West Virginia
The Fall Of AppHarvest, Inside Appalachia – West Virginia Public Broadcasting
![The Fall Of AppHarvest, Inside Appalachia – West Virginia Public Broadcasting The Fall Of AppHarvest, Inside Appalachia – West Virginia Public Broadcasting](https://wvpublic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/021224_AppHarvest_JonCherry-Grist_IA-scaled.jpg)
When the farming start-up, AppHarvest, launched in Kentucky, it promised good jobs in coal country — but some workers called it a grueling hell on earth.
We also explore an island of Japanese culture in West Virginia called Yama.
And fish fries have been a staple in Charleston, West Virginia’s Black community for years. We visit one and learn a little about what’s made them so popular.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
The Rise And Fall Of AppHarvest
When AppHarvest built its first greenhouse in 2020, it was touted as no less than the future of farming — and even Appalachia itself. The start-up would use cutting-edge technology and local workers to produce vegetables on an industrial scale. But then, last year, the company filed for bankruptcy.
Austyn Gaffney recently reported on the downfall of AppHarvest, in a story for Grist. Mason Adams talks with Gaffney to learn more.
Japanese Homestyle Haven In Morgantown
Credit: Min Kim
High Street in Morgantown, West Virginia is a bustling strip. Tucked away off the main drag is a place called Yama, a cozy diner that’s been serving up homestyle Japanese food since the 1990s. Japanese students and staff share their language, culture and food. It’s also a place of comfort and connection for everyone.
Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin has the story.
Fish Fries, An African-American Tradition In Charleston, W.Va.
![A man in a black jacket stands over a fryer frying fish.](https://wvpublic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Andre-Nazario_FishFry_LeeshiaLee_Folkways-700x525.jpeg)
Credit: Leeshia Lee/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Signs for fish fries are pretty common in Charleston, West Virginia, especially in the city’s Black community, where they’ve become a tradition.
Folkways Fellow, Leeshia Lee, grew up in Charleston and says friends and neighbors frequently hosted fish fries, often as a way to raise money for community needs. Lee has the story.
Remembering The W.Va. Water Crisis 10 Years Later
![A woman with brunette hair and wearing a light blue blazer talks on TV screen in a news report.](https://wvpublic.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Cart-wchs.jpg)
Credit: Kallie Cart/WCHS-TV
Ten years ago, a chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia’s Elk River contaminated the drinking water of hundreds of thousands of people. The disaster became a national story, about corporate distrust and community action.
WVPB’s Randy Yohe spoke with Kallie Cart, a former broadcast reporter who covered the crisis and went viral after one particular exchange.
——
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Chris Knight, Tim Bing, Amythyst Kiah, Jeff Ellis and Bob Thompson.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign-up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
![](https://wvpublic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IA-Logo-Green-Background-1400-%C3%97-1400-px-700x700.png)
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
West Virginia
Justice issues state of emergency in connection with drought conditions – WV MetroNews
![Justice issues state of emergency in connection with drought conditions – WV MetroNews Justice issues state of emergency in connection with drought conditions – WV MetroNews](https://wvmetronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Corn_drought-e1721163187311.jpg)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has declared a state emergency for all 55 counties because of drought conditions.
A Friday afternoon news release from the governor’s office said the proclamation was made in an effort to support West Virginia’s farming community.
“This drought has plagued West Virginia farmers, putting them at risk of losing everything,” Justice said. “We cannot and will not stand by and watch our hardworking farmers suffer from this severe lack of rain. We understand the immense stress and hardship this drought has caused. Right now, our Emergency Management Division is working tirelessly to secure disaster assistance for those in need. Until then, we are committed to doing everything we can to support our agricultural community during this challenging time.”
Justice, who himself has had a lot of experience with farming having owned and worked some of the largest farming operations east of the Mississippi River, has mentioned the dry conditions during several of his media briefings this summer. He has now activated the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.
MORE See current map of drought conditions
The activation instructs “personnel and resources to be ready to respond to any emergencies, and granted specific administrative powers to the Director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to ensure essential emergency services are provided efficiently.”
It is especially dry in the Eastern Panhandle, state Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt said last week.
“Right now the dryness in Jefferson County is the second worst in 130 years and Berkeley County and Morgan County it’s the third worst in 130 years,” Leonhardt said. “This is is a little more serious than we’re used to seeing.”
Leonhardt said if the drought conditions continue, it will continue to impact producing crops as well as those making hay for livestock.
“This is going to hurt second and third cutting of hay,” he said. “We’re going to end up with, maybe not as much volume. It’s one of those variables that we can’t control.”
According to the National Weather Service, Eastern Panhandle counties are considered to be under severe drought, the Northern Panhandle, Central West Virginia and the Greenbrier Valley are under moderate drought while the Huntington-Charleston corridor is considered abnormally dry.
Justice’s state of emergency proclamation for expire in 30 days unless Justice issues a new one.
