But over the next five years Alpha kept buying up other companies, culminating in its purchase of Massey Energy Co., the biggest coal company in central Appalachia. But critics like Macey, now a law professor at the University of Chicago, say the code is ill-equipped to deal with obligations imposed by labor or environmental laws. And thanks to WVPB Mountain Stage has gone national. "Alpha cannot simply walk away from those obligations," the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection said in objecting to the plan. On this West Virginia Morning, one hotly debated bill before the state legislature is one that restricts gender-affirming health care for state youth. Whether it's important news events, interesting features about people and places, the latest in environmental news, stories about education or the economy, West Virginia Public Broadcasting's team of experienced reporters bring listeners in depth stories and interviews from around the state. Some streams near mining areas are laced with sulfuric acid, salts and metals such as aluminum and iron, which turn the water orange. February 16, 2023 School Choice And A New Study Sheds Light On Financial Costs Of Suicide, This West Virginia Morning On this West Virginia Morning, from the Hope Scholarship to charter. Eric Douglas is our news director and producer. Cory Maynard. And he's not holding out hope that an Alpha or Lexington executive will offer to pay for a new floor. WV Educational Broadcasting Authority, the WVPB Foundation, and the Friends of WVPB. This year, the convention has added a second weekend. But it may be returning to where we were before that. Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with Jack Tensley to talk about his trip. Sunday morning, West Virginia University men's basketball interim head coach Josh Eilert announced his coaching staff. Thats according to a new report from Standard & Poors. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Nickles and her class about the assignment, which sparked a conversation about regional identity. "The people living in this once-beautiful landscape," she says, "are now living in a landscape that is really, really altered.". Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases. Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor has the story. On this West Virginia Morning, housing can be a difficult issue for many but especially for those in marginalized communities. He spoke with energy and environment reporter Curtis Tate about the volatility of the severance tax. A variety of resources for professional growth. But the former owner, now named Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc., transferred the mine and its cleanup obligations to a smaller company in 2018, the year before Hatfield fell through his floor. Kentucky regulators have said that Love Branch caused the flooding of Hatfield's home and those of his neighbors above Deer Lick Road. Turnout among 18 to 29-year-olds shot up in the 2020 election to a level not seen since the 1970s. Kristian Thacker for Bloomberg Green Selenium is just one of the threats to Appalachia, home to one of the oldest and most biodiverse mountainous ecosystems on Earth. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. His latest poetry collection is called "Dark Hills of Home." Listen Live : West Virginia Public Broadcasting Consumer and environmental groups, large industrial users and even the PSCs Consumer Advocate testified against it. "The majority of LCC's [Lexington Coal Company's] active work company wide is reclamation," it said. Misconceptions Of W.Va. Statehood And Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning. I like your show and I've never been to WV, only Virginia! Recorded at the Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass., with Not My Job guest Karen Allen and panelists Karen Chee, Negin . "I've never seen it that bad.". Government Reporter Randy Yohe spoke with Del. On this West Virginia Morning, this past winter was unseasonably mild. That means balancing out the number of judges covering the state to make sure that every case gets heard in a timely manner. Nathan Howard/Getty Images While we enjoy the usual NPR programming, we get others which are less common. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with the reporters on legislative duty. Thanks. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. Drug firms say they acted responsibly in shipping millions of pills. But some people prefer the old-fashioned way, which isnt always simple. #WVMorning, February 10, 2023 On this West Virginia Morning, energy costs have gone up for West Virginians in the past couple of years. Browse TV Schedule | Find WVPB Television, View Radio Schedule | Find Your Stations. West Virginia Morning on Apple Podcasts 100 episodes Whether it's important news events, interesting features about people and places, the latest in environmental news, stories about education or the economy, West Virginia Public Broadcasting's team of experienced reporters bring listeners in depth stories and interviews from around the state. On this West Virginia Morning, General Steak and Seafood in Charleston is a local staple. Caroline MacGregor reports. On this West Virginia Morning, we listen back to our Friday reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today where our WVPB reporters Randy Yohe and Chris Schulz were joined by veteran TV newsman from WCHS in Charleston Bob Aaron. On this West Virginia Morning, advances to the pastime of fishing include new reels, lures, and gadgets to help you catch fish. On this West Virginia Morning, Senate Bill 10 is expected to pass the House of Delegates this week. Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores how young people engage with politics. Lexington denied in court filings that it is responsible for any flooding or damages. Become a member with your gift of $1,000 or more. On this West Virginia Morning, news about book bans have been in the spotlight lately, but books are also being banned in prisons without much public attention. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. Near the top of the mountain, he pulled the car off the road, eyed the grass for rattlers, then snapped the propellers onto his drone. Coal companies found ways to shed cleanup of old mines : NPR On this West Virginia Morning, Civil War historians are recognizing a unique local celebration that happened during the conflict in the wilds of southern West Virginia, when 20 Jewish Union soldiers came together during the conflict for a Passover feast known as a Seder. Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health. Appeals court to hear challenges to lithium mine from - NPR Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice sat down with the chairs of the Senate and House Health committees: Del. And the federal judge overseeing a lawsuit accusing Lexington of polluting streams and rivers at two other mines told the company he was "losing patience" with its lack of progress and imposed a $1,500 per day fine. By shedding those permits, more than it currently holds, the company also freed itself from the responsibility to clean up the mines. Yeager Airport Official Named To State Journal's 40 Under 40 - West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, who is also a doctor, to get his thoughts on the state of health in West Virginia and what the legislature can do to help. Anything officials might do to enforce environmental laws from issuing fines, halting coal production or revoking permits hampers the new owners and could result in even less money to restore blighted landscapes. On this West Virginia Morning, the biggest story to watch at the West Virginia Legislature this week will be proposed tax cuts. Randy Yohe speaks with state Emergency Medical Director Jody Ratliff on whats being done to relieve the mental anguish first responders face on the job. Residents in West Virginias Mingo County have watched as some of their health care options vanished. To get an idea of how it might shape up, Curtis Tate spoke with Kyle Kondik, communications director for the University of Virginia Center for Politics. To guarantee their obligations, these companies Lexington, Blackjewel LLC and ERP Environmental Fund Inc. have posted bonds of less than half that amount, leaving a potential shortfall of about $480 million, the analysis shows. //www.npr.org . Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with Sheldon and co-producer Molly Born about the film. On this West Virginia Morning, May is mental health awareness month. By another measure, Lexington is doing even worse: Of the $190 million of bonds that regulators required it to post to guarantee reclamation, they have authorized the release of just $24 million, or about 13%, according to state data compiled by Bloomberg and by Appalachian Voices, an environmental advocacy organization. Massey had been shaken by a 2010 explosion that killed 29 people, the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in 40 years. On this weeks Inside Appalachia, Folkways Reporter Zack Harold traced the story of Face Jugs, from a basement pottery studio in Shinston, West Virginia to Africa. Arts & Culture Zack Harold, Jul. Reporter Chris Schulz examines their growth. #WVMorning, February 6, 2023 On this West Virginia Morning, book deserts are places without nearby libraries or bookstores, which can be very hard for children just learning to read. On this West Virginia Morning, Assistant News Director Caroline MacGregor talks with House Minority Leader Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha, and Sen. Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, to learn about what the state legislature has planned to support that growing tourism industry. Also, in this show, in last week's installment of the radio series "Getting Into Their Reality: Caring For Aging Parents," News Director Eric Douglas spoke with a funeral director on planning ahead. Gary VanNatter, another former coal miner, lives in one of them. Wildfire smoke live updates: Detroit, Chicago and the Midwest - NPR On this West Virginia Morning, 100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die is a new book to help locals and visitors explore the Mountain State. Watch locally produced documentaries & more. Radio: Radio Schedule - West Virginia Public Broadcasting "These billion-dollar corporations are going to do whatever they want to do because they own the state," he said one day in July, as branches slapped the dirty windshield of his car bumping up a steep dirt road in southern West Virginia. Podcasts : West Virginia Public Broadcasting : NPR The nearby Crescent mine, which Lexington also took over from Alpha, has been the subject of more than 30 environmental violations and about $50,000 in fines for failing to control runoff and letting boulders roll downhill to damage trees. Arch and Peabody didn't respond to requests for comment. Alpha would follow that same strategy. Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative shows that the number of people incarcerated in the state is on the low end nationally. Eclectopia - West Virginia Public Broadcasting On this West Virginia Morning, electricity costs in West Virginia have grown faster than any surrounding state, according to a report by environmental consulting firm Downstream Strategies. n this West Virginia Morning, the challenge to recruit and retain public school bus drivers remains at a critical level, and its having a ripple effect on student education. Alpha offloaded mines that were later acquired by other companies with leaders who have been accused of wrongdoing or a history of environmental violations. On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice John Hutchison recently delivered a letter to the court indicating he will not be seeking reelection when his term ends. Junior Walk sees that unfinished work every day. West Virginia basketball coach Bob Huggins has resigned a day after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving in the latest incident in a Hall of Fame career that imploded quickly. On this West Virginia Morning, several lawmakers called the just completed legislative session historic, while others were concerned over the focus on major economic development rather than helping working West Virginians. On this West Virginia Morning, some struggling families may now have less government support for food, as COVID-19 pandemic-era emergency allotments come to a close. "And what they want to do is whatever's cheapest for them and worst for us.". CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A program offering cash and free outdoor adventures to remote workers to move to West Virginia with the hope of offsetting population losses has added a fifth destination where out-of-state workers can apply to live. "It's sinking my foundation," says VanNatter, 36, who worked for Alpha about a decade ago and has lived in the area his entire life. Instead of an open-ended commitment to pay whatever was required, Alpha's obligations were now capped. Can you please have on Paul and Sasha from the satirical news show "Community News by Paul and Sasha. West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Caroline MacGregor, Curtis Tate, Chris Schulz, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe, and Shepherd Snyder. #WVMorning, February 3, 2023 On this West Virginia Morning, Education Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with West Virginia teachers Shane Healy and Robin Chancey on our latest episode of The Legislature Today to discuss the state of our schools and some of the proposed changes. Erikka Storchs term. Run by Alex Farrar and Adam McDaniel, the studio has racked up a slew of acclaimed records inside the past year, including albums by Angel Olsen, Archers of Loaf and more. Recently state lawmakers learned that some agencies pay more quickly than others, and the adverse effects caused. Highly recommend. #WVMorning. Alpha settled the objections by agreeing to set aside more than $300 million for reclamation so it could exit bankruptcy and resume operations. On this West Virginia Morning, most people have heard how Virginia and West Virginia split during the American Civil War, but it may not be the simple story many of us know. On this West Virginia Morning, flooding is a problem that plagues the state of West Virginia, but a resiliency officer is now designated to help the state recover. President Andy Eidson, set to take over as CEO, has made at least $16 million since he joined Alpha a decade ago. The executives who guided the company through bankruptcy, a corporate split, a re-merger, and a name change to Alpha Metallurgical Resources have been handsomely rewarded. Scot Heckert, R-Wood, to discuss whats working and what needs changed. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold visits the Elk River where a West Virginia fly rod maker explains his skill. Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. "They pretty well destroyed me up there," says Hatfield, 70, who had to move to a rental nearby. Request WVPB Education to attend or host an event! They transferred old mines in need of cleanup to smaller operators with meager financial resources, raising the risk that taxpayers, rather than industry, will eventually be stuck with the cost. Both chambers finished up all the legislation they intended to pass on Friday and spent Saturday hammering out the differences. Sponsor impactful and engaging media and entertainment. In light of this achievement, we are listening back to our interview with Kingsolver last fall, when she was recognized as the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence at Shepherd University. On this West Virginia Morning, a weekend of comedy kicks off Thursday in Morgantown. An earlier version of the story ran on Bloomberg on October 17. Kristian Thacker for Bloomberg Green "These transactions are subject to significant oversight, requiring the review and approval of a number of government regulators," the company said. Virginia Public Radio Alpha also shed in its bankruptcy about $2.2 billion in pension obligations and health care costs, according to a United Mine Workers of America estimate, plus another $494 million in black lung benefits, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Lexington operates out of an unmarked corner building in Milton, W.Va. #WVMorning, February 9, 2023 On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources touches the lives of nearly everyone in West Virginia in one way or another. Eric Douglas is our news director and producer. On this West Virginia Morning, we have the next installment in our series on caring for aging parents. His reports have prompted unannounced inspections and kept regulators focused on reclamation issues. Was It 'Reasonable' To Ship 81 Million Opioid Pills To This Small - NPR Erikka Storchs term. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. The Putnam County native now works in Hollywood, but her passion is telling stories on film about worthwhile West Virginians. Jun 16. Matthew Rohrbach, R-Cabell, who is also a doctor, to get his thoughts on the state of health in West Virginia and what the legislature can do to help. The bill would limit gender-affirming medical care for anyone under 18. On this West Virginia Morning, artificial intelligence is raising the possibility that students could cheat when writing papers. hide caption. Watch locally produced documentaries & more. Love Branch used to be owned by one of the biggest coal companies in the U.S. Federal law requires companies to clean up the land when they finish mining and Love Branch hasn't produced any coal in more than a decade. Also, in this show, Marc Harshman has published more than 15 books and served as West Virginia's poet laureate for 10 years. We've retired music buttons on these pages. The day honors six million Jews murdered during the war. But he wasn't prepared for the flood of orange-colored water that filled his garage ankle-deep one day in July. Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University. Randy Yohe reports on implementing the Ready Read Write initiative. Mountain Stage. On this West Virginia Morning, the federal government says this years count of homeless people shows 40 percent are living on the streets, unsheltered. Israel presses its offensive in the occupied West Bank. Price, and Morgantown, West Virginia's own Chris Haddox. Selenium in high concentrations becomes toxic for animals that lay eggs, such as insects, fish and birds. Your show is a good way to get the local vibe there. On this West Virginia Morning, video games have been around for decades, but in recent years esports competitive, multiplayer video games have exploded in popularity. Reporter Chris Schulz set out to find what the real impact has been on West Virginias financial institutions. As Emily Rice reports, this project is a culmination of many partnerships. In our latest episode of The Legislature Today, Randy Yohe spoke with Del. For our Friday reporter roundtable on The Legislature Today, Chris Schulz spoke with WVPB's Appalachia Health News Reporter Emily Rice and Allen Siegler from Mountain State Spotlight. Morning Edition : NPR Facebook Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Nitashia Johnson and Danielle Villasana for NPR Shots - Health News In post-Roe Texas, 2 mothers with traumatic pregnancies walk very. The 32-year-old environmental activist with Coal River Mountain Watch spends his days driving an old Subaru along back roads in West Virginia and flying drones to peer down on the gray moonscapes created by coal mining. culminating in its purchase of Massey Energy Co. the amount of U.S. electricity produced by gas overtook coal, biggest private-sector coal company in the world, memorialized by singer-songwriter John Prine, Coal companies use bankruptcy and asset transfers to shed obligations, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, A bill introduced by West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection said in objecting, it handed off idle mines and more than $300 million to Lexington, muddy water could be seen from "bank to bank", has been the subject of more than 30 environmental violations, $50,000 in fines for failing to control runoff, told the company he was "losing patience" with its lack of progress, a report last year by West Virginia legislative auditors, said in a letter to Coal River Mountain Watch last year, Hunter Hobson, was arrested this year on unrelated charges, among the most of any miner, a federal database shows, A state regulator's report in May found that four of the six pumps, climate change will bring torrential rains more often. On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has not fared well in recent national rankings of educational success. The company was issued 53 state and federal violations this year through mid-June, more than all but one other miner in the U.S., a federal database shows. Coal is inextricably tied to the story of how the U.S. became a superpower. Two people were killed and 28 others were wounded during the shooting at a block party on Saturday night. A bullet casing is seen at the site of a mass shooting in the Brooklyn Homes neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday. On this West Virginia Morning, the state may be wild and wonderful, but not everything growing in our forests is supposed to be here. On this West Virginia Morning, a serious train derailment and chemical release in Ohio has dominated the headlines for the past few weeks. Sean OLeary, senior policy analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said the state could find itself with a shortfall instead of a surplus in the coming years. West Virginia issues statement. Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with the states newest delegate to discuss her new position and plans. West Virginia Morning, Allegheny Front, General Assembly Today, plus local news and weather. As a landmark federal opioid trial nears completion, West Virginia communities are demanding $2.5 billion in compensation. But some people prefer the old-fashioned way, which isnt always simple. The new law authorized the concealed carry of firearms in certain areas of college and university campuses. On this West Virginia Morning, we travel two years back in time to 2021, when Inside Appalachia asked the question, What is Appalachia? Recently, the show received email responses from students in a writing class taught by Debra Nickles at Ohio University Chillicothe. Lexington said in a July filing that it doesn't admit responsibility for any damage and that it needs more time to finish reclamation, which under federal law requires returning the land to its original shape, planting native vegetation and preventing future flooding or toxic runoff. