A Look At The Upcoming Gubernatorial Race On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the stage is now set for a two man, two party political race for governor of West Virginia. Randy Yohe gives us an initial look at what we can expect from the Republican and the Democratic nominees.

On this West Virginia Morning, the stage is now set for a two man, two party political race for governor of West Virginia. Randy Yohe gives us an initial look at what we can expect from the Republican and the Democratic nominees.

Also, in this show, African Americans played a pivotal role in the development of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. In honor of those contributions, the park recently offered special programs dedicated to telling the stories of the enslaved African Americans that helped introduce the largest cave system in the world to visitors.

KPRN’s Alana Watson went on one of those tours and learned more about the park’s history of Black guides — a tour that included a member of a celebrated legacy.

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 Shepherd University.

Emily Rice produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

LISTEN: Kim Richey Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

On this week’s premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, you’ll hear performances from Bettye LaVette, Kim Richey, Keller Williams, The Langan Band, and Megan Jean’s Secret Family. This episode was recorded live at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Ohio.

On this week’s premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage, you’ll hear performances from Bettye LaVette, Kim Richey, Keller Williams, The Langan Band, and Megan Jean’s Secret Family. This episode was recorded live at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium in Athens, Ohio.

Our Song of the Week comes from Ohio University alum and Nashville singer-songwriter Kim Richey. Making her seventh appearance on the show, Richey performed “A Place Called Home,” which was originally released on her 2002 album Rise.

Hear Richey‘s entire set on this week’s broadcast, plus performances from legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette, jam-grass aficionado Keller Williams, Scottish folk trio The Langan Band, and Northern Appalachia supergroup Megan Jean’s Secret Family. Tune in starting Friday, May 17 on these public radio stations.

Thank you to our partners at WOUB Public Media and OHIO Performing Arts & Concert Series.

Be sure you’re watching our podcast page for the newest episodes, and sign up for email updates to help plan your trip to be a part of a live show in Charleston, West Virginia and on the road!

Primary Election Recap And A Discussion On Child Nutrition, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, the results from Tuesday’s primary election came in mostly as expected. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has covered the intense campaigning leading up to the primary and he joins us live in the studio with results and reactions.

On this West Virginia Morning, the results from Tuesday’s primary election came in mostly as expected. Government Reporter Randy Yohe has covered the intense campaigning leading up to the primary and he joins us live in the studio with results and reactions.

Also, in this show, we have the latest installment of our series “Now What? A Series on Parenting.” Parents are often left with many questions about how to raise a child. Two of the areas that are most concerning and confusing are feeding and nutrition. Government programs can offer many kinds of support, as Chris Schulz learned when he sat down to speak with WIC Outreach Liaison Sarah Moore.

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 Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Armstead Declares May ‘Treatment Court Month’

Tim Armstead, chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, declared May ‘Treatment Court Month’ to recognize an alternative to incarceration that addresses substance use disorder.

Substance use disorder often plays a role in crimes reviewed by West Virginia courtrooms, according to Chief Justice Tim Armstead of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

That’s why the state offers an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders with substance use disorder: treatment court.

Treatment courts allow West Virginians with substance use disorders to receive counseling and medical support, as opposed to outright incarceration.

To celebrate the work that these programs do, Armstead issued a proclamation last week declaring the month of May “Treatment Court Month” in West Virginia.

“In many cases, substance abuse and addiction play a role in criminal conduct committed by individuals who come before our courts,” Armstead said. “Treatment courts are an important tool in holding these individuals accountable for their actions while at the same time providing them the encouragement, accountability and support network they may need to overcome their addiction.”

In 2023, West Virginia had 66 different treatment courts. Armstead said these programs play an important role in improving public safety, without the financial burden tied to incarceration.

“Graduates of treatment courts can return to their families and jobs, which bolsters our economy and improves public safety,” he said. “Treatment courts also save the state thousands of dollars for each participant who is not incarcerated.”

Encore: The Climbing Climate And Paddle Making, Inside Appalachia

This week on Inside Appalachia, rock climbers with disabilities have found a home in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, which offers some pumpy crags. Climbers have also been working to make West Virginia’s New River Gorge more inclusive. And a master craftsman, who makes one of a kind whitewater paddles remembers some advice.

This week, rock climbers with disabilities have found a home in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, which offers some pumpy crags.

Climbers have also been working to make West Virginia’s New River Gorge more inclusive.

And a master craftsman, who makes one of a kind whitewater paddles remembers some advice.

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:


Adaptive And Inclusive Climbing

The mountains of Appalachia are home to some killer rock climbing, but they’re also accessible for some groups who’ve felt excluded in the past. 

Adaptive Sports Reporter Emily Chen-Newton covers athletes with disabilities. She brings us this story, exploring why climbing festivals are making a home in Appalachia.

Removing Racist Language From Rock Climbing

In West Virginia, one of the most popular climbing destinations is the New River Gorge. Advanced rock climbers continue to pioneer new climbing routes there. The first people to climb these new routes are called “first ascensionists.” And they get the privilege of naming the routes. But what happens when dozens of those route names are plainly and clearly offensive?

In 2020 and 2021, Zack Harold followed the story of a climber at the New River Gorge who wanted to make the sport he loved more inclusive for his son. 

Crafting A Classic Paddle

Jon Rugh with his wooden paddle at the New River near Blacksburg, VA.

Photo Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Appalachia has several huge rivers — the New River, the Youghigheny, the Pigeon — so, it’s no surprise whitewater paddling is popular across the region, but it wasn’t all that long ago that modern paddlers first started exploring these rivers, designing their own gear and even building their own paddles. Some of those DIY paddle makers became master crafters.

Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett followed one. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sturgeon Creek, Anthony Vega, Oakfield, the Delorian, Biba Dupont, Marissa Anderson, Tyler Childers, Jerry Douglas and John Blissard.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Mountain Valley Pipeline, Children’s Mental Health And Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, Curtis Tate tells us about problems with the Mountain Valley Pipeline as it nears completion, Emily Rice discusses children’s mental health with state expert and Mountain Stage brings us the Song of the Week with Watchhouse performing “The Wolves.”

On this West Virginia Morning, Curtis Tate tells us about problems with the Mountain Valley Pipeline as it nears completion, Emily Rice discusses children’s mental health with state expert and Mountain Stage brings us the Song of the Week with Watchhouse performing “The Wolves.”

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 Shepherd University.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

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