This week on Inside Appalachia, for nearly a century, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has staged a formal dance. We visit the festival and learn about a manual that’s been passed down for generations. Also, abortion is illegal in most cases in Tennessee. A photographer spent a year following one mother who was denied an abortion.
His latest is called The Caretaker. It’s set in Korean war-era Appalachia.
Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Rash about the novel, Appalachia and getting older.
Abortion Access Over The Border
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion, the procedure has been limited in much of Appalachia. It’s restricted in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
And in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia — it’s banned outright.
That’s pushed some providers across state lines. Like to a clinic that recently opened in western Maryland. WVPB’s Emily Rice has the story.
Fly Like An Eagle
For generations, bald eagles were rare. Threatened by pollution, pesticides and people’s expansion into their habitat, they were dying out. But then the bald eagle became federally protected, and the pesticide DDT, which made their eggshells more brittle, was banned.
Now, bald eagles are thriving. In 2007, they left the list of endangered and threatened species.
But every now and then, a bald eagle still needs help. WMRA’s Randi B. Hagi has a story about a young bald eagle being returned to the wild.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sierra Ferrel, Chris Stapleton, The Kessinger Brothers, Sturgill Simpson and Paul Loomis.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi 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.
This week on Inside Appalachia, for nearly a century, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has staged a formal dance. We visit the festival and learn about a manual that’s been passed down for generations. Also, abortion is illegal in most cases in Tennessee. A photographer spent a year following one mother who was denied an abortion.
This week, West Virginians went to the polls for primaries to decide some national and local issues. We’ll talk about the results of some of Tuesday’s elections and hear from some voters.
On this West Virginia Morning, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, Kentucky has staged a formal dance for nearly a century that has remained the same for generations. Folkways Reporter Will Warren takes us for a visit.
On this West Virginia Morning, the stage is now set for a two man, two party political race for governor of West Virginia. Randy Yohe gives us an initial look at what we can expect from the Republican and the Democratic nominees.