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We speak with Ron Flanary, co-author of "Big Emma," a book that explores the story of a powerful steam locomotive that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. Also, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.
Stephan Said played fiddle with Kurdish musicians at a refugee camp in GreeceCourtesy of Stephan Said
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Stephan Said takes his fiddle and guitar to refugee camps and war zones. He’s on a quest to make music that speaks across boundaries.
He’s been to battle-torn cities in Iraq, refugee camps in the Mediterranean and to ravaged Houston after Hurricane Harvey. When he gets to these places, he sits down with local folks to play music and help the healing begin.
Stephan lives in New York, but he traces some of his musical roots to his boyhood in Appalachia. The Village Voice and Billboard Magazine have compared him to Woody Guthrie because he uses his music to bridge divides between people.
Stephan hosts a video docu-series called “Borderless,” which follows him on his travels areas of conflict, from Greece, to Iraq, to Charlottesville, Virginia.
He talked with Trey Kay about his life as a musical ambassador.
Stephan Said’s “We the People” from Charlottesville in 2018
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We speak with Ron Flanary, co-author of "Big Emma," a book that explores the story of a powerful steam locomotive that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. Also, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.
The 2026 state Legislative session stretched all the way to midnight Saturday night. WVPB reporters Randy Yohe, Chris Schulz and Maria Young were in the rotunda as the session concluded and brings us this recap.
On this West Virginia Week, a group sues over SNAP waivers, the coal forecast for next year is gloomy, and we learn how online gambling is affecting college students.
On The Legislature This Week, our legislative reporters discuss bills nearing the finish line and our student reporter talks to first responders about a new safety bill.