On this West Virginia Morning, around this time of the year, some area churches get into the business of selling chocolate Easter eggs. These are the kind of eggs that have some weight to them, but one West Virginia church has become known far and wide for its chocolate eggs. Zack Harold has the story.

Also, a high school teacher in Taylor County pled guilty this week to not reporting suspected abuse of a student. And, the owner of several North Central West Virginia cemeteries admits he took as much as $550,000 from customers trying to buy grave markers and instead spent it on himself. 

Finally, the organization responsible for managing most of the state’s opioid settlement funds is adjusting its approach to distribution.

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, the state Department of Agriculture earlier this month issued an advisory to poultry owners about the rising number of avian flu cases in surrounding states. So far, it has infected only a small number of poultry farms in West Virginia. But in nearby Pittsburgh, the number of avian flu cases is high. Here’s The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant with that story.

Also, a bill now on Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s desk would direct nearly $3 million to vaping cessation programs. And, the Women’s Swimming & Diving program at Marshall University – which the school said last month it would discontinue – will go on after all.

Finally, lovers and scholars of Appalachian culture will convene at Marshall University this weekend.

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 desperate attempt to pass a bill that had support from both parties in both chambers came down to the final minutes of the 2026 state Legislative session Saturday night. Aimed at keeping children in desperate situations safe, debate over the bill led to high emotions as hope from supporters began to fade. Senior Reporter Chris Schulz looks at what happened – and what comes next.

Also, West Virginia is getting an early jump in the race to power the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. And, scammers are back at it, this time claiming to represent the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and asking for immediate payment.

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, Charlie Castner, a longtime Louisville & Nashville railroad employee and author, died last month. He co-wrote a book in 2024 on one of L&N’s most powerful steam locomotives, titled Big Emma. That was the nickname railroaders gave the engine that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WEKU’s Curtis Tate spoke with one of Castner’s co-authors, Ron Flanary, about the book that was 50 years in the making.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey says the 2026 state Legislative session was a success that will help move West Virginia forward. And, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.

Finally, announcements of new and proposed data centers across the state have been met with great fanfare from state government, but not as much enthusiasm from the communities where the facilities will be located.

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 2026 state Legislative session stretched all the way to midnight Saturday night. WVPB reporters Randy Yohe, Chris Schulz and Maria Young were in the rotunda as the session concluded and brings us this recap.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Saturday posthumously awarded the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal to Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who was fatally wounded during an attack in Washington, D.C. last November.

And, Alex Mayer is no longer Secretary of the state Department of Human Services. His abrupt departure was effective on Sunday. Morrisey has appointed the department’s deputy secretary, Christina Mullins, to serve as acting secretary.

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 new young adult novel titled The Secret Astronomers captures a slice of life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. This debut novel by author Jessica Walter tells the story of a friendship between two high school students as they unravel a decades-old mystery. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Walker before the book was released a few months ago.

Also, the House of Delegates took up more than 130 bills Thursday as the end of session looms Saturday. And, a national group has sued the Trump administration over SNAP food waivers like the one granted to 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.

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, in rural communities across America, there are people traveling many miles from home to deliver babies. In the past five years, nearly 125 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies or announced that they will. That’s about two closings a month. On the next Us & Them, host Trey Kay hears from families facing that change, and how it’s affecting prospects for their rural cities and towns.

Also, a school district that faced a financial crisis at the start of the year is getting back on the right path. And, lawmakers are weighing how best to intervene when students are chronically absent from school.

Finally, a new design for West Virginia’s “I Voted” sticker has been selected through a contest organized by the Secretary of State’s office.

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, online gambling commercials in the state seem to dominate the television and radio airwaves. Those messages are not lost on our college students. Marshall University Broadcast Journalism senior Abigail Ayes just completed an impactful story about student online gambling for the campus news program, MU Report. Randy Yohe, who is also Ayes’ instructor, spoke with the student reporter about her findings.

Also, West Virginia is closer to tapping into the federal Rural Health Transformation funds, but it’s not fast enough for Gov. Patrick Morrisey. And, the chambers of the state Legislature find themselves at odds over an energy bill.  

Finally, Marshall University announced its plan to discontinue the women’s swimming and diving team, but a group of swimmers has asked a court to put that move on hold.

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 annual Mothman Festival has a competition for the title of ‘most unusual Appalachian celebration.’ Bath County, Kentucky, celebrated a historic occurrence this week. The meat shower of 1876. That’s when pieces of meat mysteriously fell from the sky onto a farm. Cheri Lawson was at the festivities and has this report.

Also, a bill to test private management of some child protective service cases drew concern from lawmakers and constituents Monday. And, the West Virginia Senate finalized two bills aimed at improving school security and providing significant support for those aging out of foster care.

 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, with a final budget now approved by both the House and Senate and headed to Gov. Patrick Morrisey for a signature, West Virginia budget watchers say there are looming expenses that haven’t been taken into consideration. We listen to an excerpt from the latest episode of The Legislature Today, where we spoke with Kelly Allen, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy.

Also, more Americans than ever have access to a kind of savings account that lets them set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. But this option takes a little effort to set up and navigate. As part of the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Blake Farmer and Cara Anthony from our HealthQ series explain how it works.

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