Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom

Bats are the subject of myths and legends, often in a negative light. But that goes against the reality of their role in ecosystems, including critical agricultural services for humans. Bat populations have dropped significantly in the face of a changing climate and disease. 

Freshwater mussels are scattered throughout waterways in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. But populations are dwindling, and researchers want to better understand the causes.

On this West Virginia Morning, freshwater mussels play a vital role in the health of the region’s waterways, but their populations have dwindled over the years.

This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.

The nine-banded armadillo has become an indicator of rising temperatures in Kentucky and the surrounding region, as the species moves farther north.

On this West Virginia Morning, an Appalachian distillery has rediscovered an old technique for aging their bourbon and whiskey products.

On this West Virginia Morning, the nine-banded armadillo has become an indicator of rising temperatures in Kentucky and the surrounding region.

Abandoned oil and natural gas wells are scattered throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region, leaking toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, and the state doesn’t know where they all are.

Kudzu is an invasive vine that’s become a persistent problem in the American South. But there are efforts to tackle it.

Throughout the Southern United States, you’ll often find three-pronged leaves with hairy vines swallowing entire sections of forests. It can be a beautiful sight at first glance. But the invasive plant causes persistent ecological problems in the region. We look at the efforts to tackle the ‘vine that ate the south.’

Earlier this week, Gov. Andy Beshear welcomed a proposal by TeraWulf to build a gigawatt data center at an industrial park west of Ashland. He cautioned, though, that any project of that scale would pay for 100% of its own electricity.

If your aging parent needs surgery, you might need to take time away from work to care for them. A federal policy called the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives many employees job-protected leave for caregiving. But it has noteworthy limitations.

While baseball fields are run of the mill in most communities, there’s a certain type of diamond that’s less common: it’s called a “Miracle Field.” There are three of these in West Virginia – in Morgantown, Wheeling and Green River. These are accessible baseball facilities that can accommodate players with disabilities.

Black bear encounters are on the rise in Tennessee, and climate change is often a hidden culprit, tampering with ecosystems in unexpected ways.

Black bears now inhabit all 55 counties of West Virginia, and bear encounters are on the rise across Appalachia. Climate change is often a hidden culprit. But state wildlife managers are working to promote peaceful coexistence.

America’s foster care crisis is serious for nearly 400,000 kids who rely on the system. In the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks into the shortage of licensed foster homes – and the wide range of agencies and nonprofit organizations who offer help navigating what can be a complicated system.

Researchers have spent almost two decades restoring a threatened species of orchid in southern Kentucky. But those efforts were disrupted when an EF-4 tornado swept through the area in May 2025, carving visible lines in the landscape. We learn about recovery efforts.

A small federal grant program aimed at increasing first-time farmers’ access to land, training and tools was finding fertile ground in West Virginia. But in March, the Trump administration suddenly terminated it, leaving local partners uncertain about their futures. 

A small federal grant program aimed at increasing first-time farmer’s access to land, training and tools was finding fertile ground in West Virginia. But in March, the Trump administration suddenly terminated it, leaving local partners uncertain about their futures.

Last weekend was the first anniversary of a tornado that devastated communities in nearby southern Kentucky. A Day of Remembrance event honored those who lost their lives, and reflected on a year of recovery. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Shepherd Snyder has this report.

On this West Virginia Morning, an historic steam locomotive that occupied Nashville’s Centennial Park for decades will soon hit the rails again.

On this West Virginia Morning, a conversation about some of the challenges that lie ahead for hospitals and those who need them in the Mountain State.

Across the country, old railroads have been converted into multi-use trails for folks to get out and enjoy nature. An ambitious vision to connect communities in West Virginia to Pittsburgh via rail trail is taking a big step towards completion.

Prices at fuel pumps have surged since the United States went to war with Iran. But the Middle East conflict is also having major impacts on international shipping and supply chains. Those issues are taking a major toll on Appalachian corn farmers.

In an effort to attract more horse racing competitors this year to West Virginia, the state Legislature increased the funding cap to $2 million for certain races – and neighboring states are taking similar action.  When Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, his owner, trainer and jockey won an estimated $3.1 million winning purse.  For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Justin Hicks reports much of that growth can be attributed to increased gambling on historical horse racing games. 

