West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, we learn about the classic Appalachian ballad “Tom Dooley.” It’s grounded in a true story, but there are different perspectives on what happened. Also, we listen to our Mountain Stage Song of the Week brought to us by the Brooklyn-based modern rockers The Hold Steady.

On this West Virginia Morning, Us & Them host Trey Kay speaks with Dr. James Berry from WVU’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute about medication-based treatment of substance use disorder. Also, in this show, it’s the 35th anniversary of rock icon Peter Gabriel's landmark album “So.” Eclectopia host Jim Lange speaks with Daniel and Lauren Goans who released a track-by-track cover of “So” called "So Low."

On this West Virginia Morning, we have a special, extended episode of our summer education radio series “Closing the COVID Gap.” In this show, we visit four sites in the state where summer school remediation efforts are helping kids with learning loss and social-emotional needs.

On this West Virginia Morning, White Nose Syndrome has decimated bat populations across North America, including the little brown bat. But researchers are looking for ways to fight the syndrome. Also, the American Public University System, based in Charles Town is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

On this West Virginia Morning, a quick response team program has been introduced to the rural county of Wayne to help combat the opioid crisis. Also, we speak with Ethan Barton, the wildlife disease specialist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, to discuss the latest on why a growing number of birds across the mid-Atlantic are becoming sick or even dying.

On this West Virginia Morning, Alan Maimon is an award-winning journalist who lived and reported on Eastern Kentucky in the early 2000s. Inside Appalachia co-host Caitlin Tan spoke with Maimon about his new book “Twilight in Hazard: An Appalachian Reckoning.”

On this West Virginia Morning, antique mechanical clocks are more than just collectibles or things of beauty for some. We meet a man who keeps old clocks running. Also, the need for blood donations is at a critical level nationwide, according to the national Red Cross. We chat with Erica Mani, the CEO of the Central Appalachian region, to find out what is causing the shortage.

On this West Virginia Morning, we explore the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on higher education. Also, we have news updates on a landmark opioid trial in Charleston, on two closing power plants in the state and a petition seeking better protections against black lung disease.

On this West Virginia Morning, sick and dying songbirds are being reported across the country. Wildlife officials are asking people to take down bird feeders and remove birdbaths. Also, in this show, Dolly Sods is the site of an annual nature walk called the West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage. This year was the 59th time that wildflower and birding experts descended on the area for the event.

On this West Virginia Morning, the tourism industry is a growing part of West Virginia’s economy, but what happens to the towns that are now the destination for out-of-state visitors? Also, in this show, we have an update on a former West Virginia lawmaker who was involved in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, and we listen to this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week, brought to us by Patti Smith.