Alert (09/10/2026): Our Parkersburg TV transmitter is undergoing maintenance for a few days and will not be operational. We apologize for any inconvenience.
All our programming is available via our TV livestreams on our website and WVPB Passport. Thank you for your patience!
This week, in author Willie Carver, Jr.’s new book, he reconsiders a negative childhood experience with a neighborhood girl who might have just been looking for a friend. Also, a southwestern Virginia community rang the alarm after more and more of its children were diagnosed with cancer. A local journalist is trying to unravel the cause. And, the city of Asheville has a new crusading reporter. He’s a puppet.
Across West Virginia, many towns and cities will host Christmas parades and other holiday festivals in December. But only one town can claim to have a historic covered bridge in the backdrop of their festivities. Philippi is hoping to brand itself as a Christmas destination, with a historic twist.
“Christmas was always special here whenever I was growing up,” said Philippi Mayor Phil Bowers, who had the idea to brand the town as “A Covered Bridge Christmas” destination.
“We have tens of thousands of people who ride the Polar Express in Elkins, and we thought, we’re really not doing much to bring those people to Philippi.”
Credit James Owston/ Alderson Broaddus University
/
Covered Bridge in Philippi
Like many locations in West Virginia, the city of Philippi is looking to tourism to boost the local economy.
Next year, the city plans to add additional Christmas-themed activities. This could include ice skating rink, and buggy rides that could transport visitors to view the Christmas lights, Bowers said.
“A Covered Bridge Christmas” kicks off Friday, Dec. 1. There will be a parade on Friday, and other events are planned throughout the month.
This story was produced by students and faculty at the Mass Communication department at Alderson Broaddus University.
Add WVPB as a preferred source on Google to see more from our team
West Virginia is the third most forested state in the country. The fall foliage projection map, a collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the Division of Forestry, promotes the best places in West Virginia to see changing fall colors.
The criminal charges against teacher and now-former delegate Elliott Pritt shocked many. We speak with Moore Capito, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, whose office is prosecuting the case, about what specific steps parents can take to protect their children from predators who seem both successful and safe.
