from The Allegheny Front – a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region. In this report, we learn about radioactive materials and other contaminants in solid fracking waste – something that’s also been under scrutiny in West Virginia.

Also, the West Virginia Legislature is still working its way through next fiscal year’s budget, but Gov. Patrick Morrisey wants the body to follow his lead. And, the Senate Education Committee Tuesday advanced a bill to help struggling school districts.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, a West Virginia cabinetmaker describes his journey to becoming an accomplished poet. Steve Scafidi is the author of five collections of poetry, including his latest, The Appalachian Sea. Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch caught up with Scafidi to talk poetry and working with your hands.

Also, state lawmakers have taken an important step to funding the state’s emergency medical services. And, the Trump administration announced it would roll back a rule on power plant emissions of mercury – a neurotoxin that impairs cognitive development in young children.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, issues with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system are persistent. The state legislature faces questions on how to correct the problems that arise every year. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Dels. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, and Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, on last week’s The Legislature Today to get their take on the issue.

Also, after a rare Saturday floor session for the West Virginia Senate, several bills are now moving to the House of Delegates. And, one guest in the Senate gallery Saturday morning was Secretary of State Kris Warner, on hand to support the passage of Senate Bill 878, which creates the Office of Entrepreneurship within his office.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, last winter’s floods are remembered, Trump signs an order aimed at supporting the coal industry, and the federal government wants information on hundreds of thousands of West Virginia voters.

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

On The Legislature This Week, Dels. Johnathan Pinson, R-Mason, and Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, tell us about the West Virginia Legislature’s perennial work on child protective and foster care services. We also get a look at both chambers’ first pass at the state budget.

We’ll hear about some of the first bills to complete the legislative process, including bills to help small businesses receive funding and facilitate using food as medicine. And, we’ll get a look at some community advocacy at the Capitol for smoking cessation funding.

Chris Schulz is our host. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m.

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, issues with Child Protective Services (CPS) and the state foster care system are persistent. The West Virginia Legislature faces questions on how to correct the problems that arise every year. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Dels. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, and Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, to get their take on the issue. 

Also, in this show, the House of Delegates this week hit a significant deadline and can no longer introduce new bills this session. The Senate will hit the same milestone next week. 

The Senate advanced multiple bills this week that could have a big impact across the state. They include bills to allow the use of mobile devices by CPS workers in child abuse and neglect investigations, another would offer a long-acting reversible contraception to male and female patients receiving methadone and suboxone, and another bill would create the Office of Healthy Lifestyles within the state Department of Health.

Both chambers also advanced state budget bills, the only bill the legislature is constitutionally required to pass. The budget is expected to include a 3% pay raise for public employees, a 3% increase to the employer share of PEIA and a personal income tax cut. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s proposed budget included a 5% cut, but he has asked lawmakers to find another 5% to make a total tax cut of 10% this year.

Finally, our student report this week comes to us from Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker. They explain a variety of actions in the legislature that involve teachers in West Virginia. 

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

During the Great Depression, Osage, West Virginia was a raucous river town. It’s sleepier now, but music is keeping the magic alive.

Also, a poet remembers growing up in a secret city in Tennessee that was built during World War II.

And, rock climbing is usually for warmer months, but some climbers have taken to climbing frozen waterfalls.

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• The Enduring Music of Osage
• Helvetia’s Fasnacht Festival
• Leaders In Southwest Virginia Lure Companies To Build Data Centers
• Residents Challenge Secretive Proposal For Data Center In Northern Kentucky
• Baby Barn Owl That Left His Nest Too Soon
• Winter Shortages In Blood Donation
• Connie Jordan Green On Poetry And Growing Up In Oak Ridge
• Ice Climbers Enjoy The Cold Weather

The Enduring Music Of Osage

Just across the Monongahela River from Morgantown, West Virginia is a small, unincorporated community called Osage. Years ago, it was a bustling, industrial town with a thriving nightlife. Today, Osage isn’t quite so bustling, but the love of music endures among its residents, including like musician Aristotle Jones.

In 2024, Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett visited Osage and shared this story.

Helvetia’s Fasnacht Festival

This year’s winter has brought heavy snows, ice and freezing temperatures that hung around for days. Lots of people hope spring begins soon. But for folks in Helvetia, West Virginia, they do more than just hope. They celebrate an ancient festival called Fasnacht, which is meant to help bring winter to an earlier end.

Last year, WVPB’s Randy Yohe went to the little Swiss town and celebrated along with them. 

