West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, direct-to-consumer tests like full-body scans are marketed as a way to catch diseases early and establish a baseline. But there are financial, physical and psychological risks to all medical tests — and in some cases, not getting a test could be better for your health. From the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, HealthQ hosts Cara Anthony and Blake Farmer speak with UCSF Cardiologist Dr. Rita Redberg. 

Also, two cases on school vaccination requirements before the state Supreme Court of Appeals have been combined.

And, midterm elections are now less than a month away, but there are several deadlines to consider before Election Day.

Finally, a new West Virginia-themed board game inspired by the Game of Life is coming to classrooms across the state.

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, during spooky season, popular attention turns toward ghosts and goblins – or if you live in Appalachia – cryptids. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Bill Lynch, producer of Inside Appalachia, brings us the story of the Flatwoods Monster.

Also, fire safety experts are turning their focus to an increasingly common part of modern life: batteries.

And, the votes have all been counted – more than 3,200 of them – and now the winner of the very first Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia competition has been announced.

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, a specific style of ballroom dance is helping disenfranchised young people find community in Appalachia. In our latest episode of Inside Appalachia, we explore LGBTQ ballroom culture and community in Roanoke, Virginia. Mason Adams has this excerpt. 

Also, the state of West Virginia was briefly on a list of potential nuclear generation sites, but it appears that project is off.

And, five children who were abused, despite multiple calls to Child Protective Services (CPS), will share a $4.4 million settlement, announced in Kanawha County Circuit Court this week.

Finally, state officials have released the plan for a marathon hearing over a proposed power line that will cross four West Virginia counties.

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 and Maria Young.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young is our producer.

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

On this West Virginia Morning, a popular room with a view comes with a history that explains why it’s the hottest new rental around. Fire towers that served as lookout sites for early signs of fire from the 1930s until the 1970s have found a new life as the latest camping spot for those with a head for heights, and a little bit of patience.

Also both the Secretary of State and the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia are letting the public know about free resources for voters in the leadup to the Nov. 3 general election.

And rural hospitals in West Virginia continue to receive millions of dollars to make it easier for patients to access healthcare through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

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, across the Appalachian Mid-South, local law enforcement is doing more to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining people. Morgan Watkins with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting analyzed the latest data on ICE arrests in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Louisville Public Media's Bill Burton spoke with her about what she learned. 

Also, the Trump administration's promotion of domestic energy and mineral resources is driving a need for more engineers.

And, a Beckley native convicted of a brutal murder in 1995 is set to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in 200 years. Christa Gail Pike is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 30. WPLN’s Catherine Sweeney reports.  

Finally, an annual report released this month shows West Virginia is one of two states nationwide showing a significant drop in adult obesity rates between 2024 and 2025.

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 West Virginia Public Broadcasting or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, many farmers in our region raise sheep for meat, but not so much for wool. There’s not a great market for it with textile companies overseas, but researchers at Virginia Tech have teamed up with farmers, to figure out how to use wool to insulate houses, potentially creating a new market. Radio IQ’s Roxy Todd reports.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey is applauding the Trump administration for repealing a Biden-era policy on gender identity.

And, low- and moderate-income households will be able to save on their energy bills thanks to millions in federal funding secured by the West Virginia Office of Energy.

Finally, a Kentucky nonprofit has established a new birding trail along Pine Mountain, not far from the West Virginia border. They’re hoping to attract birdwatchers and help conservation efforts.

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 West Virginia Public Broadcasting or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, artificial intelligence, or AI, is a hot topic right now. It seems everyone is using it – even if they sometimes don’t realize they are. Recently, News Director Eric Douglas saw a presentation as part of the Higher Education Policy Commission's STAR lecture series with Professor Ali Al-Sinayyid. He's an assistant professor and director of the West Virginia State University Cybersecurity Innovation Center.  

In this first part of our conversation with Al-Sinayyid, we learn a little about the history of AI and its evolution. Next week, we'll have more of this conversation covering tips on how to use AI more effectively. 

Also, a student club at WVU Tech has garnered national recognition.

And, Operation Lifesaver’s annual Rail Safe Week wrapped up over the weekend with a series of events to promote safety at railroads. In West Virginia, organizers hosted a rail safety awareness event at the Harpers Ferry Train Station.   

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 West Virginia Public Broadcasting or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, hockey is still finding fans and players in central Appalachia, but just because it’s an emerging sport in this region doesn’t mean we don’t have hockey heroes. Inside Appalachia’s Abby Neff met with Gwyneth Phillips, a goalie for the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympics Women’s team, to learn more. 

Also, several counties across West Virginia are still seeking poll workers for the Nov. 3 General Election. 

And, residents of three West Virginia counties are one step closer to reliable electric service in their homes. 

Finally, Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency for Boone and Lincoln counties following significant flash flooding on Wednesday.

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 and Maria Young.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young is our producer.

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

On this West Virginia Morning, in the runup to the midterm elections, it’s time for a new Us & Them dinner party. Host Trey Kay brings West Virginians together from a range of political perspectives to share some family dishes, as well as their thoughts. This time around, the conversation included some new topics as well as some of the familiar issues that divide us. We listen to an excerpt.  

Also, final preparations have been underway all week for National Save A Life Day.

And, a Preston County organization received recognition this week for its restoration and preservation of a nationally significant historic site.

Finally, Marshall University has been awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a new scholarship program.  

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 West Virginia Public Broadcasting or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, the votes are in – more than 3,200 of them – and the winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia competition will be announced next week. It’s down to the final five. Assistant News Director Maria Young caught up with Bill Bissett, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, which is hosting the contest, to find out more about the finalists. 

Also, a bat found in Kanawha County has tested positive for rabies. Kanawha-Charleston Health Officer Dr. Steven Eshenaur said the presence of rabies in the region should serve as a reminder to never approach an animal that appears to be injured or sick.

And, lawyers made their cases in the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Tuesday afternoon about how the West Virginia Legislature's oversight of education will be executed.

Finally, the total number of employed West Virginians increased slightly in August, and the unemployment rate fell, but there were job losses in critical fields.

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 West Virginia Public Broadcasting or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning