On this West Virginia Morning, despite heavy public opposition, the state Department of Environmental Protection has approved air quality and construction permits for an energy microgrid between the towns of Davis and Thomas in Canaan Valley. Leaders of a grassroots protest say regulators are siding with industry over community. 

And, a six-year battle to prevent construction of a natural gas pipeline was lost. So now conservationists are monitoring the environmental impact of the project that cuts through a protected wildlife corridor.

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, what happens when a bankrupt coal company can’t find a buyer? South Fork Coal – which had operations that were contested by numerous conservation groups – has idled its operations and furloughed its remaining employees. Curtis Tate reports on what happens next.

And, a little-known piece of Harpers Ferry’s storied history is getting some attention. That’s thanks to a new book that shines a spotlight on a pair of African American newlyweds who managed to do something few other Black people of their time could do: open and run a successful restaurant and inn. Jack Walker takes a look at the Lovett family and their years of success in the midst of the Jim Crow era. 

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, some regions have waited more than 30 years for municipal systems to deliver clean drinking water. Meanwhile, they rely on faith communities bringing bottled water. From the tiny town of Anawalt, Wendy Welch attended a water distribution day and brings us this story.

And a lawsuit seeking to halt exemptions to school vaccine requirements has been refiled in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

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, flooding swept through Central Appalachia in February, killing at least 27 people across Kentucky and West Virginia. Six months after the flood, federal and state assistance has been slow to come to the region.

And West Virginia National Guard troops will soon be deploying in Washington, D.C. and protestors plan to send a grim reminder to Sen. Jim Justice.

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, West Virginia writer Sheila McEntee has been observing nature for most of her life, especially birds. For Inside Appalachia, Bill Lynch spoke with McEntee about her first book, a collection of essays about nature titled “Soul Friend: And Other Love Notes to the Natural World.”

And our Song of the Week is renowned singer and songwriter Rodney Crowell’s performance of “Weight of the World,” from his album, "Triage."

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, Curtis Tate, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director and he produced today's episode. Teresa Wills is our host.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, geocaching, has become a cult phenomenon in outdoor recreation. One of the most renowned geocachers lives in West Virginia. He met up with reporter Jack Walker to discuss what’s unusual about his geocaches, and how they’ve shaped local tourism.

And every week more than two U.S. newspapers go out of business. But some publications continue to provide an essential source of local news. On the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with the father - daughter team Ron and Betsy Allen who put out the Hurricane Breeze.

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 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia’s annual Appalachian String Band Music Festival is not just about old-time fiddle and banjo music. Randy Yohe spoke with a few seasoned flatfooters about a dance step that’s been shuffling through our hills and hollows since this land was first settled.

And when a century-old scout camp near Parkersburg came up for sale earlier this year, a group of supporters got together to try buying the place. As Maria Young reports, they wanted to preserve the camp for future generations and ensure that the natural grounds and sandstone caves weren’t paved over.

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 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, the Trump administration has cut staff by more than 24 percent at the National Park Service since January, and Republicans in Congress are proposing more. From the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Derek Parham of WKYU reports that visitors are feeling the impacts nationwide - and at home, in parks like Mammoth Cave and Great Smoky Mountains.

And the latest from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh that reports on environmental issues in the region, is about the demand for energy and the rising costs within the PJM electrical grid that West Virginia is a part of.

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 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, lots of parents have struggled to get their kids to eat healthy food. So imagine the task facing school nutritionists across West Virginia, who are now charged with serving foods that don’t contain the colorful synthetic dyes that can appeal to kids. As Maria Young reports, a new law has forced those experts to learn some important lessons.

Also, Curtis Tate brings us the story of coal miners from West Virginia and surrounding states that met in Morgantown last month to compete in a rescue competition.

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 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

On this West Virginia Morning, an award-winning comic book writer uses his talents to bring authenticity to stories about Appalachia. After he and his dog survived Hurricane Helene almost a year ago, Andrew Aydin started the Appalachian Comics Project.

And, our Song of the Week this week features “Planetarium,” by Blitzen Trapper, an indie rock and folk group from Portland, Oregon.  We’ll listen in on this hit from their album, “100’s of 1000’s, Millions of Billions.”

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, Curtis Tate, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, 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 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning