'Trampoline' Author, Robert Gipe, Offers Insight into his 2nd Novel
By West Virginia Public Broadcasting • Aug 1, 2018
On this West Virginia Morning, three years ago, a Kentucky writer named Robert Gipe debuted his first novel, "Trampoline", about a young girl growing up in Appalachia. Authors and literary fans across the region hailed it as one of the most important books to come out of our region in recent years. But the topics Gipe writes about aren't easy -- a parent's drug addiction and the environmental wreckage left behind by strip mining.
Fresh Air Weekend: 'Miseducation Of Cameron Post' Creators; Writer Michael Arceneaux
By editor • Jul 28, 2018
Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:
Us & Them Explores the Nation's Partisan Divide
By West Virginia Public Broadcasting • Jul 25, 2018
On this West Virginia Morning, in a recent episode of WVPB's Us & Them podcast, host Trey Kay revisits a conversation between a liberal college professor and his student, a conservative Republican and Iraqi War veteran.
West Virginia Humanities Council Leader Announces Retirement
By Associated Press • Jul 23, 2018
Michael Keller / via West Virginia Division of Culture and History
The executive director of the West Virginia Humanities Council has announced his retirement.
Ken Sullivan has led the council since 1997. His retirement takes effect Oct. 12.
This One Sentence Helped Purdue Pharma Sell Billions of Dollars Worth of Opioids
Between 1999 and 2015, roughly 300,000 people in the United States died from opioid overdoses. And of the five states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in 2016, four were in Appalachia.
In this week's episode of Inside Appalachia, we'll hear a special report from The Uncertain Hour, a podcast from American Public Media's Marketplace. Their investigation, which first aired in December, centered on a lesser-known but significant aspect of the opioid crisis: how Purdue Pharma marketed OxyContin, its highly addictive pain medication.
Clio App Maps History in West Virginia, U.S.
By Molly Born • Jul 20, 2018
WVPB
You know those historic metal plaques that sit along West Virginia roadways and describe historic events or the stories behind small towns? Imagine the same idea -- but in a digital version.
Five years ago, David Trowbridge, a history professor at Marshall University, created Clio, a digital history guide with more than 30,000 original entries from sites across the country. The app and website were recently honored by the National Humanities Alliance in Washington D.C.
W.Va.'s Racing Industry Fights to Survive Amid Years of Teetering State Backing
By Liz McCormick • Jul 18, 2018
Courtesy Photo / Coady Photography
The dog and horse racing industries have played a major role in West Virginia's economy since the mid-1930s. But in recent years, lawmakers at the statehouse have debated whether these industries fit into the state's economic future. Those who support the racing industry are fighting to see it survive, while others say it doesn't bring in revenue like it once did.
Support, Opposition Voiced as W.Va. Racing Industry Declines
On this West Virginia Monring, the dog and horse racing industries have played a major role in West Virginia's economy since the mid-1930s. But in recent years, whether these industries fit into the state's economic future is something that's been debated at the statehouse. As Liz McCormick reports, those who support the racing industry are fighting to see it survive, while others say it doesn't bring in the revenue it once did.
As China Trade War Escalates, Ohio Valley Farmers Fear Loss of Buyers
On this West Virginia Morning, the Trump administration escalated its trade dispute with China last week, threatening to impose tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese products. China has already retaliated against an earlier round of tariffs, and U.S. agriculture is feeling the pinch. Nicole Erwin spoke with Ohio Valley soybean and hog farmers who fear their buyers are disappearing.
The Struggle Continues: Iraq War Vet Focused on Path out of Appalachia
By Jessica Lilly & Glynis Board • Jul 6, 2018
A comedian, an actor and dog move from West Virginia across the country chasing big dreams. What could possibly go wrong?
Iraq War Veteran Struggles To Leave Appalachia
By West Virginia Public Broadcasting • Jul 6, 2018
On this West Virginia Morning, this weekend's Inside Appalachia episode features the extended story of Iraq War veteran and aspiring comedian Mark Combs. It's part of our national award-winning series, The Struggle to Stay. Inside Appalachia host Jessica Lilly sat down with producer Glynis Board to talk about the story, and the struggle to stay or leave Appalachia.
Huntington Mayor: LGBT-Inclusion Campaign Brings Economic Opportunity
Listen to West Virginia Morning on July 3, 2018.
On this West Virginia Morning, there's a Farm Bill being passed around Capitol Hill. It has big implications for environmental stewardship. We'll hear more about that bill as well as a report from Huntington on its LGBT-inclusion initiative.
Book Describing Charleston's African-American History Reprinted
By Roxy Todd • Jul 2, 2018
Roxy Todd / West Virginia Public Broadcasting
A rare book that explores the story of Charleston's African-American history has been reprinted. The release was announced at an event Monday, hosted by the West Virginia Center for African American Art and Culture.
How Jell-O Marked a New Era in Rural Appalachia & the History of the Hip & Trendy Mason Jar
On this week's episode of Inside Appalachia, we're talking about two things you're likely to find on a supper table in Appalachia: Jell-O and mason jars.
'Heroin(e)' Director's New Film Explores Recovery, Community
By Liz McCormick • Jun 29, 2018
Academy Award-nominated director Elaine McMillion Sheldon's newest film "Recovery Boys" is now available on Netflix. The film is a companion to Sheldon's first film "Heroin(e)."
Doll of West Virginia First Lady Cathy Justice Unveiled
West Virginia first lady Cathy Justice has unveiled a doll in her likeness.
