Jessica Lilly
Reporter/ProducerJessica joined West Virginia Public Broadcasting in 2008 as the Southern West Virginia Bureau Chief and Coal Mine Safety beat reporter. She continues to carry on these passions and follow issues and developments in worker safety, community tap water, and more.
Inside Appalachia won a Regional Murrow in 2016 for the show called, "What Happens When Strangers with Cameras Travel Inside Appalachia?" Jessica was named "Best Radio News Anchor" three years in a row by the Virginias Associated Press beginning in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Concord University chose Jessica as, "Alumnus of the Year" in 2015. She was instrumental in launching Concord University's first FM station, WVCU-LP FM in 2015.
Jessica was chosen by the West Virginia Associated Press in 2013 as the winner of the Significant Impact Award for her influence on broadcasting in the state. She was also the winner of the 2013 Associated Press Best Reporter, Best Enterprise Reporting and Best Feature Runner-Up among other awards throughout her career.
While studying broadcasting and journalism, public relations and business administration at Concord University, Jessica worked as the weekend producer and fill in reporter for WVNS-TV in Raleigh County, West Virginia. She went on to work as a full time reporter for WVNS-TV for about a year.
Jessica graduated from Concord University in 2007, where she was named Concord University’s Reporter of the Year and Producer of the Year.
Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, Jessica grew up in the coalfields of the Mountain State and Wyoming County. She was always busy with activities such as cheerleading or theater.
When she’s not reporting, Jessica is mentoring and coaching the Concord University cheerleading team.
In her spare time, she enjoys watching her children's activities, attending sporting events and theater productions, singing, antiquing, skiing, riding ATVs, and traveling with family.
Email: jlilly@wvpublic.org
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For the first time in history, a graduate of the West Virginia National Guard’s Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy-South will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. -
The Boone County Commission petitioned the state Public Service Commission to declare the Boone-Raleigh Public Service District a distressed or failing utility because the utility can’t afford to make major equipment repairs.
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As the pandemic hit and more people ventured outdoors, one West Virginia family saw how the additional visitors affected state public land. Regular hikers found more litter and traffic. One mother saw it as an opportunity to share stewardship with young people.
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Even before the pandemic, there was an uptick in people working from home. This could mean an increase in contract workers and small business owners. New technology, training and tools are helping some independent workers in West Virginia adapt.
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Myya Helm is one of only 41 students in America to receive the prestigious Marshall Scholarship from the United Kingdom.
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McDowell County students will soon have access to outdoor classrooms. Work began in December at Bradford Elementary, and Mount View and River View High Schools.
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Former State Senator Sue Cline, 75, of Brenton, West Virginia, has died. Cline served in the state senate from 2016 to 2020 representing the 9th Senatorial District
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When coal operators, people and jobs left the area, remnants like some beautiful buildings, coal tipples and water systems were left behind. The crumbling infrastructure that followed was not reliable, which meant living without consistent, clean tap water for many coalfield communities.
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Jim Pajarillo worked as an attorney in San Francisco where entertainment was almost at every corner. In Mingo County, he’s supporting artists and people who want to see more in Williamson.
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The WV Hive offers business guidance to 12 counties in southern West Virginia. The awards ceremony was held in Beckley at the WV Hive offices.
