Health & Science

On this West Virginia Morning, spring is just around the corner and this year researchers at West Virginia University are on the lookout for this year’s cicada brood, expected to be among the largest. But more importantly, these cicadas have a fungus that affects their behavior. Also, in this show, we have a story exploring solar expansion, and we have the latest in state education and health news.

Family members of those who've died from COVID-19 reflect on the milestone of 500,000 U.S. deaths, and how their individual loss fits within the magnitude of that number.

Three cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, or commonly known as the UK Variant, have been detected in north central West Virginia, state health officials announced Friday evening.“While the presence of this COVID-19 variant in West Virginia is not surprising, it’s a good motivator for us to double down on the prevention efforts we’ve had in place for many months now,” said Dr. Ayne Amjad, West Virginia’s state health officer, in a statement Friday.

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has been celebrated for its efficiency at distributing the coronavirus vaccine, but a local faith group is trying to make sure it is just as good at distributing vaccines to people of color. Also, in this show, we have updates from West Virginia’s statehouse, and we explore community revitalization during the pandemic.

There have been just 165 flu-related hospitalizations since October. Infectious disease specialist Dr. William Schaffner says virtual schooling has kept kids from spreading the flu so readily.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear a story about grandfamilies during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, the 2021 West Virginia Legislative session has begun. We hear from Gov. Jim Justice on his legislative priorities, and we hear an update to a lawsuit filed against Union Carbide.

There are those among us who are needle-phobic. So what's the verdict on the vaccine? And are there any techniques for easing any potential pain?

On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Legislature will convene for its 2021 regular session this week. We hear from a few lawmakers about their priorities this session for criminal justice reform. Also, in this show, we hear the second part in a series from the Ohio Valley ReSource on addiction treatment during the pandemic.

West Virginia, an early epicenter of the opioid crisis, saw overdose fatalities soar, and in parts of the region the rate of increase surpassed the national average. But while the pandemic is compounding the addiction crisis, it has also catalyzed additional state and federal responses in the Ohio Valley to the epidemic. From local clinics and state agencies to newly appointed officials in the White House, people are looking for ways to tackle both new and existing barriers to treatment during the pandemic.

Almost a third of West Virginians rely on the Medicaid program for their health coverage. That includes single moms, caretakers, students and every kind of West Virginian under the sun. As different as their needs are, Appalachians For Medicaid says these patients had the peace of mind that they wouldn’t be strapped with outrageous hospital bills. The group created an online storybook giving voice to those in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio.