For Stephanie and Neil Legg, traditional church services are becoming something of the past. Neil is pastor at Covenant Christian Fellowship, in Charleston. Stephanie is a therapist and yoga instructor. The couple is liquidating everything from the church their congregation has practiced in …
Tax reforms, greyhounds, Bibles in schools and the foster care system. Those are just some of the hundreds of issues that West Virginia's legislators have debated over the last 50 days. But now, there are less than 10 days left to pass bills and get them to the governor’s desk. On this week’…
Earlier this legislative session, as they debated the need for a Fairness Act, lawmakers questioned whether members of the LGBTQ community in West Virginia are discriminated against for their sexual orientations or gender identity. The answer? A resounding yes. A group of advocates from Morg…
Gunnoe Farms has operated in Charleston for more than 70 years, first as a sausage company, and now making salads. That’s about to end though. Owner Joy Gunnoe announced earlier this month it was the end for the salad business. The choice came after years of unfortunate circumstances -- a de…
In less than one year, 26 people in Charleston have had their lives saved by Naloxone kits carried by area businesses. Leaders with the program want to get more businesses on board to save more lives in 2020. This week, we join them as they work to recruit businesses on Charleston’s West Side.
Students in Herbert Hoover High School’s next three graduating classes will finish their high school careers without ever having a high school of their own. They learn in portable trailers, as they have since floods destroyed the school in 2016. Students will do the same for the next two yea…
So you wake up in the morning and your newspaper is sitting on your porch. But how did it get there? This week, former Mountain State Morning producer Kate Mishkin takes us on a ride around Kanawha and Putnam Counties, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the newspaper delivery process and the…
More than 300,000 West Virginians rely on food pantries each month to eat. Many of those pantries have little on their shelves, which are supplied by wavering donations and organized by a handful of aging volunteers.
West Virginia’s legislature is officially back in session. State senators and delegates will be in Charleston for the next 60 days passing and debating bills that will affect many West Virginians. Last night, Governor Jim Justice gave his annual State of the State address. We’ll break down w…
Since 1972, Larry Groce has been helping shape West Virginia into a cultural haven. He helped found annual arts events like FestivALL, but he’s best known as the host of Mountain Stage, which is recorded in West Virginia and airs on NPR stations across the country. Today we look at Groce’s c…
Each year, the Charleston Gazette-Mail’s sports staff names a West Virginia native as Sportsperson of the Year. This year, the staff is honoring Mike Hamrick, athletic director at Marshall University.
West Virginia holds the second highest rate of people living with diabetes nationally. That’s more than 15 percent of the people here relying on insulin every day to keep them alive. But as insulin prices rise, many struggle to afford their medication — no matter their health insurance coverage.
Last week, a photo emerged of a class of roughly 30 correctional officers from Glenville’s training academy performing a Nazi salute. State officials, including the governor, were quick to condemn the training class’ actions, but many questions remain unanswered, even with an investigation u…
Hunting is a favored pastime in West Virginia, but even a skilled hunter would struggle to out-shoot the students on the West Virginia University rifle team. This week, we learn how demanding the sport of rifle shooting really is.
Since 2015, West Virginia State Police have spent $3.5 million in taxpayer money settling lawsuits alleging wrongful action by state troopers. There are allegations of of sexual assault, excessive force and wrongful deaths. There are rarely any repercussions for wrongdoings.
In West Virginia, the tourism industry could be a potential economic boom. As climate change worsens, though, all of that — and some of the things that make the state special — could be at risk. Reporter Kate Mishkin travels to West Virginia's Mid-Allegheny Highlands, where she spoke with bi…
Coming next Wednesday: West Virginia has long depended on coal to fuel its economy. But as mining declines, the global warming it leaves behind is sabotaging the state’s potential future as a tourism hub.
Murray Energy, West Virginia's largest coal producer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October. The United Mine Workers union said it was a long time coming. We talk to Taylor Kuykendall of S&P Global Market Intelligence about the impacts of the Murray bankruptcy.
Years ago, the water in a Fayette County town was so clean people wanted to bottle it. Now, the water runs red and pink. It has high levels of iron, manganese and aluminum. What happened?
Many rural hospitals are struggling to stay open. But Roane County General Hospital, once on the verge of bankruptcy, just launched a $22 million expansion.
Gov. Jim Justice’s own farming businesses received the maximum amount possible farming subsidies through a program meant to help American farmers through the U.S. trade war with China.
