Scott Finn

This week, I’m looking back at my first year as leader of this organization -- what we got done in 2013, and what we still have left to accomplish.

It hasn’t been an easy year. I arrived at a station in need of major upgrades at a time of rapidly shrinking government funding.

Thanks to you, our members, and a hard-working staff, we’ve been able to make significant progress in 2013 – and I think we’ll make a lot more in 2014.

On New Year's Eve, it's natural to take a look back at the year that was -- and that's exactly what we're doing at West Virginia Public Radio.

Starting at 9 a.m., we're bringing you some of the best programs about West Virginia from 2013, including three great radio documentaries.

We've also got great music from Mountain Stage and Ed McDonald from Sidetracks.

Let us know what you think about these shows! Go to our Facebook page, tweet us or e-mail feedback@wvpublic.org.

West Virginia ranks second only to New York as the state getting the best deal from Obamacare, according to a new report from the company Evolution Finance.

The report looks at what all 50 states received through the Affordable Care Act. It uses 11 metrics designed to gauge the law’s impact on consumers and each state’s budget.

There are some people at West Virginia Public Broadcasting that you probably know – Beth Vorhees, Jim Lange, Suzanne Higgins, etc. That’s because they’re great talents, and they are the people you see on screen and hear on air.

And then, there are lots of folks here you don’t know – but are just as important to making sure we can tell the true story of West Virginia.

Today, we’re instituting a new monthly award to recognize an employee or volunteer at West Virginia Public Broadcasting who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

It’s that time of the year when things become extremely busy in our personal lives – and also in the life of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Let’s get to it!

1. Welcome new staff

First of all, let’s all welcome Kristi George as the new Director of Radio. You might remember Kristi from her previous stint here as a host and membership employee. She went on to work for Public Radio International and two state agencies before coming home to lead our radio department, along with our new Radio Operations Director, Bob Powell.

Christopher Jennings is a Beckley native and a renowned organist who is being featured this week on the public radio show, "Pipedreams."

West Virginia Public Radio no longer carries the program, but you can hear Jennings here.

Listen for him at the end of the first hour of the show, playing a song by Gerry Hancock called Toccata.

You can now buy tickets for next month's West Virginia Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

It's scheduled for Nov. 16 at the Culture Center in Charleston.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting also will broadcast the ceremony live on T.V., radio and via our website, wvpublic.org.

The inductees are Melvin & Ray Goins, Peter Marshall, Wayne Moss, Tim O’Brien, The Swan Silvertones, Ada “Bricktop” Smith and Eleanor Steber. 

West Virginia has one of the highest percentages of veterans of any state. And many of those veterans come from the "Greatest Generation," who saved the world from fascism.