Will a New National Park Provide Pandemic Relief?
A new national park will be included with pandemic-related aid in the second federal stimulus relief package. The New River Gorge in southern West Virginia will go from being a National River to a National Park and Preserve, making it the countryâs 63rd national park and 20th preserve.
The $900 billion bill incorporates a new national park designation, announced by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Capito, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), and U.S. Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced the proposal in 2019, contending that the designation could boost tourism. Outdoor recreation is a $9 billion industry in the state, and redesignation to national park status could increase the number of visits by 21 percent.
Today
A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Updated: March 27, 2021 @ 9:38 am
Listen • 14:16
On this
West Virginia Morning, faith has been tested all sorts of ways in the time of the pandemic. We hear from a pastor and a rabbi in Charleston, who have made some changes in how they deliver services. Also, we explore how churches are discussing social justice issues and race.
For many, church can be a place to find answers. But it’s also a place for asking questions. After a summer of racial unrest, some West Virginia congregations are asking: how does the church talk about race? Duncan Slade has this report about how some of these conversations are playing out.
Listen • 15:48
On this
West Virginia Morning, we spread some holiday cheer. We visit a Christmas tree farm in Jefferson County, and we hear about holiday traditions and recipes featured in this week’s episode of
Inside Appalachia.
Inside Appalachia co-host Caitlin Tan brings us a Christmas food tradition from her childhood – brought over from former East Germany in the 1950s by Caitlin’s grandmother, or Oma. The recipe is for a sweet and dense fruit bread called Stollen. Caitlin and her Oma have been quarantining together during the pandemic, so they’ve been reminiscing.
We also hear from
Inside Appalachia’s other new co-host, Mason Adams. For the holiday special, Mason sat down with his mother Linda Adams to talk about food and what it means this time of the year.
Listen • 15:32
On this
West Virginia Morning, we hear from West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch who shares his goals for spring 2021, and we learn about a unique toy store in Princeton that sells 1980s toys.
It’s been a tough year for K-12 education in West Virginia. From making sure kids were fed in the spring and summer, to figuring out how to open safely in the fall, to balancing new and old learning models, and finding solutions to broadband challenges. As we take a break and enter the holidays, state education leaders are now looking ahead to the spring and a new year. Education reporter Liz McCormick spoke with Superintendent Burch last week over Microsoft Teams to see what sort of ideas and initiatives he’s planning to tackle in 2021.