Digital Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Balancing Digital, Online Access For Kids And The State’s First Commercial Composting Facility On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, digital devices and social media command more and more of our attention these days. Balancing this and creating healthy boundaries for increasingly younger children is becoming a bigger part of being a parent. Chris Schulz takes a look at this issue in the latest installment of, “Now What? A Series On Parenting.”

On this West Virginia Morning, digital devices and social media command more and more of our attention these days. Balancing this and creating healthy boundaries for increasingly younger children is becoming a bigger part of being a parent. Chris Schulz takes a look at this issue in the latest installment of, “Now What? A Series On Parenting.”

Also, in this show, Monday is Earth Day, an annual reminder of the growing importance of environmental conservation and sustainability. Recycling is a major component of sustainability – and composting highlights recycling at the organic level. As Randy Yohe discovered, West Virginia’s first commercial composting facility is spinning its wheels.

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.

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

DMV Launching All-Digital Vehicle Titles, Registration Process

West Virginia is set to become the first state in the country to digitize vehicle titles and the registration process.

Drivers across the state can keep a digital copy of their titles on their smartphone as a result.

“This is an absolute milestone, not only for West Virginia, but maybe this entire nation,” Gov. Jim Justice said as he made the announcement during his regular COVID briefing Wednesday.

The registration process will be made available through an online portal on the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ website. Agency commissioner Everett Frazier is spearheading the change, and said it will make the process faster and more secure.

“The DMV processed approximately one million titles last year,” Frazier said. “First it’s sorted, sent to our title and registration section, then to data entry and finally our records department. I found this to be a very time consuming and insufficient process.”

He compared it to the agency’s past work launching the electronic lien and title (ELT) program for lenders.

“Before we implemented the ELT process, it took the DMV 30 to 45 days to process titles,” Frazier said. “Today, that work is being processed within a week.”

No official date has been set for the launch, but the portal is scheduled to be put in place during the first quarter of 2023.

Federal, State Officials Recognize Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder to be mindful of digital security and how to prevent cyber attacks.

“For each risk identified you don’t mitigate, you’re accepting,” said Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan.

Some basic cybersecurity tips include simple tasks like creating strong, unique online passwords, updating computer software and using multi-factor authentication to keep online accounts more secure. That’s adding an extra layer to log in, like inputting a code sent via text message alongside a regular password.

“When we talk about cyber hygiene, and we talk about those core fundamentals, that’s the same whether you’re the multibillion dollar, multinational corporation, as if you’re the individual user sitting at home in West Virginia,” Natarajan said.

Being able to recognize and report phishing, or fake messages designed to trick users into sending important or sensitive information, from suspicious emails or text messages is also important.

Natarajan said ensuring your digital footprint is protected is something that should guide day-to-day decisions.

“As you look to buy software or hardware and frankly, services, you’re looking for those that have security built into the design,” Natarajan said. “If I’m going to choose a bank, do I choose a bank that offers multi-factor authentication, or one that doesn’t?”

The agency estimates cyber attacks happen between every 11 to 44 seconds nationwide.

An email sent from CISA representative Jane Cowley to West Virginia Public Broadcasting said the agency is aware of and helped combat 26 cybersecurity incidents in West Virginia within the past 13 months, including those affecting healthcare services, emergency services, local governments and private organizations.

Digging into the Data: A New Look at West Virginia's Heroin Problem

If you’ve been paying attention to our news output here at West Virginia Public Broadcasting as of late, you’ve probably noticed an increased focus on data and digital journalism. Sure, we tell stories on the radio, but emerging technology and innovations have inspired us to present our stories in a new and interesting way.

As part of The Needle and the Damage Done, we wanted to allow our audience to get a better understanding of West Virginia’s heroin problem.

Coming next week–in addition to stories on the air–is a series of interactive data visualizations and a platform for you to share your own stories. Both of which will truly illustrate where things stand.

So, here are a few things to expect on the digital front in exploring West Virginia’s heroin epidemic:

1. Data visualization of West Virginia heroin overdose deaths from 2001 – 2014

Using data provided by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, we can trace the rise of the heroin problem by visualizing the number of heroin overdoses through the years. Also, you’ll be able to see which counties have the biggest problems and when they began to arise.

2. Data visualization of Naloxone administrations from 2012-2014

After the passage of a bill in the West Virginia Legislature, Naloxone–an opioid antagonist that combats the effects of an overdose–will become more widely available to addicts and their families. Using data from 2012 to 2014, we’ll show you how the use of the drug has paralleled the rise of the state’s heroin problem. You’ll see state totals and a county-by-county breakdown of Naloxone administrations over the course of these years.

3. The ability to share your story with us

The digital component also makes the storytelling process work in two different directions. Of course, traditionally, we tell stories to audience. But now, we’re able to have our audience tell us their own stories. Since heroin seems to affect nearly every single West Virginian, we’re making it possible for addicts, those in recovery, family, friends, and anyone else to contribute to our tumblr or using #heroinwv on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You can also email us text, photos, videos or a voice memo: heroin@wvpublic.org.