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Andrew Calderon about the project and what it means in West Virginia prisons. situation himself. Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate has more on what this might mean for ratepayers. On this West Virginia Morning, Randy Yohe talks with ABCA Commissioner Fred Wooton about the marketing, tourism and product enhancement initiatives that are key aspects of a forward-thinking mission statement. Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with Jesse Richardson of the West Virginia University Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic about those events. Blackjewel filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and is currently in liquidation, and ERP has been in court-supervised receivership since 2020. Local governments in the state have been some of the most vocal opponents of utility rate increases. On this West Virginia Morning, with the 60-day legislative session over, lawmakers and West Virginians have a chance to reflect on what was accomplished and look forward to what still needs to be done for the state. By 2006 it had taken Alpha public and sold its ownership stake. Inside Appalachia Folkways reporter Zack Harold visited with the Kanawha Valley Railroad Association and has this story. Miles Hatfield at his Kentucky home, which he had to abandon after it was flooded by runoff from an old coal mine. More than 30 permits in Virginia and Kentucky were transferred to an affiliate of Blackjewel, which then went bankrupt. Also, in this show, we listen to our Mountain Stage Song of the Week, which comes to us from folk-music icon Janis Ian, who joined us on her final tour. I miss my morning news. Published June 28, 2023 at 7:03 AM EDT Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images Chicago's skyline is seen from the John Hancock Building as heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires blankets the city. This story was done in collaboration with Bloomberg News. Meet Fly Rod Maker Lee Orr On This West Virginia Morning. Radio: Radio Schedule WVPB Radio brings you a variety of listening options, from the latest news, to storytelling, to classical music and Mountain Stage. Live 90.9 FM | West Virginia Public Broadcasting - TuneIn Some of the highest concentrations of the element ever recorded in wildlife came from samples taken near coal mines in West Virginia. Mining left behind more than 50,000 underground mine openings, and it polluted tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. A Chicago suburb remembers victims of a mass shooting at a . In the book, House explores a future thats reeling from ecological disaster. Folkways Reporter Zack Harold visits the Elk River where a West Virginia fly rod maker explains his skill. The corporate reorganizations saved the industry in part by shifting liabilities to taxpayers. Emily Rice has more. Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams spoke with West Virginia University professor Hal Gorby about what some people get wrong about state history. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. 03, 2023 Bamboo Fly Rods Are A Tie To Tradition, Made With Hand Tools And Time On this West Virginia Morning, family recipes are a way for people to connect with their ancestors, but what do you do when the measurements for the recipe arent exact and youve never actually tried Grandmas potato candy. Whether it's important news events, interesting features about people and places, the latest in environmental news, stories about . Live Radio BBC World Service (News/Information) Time Program . Sarah Hall, an associate professor of agriculture and natural resources at Berea College, is the author of a new book, Sown in the Stars: Planting by the Signs. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Hall about gardening using astrology. West Virginia reporter's ouster exposed political pressure on local nerships, NPR and The Associated Press. On this West Virginia Morning, a real problem facing many older adults is having enough money for their retirement. English Contact: 600 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301 3045564900 Website: http://wvpublic.org/ Email: digital@wvpublic.org Stations West Virginia Public Broadcasting Classical Music with Jim Lange Podcasts Across the Blue Ridge On this West Virginia Morning, the 60-day state legislative session ended Saturday night in a quieter fashion than normal. Nominate an Exceptional West Virginia Teacher! Learn more here. First Reserve Corp., a Connecticut-based leveraged buyout pioneer in the energy industry, bought three coal companies in 2002. hide caption. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet noted that the transfer took place amid a "severely depressed coal market.". From that point on, coal companies were supposed to restore land as they mined. About 40 more permits went to Pristine Clean Energy LLC, which has racked up more than 400 unresolved violations of federal and state laws, among the most of any miner, a federal database shows. On this West Virginia Morning, from the Hope Scholarship to charter schools, West Virginias educational landscape has changed in the last few years. Chris Schulz covered the Senate all session and has one last look at the chambers activity. Smart Speakers. Often driven by legislation, supporters of the "school choice" movement have more options now than ever before. On this West Virginia Morning, a group of state legislative and education leaders will soon embark on another national economic development tour.