On this West Virginia Morning, the Food and Drug Administration approved the Johnson and Johnson, one-shot vaccine for emergency use. Now, there are three different vaccines available in the United States. We hear about them from experts. Also, we hear about a group called Re-Imagine Appalachia, and we have a conversation with CBS News' Senior White House Correspondent and West Virginian Weijia Jiang.

View NPR's maps and graphics to see where COVID-19 is hitting hardest in the U.S., which state outbreaks are growing and which are leveling off.

Today is the 49th anniversary of one of the worst mining catastrophes in West Virginia history, the Buffalo Creek Disaster. More than 100 people died in southern West Virginia when a dam failed.

A coalition of non-profit organizations is hoping local and national leaders will adopt a plan that they say could create 41,100 jobs in West Virginia. The group called Re-Imagine Appalachia released a blueprint last week.

The Food and Drug Administration typically follows the advice of its expert advisers. A quick agency decision on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected given the state of the pandemic.

A new piece of legislation from West Virginia’s state senators would give county commissioners more control over decisions made by local health departments. Senate Bill 12 passed one chamber, and then the other, in less than a week.

The West Virginia Legislature has completed work on a bill that elevates two high-profile state government jobs to cabinet-level positions.

Senate Education Chair Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, and House Education Minority Chair Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, join WVPB’s The Legislature Today from the Capitol building. The lawmakers discuss the Hope Scholarship bill, charter school legislation, and the needs of students following almost a year at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of West Virginia’s Covid-19 rollout, health officials are reaching out to veterans.At the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center yesterday, about 400 people got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Folks like 60-year-old Michelle Powell of Wheeling. She drove down to the capital city with her husband John, who’s 61 and served in the armed forces.

Melissa Schroeder, a 5th-grade teacher from Lincoln County, has earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Award, which recognizes excellence and creativity in and out of the classroom. Schroeder was presented the award this week at West Hamlin Elementary in Lincoln County, West Virginia.