Dr. Susan Patrick, Director of Childhood Success with the United Way of Southwest Virginia, talks about the childcare crisis and how it can be a drag on a local economy, even limiting the number of available jobs.

If a parent brings home $22,000 a year from a $15 an hour salary, how can the family afford to have a second parent work with minimum child care costs of $11,000 a year?

Dr. Patrick addresses a broad range of issues related to educating and caring for children in This Conversation.

Linda Modica is president of the Citizens Awareness Network in Erwin, Tennessee and her group is trying to stop a new procedure for enriching uranium, scheduled for Nucelar Fuel Services. She says the water, air, and people are being effected by nuclear contamination in the area. She talks about where their appeal stands in stopping the new processing in Erwin and explains why she became an activist in nuclear issues.

In the continuation of my conversation with James Gibbs, International Vice President of the United Mine Workers, Gibbs talks about his career in the mines, UMWA representation of workers who are not miners, and the union's relationship with government representatives.

James Gibbs has worked in mining for 40 years and knows a thing or two about mine worker issues. IN fact, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine invited Gibbs to be his guest at President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address. Gibbs used the opportunity to plead his case for continued support in protections for miners -- and for assistance in good paying jobs with benefits for replacing lost mining jobs. Gibbs has plenty to say about politics and how miners have been treated by everyone from major political parties and coal companies to specific lawmakers.

In fact, he had so much to say in this episode that we're continuing the conversation in an upcoming Part II.

Olivia Bailey, former news anchor at WCYB-TV talks about moving on from television into marketing for Friends of Southwest Virginia. She also talks about her recent appearance at the 2023 Rotary Frolics.

MAJOR KRISTIN BEO WOLFE

Major Wolfe has ties to Southwest Virginia and is a history-making fighter jet pilot in the U.S. Air Force.

She was the first woman to command an Air Force demo team and currently commands the 13-person F-35A Team that tours the country and the world letting people see on the world's most sophisticated stealth jet.

In this interview, she shares details about her career, about the capabilities of the plane, and a bit o information about her times in the Abingdon/Bristol area.

You could have seen her fly over the Superbowl in 2021. And you can see her phenomenal performance in the cockpit at air shows through a simple Google search -- or by clicking the link below.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrFcDhrpOVjsTIA2SFXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=kristin+beo+wolfe&fr2=piv-web&type=E211US105G0&fr=mcafee#id=10&vid=6d607f2773fad0741e86ea2daaafaef1&action=view

In this episode, we talk with Vernon Miles who is headed to Korea to direct joint military exercises. We trace his career and hear about the challenges and threats on and around the Korean peninsula.

Rail Solution director David Foster reviews efforts to move trucks onto trains to move through the I-81 corridor.

Marketing specialist in Coast Guard Recruiting Command Zach Hupp believes that young people should examine career options in the Coast Guard. His experience has taken him on international adventures and into special public affairs training where he traveled as the official photographer for the Secretary of Homeland Security. He says there is a serious need for military recruits and points to the Coast Guard's focus on reaching out to women and minorities. The signing bonuses he talks about are impressive for positions from cook to law enforcement. You don't even have to be a strong swimmer to join. For young people who are looking for a direction and purpose, Zach says you can find @gocoastguard on social media. He'll get the message and would love to talk to you.

Retired educator Jerry Hill grew up in Washington County, Va. and was inspired by Martin Luther King's commitment to nonviolence and to peace. Hear why he says people should attend special programs on Jan. 12 and join in the annual march and program in Abingdon on Jan. 14, 2022. in order to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King.