Across the nation, more than 390,000 children rely on foster care. However, a shortage of licensed foster homes is creating a national crisis. While official foster care cases are carefully tracked, many informal examples of kinship care aren’t part of the data. For this Us & Them episode, we hear the experiences of those who’ve been part of the foster care system.
Atlanta, Georgia isn’t included in the Appalachian Regional Commission, but a lot of Appalachians have moved to Atlanta for work, bringing with them their culture.
After the American Civil War, droves of Appalachian workers migrated to a mill town in the middle of Atlanta, eventually called Cabbagetown.
A Dog Day Afternoon
Dogs are our constant companions. They protect us, keep us company and even provide a set of eyes when we can’t see. Now, therapy dogs are going into schools to help counsel and comfort stressed students.
This year, West Virginia launched the Friends with Paws pilot project in state public schools. Liz McCormick takes us to Welch Elementary in McDowell County to meet the very first dog sent out as part of that program.
The Mothman
There are plenty of cryptids across Appalachia — but the most famous, by far, is West Virginia’s Mothman.
Since his first sighting in 1966, the Mothman has grown into a pop culture, appearing in books, comics and video games. A new movie, “Return of the Mothman,” is out now. Bill Lynch spoke with the film director Herb Gardner about why people are still interested in the Mothman.
Hungry For Humans
The Mothman isn’t the only monster from the mountain state. Earlier this year, Folkways reporter Clara Haizlett reported on Hungry for Humans, a board game that matches West Virginia’s favorite cryptids with some of its favorite places to eat.
Mediums And Spiritualism In Western Virginia And West Virginia
Spiritualism is a metaphysical idea that people can communicate with the dead. It first rose to prominence in America in the mid-1800s and has gone in and out of style over the following generations.
Scott Worley collects spooky stories and gives ghost tours in southern West Virginia. He told us about what spiritualism looked like in West Virginia in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Lucero, Tyler Childers, The Company Stores, Larry Groce, and Del McCoury.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
On this West Virginia Morning, drinking water in Wyoming County is making people sick but it’s unclear who is responsible. Also, a look at voter concerns ahead of May's primary election.
Across the nation, more than 390,000 children rely on foster care. However, a shortage of licensed foster homes is creating a national crisis. While official foster care cases are carefully tracked, many informal examples of kinship care aren’t part of the data. For this Us & Them episode, we hear the experiences of those who’ve been part of the foster care system.
Stock car racing’s roots run deep in Appalachia. Our twisty roads and dark hollers were home to moonshiners — and moonshine runners, who became known for their driving skills. And they became some of NASCAR’s first stars when it formed in 1948. But NASCAR’s oldest continuous racing team had nothing to do with moonshine.
On this West Virginia Morning, domestic violence prevention advocates lined the State Capitol rotunda in February, seeking a budget increase. They said lawmakers were receptive to the idea. But no increase was passed before this year’s regular legislative session ended. Jack Walker checked in with domestic violence prevention advocates on funding needs as a potential special session approaches.