Novel Shares Story Of Historical Black Kingdom In Western North Carolina

Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.

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Government WVPB Staff, Mar. 17, 2025

Energy & Environment Stakeholders Weigh In On Legislative Session

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Curtis Tate speaks with Emmett Pepper of Energy Efficient West Virginia and Lucia Valentine of the West Virginia Environmental Council about energy and environment legislation they’re following, including Senate Bill 592, which would relax safeguards for aboveground storage tanks.

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Education Chris Schulz, Feb. 11, 2025

New Analysis Focused On Learning Recovery Since COVID-19 Pandemic

During the pandemic, academic achievement fell across the board, including foundational skills like reading and math. The Education Recovery Scorecard released Tuesday shows where West Virginia's academic recover ranks nationally.

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Education Chris Schulz, Jan. 29, 2025

Small Improvements In State’s National Reading, Math Scores Belie Lingering Issues

According to national test results released Wednesday morning, West Virginia’s fourth and eighth graders are improving their reading and math abilities. West Virginia’s average ...

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Arts & Culture Chris Schulz, Oct. 17, 2024

West Virginia Book Festival Welcomes Readers To Charleston

The West Virginia Book Festival kicks off at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. Festival goers can attend workshops on writing and the publishing process, ...

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Education Chris Schulz, Sep. 05, 2024

WVU Supports Early Literacy Projects Across The State

Funding from West Virginia University for early literacy programs will help students across the state who are learning how to read.

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Arts & Culture Mason Adams, Jul. 15, 2024

'Wishtree' Author Responds To Virginia Community’s Cancellation Of 'One Book' Program

Katherine Applegate’s book Wishtree was the book chosen by the county school division’s “One Division, One Book” community reading program. The schools distribute a copy of the same book to every family, with a schedule to read a few chapters each night. Midway through the reading, however, the school system abruptly suspended the program. School officials sent an email to families in March, saying community members had raised concerns about certain material in the book. The character in question? A 216-year-old red oak tree.

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