Morgantown

On this West Virginia Morning, poetry often tells stories of truths about our lives and personal struggles, and poets in Appalachia are no stranger to those stories. We speak with Kentucky’s new poet laureate Crystal Wilkinson, who is the first Black woman to have this title in Kentucky.

Morgantown City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to create a civilian police review board, the culmination of a year-long process sparked by the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.In the wake of Floyd’s murder and nationwide protests, Morgantown city officials and community members started to talk about how their city could benefit from a police board with civilian members. The city formed a special committee and it began meeting weekly to hash out the proposal’s details.

George Tanios, a Morgantown resident and owner of Sandwich University, will remain behind bars pending trial on charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.Tanios and Julian Khatar of Pennsylvania face 10 felony counts, including conspiring to injure police. The two men were arrested by federal law enforcement in March and were denied bail in a joint hearing Tuesday.

The Hotel Morgan, a historic hotel on High Street, reopened on Tuesday in Morgantown under new ownership and after millions of dollars in renovations.“We are thrilled to once again be part of the community,” said Robert Mickey, general manager of The Hotel Morgan.

A federal judge ruled Monday that George Tanios, a Morgantown man indicted on charges of conspiracy to injure U.S. Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, will stay in jail pending a trial. One officer, Brian Sicknick, died the next day.In his ruling, Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi said he could not ignore the broader context of the Capitol riots.

On this West Virginia Morning, home prices in much of Appalachia are on the rise as people leave larger cities to get away during the coronavirus pandemic. We explore this trend. Also, we have the latest news from West Virginia’s statehouse and other news from around the state.

George Tanios, a 39-year-old Morgantown resident and restaurant owner, has been arrested and charged in the assault of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, according to federal court documents.Tanios and Julian Khater, 32, of Pennsylvania, were arrested on Sunday. Tanios appeared virtually before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi of the Northern District of West Virginia for an initial appearance.

Jett Morton is pretty good at installing new shelves for his growing collection.Between the “Typewriter Room” in his parents' basement and the four large metal shelving units in the living room of his Morgantown home, his collection of antique typewriters take up a lot of space.

On this West Virginia Morning, young people are making typewriters cool again. We explore why. Also, we have the latest news from the West Virginia Legislature.

As Charleston confronts a rise in HIV cases, a look only 150 miles north to find an effective harm reduction program with community support.