Leaders In Southwest Virginia Lure Companies To Build Data Centers

Tech companies are building data centers across the southeast to fuel the race to develop artificial intelligence (AI). These projects use a lot of water and power — but they can generate local tax revenue, too.

As Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd reports, some leaders in southwestern Virginia are hoping to lure data center companies to build in their communities. 

Residents Challenge Secretive Proposal For Data Center In Northern Kentucky

Data center companies routinely use non-disclosure agreements to shroud their projects in secrecy. In Maysville, Kentucky, ongoing discussions between the town and an undisclosed company about a proposed data center have some residents pushing back.

WEKU’s Shepherd Snyder has more.

Baby Barn Owl That Left His Nest Too Soon

The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro treats hundreds of injured animals every year, from possums, to eagles, to bear cubs. And even a fledgling barn owl that fell from its nest in a grain silo in Augusta County.

WMRA's Meredith McCool has more.

Winter Shortages In Blood Donation

Blood donation is an important part of medical care, providing supplies that save countless lives across the country. But winter weather can interrupt the flow of donations and lead to seasonal shortages.

Jason Keeling, executive director of the American Red Cross of Allegheny Highlands chapter, spoke with WVPB’s Chris Schulz about the importance of blood drives this time of year.

Connie Jordan Green On Poetry And Growing Up In Oak Ridge

For more than 40 years, Connie Jordan Green wrote a newspaper column about gardening. Then, she branched into young adult fiction, and then poetry. Her poetry considers everything from the natural world to growing up in a secret city in Tennessee that was built during World War II.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Green about her latest collection of poetry, Nameless as the Minnows, which was released last year.

Ice Climbers Enjoy The Cold Weather

The cold and ice this winter have been a struggle for a lot of us. But while some of us have stayed close to home or hidden under our blankets, a group of rock climbers in West Virginia has made the best of it.

WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas has more. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Erik Vincent Huey, Aristotle Jones, Frank Hutchison, Larry Rader, Mary Hott and John Inghram.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 Clara Haizlett and Nicole Musgrave.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, Connie Jordan Green has been writing most of her life. Before she began publishing poetry, she wrote a gardening column in East Tennessee and novels for young adults. Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch spoke with Green about her poems and growing up in a secret city in Tennessee – Oak Ridge.

Also, the House Finance Committee has approved a budget for the consideration of the full chamber. And, under a bill passed by the Senate Health Committee Thursday afternoon, pregnant women could have access to a prescription that might reverse the effects of abortion medication in time to save their pregnancies.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Maria Young is our assistant news director and producer. Teresa Wills is our host.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, volunteers trying to help a Wyoming County community recover from the February 2025 floods have found distrust hampering their efforts. According to one pastor, the town of Oceana did not qualify for a disaster declaration because too few people - wary of volunteers and the application process - did not declare the damage to their homes.

Also, the state’s school voucher program faces changes at the legislature. And bills to improve child protective services, rural health and recovery treatment are advancing through the state Senate.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, Secretary of State Kris Warner said his office has received a second request from the U.S. Department of Justice seeking unredacted information on hundreds of thousands of registered voters in this state. That includes names, dates of birth, residential addresses, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of social security numbers. Warner recently sat down with Assistant News Director Maria Young to discuss why he’s not turning that information over.

Also, high school students from all over the state came to the capitol Tuesday, asking legislators to put money in the budget for smoking cessation 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 Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, recovering from substance use disorder is hard at the best of times. How did people working on recovery during the February 2025 floods hold on to their sobriety? As we approach the one-year anniversary of those deadly floods, we wanted to check in on this often overlooked issue. Wendy Welch brings us this report.

Also, one of West Virginia’s oldest coal-fired power plants may soon be converting to natural gas. And, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week, requiring military installations to purchase electricity from coal-fired power plants. The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom reports politicians hailed it as a way to bring a dying coal industry back.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, a challenge lawmakers are struggling with this session is how to pay for public schools in a state where there’s falling enrollment, especially in rural counties. We learn more in our excerpt from last week’s episode of The Legislature Today.

Also, every week for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Louisville Public Media’s Bill Burton and WAVE 3 TV meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know - and what we don't - about the climate and weather in the region. From their latest segment in Science Behind the Forecast, we learn about snow mold.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, seven mining operations are set to close, the state Senate votes to ban abortion medication by mail, and Gov. Patrick Morrisey presses for tax cuts.

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

On The Legislature This Week, two senators tell us how the state needs to change its school funding, which has remained largely unchanged for decades. We also hear lawmakers discuss reforms to the state’s response to water crises.

