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Digging Deeper Into Rising Black Lung Cases, This West Virginia Morning Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that black lung rates are the highest they’ve been since the 1970s. Justin Hicks and Howard Burkes reported on that for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with Hicks and Burkes to dig a little deeper.

Also, officials have released an update into a deadly chemical accident in April.

And, the developer of a proposed data center in Tucker County has provided the state proof that it owns the property on which it plans to build.

Finally, a team from American Water is heading to the town of Wayne to investigate a problem that has plagued the community for years.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young is our producer.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

A film poster featuring the faces of two young women near the top, while below them are two adult men standing together and looking concerned. Behind them is a parked police vehicle in the driveway of a home. Text on the film poster reads, What We Hide. Not All Secrets Remain Buried. — **Us & Them: What We Hide — Examining The Collateral Damage Of Addiction** Aug 13, 2026
Show notes

For a decade or more, West Virginia has been at the center of America's opioid epidemic and overdose death toll.

There is encouraging news as the state’s overdose deaths have fallen dramatically. In the past year, state officials report a nearly 38 percent drop in overdose deaths. But addiction remains the most common reason for West Virginia children to be taken from their families.

In this episode of *Us & Them*, host Trey Kay talks with a filmmaker whose recent movie *What We Hide* focuses on the collateral damage of addiction on children. And as part of a WVU training symposium, Kay hears from professionals who work with people affected by addiction about the cost on our medical system, social service networks and child protection workers.

This episode of *Us & Them* is presented with support from the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to *Us & Them* on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, the NPR app and wherever you get your podcasts.

*Courtesy*

Dan Kay’s film **What We Hide** follows two sisters who hide their mother’s overdose death because they fear being separated by the foster care system. The film stars McKenna Grace and Jojo Regina and explores the collateral damage addiction can leave behind for children and families.

*Learn more about* **What We Hide** *and find viewing options through the film’s official website.*

*View the trailer for* **What We Hide**.

**McKenna Grace**, left, portrays Spider, and **JoJo Regina** portrays her younger sister, Jessie, in *What We Hide*. After their mother dies from an overdose, the sisters hide her death because they fear being separated by the foster care system.
*Photo from the film* What We Hide

**Dan Kay** is the writer and director of *What We Hide*, a feature film that explores the collateral damage of addiction through the story of two sisters trying to stay together after their mother dies from an overdose.
*Photo Credit: Rebecca Sapp*

“I'd been interested in the subject of addiction, but even more specifically, I was very interested in collateral damage caused by addiction. I felt that there had been some terrific films and plays and articles and books that are focused on the addict's experience, which is very valuable. But I didn't think there'd been much where, particularly in film, where we were exploring what is left in the addict's wake? [For the] family, friends? What is that existence like? And I don't remember if it was a podcast or an article, but I heard the term ‘opioid orphans,’ and it all just kind of clicked for me. I just thought that would be a really interesting place to explore this idea of the collateral damage caused by addiction.”

**— Dan Kay, writer and filmmaker**

**Dr. James Berry** of West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute joined a discussion of *What We Hide* at the Carl “Rolly” Sullivan Addiction Training Institute in Morgantown. Berry is an addiction psychiatrist whose work focuses on treatment, recovery and the effects of addiction on individuals and families.
*Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute*

“Something that was said to me a few years ago that I thought was very helpful is we should actually twist things a little bit and focus less on stigma reduction, and really focus more on empathy cultivation. And I think that's what this film does, is it's really helping cultivate empathy. Again, I can try to educate everybody I possibly can about the science of addiction and what's happening with the brain and through these processes that keep people doing things that they know are wrong. But to be able to tell a story the way that Dan told this story, that is empathy cultivation. Whereas if I just try to educate I'm trying to reduce stigma by giving them education and I think this is so much more powerful.”

**— Dr. James Berry**

**Dolly Sullivan**, a clinical social worker in Morgantown, joined a discussion of “What We Hide” at the Carl “Rolly” Sullivan Addiction Training Institute. Sullivan works with individuals and families and specializes in trauma and mental health.
*Photo courtesy of Dolly Sullivan*

“There's so many things that stood out for me as a clinician but you know as on the topic of trust, it wasn't just in the system where trust was broken, right? I mean when you think about our primary people, you know, whether it's our parents or grandparents or aunts and uncles that raise us, like trust is central to that, right, and trust was broken, particularly for Spider … And so when I think about how, like from top to bottom, it wasn't just the system that they couldn't trust. It was their mom too, right. And so, when I think of it from a trauma perspective, you know for me, trauma is not what happens. It's how it changes our brain. So trauma is a brain change and it's a disruption in the nervous system.”

**— Dolly Sullivan**

Two girls, one older and one younger, sit on a porch swing. The younger girl has her arms folded across her chest and looks down, frowning. The older girl sits looking toward her, also looking concerned, but is looking at her. — **Us & Them: What We Hide — Examining The Collateral Damage Of Addiction** Aug 13, 2026
Show notes

For a decade or more, West Virginia has been at the center of America's opioid epidemic and overdose death toll.

There is encouraging news as the state’s overdose deaths have fallen dramatically. In the past year, state officials report a nearly 38 percent drop in overdose deaths. But addiction remains the most common reason for West Virginia children to be taken from their families.

In this episode of *Us & Them*, host Trey Kay talks with a filmmaker whose recent movie *What We Hide* focuses on the collateral damage of addiction on children. And as part of a WVU training symposium, Kay hears from professionals who work with people affected by addiction about the cost on our medical system, social service networks and child protection workers.

