Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom

A blue background with the silhouette of Appalachia. On the graphic are the words, "Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom."

NPR and Member stations in Appalachia and the Mid-South have launched a collaboration aimed at strengthening local news coverage and bringing more stories from this region to the rest of the country. The new Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom is a collaboration between West Virginia Public BroadcastingWPLN and WUOT in Tennessee, LPMWEKU-Lexington/RichmondWKMS-Murray and WKU Public Radio in Kentucky.

WVPB Stories

Jack Walker,Feb. 26, 2025

After Devastating Floods, Appalshop Archival Recovery Makes Steady Progress

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.

Curtis Tate,Feb. 21, 2025

Kentucky Power Wants To Keep Its Share Of Mitchell Coal Plant

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

Curtis Tate,Feb. 19, 2025

Court Issues Garnishment Summons To Justice Over $3 Million Debt

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.

Curtis Tate,Feb. 12, 2025

Judge Increases Penalties For Justice-Owned Kentucky Fuel Corp.

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.

Curtis Tate,Feb. 04, 2025

Solar Panels Go To School, Help Cut Rising Electric Bills

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.

Curtis Tate,Feb. 04, 2025

Coal Producers Worry About China’s Tariff In Response To Trump

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

Randy Yohe,Feb. 04, 2025

Huntington Low Barrier Homeless Shelter In Jeopardy

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.  …

Caelan Bailey,Jan. 30, 2025

Morrisey Urges Cooperation With Federal Immigration Enforcement

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

Curtis Tate,Jan. 30, 2025

State Reports First Coal Mine Fatality Of 2025, In Boone County

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

Jack Walker,Jan. 17, 2025

W.Va.’s Apple Industry Is Still Hurting. Growers Hope New Administrations Will Renew Aid

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.

Jack Walker,Jan. 16, 2025

Martinsburg Forum Connects Region’s Farmers With State, Federal 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.

Other Stories


Louisville Public Media (LPM)


WEKU-Lexington/Richmond