, Author at West Virginia Public Broadcasting

State groups rally at Marshall for abortion rights

Groups from around the region converged on Marshall University’s campus this afternoon to rally for abortion rights.More than 100 participants and almost…

Groups from around the region converged on Marshall University’s campus this afternoon to rally for abortion rights.

More than 100 participants and almost 15 different groups from around the state attended the rally on Marshall’s campus. Their mission was to alert young female students about the possible attack on the right to obtain an abortion in the state. Pam Van Horn is the Public Affairs Director for WV Planned Parenthood.

“We wanted to make sure that the young people here at Marshall University were aware of what was going on because this age group is the one that is most specifically affected by anything that may take away their freedom to make reproductive decisions,” Van Horn said.

Other groups like the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Fairness West Virginia took part in the rally.

A conversation with West Virginia Filmmaker of the Year, John Nakashima

For more than 30 years, John Nakashima has made documentaries at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. But he’s also done more.He co-edited the cult classic…

For more than 30 years, John Nakashima has made documentaries at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. But he’s also done more.

He co-edited the cult classic film “Chillers,” and worked on animated films, like “The Griffin and the Minor Canon,” which is based on a book of short stories penned by Frank Stockton. Nakashima is now being honored by his filmmaking colleagues with the state’s award for Filmmaker of the Year.

Here is the 26 minute documentary, Clifftop:

1009Naka.mp3

This 6:05 feature aired on West Virginia Public Radio.

JohnNakashima.mp3

This audio is the raw and uncut interview Ben Adducchio conducted with Nakashima.

Here are some clips from Mountaineer:

Here are clips from Different Drummer Documentaries Your Public Servant, and The Final Accounting

State Fair was fine despite bad weather, fewer visitors

The State Fair of West Virginia said this year’s event was a success, despite rain that reduced attendance.

State Fair Chief Executive Officer Marlene Joliffe said in a news release that the 89th annual event saw about 175,000 visitors, down from the decade’s average of about 180,000-195,000 fairgoers.

Rain fell on five days during the fair’s eight-day run in August in Fairlea, WV.

Joliffe said 67 percent of fairgoers who responded to an online survey rated their experience at the fair as above average or excellent.

There were an estimated 4,000 entries in the livestock, 4-H, FFA, home arts and garden competitions.

Winning exhibitors were paid a total $175,000 in award premiums.

About 20,000 concert tickets were sold, and 20,000 pounds of food collected which was distributed to six area food banks, along with cash donations.

Joliffe estimated the Fair had a $14 million dollar economic impact on the state.

West Virginia Morning – October 8, 2013

On this West Virginia Morning, Jessica Lilly details one mine safety advocate's concerns over the federal shutdown, Cecelia Mason reports on a study on…

On this West Virginia Morning, Jessica Lilly details one mine safety advocate’s concerns over the federal shutdown, Cecelia Mason reports on a study on health and wellness in the Eastern Panhandle, and Glynis Board has more on WVU President James Clements’ State of the University address.

West Virginia Morning – October 7, 2013

On this West Virginia Morning, Beth Vorhees speaks with West Virginia Public Broadcasting Executive Director Scott Finn about our new website, Cecelia…

On this West Virginia Morning, Beth Vorhees speaks with West Virginia Public Broadcasting Executive Director Scott Finn about our new website, Cecelia Mason speaks with musician and storyteller Adam Booth about his work and Glynis Board brings us an audio postcard from OglebayFest.

Inside Appalachia- Oct. 5, 2013

One of the most immediate effects of the federal government shutdown hits tourists.A record number of raptors flew over an observation point in West…

One of the most immediate effects of the federal government shutdown hits tourists.

A record number of raptors flew over an observation point in West Virginia recently.

A story teller puts a new twist on old Appalachian traditions.

And a Kentucky school program helps who want to children learn music.

TN Smokies Closed: Shutting down much of the federal government this past week meant national parks across the country were closed. The third most visited park in the country last year according to the National Parks Conservation Association is the Great Smoky Mountains. Brandon Hollingsworth and Christine Jessel from WUOT in Knoxville, Tn., went to the Smokies to get reaction from visitors hoping for a fun fall experience only to find the park closed. Hear from Drema and Fred Johnson from West Virginia, Alyss and Rachel Miller from Ohio, Florence Gibson from Missouri, Don and Rebecca from Alabama and their granddaughter, Abigail, from Kentucky and Zack Newman who lives in Maryville, Tn. and works at a restaurant just outside the Park entrance in Townsend.

KY WV Parks Open: State parks across Appalachia want to make sure visitors know there’s an alternative to visiting the national parks. West Virginia’s state parks and forests have been publicizing the fact that they’re open and have lodging available. All of Kentucky’s 49 state parks remain open.

WV Inspiring West Virginian: As we continue our series of Inspiring West Virginians, here’s the story of a man originally from Berkeley County who’s working hard to preserve the state’s unique and wild places. Producer Jean Snedegar takes us to the top of a mountain with field biologist Rodney Bartgis, the State Director of The West Virginia Nature Conservancy.

WV Raptor Migration: This month, hawks, falcons, and eagles will continue their migration south, and thousands will pass through the eastern mountains of West Virginia. This year, on Sunday, Sept 22^nd, one thousand 591 raptors were counted at the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Monroe County, W.Va. This broke the record for the most raptors logged at Hanging Rock in a single day since 1995. To see the migrating raptors pass just feet from view, hundreds of visitors come each Fall to the Hanging Rock Lookout Tower, originally a fire tower for the Forest Service, located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, in the southeastern corner of West Virginia. recently Roxy Todd and Dan Schultz caught up with some of the volunteer naturalists who travel daily to help record the migration of raptors up at Hanging Rock.

WV Story Teller CD: Story telling is an old art form in Appalachia. One West Virginia story teller’s newest project, a CD of music and stories entitled The Mountain Came Alive, attempts to modernize this tradition by addressing today’s concerns.

KY School Music Program: Instruction which includes instruments is known to enhance a child’s appreciation of music. But, musical instruments are not always within the reach of families with modest means. A program launched by the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra provides the tools needed by low-income music students. WEKU’S Stu Johnson has more from Lexington.