Podcasts about West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Five Faves: 2005 Edition Executive producer Adam Harris walks us through some of the most memorable sets and performances from his first season with Mountain Stage, twenty short years ago. Tune in to hear The Del McCoury Band, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Lizz Wright, Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, Odetta and more! https://bit.ly/4sptuc8

On this West Virginia Morning, a special reading of “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” as well as a year in review from Gov. Morrisey. The post Hear ‘Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa' This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on November 16th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Jack Blocker, Cole Quest & The City Pickers, Courtney Hartman, The Critton Hollow String Band. https://bit.ly/451Cjin

Christmas has become a huge cultural and commercial holiday, but where did we get traditions like Christmas trees? And how do people in other countries celebrate? We talk with West Virginia University (WVU) religious studies professors Aaron Gale and Alex Snow to learn more about Christmas' ancient history. The post The History Of Christmas, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Health care options are shrinking across rural Appalachia. In November, an urgent care center in rural Patrick County, Virginia closed. In the wake of the closure, Inside Appalachia's Mason Adams went to Stuart, Virginia, to meet with the county's only doctor. The post How Health Care Options Are Shrinking Across Appalachia, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, used the law to achieve social change. On the next episode of Us & Them, Trey Kay hosts a community conversation, sponsored by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, highlighting Marshall's legacy through a new Maryland Public Television (MPT) documentary called “Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect.”  The post Latest ‘Us & Them’ Explores Thurgood Marshall's Legacy, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Christmas season for many is not all merry and bright but laced with an emotional weight that at times can be overwhelming. Those challenging emotions prompted a Cabell County musician to compose a different kind of Christmas song. The post New Christmas Song Highlights Emotional Weight Of Holiday, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Trump administration plans to weaken the Endangered Species Act, and that could impact the fate of an ancient creature found in Appalachia: the eastern hellbender salamander. The Allegheny Front's Julie Grant recently visited a new preserve dedicated to hellbenders and found not only natural history – but American history. The post New Preserve To Protect Hellbender Salamander, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Carpenter Ants have been a staple of the state's music scene for decades. For the holidays, the band released “There Ain't No Sanity Claus,” a Christmas record featuring friends like Mountain Stage's Larry Groce, actress/singer Ann Magnuson and singer/songwriter John Ellison. Bill Lynch talked with guitarist Michael Lipton about the album. The post New Christmas Album From The Carpenter Ants, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

A lot of people who came of age listening to the Grand Ole Opry know Little Jimmy Dickens. With his clever songs and his rhinestone-studded outfits, the West Virginia native influenced a generation of performers. Now he's remembered in a new book of poetry. The post State Employee Pay Raises And Little Jimmy Dickens, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Federal funding for arts and culture has been curtailed. Trey Kay looks at the reasons in the latest Us & Them. Also, the state board of education has approved another round of school closures and consolidations, the state Legislature is expected to take up several bills in the coming session to address foster care and children who are homeless, and U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was laid to rest Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton. The post Latest ‘Us & Them' Reflects On 2025, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

It's common at Christmastime for churches and businesses to set up angel trees, decorated with paper ornaments holding a child's name and wish list. Trees set up this year for the children of Iaeger, West Virginia, reflect the long-term damage done by the February floods that devastated McDowell County. The post Christmastime After A Flood, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

We listen to the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh. In their latest story, organizers of a custom mapping project hope it stirs more interest in the Mon River. The post Mapping The Mon River, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Eastern Kentucky is full of isolated, rural towns that have experienced decline alongside the coal industry. But some who want to stick around are trying to revitalize the region's downtown spaces. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, Shepherd Snyder reports. The post Revitalizing Rural Downtowns, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Public radio listeners know acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. WNYC recently released "Our Common Nature," a new podcast that follows the musician and producer Ana Gonzalez as they explore the country. This included a visit to West Virginia. Inside Appalachia's Mason Adams spoke with Gonzalez about the podcast. We listen to an excerpt. The post WNYC's New Podcast ‘Our Common Nature' Visits W.Va., This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