We’ll hear about policing undocumented immigration in the state, including their illegal hiring by local businesses. And we’ll get a look at bills moving out of the House of Delegates, including funding for small businesses and a potential ban on lab-grown meat.

Chris Schulz is our host. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m.. 

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, in this school year alone, the state Board of Education has been asked to approve 19 school closures or consolidations. A big part of the reason for that is falling enrollment, especially in rural counties. The state’s school aid formula hasn’t been adjusted in decades, while requirements on public schools have changed. 

News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, a member of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, to discuss what needs to be done to fix the issue. 

Also, in this show, we are past the halfway mark in the 60-day legislative session. The last day to introduce legislation in the House of Delegates is next Tuesday, while the same deadline will pass in the Senate the following week.

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, held a press conference immediately following a lengthy floor session Tuesday. He reviewed bills the House has been working on that follow his "Jobs First Opportunity Everywhere" agenda.

And, a bill approved by the West Virginia Senate on Tuesday would permit adults under 21 to carry a concealed firearm without first getting the provisional license that’s currently required.

Finally, our student report this week comes from Lily Rhodes and Saja Huggi as they discuss some of the recent bills in the House and Senate that have implications on today's youth.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

This week, we talk with east Tennessee’s Amythyst Kiah. Her new album contemplates the cosmos.

Also, hair salons are important gathering places where Black women can find community. 

And, West Virginia poet Torli Bush uses story to tackle tough subjects. 

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Amythyst Kiah’s Album, Still + Bright
• Nappy by Nature Hair Salon
• Filipino Hospitality With A North Carolina Flair
• Torli Bush's Book, Requiem for a Redbird

Amythyst Kiah’s Album, Still + Bright

"Play God and Destroy the World" is the opening track from Amythyst Kiah’s new album, Still + Bright. The album follows 2021’s Wary + Strange, and features guest spots by S.G. Goodman, Billy Strings and others.

Amythyst Kiah spoke with Inside Appalachia from her home in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Nappy By Nature Hair Salon

We spend a lot of our lives at home or at work, but there are other spots that are just as important to who we are. They’re Third Places.

A third place can be a coffee shop or a basketball court, or any place where people get together and connect. In Black communities, hair salons can be spaces where women feel united and accepted.

Folkways Reporter Traci Phillips takes us to a hair salon in Charleston, West Virginia’s west side.

Filipino Hospitality With A North Carolina Flair

Asheville, North Carolina, is known as one of Appalachia’s cultural hubs — and that extends to the city’s dining scene. But Asheville was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Dozens of its restaurants and bars were drowned in water, mud and debris.

Some may never reopen, while others are beginning to find their way back — including Neng, Jr’s, which serves up Filipino cuisine. After several months of hard work, Neng Jr.’s reopened in January.

Last spring, Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef found her way to the restaurant, which is tucked away in an alley. She brought us this story.

Torli Bush's Book, Requiem For A Redbird

There is a rich tradition of Black Appalachian poets and writers. One of the newest is Torli Bush, who grew up in Webster Springs, West Virginia. Bush has won poetry slams in the region, and now has a new book, Requiem for a Redbird.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Bush about the book.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Amythyst Kiah, John Blissard, Mary Hott, John Inghram, Jeff Ellis and Dinosaur Burps.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Eric Douglas is our executive producer. 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 X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, acclaimed singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah released Still + Bright last year, which featured guests like S.G. Goodman and Billy Strings. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Kiah from her home in Johnson City, Tennessee at that time. We listen to an encore of that conversation. (Listen to the full interview in this weekend’s episode of Inside Appalachia.)

Also, lawmakers are taking action to reform the state’s funding formula for schools, but they also recognize the need for a system overhaul. And, West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner says personal information from registered West Virginia voters will not be turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Maria Young is our producer. Teresa Wills is our host.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

The U.S. continues to struggle with racial discrimination, and this episode of Us & Them looks back at a moment in the 1960s when music and race collided in Charleston, West Virginia. At a time when America’s popular music scene was becoming increasingly integrated, a local band found itself forced to choose between playing the gig and standing up for principle.

Host Trey Kay speaks with John Smith, the surviving member of The In Crowd, a Charleston-based band that played popular tunes during that era. One night at the Charleston Athletic Club, a mixed-race couple was denied the right to dance. Smith recalls the band’s response: If they couldn’t dance, we wouldn’t play. The decision carried consequences, and the musicians paid a price for taking that stand.

