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State Senators Discuss School Funding Needs

February 14, 2026 Duration: 0:00

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Blankenship On Trial is a news and politics podcast that investigates the deadly explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia, where 29 miners lost their lives on April 5, 2010. Through detailed storytelling and careful reporting, this series examines how a history of unsafe practices may have paved the way for disaster, and how federal regulators and prosecutors worked to trace responsibility up the corporate ladder to former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship. Listeners can expect a gripping, methodical look at corporate power, regulatory failure, and the human cost of profit-driven decisions. Each week, Blankenship On Trial guides you through courtroom developments, key witness testimony, and the broader political and social context that shaped the case. Listen episodes to gain a deeper understanding of how one mine disaster became a national reckoning over workplace safety and corporate accountability.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, in this school year alone, the state Board of Education has been asked to approve 19 school closures or consolidations. News Director Eric Douglas speaks with Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, a member of the Senate Education Committee, and Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, to discuss what needs to be done to fix the issue. ...

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Printmaking Inspired By Appalachian Stories, Inside Appalachia

07.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

This week, some of the stories on our show inspired college student art — including a vivid image of a bear smashing a clarinet. Also, a Hare Krishna community in West Virginia serves vegetarian food made in three sacred kitchens. And, COVID-19 exposed the contempt society has for marginalized people. One author says, these folks are anything but passive. ...

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WVU Students Inspired By ‘Inside Appalachia,’ This West Virginia Morning

06.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

Our program, Inside Appalachia, in December was tagged in an Instagram post by WVU Professor of Art Joseph Lupo. The post showcased four-color reductive relief prints made by WVU students — each one inspired by a story or episode they heard on the show....

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Tackling The Nation’s Blood Shortage, This West Virginia Morning

05.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

Blood is a key part of modern medical care, but keeping a regular supply relies on thousands of volunteers donating regularly. We learn about the importance of blood drives and how technology is making it easier than ever to roll up your sleeve....

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Climbers Take Advantage Of Cold Weather, This West Virginia Morning

04.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

For most of us, the cold and ice of the last few weeks have been a struggle, but a group of local rock climbers made the best of it. Also, lawmakers considered bills related to absentee ballot deadlines and medications used to terminate pregnancies....

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3 Years After East Palestine Train Derailment And ICE Arrests, This West Virginia Morning

03.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

It has been three years since the East Palestine train derailment. What have we learned about the health impacts from exposure to chemicals on board? Also, ICE officers arrested 650 people in West Virginia over 14 days last month....

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How Cold Affects The Body And A Talk With State Senate President, This West Virginia Morning

02.02.2026 Duration: 0:00

We hear from Senate President Randy Smith who in last week's episode of The Legislature Today discussed his goals for supporting small businesses in the state. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom examines how cold can affect your body....

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Tax Cuts, A Bible Discussion And Smoking Grades, This West Virginia Week

31.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

This week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey talks tax cuts, the state Senate discusses adding Bibles to certain classrooms, and the American Lung Association released its annual report card on states’ efforts to reduce smoking. ...

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School Finances, Economic Development, Historic Bibles And Senate President Randy Smith, At The Legislature This Week

31.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

On The Legislature This Week, our student reporters dig into Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s legislative plan. We also hear from Senate President Randy Smith about his plans to help small businesses. ...

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Senate President Smith Says ‘It’s A Balance’ When Addressing Issues During Session

31.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

On this episode of The Legislature Today, Sen. Randy Smith, R-Preston, is in his second year as the Senate President. In that role, he is also the lieutenant governor. Smith sat down with News Director Eric Douglas to discuss how he sees things going this session...

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A Secret City In East Tennessee, Inside Appalachia

31.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

This week, we take a look at how the U.S. government built a secret city in East Tennessee during World War II to work on the atomic bomb. Also, almost everybody has a favorite cup or coffee mug, but how far would you go to replace it? And, we hear from a cabinetmaker on the physicality of poetry....

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New American Experience Film Explores WWII Atomic Bomb, This West Virginia Morning

30.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

"Bombshell" is a new film from American Experience that explores how the government manipulated the public about the bomb’s development and deployment. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with author Greg Mitchell, who appears in the film....

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Soaring Electricity Costs, This West Virginia Morning

29.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

We hear the latest story from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, that reports on environmental issues in the region. In this story, we learn how electricity costs are on a sharp rise despite a record year for solar and battery construction....

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W.Va. Receives Low Grades From American Lung Association, This West Virginia Morning

28.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia, accounting for about 4,200 deaths annually. The American Lung Association released its annual report grading West Virginia with Ds and Fs. We spoke with Elizabeth Hensil, the director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association, to better understand what the grades mean....

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Proposed Changes To Endangered Species Act And Aftermath Of Winter Storm, This West Virginia Morning

27.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

How important is habitat for survival? We listen to The Allegheny Front’s latest story on what’s happening with federal efforts to limit protections for endangered species. Also, following a major winter storm, West Virginia officials are warning of frigid temperatures for much of the week....

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Hanshaw’s Priorities And A Special Medicaid Application For Pregnancy, This West Virginia Morning

26.01.2026 Duration: 0:00

We hear from House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, who outlines his goals for the 2026 West Virginia Legislative session. Also, if you’re newly pregnant and haven’t been able to afford health insurance, there’s a good chance you qualify for Medicaid....

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