More than nine months after the February flood that hit southern West Virginia, residents are still rebuilding their lives. WVPB asked West Virginia photojournalist Roger May to create a photo essay on the people in that region. May sat down with News Director Eric Douglas to discuss the project. The post Photojournalist Talks Resilience, Recovery After Flood, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Low-head dams across Appalachia have been responsible for many deaths, causing state officials to label them as public safety hazards. But some community members are hesitant to have the fixtures removed. The post The Future Of Low-head Dams, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on November 11th, 2025 at the People's Bank Theatre in Mariette, Ohio. The lineup includes Hannah Cohen, Lera Lynn, Boulevards, Amy Millan, and Oyo. https://bit.ly/445zyvT

Regular listeners to our afternoon programming will immediately recognize the voice of Terry Gross. She has been the host of Fresh Air for 50 years – well before it became a national staple. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Gross recently about her career, her style and the uniqueness of public radio. The post Terry Gross Talks With WVPB About Public Radio, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey appeared on NPR's All Things Considered over the weekend with host Miles Parks to discuss the shooting of the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers, Air Guard Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and Army specialist Sarah Beckstrom. We listen to an excerpt. The post Morrisey Gives Update On National Guard Shooting, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on October 19th, 2025 at WVU's Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. The lineup includes SHADOWLANDS feat. John Raymond & S. Carey, TAE & The Neighborly, Ken Yates, Damn tall Buildings, Erin McKeown. https://bit.ly/3M4Zkdj

People who buy health care through the federal marketplace are set to see their premiums rise 40 percent or more. It depends on whether Congress extends the 2021 enhanced subsidies that help people pay their premiums. Ruby Rayner is a reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press who's been covering this story in Tennessee. Inside Appalachia's Mason Adams spoke with Raynor. The post A Conversation On Increasing Premiums, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

We're an aging nation, and the cost of care is lower the longer people stay in their homes. The trend has led to an explosion in home-based support and care services. On the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay focuses on the challenges of care for our growing elderly population. The post Caring For Our Aging Population, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on October 12th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Craig Finn & The Band of Forgiveness, East Nash Grass, Deb Talan, Nicki Bluhm, and Two Runner. https://bit.ly/3XJq7hP

By now, cooler temperatures have closed many theme parks around the area. But if you've got a craving to get on a roller coaster, you don't have to wait until spring and you don't have to drive very far. Bill Lynch takes us to the Brush Creek Holl'r Mountain Coaster. The post A Ride On W.Va.'s Mountain Coaster, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

WVPB is hosting a special screening of “Becoming Thurgood: America's Social Architect” at Marshall University on Nov. 18, and Us & Them host Trey Kay will moderate the live event along with a panel discussion. Ahead of the screening, Kay talked with one of the panelists, historian Cicero Fain, about why Marshall's story matters now. The post Why Thurgood Marshall's Story Matters Today, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

More than a quarter of adult West Virginians are serving as caregivers for a family member. The AARP just released a new nationwide report on caregiving. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Jane Marks, the state president of the organization, to find out more. The post A Look At AARP's New Report On Caregiving, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

There's a style of singing in bluegrass and traditional music that's rooted in the music of Primitive and Old Regular Baptist churches, places where singers like bluegrass legend Stanley were raised. On a recent episode of Inside Appalachia, reporter Zack Harold introduced us to a woman who helps keep this sacred tradition alive. The post Appalachian Hymn Singing, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

How violent is America? We listen to an excerpt from the latest episode of Us & Them where host Trey Kay looks at what crime data really tells us. The post Understanding Crime Data, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on October 5th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Lilly Hiatt, Joachim Cooder, and Woodbine. https://bit.ly/4qXuRhh

On this West Virginia Morning, decorative pumpkins and Jack O'Lanterns can find a second life on your table and in the garden. We explore ways to reuse fall decorations. Also, we have the latest edition of our occasional series, Almost Heavens. The post Ways To Reuse Fall Décor, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

More than 500 residents of Mercer County are about to find out if they have been chosen for a rare opportunity. They have applied for a Guaranteed Minimum Income program through the nonprofit Give Directly, which uses funds from wealthy benefactors to give cash benefits to those in need. The post New Program To Help Residents In Poverty, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