In March, solar came as close as it ever has to generating as much power nationwide as coal.

Fluorspar is a little-known mineral used to make everything from steel, aluminum and gasoline to uranium fuel and batteries. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WKMS’ Lily Burris reports the largest known deposit of the critical mineral in the U.S. is in western Kentucky – and its applications in artificial intelligence (AI) could reawaken the region’s mining industry. 

GLP-1s have quickly become one of the most popular weight loss drugs in America, but it takes more than a regular shot to be successful. Also, extreme weather and aging infrastructure are a tough combination for many rural communities. One impact? The quality of drinking water.

We speak with Ron Flanary, co-author of “Big Emma,” a book that explores the story of a powerful steam locomotive that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. Also, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.

With a final budget now approved by both the House and Senate and headed to Gov. Patrick Morrisey for a signature, West Virginia budget watchers say there are looming expenses that haven’t been taken into consideration. Also, more Americans than ever have access to a kind of savings account that lets them set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. But this option takes a little effort to set up and navigate.

Kentucky Power customers will pay $3 more each month for a new cooling tower at the Mitchell plant than West Virginia customers will pay.

Kentucky Power has told the Kentucky Public Service Commission what it will cost to build a new cooling tower at its Mitchell plant.

Recovering from substance use disorder is hard at the best of times. How did people working on recovery during the February 2025 floods hold on to their sobriety? As we approach the one-year anniversary of those deadly floods, we wanted to check in on this often overlooked issue.

A challenge lawmakers are struggling with this session is how to pay for public schools in a state where there’s falling enrollment, especially in rural counties. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom explains snow mold.

We hear from Senate President Randy Smith who in last week’s episode of The Legislature Today discussed his goals for supporting small businesses in the state. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom examines how cold can affect your body.

We hear from House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, who outlines his goals for the 2026 West Virginia Legislative session. Also, if you’re newly pregnant and haven’t been able to afford health insurance, there’s a good chance you qualify for Medicaid.

Kentucky Power has formally notified state regulators of its plan to build a new cooling tower at its Mitchell plant in West Virginia.

A winter storm is expected to spread from the Midwest across much of the eastern U.S. with ice and snow.

Pearls are prized gemstones that have been crafted into jewelry for millennia. They can be found in the wild, but they’re also cultivated on farms. We hear a report from North America’s lone freshwater pearl farm located along Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.

If you’re looking to sign up for a new gym membership this year, it’s worth looking into whether your health insurance will help with some or all of the cost. And, soaring electricity costs and the slow growth of renewable energy.

Kentucky Power has offered a settlement to state regulators for its rate increase proposal, according to a series of filings Friday.

If you feel under the weather, how do you know when it’s time to see a doctor? Also, a growing movement to make Appalachia the “truffle capital of the world,” is being led by a small-town farmer in southern Kentucky.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission last week approved Kentucky Power’s plan to maintain its ownership of the Mitchell plant in West Virginia.

A job loss or an unexpected change in coverage costs might mean that you’re starting the year without health insurance. If you’re looking for care, there might be an affordable option near you that you’ve never heard of.

The 54-year-old plant in West Virginia has a concrete cooling tower with structural problems, and the utility will need to seek permission to charge electricity customers to pay for a fix.

Eastern Kentucky is full of isolated, rural towns that have experienced decline alongside the coal industry. But some who want to stick around are trying to revitalize the region’s downtown spaces. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, Shepherd Snyder reports.

Low-head dams across Appalachia have been responsible for many deaths, causing state officials to label them as public safety hazards. But some community members are hesitant to have the fixtures removed.

Joseph Mitchell was one of two coal miners killed in West Virginia this month. Mitchell was pinned underneath the supply car after it and two locomotives derailed after striking another piece of equipment, MSHA’s preliminary report says on the Nov. 6 incident.

A miner was killed at the Mountain View Mine in Tucker County, West Virginia, on Nov. 6, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Alliance Resource Partners owns the mine. That company is owned by Kelly and Joe Craft, who are prominent political donors in Kentucky.