Federal authorities arrested two Ukrainian men on charges of trying to funnel foreign money into political campaigns to influence elections in the United States. This includes a campaign in West Virginia. Producer Kate Mishkin talks to political reporter Jake Zuckerman about how the indictme…
A Poca High School student wrote about how his marching band needed money to replace their 14-year-old uniforms. Now, the marching band has raised about $6,000. But they’re not the only high school in West Virginia struggling to get funding for the arts.
A conversation with Denise Kiernan, one of the headlining speakers at the West Virginia Book Festival. Also: Why West Virginians love West Virginia.
A report that’s out this week says many of West Virginia’s counties had some of the most health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in the country. Also: Climate change could have an impact on mental health. We’ll explain how.
In Clay County, a food pantry is feeding more than half of the people in the small communities nearby. Also: The discussion on climate change begins to shift in West Virginia. Click here to watch the livestream of the Climate Change and Public Health Conference from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Satur…
What’s it like when the state’s top politicians and business leaders come to play at America’s Resort?
After months of speculation, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin finally announced Tuesday he wouldn’t run for governor of West Virginia.
A conversation with Ken Ward Jr., who wrote an investigation of Gov. Jim Justice’s conflicts of interest in the Gazette-Mail and ProPublica. Also: A glimpse at a day in the life of women in West Virginia who face sexism doing jobs traditionally held by men.
In the 1970s, before abortion clinics opened in West Virginia, a pastor was helping women in the Eastern Panhandle get to New York, where abortion was legal. He helped found the Women's Health Center in Charleston. Now, in 2019, the center is under siege.
Marshall County Sen. Mike Maroney says he isn’t involved in an investigation into a prostitution ring in his hometown. Plus, audio postcards from the State Fair of West Virginia and Perseid meteor shower, which continue this month.
A man whose wife jumped from the New River Gorge Bridge filed a wrongful death lawsuit, saying his wife was bullied. We’ll talk to reporter Lacie Pierson about the lawsuit.
Mountain State Morning is one year old. These are the sounds of the last 12 months.
This week on Mountain State Morning: Homeless students account for nearly 4 percent of all students enrolled this past school year in grades K-12 in public schools.
This week on Mountain State Morning: The most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed a resolution that condemned people who challenged the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. It was written by a lobbyist whose company is building the pipeline. Also: How residents are affected when Clay County's o…
This week on Mountain State Morning: The state’s plan to get quail back. Also: The obstacles slowing the rollout of pharmacist-prescribed birth control in West Virginia.
This week on Mountain State Morning: Three years after the June 2016 floods, a Nicholas County family is still waiting on help. Also: The U.S. Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships continue in our own backyard.
This month, the West Virginia Supreme Court issued two very different rulings in two natural gas cases. Today: The story behind those cases.
Tomorrow is West Virginia Day — the anniversary of West Virginia’s birth as a state in 1863. Today, we tell you the story of West Virginia’s journey to statehood.
This week on Mountain State Morning: In August 1980, Timothy McWilliams shot three teenagers, killing one. This year, he pleaded guilty to killing his father, Leo McWilliams, in 2018. Next month, a judge will decide whether he’ll accept or reject that plea.
This week on Mountain State Morning, we’ll take you into a classroom at Huntington High School, where last week everyone was getting ready for the summer. Then, we’ll stop by the statehouse in Charleston, where teachers returned over the weekend to show lawmakers they’re still paying attention.
This week on Mountain State Morning: The story of a Fayette County native who posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award. Also: A weekend at the Vandalia Gathering.
This week on Mountain State Morning: The Division of Natural Resources is working on a $4 million wildlife education center. Also: The story behind the new Gazette-Mail opinion page.
This week on Mountain State Morning: Elizabeth Warren made a stop in Mingo County Friday. Did she change any voters’ minds? Also: We take you to one of the biggest yard sales east of the Mississippi.
This week on Mountain State Morning: University of Charleston football star John Cominsky is going to the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the NFL in the fourth round. Also: 49 people from around the world became U.S. citizens at a Naturalization Ceremony Monday, and a mother seeks justice…
This week on Mountain State Morning: Is U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin running to be governor of West Virginia? Also: A scene at the West Virginia State Social Studies Fair.
We asked for your stories about education in West Virginia. Here’s what you had to say.
Before a special session on education, lawmakers and Department of Education officials have been crisscrossing the state asking for input on education in West Virginia. Are they listening?
It’s spring in West Virginia. This week, the West Virginia Power has its first home game, and the gobbler season begins. We look ahead at both.
This week on Mountain State Morning: FEMA gave the City of Richwood $500,000 to fix its water system after the 2016 floods. The city spent about $400 to install a PVC pipe. Where did the rest of the money go?
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