High winds Wednesday fanned more than 20 fires across the state, and the largest of those fires is still burning. Also, we speak with a journalist who has been covering population decline in central Appalachia. The post W.Va. Wildfire And Appalachia's Declining Population, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Founded by assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA focuses its energies largely on college campuses like Marshall University. Mason County freshman Branson Tolliver is Marshall's chapter president. He talks with Randy Yohe on the goals of this growing student movement. The post A Conversation With MU's Turning Point USA President, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage is a Five Favorites edition featuring a collection of favorite sets from 2023, chosen by our host Kathy Mattea. This special episode includes performances by Jason Isbell, Catherine Russell, Karla Bonoff, The High Kings, and Jennifer Hartswick Band. https://bit.ly/3LokYcs

Halloween may be over, but Mountain State spookiness continues on with a new horror film called "Self-Help" shot in locations near Huntington. The film was produced by brothers Erik and Carson Bloomquist. Bill Lynch spoke with Carson about the film and their experience in West Virginia. The post Spooky Season Continues With New Film, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They've approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they're paying for two coal plants. Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer spoke with WVPB's Curtis Tate about his reporting on those plants. The post A Conversation About Hidden Costs On Utility Bills, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

On this West Virginia Morning, TJ Meadows from the Metro News Network spoke with News Director Eric Douglas about using his background in business and the energy industry to ask questions and shaking things up. The post Questioning The Status Quo, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

West Virginia and her ancient hills are no stranger to spooky happenings and things we can't explain. You'll find no bigger fan of these stories than Jim Lange, the host of Eclectopia. This year for Halloween, he shares this paranormal story from Robert Tipane. The post A Spooky Mountain State Story, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Halloween is more popular than ever. We speak with WVU religious studies professors to learn more about the holiday's rich history. The post Digging Into Halloween's Rich History, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

An influx of cash will provide more than 500 residents at or close to the poverty line in Mercer County $1,500 each month for 16 months. The key here is it's no strings attached. Also, with delays to federal nutritional benefits expected, the state government is trying to step up to meet the need. The post Help For Mercer County Residents And Stepping Up State Nutritional Needs, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on September 28th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes The Baseball Project, The Minus 5, Bob Mould, Chris Stamey, Loose Cattle. https://bit.ly/4hvWHNn

We hear from Huntington-based Facing Hunger Food Bank CEO Cyndi Kirkhart on meeting the challenges faced in getting nutritional food to families in need amid the government shutdown. Also, students in Jefferson County will now have an easier time continuing their education after graduation, and we learn about historic preservation grants available in West Virginia. The post Meeting Food Needs Amid Shutdown, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

There are lots of options for enjoying fall colors across Appalachia. And, America's largest rodent has caused some even larger problems -- but a new national movement that's close to home finds there are reasons to help them out. The post Celebrating Fall In Appalachia And Protecting America's Biggest Rodent, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Help for federal workers and finding literary inspiration at the nation's first radio astronomy observatory. And, an Appalachian writer drew inspiration from memories of her childhood vision to the Green Bank Observatory. The post Help For Unpaid Federal Workers And Inspiration At The Green Bank Observatory, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

One in six West Virginians rely on the federal government's SNAP payments for food -- but that money may not come during the shutdown. And, Us & Them examines how the rocky housing market impacts low income families. The post Concerns About SNAP Benefits And The Rocky Housing Market, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

This episode was recorded on September 21st , 2025 at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. The lineup includes Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes, The SteelDrivers, Basia Bulat, The Wildwoods, and Taylor Rae.  https://bit.ly/3Wmpn1E

This episode was recorded on August 24th, 2025 at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center in Clarksburg, WV. The lineup includes Robert Randolph, Carolyn Wonderland, Patty Larkin, and Nellie McKay. https://bit.ly/472AlQd

This episode was recorded on August 17th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Vanessa Collier, Margaret Glaspy, Matt Andersen, Amythyst Kiah, and Ron Sowell. https://bit.ly/3KBVSX2

This episode was recorded on July 20th, 2025 at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV. The lineup includes Rhonda Vincent, Neal Francis, Otis Gibbs, Cathy Fink, Marcy Marxer, Chao Tian: From China to Appalachia, and Dawn Landes. https://bit.ly/4nPfG8d