McDowell County Struck Hardest By Recent Flooding, Locals Prepare For More This Week

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has long been known for its apple production. But apple farmers are struggling and orchards are disappearing.

The West Virginia Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would allow private and homeschool students to play public school sports and participate in other extracurricular activities. Dave Mistich has more.

Gov. Jim Justice signed a proclamation, declaring a state of emergency in seven southern West Virginia counties affected by flooding last week. McDowell County was hit the hardest. Reporters Emily Allen and Caitlin Tan went to visit some of the rural townships this week where cleanup was underway.

When you think of some of West Virginia’s biggest economic drivers, extractive industries like coal or natural gas are likely the first things that often come to mind. But agriculture has been a fixture in West Virginia’s economy for hundreds of years. West Virginia has been producing and exporting apples since the late 1800s. Yet today, farmers struggle to keep their businesses afloat.  

Roxy Todd has this look at some of the challenges apple farmers face, and why some people think this is one economic development opportunity the state is overlooking.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.