A local history preservation group is working to rehabilitate the battered First Zion Baptist Church, a historic Black church in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
On this week’s episode of Inside Appalachia, we talk about the American Dream and what it takes to reach it in Appalachia. We hear from JD Vance, author of the new bestselling book Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, which is about his time growing up in a rust belt town in Ohio, and in Jackson, Kentucky. In this episode, we’re going to hear stories about the working class here in Appalachia and talk about some larger battles they’re fighting today.
This episode of Inside Appalachia takes a deeper look at the American Dream and the fight to reach it here in Appalachia.
Extended Interview with JD Vance:
West Virginia vs. the EPA
In the case called West Virginia vs the EPA, coal states are fighting for jobs in court. But will a victory in the case bring back coal?
Retired Miners Fight for Benefits
Fighting for their benefits isn’t something that union coal miners thought they would have to do since the government promised them “cradle to grave” benefits if they got off the picket lines and went back to work. Now, coal miners who helped keep the country’s lights on are worried that their retirement benefits could go dark due to industry bankruptcies. United Mine Workers retirees are pushing for a bill called the the Miner’s Protection Act. The bill would shore up their pension and health benefits, but the clock is ticking on a key vote.
Protesting Kentucky Prisons
With the mining industry in sharp decline some coalfield counties are hoping new prisons can generate jobs. Eastern Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District is already home to three federal penitentiaries and could soon see construction of a fourth in Letcher County. While politicians are quick to support a “take what you get” mentality, some residents are fighting for jobs that don’t benefit from incarcerated humans.
Fighting Stereotypes
West Virginia native, Ramona Lampel, has been fighting for decades to change negative stereotypes about Appalachia through her art collection.
We had help producing Inside Appalachia this week from The Ohio Valley ReSource, and Harper Collins Audio.
Music in this show was provided by The Hillbilly Gypsies, Andy Agnew Jr., Larry Groce Ben Townsend, Larry Groce., and Hurray for the Riff Raff, as heard on Mountain Stage.
Our producer is Roxy Todd. Our editor this week is Suzanne Higgins. Our audio mixer is Zander Aloi.
We’d love to hear from you. You can e-mail us at feedback@wvpublic.org. Find us on Twitter @InAppalachia or @JessicaYLilly.
On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, on the efforts to rebuild the party and restore Democrats to state offices ahead of this primary election. Also, we hear about preservation efforts for a historic Black church in Harpers Ferry.
Homelessness is not just an issue for big cities like San Francisco or New York City. Across America, communities large and small are struggling to provide shelter to people without housing. In Charleston, West Virginia, government and community approaches to help the unhoused have created more debate on an issue that is already divisive. Earlier this year, this episode received a second place award from the Virginias AP Broadcasters for Best Podcast.
On this West Virginia Morning, a West Virginia circuit court removed two members of the Jefferson County Commission from office, but a last-minute party change has cast confusion over who will name her successor.
Also, the construction of a pipeline in western Pennsylvania and a rupture in the Mountain Valley Pipeline has left environmentalists asking questions.
On this West Virginia Morning, as chief legal officer for West Virginia’s citizens, state office holders, agencies and boards, the attorney general’s (AG) responsibilities cover the litigation gamut. The four candidates in the upcoming primary races for AG have diverse views on how those responsibilities should be handled – and prioritized. Randy Yohe has our second story on this race.