Published March 5, 2021 at 11:02 AM EST Listen • 15:56
On this
West Virginia Morning, we explore the latest news from the West Virginia statehouse, and we have news on an HIV outbreak in Charleston. Also, we have a conversation on broadband expansion, and we bring you this week’s
Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
More than three weeks after he championed the reduction of the personal income tax in his State of the State Address, Gov. Jim Justice has unveiled initial details of the plan. Dave Mistich reports.
Earlier this week, the House of Delegates advanced legislation to improve the state s broadband situation. It includes provisions for consumer protection, new broadband construction, and accountability for telecommunications companies that receive public funding. For
Volunteers drop off cleaning supplies and masks at the Rea of Hope in Charleston.
Human beings are social creatures and the pandemic is taking a toll on all of us in one way or another. It’s also bringing to light just how important human connection is in our lives.
This week on
Inside Appalachia, we’ll hear from folks who are overcoming these challenges on top of maintaining sobriety and staying on the path to recovery.
As we grapple with the immediate health emergency of the coronavirus pandemic and celebrate the hope found in vaccines and infections going down here in Appalachia we’re also struggling with two other public health crises: the opioid epidemic, and a large uptick in HIV cases. Researchers believe the crises are linked.
Listen • 15:40
On this
West Virginia Morning, public education is a major topic at the West Virginia Legislature this year with Republicans and Democrats taking different sides on charter school expansion, work stoppage and education savings accounts. We speak to each side for their perspective. Also, we have the latest news from the statehouse, on vaccine distribution, and this week’s
Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
The West Virginia House of Delegates has made a major change to a bill that deems strikes by public employees illegal. As Dave Mistich reports, lawmakers in the lower chamber adopted an amendment that now would allow extracurricular activities on strike days.
On this West Virginia Morning, discovery in a woodshop led a punk rock musician to connect with a retired banjo maker and his handmade tools. Also, we have the latest statehouse news and we listen to this week’s Mountain Stage Song of the Week.
Courtesy of Bradford Harris
Al Cornett sits in his Cumberland, Kentucky home, playing a banjo built by Bradford Harris. Cornett primarily made dulcimers, but also built other stringed instruments, such as banjos and mandolins.
In Harlan County, Kentucky, 20-year-old Bradford Harris plays in the punk band L.I.P.S. When in-person shows were canceled because of the pandemic, Bradford began playing the banjo. Eventually, this led to a surprising new talent making banjos. Bradford even tracked down a 97-year-old instrument maker to learn the craft.
To see some of Bradford’s banjos, search for Harris Banjo Works on Instagram. You can also find Bradford’s punk band L.I.P.S. on Bandcamp.