Decades later, Smith and his late bandmates have been recognized for their quiet act of resistance. For this episode, Kay meets Smith at the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame to reflect on that pivotal moment and its lasting impact.

Kay also gathers with the Charleston-based band The Carpenter Ants for a rehearsal that turns into a conversation. Musicians from different generations share their experiences in the local music scene, reflecting on how it has mirrored both the divisions and the unity of their community. Together, they explore how music can both expose and heal the nation’s deepest wounds.

This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.

“If they didn’t serve [the mixed race couple], then we weren’t going to play anymore… So he told us to 'go the hell out.' And we did.”

— John Smith, surviving member, The In Crowd

“The band did the right thing… The union that was supposed to be there representing them was on the wrong side of history.”

— Michael Pushkin

“People have always thought what they wanted to think… but now they just come out and say it. You don’t care where you go, they’re just gonna say it.”

— Charlie Tee, the late lead singer of The Carpenter Ants

“You go to this one place and they show you what you really are… It was a wake-up call.”

— Jupie Little, drummer and vocalist, The Carpenter Ants

On this West Virginia Morning, the struggle against racial discrimination has hundreds of years of history in the United States. On the next episode of Us & Them, Trey Kay looks at the intersection of music and race in the 1960s. It’s about a band that took a stand against racism – and musicians who suffered the consequences.

Also, state education leaders continue to struggle with school closures and discussions on reforming the state school funding formula. And, we are now half-way through the 2026 legislative session, and economic development remains the focus for the leadership of the House of Delegates.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, three years after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, some of those who joined a successful $600 million class action lawsuit have been paid. But some have not. We learn more in the latest story from The Allegheny Front.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey encouraged attendees at an event in Bridgeport Tuesday to reach out to their legislators and support a tax cut. And, the House of Delegates had a busy Tuesday, sustaining lengthy debate on several bills ranging from elections to employment.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has made his case for a 10% state income tax cut – but not everyone is convinced that’s the way to go. Assistant News Director Maria Young spoke with Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, to learn more.

Also, the House of Delegates is progressing a bill that would change the deadline for absentee ballots. And, a bill that passed the Senate on Monday would require state and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, financial leaders in the House of Delegates discuss the difference between the governor’s budget numbers and the budget state lawmakers are crafting at the Capitol now. WVPB News Director Eric Douglas sits down House Finance Chair Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Minority Chair Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, as part of our The Legislature Today program.

Also, the Clay Center’s Planetarium and Science educator, Shannon Silverman, is an astrophysicist who guides us through the cosmos above the Mountain State. We listen to the latest edition from our occasional series, “Almost Heavens,” with a look at what you can see in the winter skies overhead.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, ICE arrests in West Virginia include 650 people, some lawmakers consider changing how residents vote, and rock climbers embrace the cold to scale a frozen waterfall.

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

On The Legislature This Week, House Finance leaders Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, provide us with some insight into the state budget process. We also hear about lawmakers’ ideas to change local elections from ballot deadlines to criminal penalties.

We’ll hear about a bill restricting abortion medication in the Senate. And we’ll also get a look at some education bills about discipline and administration, as well as some legislation around foster care.

Chris Schulz is our host. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

The Legislature This Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news from the regular session of the West Virginia Legislature. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Randy Yohe, Maria Young and Liz McCormick.

Watch our TV/radio simulcast The Legislature Today Fridays at 6 p.m. 

Learn more about The Legislature This Week.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, while the West Virginia Legislature may consider hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, there is only one thing they are required by the state constitution to do and that is to pass a balanced budget. The state is not allowed to operate in a deficit. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with House Finance Committee Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Minority Chair of House Finance Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, to discuss the process for creating the state budget. 

Also, in this show, former Minority Leader Doug Skaff's life and public service were honored Thursday in the House of Delegates after his death last June.

Voters who inadvertently cast their ballots at the wrong precinct can still have their votes counted on Election Day – at the discretion of the county commissioner. Senate Bill 61 would change that. We learn why.

And, supporters say if legislators pass Senate Bill 173, it will close a loophole in West Virginia’s anti-abortion laws by banning the delivery of medications intended to end a pregnancy to someone in West Virginia. The bill came up for discussion this week in the Senate Health Committee where there were strong opinions on both sides.

Finally, our student report this week comes from Nevaeh Siggers and Jenna Walker as they discuss resources available to track and research the bills and procedures of the West Virginia Legislature.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes every Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Keep up with our daily coverage at wvpublic.org/thelegislaturetoday, and subscribe to our new podcast The Legislature This Week for a look back at all the major headlines from the past week at the statehouse.