West Virginia
Pat McAfee Tells Oregon’s Dan Lanning to ‘Watch Out for West Virginia’
![Pat McAfee Tells Oregon’s Dan Lanning to ‘Watch Out for West Virginia’ Pat McAfee Tells Oregon’s Dan Lanning to ‘Watch Out for West Virginia’](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1860,h_1046,x_69,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mountaineers_now/01j3q7k9mmdxq8ht8v18.png)
WVU may not have everyone’s attention just yet, but former Mountaineer kicker and punter Pat McAfee is doing his best to get folks prepared for what WVU do in 2024.
During yesterday’s episode of the Pat McAfee Show, the crew was discussing the latest round of conference realignment with Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, who is leading his team into the Big Ten.
“When you talk about conveinence and everything, like people have a lot (of travel),” McAfee said. “Like the SEC, you come from the SEC, you know the SEC football well. And now, with the way the future is kind of looking – SEC, Big Ten, and obviously, West Virginia in the Big 12 and everything that’s cooking…”
Toward the end of Pat’s quote above, Lanning began to laugh because Pat found a way to insert WVU into the conversation and he jokingly warned him about the mighty Mountaineers.
“Listen, when Neal Brown and Garrett Greene come to town, you better f****** tighten up.”
“I haven’t done a summer scouting report on them yet. I know I need to look at them,” Lanning responded with a laugh.
You better watch out for West Virginia @CoachDanLanning 😂😂 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/aFS4IcKw4k
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 25, 2024
READ MORE ABOUT WVU ATHLETICS
Beanie Bishop on Track to Start for Steelers
WVU WR Hudson Clement Picks a New Jersey Number
WVU OL Maurice Hamilton Switches to Defense
West Virginia
Penn State to Face Stripe the Stadium, and a ‘Hornet’s Nest,’ at West Virginia
![Penn State to Face Stripe the Stadium, and a ‘Hornet’s Nest,’ at West Virginia Penn State to Face Stripe the Stadium, and a ‘Hornet’s Nest,’ at West Virginia](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2800,h_1575,x_0,y_291/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_penn_state/01j3n2qh7yw62p2zsfd1.jpg)
West Virginia will host a “Stripe the Stadium” promotion when Penn State visits Milan Puskar Stadium for the regular-season opener Aug. 31. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said he expects much more from the Mountaineers.
“It’s a hornet’s nest,” Franklin told Big Ten Network at the Big Ten Football Media Days on Wednesday. “They take a lot of pride in their football team. They’ve got no pro team, so it’s all about West Virginia, all about Morgantown. So it will be a great environment to play in.”
Penn State is playing at West Virginia for the first time since 1992, and ticket prices reflect anticipation for the game. Secondary-market tickets top $200, and West Virginia has said that single-game tickets will not be available. Fans who want to attend must buy a three-game ticket package or venture into the resale market.
West Virginia recently announced its theme games for the season, designating Penn State as its “Stripe the Stadium” opponent. West Virginia is encouraging fans in alternating sections to wear blue and gold for the game, which kicks off at noon ET on FOX. West Virginia provided a Stripe the Stadium map for fans attending.
However, it appears that Penn State won’t see West Virginia’s new “Coal Rush” alternate uniform. The program announced that it will debut the “highly anticipated Coal Rush” uniforms in a Big 12 game against either Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State or Baylor.
Penn State has fared well at West Virginia, bringing a 17-6-1 road record to the game. West Virginia coach Neal Brown called the Penn State game huge for both his program and the Big 12.
“It’s not just a big game for West Virginia,” Brown said at Big 12 Football Media Days. “It’s a big game for our league, and it’s an opportunity for our league and this new Big 12, without a couple schools that have been a part of the Big 12 for a long time in that first weekend on a marquee stage, to show what kind of football that we play in this league.”
Penn State defeated West Virginia 38-15 last season at Beaver Stadium in the first game of the two-game rivalry renewal series.
More Penn State Football
James Franklin delivers his 2024 mission statement at Big Ten Football Media Days
Why Washington for the White Out? Athletic Director Patrick Kraft explains
Penn State’s Abdul Carter will play multiple positions this season
Penn State on SI is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on X (or Twitter) @MarkWogenrich.
-
World1 week ago
One dead after car crashes into restaurant in Paris
-
Midwest1 week ago
Michigan rep posts video response to Stephen Colbert's joke about his RNC speech: 'Touché'
-
News1 week ago
Video: Young Republicans on Why Their Party Isn’t Reaching Gen Z (And What They Can Do About It)
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie Review: A new generation drives into the storm in rousing ‘Twisters’
-
Politics1 week ago
Fox News Politics: The Call is Coming from Inside the House
-
News1 week ago
In Milwaukee, Black Voters Struggle to Find a Home With Either Party
-
News1 week ago
Video: J.D. Vance Accepts Vice-Presidential Nomination
-
World1 week ago
Trump to take RNC stage for first speech since assassination attempt