Tag: Digital Project

Why Do You Stay in West Virginia?

Updated: Friday, May 23, 2014 at 8:35 a.m. 

Our interactive story map and project recap is now available. Access the map to see some of our favorites from the project.

Original Post: Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 12:23 p.m.:

Why do you stay in West Virginia? Is it friends, family, work, recreation? Use Instagram and let us know.

Recently, we aired a series on West Virginia’s predicted population decline and how some young people feel about their opportunities in the state (or lack thereof). Most of those we spoke to said they love West Virginia and want to stay–be it for family or other reasons–but feel there’s few good professional opportunities worth staying for.

In addition, a recent poll from Gallup indicates that only 28% of West Virginians want to move to another state.

With this in mind, we’re teaming up with public radio stations from across the country to find out what makes people stay where they are. But, we wanted to do it in a creative way. So, we’re taking it to Instagram. 

  How to Participate in #WhyIStay:

  • Snap a photo with your smartphone that explains why you stay and upload it to Instagram.
  • Use the hashtag #WhyIStay
  • Be sure to provide a caption. We want more than a pretty photo–your words are equally important.
  • In that caption, be sure to tell us where you live. Since we’re collaborating with other stations, we need to know where you’re from.
  • Tag us: @wvpublicnews.
  • If you don’t have Instagram, use Twitter. You can tag us the exact same way.

You can also follow along with our partner stations in this project. A station’s handle is the same for Instagram and Twitter unless otherwise noted: 

WFAE (Charlotte, N.C.) – @wfaepublicradio   (On Twitter: @wfae)

Boise State Public Radio – @boisestatepublicradio  (On Twitter: @KBSX915)

WBUR (Boston, Mass.) – @wbur

WESA (Pittsburgh, Pa.) – @905wesa

St. Louis Public Radio – @stlpublicradio

Michigan Radio – @michiganradio

KUOW (Puget Sound Region, Wash.) – @kuow 

WNYC (New York, N.Y.) – @wnycradio (On Twitter: @wnyc)

KQED (Northern California) – @kqednews

WLRN (Miami, Fl.) – @wlrn

KTOO (Juneau, Alaska) – @ktoopubmedia  (On Twitter: @360north)

What's Next For West Virginia? Share Your 6 Words

How would you describe the future of West Virginia in six words? We want to know as part of our digital project, What’s Next for West Virginia? 

Here’s your chance to join the conversation and offer six words that reflect what you feel is next for the state. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzNNv5X5l_4
 
You can submit your words (and view other responses) through our project page at wvnextin6.tumblr.com.
 
Feel free to add a photo, a video, or a link to another website to really get your point across.
 
You can also use other social media to make a submission:
1. Send us a tweet.

2. Make a post on Facebook.

3. Take a photo with Instagram.

But, when you do, be sure to tag it with #WVNextIn6.

If you don’t use one of these social media platforms but still would like to participate, it’s possible.

You can give your six words in the submission box below. We’ll publish your response right along with everyone else’s.

Here’s a look at a few examples of submissions we’ve already received:

One submission hinted at the recent spill into the Elk River by Freedom Industries and water crisis that affected 300,000 West Virginians across nine counties.

Others focused on the state’s energy industries:

And many others were more broad and open-ended:

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