On this West Virginia Morning, lots of public radio listeners know acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In the fall, WNYC released Our Common Nature, a podcast that follows the musician and producer Ana Gonzalez as they explore the country. This included a visit to West Virginia. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Gonzalez about the podcast and what she and Yo-Yo Ma learned along the way.  

Also, a panel of federal judges has upheld the constitutionality of West Virginia’s vaccination requirements.

And, much of the state is facing an elevated risk of fire right now.

Finally, Trump administration officials in February announced a change in rules intended to help coal, and March data show solar is quickly catching up.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. 

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, by some measures, West Virginia has the nation’s highest homeownership rate. However much of that housing is old and needs repair. Our latest episode of Us & Them is a recent award winner from the Virginia AP Broadcasters. Trey Kay uncovers an aspect of the housing crisis we don't often hear about – structures without electricity or running water that people call home. We listen to an excerpt. 

Also, state education leaders are highlighting some of West Virginia’s most successful schools.

And, DirecTV workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America — or CWA — have voted to give union leaders the authority to call a strike if negotiations with the company fail to reach a fair agreement.

Finally, democrats in the House of Delegates held a press conference Wednesday to call for a special session to address skyrocketing gas prices.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, fluorspar is a mineral used to make everything from steel, aluminum and gasoline to uranium fuel and batteries. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WKMS’ Lily Burris reports the largest known deposit of the critical mineral in the U.S. is in western Kentucky – and its applications in artificial intelligence (AI) could reawaken the region’s mining industry. 

Also, the West Virginia office of Miner’s Health Safety and Training has released their initial findings from last week’s two fatal accidents.

And, state leaders from both parties are calling on Gov. Patrick Morrisey to help alleviate skyrocketing gas prices.

Finally, state and federal grants are coming to West Virginia for workforce development.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, the economy is everything we buy or sell and services we use. It can be a broad category and most of us struggle to understand what it all means. The show Planet Money from NPR dives into those topics and attempts to make sense of it. And now, the show has published a book called Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life.

WVPB’s News Director Eric Douglas spoke with the author of the book, Alex Mayyasi, and one of the show hosts, Sarah Gonzalez, to break it down and learn more about what readers and listeners can gain.

Also, a new program to ease communications between law enforcement and people with disabilities was recently signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

And, the state Attorney General’s office is trying a new approach to help keep West Virginians informed about scams.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire is a young adult novel set in Appalachia. Written by West Virginia native Don Martin, the book follows the story of a witch-in-training who uses her magic to help a forgotten mountain coal town. It was an instant New York Times bestseller after it was released last year. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Martin about the book and his podcast Head on Fire. 

Also, there were two fatal mine accidents at the end of last week. The first took place in Raleigh County, followed less than 24 hours by an accident in Marshall County. 

And, it’s well known that smoking can lead to lung cancer. New research also finds a connection between lung cancer and air pollution. The Allegheny Front has the story. 

Finally, this past weekend saw the finals of the women’s NCAA tournament and the final game for the men is tonight. 

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Eric Douglas produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, for nearly 100 years, Snuffy Smith has been a staple of newspaper comic pages, though these days, it’s easier to find him online. Snuffy Smith was brought to life by artist Fred Lasswell in the 1930s, but now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke to Rose about drawing the famous hillbilly. 

Also, 12 bills that made it all the way through the legislative process have been vetoed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. And, Frontieras North America has patented a new process that brings hope to the coal industry – and it’s bringing that new technology to Mason County. Finally, a Shepherdstown chef has been named a finalist for a prestigious award.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. 

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, a panel discussion consisting of community, political and data center industry leaders Tuesday night at Shepherd University has reignited the debate over local control of data center development in the state. Chris Schulz has the story.

Also, after a nearly three-month delay, WorkForce West Virginia has released state unemployment figures for January. And, Amazon this week celebrated the grand openings of two news operations facilities in West Virginia.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, it has been a week since the bill creating the state’s new Office of Entrepreneurship was signed into law – with an official opening date of July 1. Assistant News Director Maria Young caught up with Secretary of State Kris Warner, to find out what the new office can do to help would-be new business owners turn their hopes and dreams into reality. 

Also, West Virginia has just racked up a top national tourism award. Gov. Patrick Morrisey called it part of the state’s comeback story. And, high school athletes interested in transferring schools will have to do it as freshmen and sophomores to retain their eligibility.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, overwhelming issues at school districts across the state in the last few years have prompted the West Virginia Department of Education to investigate and intervene in the administration of local education.

As the director of Education Partnerships and Strategy for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, Tiffany Hoben conducted an analysis of the state's 10 most recent Special Circumstance Review of school districts.

Hoben spoke with Education reporter Chris Schulz about her findings and the need for a broader look at the issues facing the state's schools.

Also, the review of a lower court’s school vaccine ruling by the state’s highest court is the latest step forward in the battle over which injections are required for school attendance in West Virginia. And, the workers of a bankrupt eastern Kentucky coal producer have sued the company to recover back pay and benefits.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning 

On this West Virginia Morning, along with the millions who attended “No Kings” rallies across the country last weekend, thousands of people at roughly 20 different events in West Virginia joined in the protests against President Trump and the actions of his administration. Maria Young has the story.

Also, the Clay Center’s Planetarium and Science educator and astrophysicist Shannon Silverman guides us through the cosmos above the Mountain State in our occasional series Almost Heavens. In this latest installment, we learn about Cassiopeia and Andromeda.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning