Ohio's Ancient Earthworks And Ballad Singing After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia

This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.

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Health & Science Chris Schulz, May. 22, 2026

Farmers In W.Va. Look For Path Forward After Federal Grant Program Cancellation

A small federal grant program aimed at increasing first-time farmers’ access to land, training and tools was finding fertile ground in West Virginia. But in March, the Trump administration suddenly terminated it, leaving local partners uncertain about their futures.

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Health & Science Eric Douglas, Mar. 30, 2026

State Loses Grant Money For Farmers Due To DEI Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled a large grant program that has provided millions of dollars in annual funding to West Virginia.

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WVPB News Jan. 20, 2020

Grocers In Rural Towns Struggle To Stay In Business

There’s a picture frame on the wall next to the customer service desk in the IGA in Inez, Kentucky. Inside the frame is a scrap of beige meat-counter…

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WVPB News Sep. 13, 2019

SOAR at 6: Group’s Lofty Goals for Coal Country Meet Challenges on the Ground

In a conference hall in Pikeville, Kentucky, this September, Gov. Matt Bevin led an eager audience in a countdown. When the audience reached “One!,” a map…

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WVPB News Jul. 15, 2019

How a Carbon Tax Could End Some Coal Towns, or Fund a New Future

Declining coal tax revenues place coal-reliant counties in Appalachia at risk of fiscal collapse, according to new research from the centrist Brookings…

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WVPB News May. 24, 2019

Ohio Valley Farmers Unsure About New Trump Trade Aid Payments

The U. S. Department of Agriculture announced Thursday details of a second round of aid totaling $16 billion for farmers affected by the trade war with…

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