This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage is a special episode featuring songs that represent the four seasons of the year. You'll hear live performances by Doc Watson, Bruce Hornsby, Susan Werner, Molly Tuttle, Taj Mahal, Norah Jones and many more.
Almost Heaven: West Virginia Starts New Tourism Campaign
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West Virginia is embarking on a tourism advertising push using John Denver’s iconic song “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
Gov. Jim Justice unveiled https://youtu.be/3oahTlwHgkU” target=”_blank”>a video Wednesday, April 11, as the centerpiece for the campaign that frames the song and the state’s natural beauty. The campaign borrows the words “almost heaven” as its slogan.
Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby said officials “want to change the way people think about West Virginia.” She said research shows 86 percent of people who come to West Virginia eventually return. But last year, only 14 percent were first-time visitors.
The state tourism office previously obtained the rights to use the song in marketing. It’s been an unofficial West Virginia anthem almost since its 1971 release and was named an official state song in 2014.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has granted West Virginia $1.2 billion for affordable broadband services. More than 300,000 West Virginia households were underserved by broadband in 2023.
Early, in-person voting for West Virginia's 2024 Primary Election begins May 1. According to West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, early voting will be conducted in all 55 counties through Saturday, May 11.
On this West Virginia Morning, health care services for nearly 30 percent of West Virginia’s population may be difficult to access if lawmakers don’t fully fund the Medicaid program in an expected special session. Emily Rice has more.