Some of the stories on our show inspired college student art — including a vivid image of a bear smashing a clarinet.

Also, a Hare Krishna community in West Virginia serves vegetarian food made in three sacred kitchens. 

And, COVID-19 exposed the contempt society has for marginalized people. One author says, these folks are anything but passive. 

You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• WVU Students Carve Prints From Stories On Inside Appalachia
• The Three Kitchens Of New Vrindaban
• New Book Exposes ‘America’s Contempt’ For Marginalized Underclass
• Leann Ray And Her Support For Coal Miners

WVU Students Carve Prints From Stories On Inside Appalachia

We occasionally hear from educators who find ways to work Inside Appalachia into their classrooms. In December, the show was tagged in an Instagram post by West Virginia University (WVU) art professor Joseph Lupo.

The post showcased four-color reductive relief prints made by WVU students — each one inspired by a story or episode they heard on Inside Appalachia. 

Host Mason Adams spoke with three of Lupo’s students and asked them to describe their work and its connection to the show. But first, he asked Lupo to explain the assignment he gave his class.

The Three Kitchens Of New Vrindaban

New Vrindaban is a Hare Krishna community in West Virginia’s Northern Panhandle. It started in the late 1960s and is home to a few hundred permanent residents — but thousands of pilgrims visit each year. They come to worship in the temple — and to visit the opulent Palace of Gold. 

But those main attractions were a pretty small part of Folkways reporter Zack Harold’s trip. He ended up spending much of his time in the kitchen.

New Book Exposes ‘America’s Contempt’ For Marginalized Underclass

More than one million Americans have died from COVID-19. Some groups of folks died at much higher rates than others. And those deaths tended to follow lines of race, class, age and disability. In other words, conditions that were already making life harder for some people played out during the pandemic, too.

Last year, host Mason Adams spoke with reporter Sarah Jones about her book, Disposable: America's Contempt for the Underclass.

Leann Ray And Her Support For Coal Miners

The Trump administration has slashed federal jobs and loosened energy production regulations, and delayed a Biden-era rule to protect miners against silica dust, which contributes to black lung disease. Last April, we spoke with Leann Ray, the editor-in-chief of the nonprofit news outlet, West Virginia Watch, about an editorial she wrote.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Tim Bing, Frank George, Blue Dot Sessions and Hello June.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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 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, our program, Inside Appalachia, in December was tagged in an Instagram post by West Virginia University (WVU) Professor of Art Joseph Lupo. The post showcased four-color reductive relief prints made by WVU students — each one inspired by a story or episode they heard on the show. Mason Adams spoke with some of the students about their work and its connection to the show.

Also, teens in foster care may soon have the opportunity to be more involved in the legal process. And, the deadline has passed for candidate filing for West Virginia’s upcoming primary election — but applications are still trickling in.

West 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 Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Maria Young is our producer. Chuck Anziulewicz was our host this week.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, blood is a key part of modern medical care, but keeping a regular supply relies on thousands of volunteers donating regularly. Winter weather can interrupt those life-saving donations, leading to seasonal shortages.

Our North Central-based reporter Chris Schulz speaks with Jason Keeling, executive director of the American Red Cross of Allegheny Highlands chapter, about the importance of blood drives and how technology is making it easier than ever to roll up your sleeve.

Also, arraignments have begun for those arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in West Virginia last month. And, clean up continues after a transformer failure in Wyoming County released mineral oil onto the ground and into a nearby stream.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, for most of us, the cold and ice of the last few weeks have been a struggle. But a group of local rock climbers made the best of it. News Director Eric Douglas went to check it out.

Also, some lawmakers want to change when West Virginians vote. And, medications and drugs used to terminate pregnancies were the subject of a bill before the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on Tuesday.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, it has been three years since the East Palestine train derailment. What have we learned about the health impacts from exposure to chemicals on board? The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, brings us this report.            

Also, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, working with state and local law enforcement partners, arrested 650 people in West Virginia over 14 days last month.

And, state lawmakers are grappling with how best to legislate the growing issue of school discipline, and eight historic sites across West Virginia have been added to the National Register of Historic Places, including a hospital for Black coal miners.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, who in last week's episode of The Legislature Today discussed his goals for supporting small businesses in the state.

Also, every week for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Louisville Public Media’s Bill Burton and WAVE 3 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 how cold can affect your body.

West 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 Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey talks tax cuts, the state Senate discusses adding Bibles to certain classrooms, and the American Lung Association released its annual report card on states’ efforts to reduce smoking. 

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, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.