The settling parties want the Kentucky Public Service Commission to approve Kentucky Power’s proposal to preserve its half of the Mitchell plant beyond 2028.

Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants. Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer spoke with WVPB’s Curtis Tate about his reporting on those plants.

Behind the rates paid by the companies’ customers is a hidden cost that doesn’t show up on their bills. Customers receive electricity from two aging, out-of-state coal plants that lose a lot of money.

On this West Virginia Week, despite a government shutdown and the closure of national parks across the country, parks in West Virginia are staying open – for now. Also, a new book looks at the last public hanging in America. And, they’re out …

Fall brings with it many changes, but perhaps none more striking than the turning of the leaves. West Virginia officials are working to make sure leaf peepers visiting the state maximize their autumn experience.

Mon Power customers paid $10.3 million more for electricity than the market price from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation from 2018 to 2024.

Curtis Tate of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported the story for the Appalachia-Mid-South Newsroom. He spoke with deputy managing editor John Boyle about his work.

Public anger is growing over rising electricity prices nationwide. In West Virginia, Appalachian Power customers have been paying hundreds of millions of dollars in hidden costs.

On this West Virginia Morning, staffing cuts at National Parks are being felt by visitors and demand for energy is raising prices in the region.

Despite a drop, the issue of student-athlete harassment by bettors has become more prevalent in recent years with the rise of online gambling. So has the prevalence of problem gambling among younger bettors.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from those shaping the debate over transgender rights and a mother and son from Gaza have spent two months in Louisville, Kentucky for medical care that would be nearly impossible to get back home.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about grassroots opposition to an energy project in Tucker County, and dive into a unique form of Appalachian singing.

On this West Virginia Morning, cicadas annoy some, but have profound meaning to others. And a new radio and television series highlights some of the brightest, clearest skies in the nation.

On this West Virginia Morning, a festival highlights the grassroots movement to reclaim the Black roots of folk and country music, and a new tourism trail highlights the brewers and distillers of southern West Virginia.

New coal mine safety requirements from the Mine Safety and Health Administration were supposed to take effect this month until a federal court blocked the rollout.

It’s been 15 years since the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in West Virginia. Family members and others from the community gathered over the weekend to remember those who lost their lives in one of the worst mining accidents of the past half century.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from Gov. Patrick Morrisey offering thoughts on his legislative agenda, a discussion from The Legislature Today about the future of microgrids and why counties aren’t enthusiastic about bringing t…

The rule was aimed at reducing miner inhalation of silica dust, which has been shown to worsen cases of black lung disease and cause an earlier onset of the disease in younger miners.

Appalshop, an Appalachian arts and media hub based in Kentucky, faced archival damage during a devastating flooding incident in 2022. Now, the organization says restoration efforts have brought much of the archive back to life.

Earlier this week, Kentucky Power went back to Kentucky regulators and asked them to reopen the case.

Last June, when Justice was still governor of West Virginia, the court ordered him to pay Western Surety, a Chicago-based insurance company, $3.2 million, plus $100,000 in interest.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove increased a contempt fine against Jim Justice’s son, Jay Justice, and associate Stephen Ball, to $1,000 a day from $250 a day.

You can’t see it from the ground, but nearly 400 solar panels line the roof of the eight-year-old school, built on the site of an old high school.

China has responded to President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports with its own 15% tariff on U.S. coal. 

During last month’s cold snap, Huntington’s low barrier homeless shelter stayed at full capacity. The shelter director says the facility – with its limited restrictions –  is unique in West Virginia, but now faces an uncertain future.  …

On Thursday, Governor Patrick Morrisey ordered state and local law enforcement support for President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 “Securing Our Borders” executive order.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey said late Wednesday that 55-year-old Stephen Fields of Chauncey died of his injuries at the Twilight surface mine.

As the apple industry continues to struggle, West Virginia growers hope a change in government administrations won’t mark the end of federal and state aid.

Dozens of people packed into a farmhouse at a Martinsburg apple orchard Thursday for a regional forum on food business, and the federal and state financial support available to food entrepreneurs in the Appalachian region.