The doll introduced at a ceremony Wednesday will become part of the First Ladies of West Virginia Collection at the state Culture Center in Charleston. It was made by Washington D.C.-based artist Ping Lau and features Justice in her inaugural ball gown.
Mountain Stage Host Writes New W.Va. Musical
By West Virginia Public Broadcasting • Jun 28, 2018
Listen to West Virginia Morning on June 28, 2018.
On this West Virginia Morning, we take a sneak peek at a new West Virginia musical written by Mountain Stage host Larry Groce. One song features a governor working hard to please constituents. Hear about it on this West Virginia Morning.
Q&A: Larry Groce Talks Hillbillies, Wishes, & the Making of 'Paradise Park: The Musical'
By Jessica Lilly • Jun 27, 2018
Theatre West Virginia in Raleigh County was founded as a way to preserve and share West Virginia's unique culture. Some long running plays include "Honey in the Rock" and "Hatfields and McCoys." This year, the organization added "Paradise Park The Musical" to the list.
Marshall University Aims to be More Inclusive to LGBT Students
By Roxy Todd • Jun 27, 2018
Corinne Segal/ PBS Newshour
Marshall's LGBTQ+ office is located in a central campus building, down in the small corner of the basement. There's a comfy lounge area, with couches, books and a TV. The students meet here for occasional support group meetings, or just to watch movies and unwind. In a back room, there's a walk-in closet with hundreds of dresses, suits, pants and shoes arranged on hangers and shelves. A full-length mirror hangs on the door.
Folklore Students Travel in West Virginia to Preserve Stories, Tradition
Luke Mitchem
Ten folklore students from George Mason University in Virginia recently spent a week visiting central and southern West Virginia. They traveled to five counties to learn more about the culture, stories and history found throughout our area and how traditions have impacted the personal lives of several West Virginians.
W.Va. Supreme Court Impeachments Loom in Special Session
On this West Virginia Morning, we'll hear from students, like Alex Bridges, who helped record 25 oral histories with people across West Virginia, as part of a summer folklore class. We'll also hear the latest from the statehouse after Gov. Jim Justice issued a special session of the W.Va. Legislature on possible Supreme Court impeachments.
Inside Appalachia: LGBT Issues in Our Region
By Jessica Lilly & Molly Born • Jun 22, 2018
On this week's show, we're exploring issues in our region's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. We'll hear from a teenager getting ready for an LGBT formal. We'll learn how difficult it can be to access healthcare in eastern Kentucky for one gender nonconforming Appalachian. We'll also take a look at efforts in West Virginia to provide legal protection to people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Historic Mansion Comes to Life Through Wine & Jazz
Happy Retreat is a historic mansion in Charles Town that was once the home of Charles Washington – founder of Charles Town and brother to the nation's first president. Today, the house is becoming a hub for public events, community outreach, history and tourism.
Coal Ash Series Examines Kentucky Energy Industry Waste
On this West Virginia Morning, hazardous chemicals left over from coal-fired power plants are leaching into groundwater across Kentucky. This new look at coal ash pollution comes from the power plants themselves -- they were recently required to make public the data from groundwater monitoring. WFPL's Ryan Van Velzer has the second story in the series, Coal Ash, Uncovered.
3 Men, 3 Lives, 3 Wishes for a Better Economic Future in Appalachia
By Roxy Todd & Liz McCormick • Jun 15, 2018
Carol Guzy/ NPR
Can Trump bring coal jobs back to Appalachia? We're a year-and-a-half into his presidency, and some people, like coal operator Barry Estep, are hopeful.
"Maybe this is a light at the end of the tunnel we've all been hoping for, to get things turned around and changed some."
But others are not so sure that coal has a long-term future.
NPR Podcast Tracks Life in Appalachian Coalfields
On this West Virginia Morning, NPR reporter and host Kelly McEvers and her colleague Chris Benderev spent more than a year exploring coal counties across Appalachia -- trying to understand our people and our history with coal.
The series, which recently aired on a podcast called Embedded, follows several people in central Appalachia, to find out how their lives changed during the first year-and-a-half of the Trump presidency. McEvers recently spoke with Roxy Todd. We'll hear part of that conversation and travel with McEvers as she goes a mile underground inside a coal mine.
How Bats, Hemp, and a Campaign to Unite the Masses are Making a Comeback
About 50 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. began a movement to unite people of all colors and creeds in what was called the Poor People's Campaign. We'll hear the latest in how that movement is being revived today.
We'll also hear about experiments in Pennsylvania that are trying to bring back bats populations that have been plagued by a deadly fungus.
And the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee has passed its version of the Farm Bill with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's provisions to remove hemp from a list of Schedule 1 controlled substances.
Anthony Bourdain's Loss Hits Home in Appalachian Kitchens
By Mike Costello • Jun 14, 2018
When Bourdain visited Lost Creek Farm, I knew who he was. It took his tragic death for me to understand why he truly mattered.
Theater Company Explores Conversations About Substance Abuse
On this episode of West Virginia Morning, we'll learn how a theater company in Morgantown is looking to contribute to community conversations about substance abuse issues ravaging the region.
Morgantown Theater Explores Trauma, Addiction, Love in A Hatful of Rain
By Glynis Board • Jun 13, 2018
Glynis Board / West Virginia Public Broadcasting
A theater company in Morgantown is producing a play that grapples with trauma, addiction and love as part of its 2018 summer season.
Playing off of the drama and emotion evoked on the stage, and in combination with community experts, West Virginia Public Theater hopes to add to the community conversation about the substance abuse issues ravaging the region.