Us & Them

West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) has won two 2022 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards (RTDNA) in the Large Market Radio category.

On this West Virginia Morning, Mountain Stage is a nationally known treasure that originates from Charleston, West Virginia. Getting your shot on that stage has been a big break for musician John Inghram who has been part of the music scene in the Kanawha Valley for more than 20 years.

A weedkiller called dicamba has caused a split in otherwise tight-knit farm communities. In Arkansas, where initially there had been tight restrictions over its use, some farmers successfully pushed to expand its use. Yet others claim that the weedkiller may be damaging the habitat of the “Natural State.”

There’s a broad spectrum of trust when it comes to information about COVID and vaccinations. Some say they want an honest conversation about risks and rewards, but aren’t hearing it. Healthcare experts say the pandemic has presented a range of moving targets. They recognize the challenge people face looking for information. For this episode, host Trey Kay speaks to people at different stations on the broad range of the trust continuum.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about an ongoing culture war in classrooms: book banning, and why some activists argue books need to be taken off school shelves. Also, in this show, The Allegheny Front, based in Pittsburgh, has their latest story on fines against a company that allowed drilling mud to spill for up to a month.

The debate over curriculum choices and classroom materials has emerged again across the nation as a major topic of division. Some say educators should decide what’s appropriate for students, while others advocate for more “parental choice.” Some parents in communities across the country are calling for some books to be banned from public schools.

On this West Virginia Morning, teachers and coaches have tremendous influence over students with the things they say and do. A new law in West Virginia aims to give them more tools when it comes to student health.

The story of who we are as a nation is being challenged. Examining America’s racial history is not easy and not welcomed by everyone.

On this West Virginia Morning, there are more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the country. The two in West Virginia were born when educational opportunities for Black students were limited and segregated. Today, some schools are actively recruiting a more diverse student population.

What defines a historically Black college or university? Is it all about the student demographics, or is it something else? In an era of intense competition for student enrollment, many of America’s HBCUs are working to adapt and diversify. Are West Virginia’s two HBCUs coming along on that journey?