This episode of *Us & Them* is presented with support from the CRC Foundation.

Subscribe to *Us & Them* on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Spotify, the NPR app and wherever you get your podcasts.

*Courtesy*

Dan Kay’s film **What We Hide** follows two sisters who hide their mother’s overdose death because they fear being separated by the foster care system. The film stars McKenna Grace and Jojo Regina and explores the collateral damage addiction can leave behind for children and families.

*Learn more about* **What We Hide** *and find viewing options through the film’s official website.*

*View the trailer for* **What We Hide**.

**McKenna Grace**, left, portrays Spider, and **JoJo Regina** portrays her younger sister, Jessie, in *What We Hide*. After their mother dies from an overdose, the sisters hide her death because they fear being separated by the foster care system.
*Photo from the film* What We Hide

**Dan Kay** is the writer and director of *What We Hide*, a feature film that explores the collateral damage of addiction through the story of two sisters trying to stay together after their mother dies from an overdose.
*Photo Credit: Rebecca Sapp*

“I'd been interested in the subject of addiction, but even more specifically, I was very interested in collateral damage caused by addiction. I felt that there had been some terrific films and plays and articles and books that are focused on the addict's experience, which is very valuable. But I didn't think there'd been much where, particularly in film, where we were exploring what is left in the addict's wake? [For the] family, friends? What is that existence like? And I don't remember if it was a podcast or an article, but I heard the term ‘opioid orphans,’ and it all just kind of clicked for me. I just thought that would be a really interesting place to explore this idea of the collateral damage caused by addiction.”

**— Dan Kay, writer and filmmaker**

**Dr. James Berry** of West Virginia University’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute joined a discussion of *What We Hide* at the Carl “Rolly” Sullivan Addiction Training Institute in Morgantown. Berry is an addiction psychiatrist whose work focuses on treatment, recovery and the effects of addiction on individuals and families.
*Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute*

“Something that was said to me a few years ago that I thought was very helpful is we should actually twist things a little bit and focus less on stigma reduction, and really focus more on empathy cultivation. And I think that's what this film does, is it's really helping cultivate empathy. Again, I can try to educate everybody I possibly can about the science of addiction and what's happening with the brain and through these processes that keep people doing things that they know are wrong. But to be able to tell a story the way that Dan told this story, that is empathy cultivation. Whereas if I just try to educate I'm trying to reduce stigma by giving them education and I think this is so much more powerful.”

**— Dr. James Berry**

**Dolly Sullivan**, a clinical social worker in Morgantown, joined a discussion of “What We Hide” at the Carl “Rolly” Sullivan Addiction Training Institute. Sullivan works with individuals and families and specializes in trauma and mental health.
*Photo courtesy of Dolly Sullivan*

“There's so many things that stood out for me as a clinician but you know as on the topic of trust, it wasn't just in the system where trust was broken, right? I mean when you think about our primary people, you know, whether it's our parents or grandparents or aunts and uncles that raise us, like trust is central to that, right, and trust was broken, particularly for Spider … And so when I think about how, like from top to bottom, it wasn't just the system that they couldn't trust. It was their mom too, right. And so, when I think of it from a trauma perspective, you know for me, trauma is not what happens. It's how it changes our brain. So trauma is a brain change and it's a disruption in the nervous system.”

**— Dolly Sullivan**

Parental Addiction’s Impact On Trust, This West Virginia Morning Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has been at the center of America's opioid epidemic and overdose death toll. While recent reports show the state’s overdose deaths have fallen by nearly 38%, addiction remains the most common reason for West Virginia children to be taken from their families. In the next episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay attends a WVU training symposium, including a screening of the recent film What We Hide, and hears from professionals who work with people affected by addiction.

Also, Logan County Schools have been under some level of state control for close to four years. They are gaining back local control now, but the district’s financial outlook is concerning.

And, it’s still not clear how many needy children received back to school clothes or if any of the funds were instead used for beer and cigarettes following a hearing on the state’s school clothing voucher program.

Finally, student assessments in math and English fell nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, but students in West Virginia now surpass 2019 proficiency levels.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Understanding A Complicated Educational Landscape, This West Virginia Morning Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, as lawmakers and educational leaders across West Virginia take a hard look at school finances, administrative staff that work outside the classroom have come under increased scrutiny. But Uriah Cummings, School Financial Operations officer for the West Virginia Department of Education, says administrators manage an increasingly complicated educational landscape. He spoke to Education Reporter Chris Schulz about their necessary role in schools.

Also, just in time for severe thunderstorms to roll in across much of the southern half of West Virginia Tuesday, members of the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding heard about changes coming to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

And, lawmakers continue to keep a close eye on school discipline after years of new legislation.

Finally, a new report says West Virginia is facing a crisis with most counties qualifying as legal deserts.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Kentucky Fried Chicken Founder’s Items Up For Auction, This West Virginia Morning Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders' iconic items earned big bucks at auction. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, reporter Andrew Henderson went to the auction and hung around for the fried chicken.

Also, West Virginia lawmakers have said school funding reform is a top priority in next year’s legislative session, and they got a glimpse of the governor’s perspective on the issue.

And, members of the Joint Committee on Children and Families were frustrated by the lack of detailed information they received regarding critical incidents involving children in state care.

Finally, state lawmakers also discussed AI-surveillance cameras for nearly an hour and a half on Sunday as controversies continue over the use of the technology.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Concerns Over Data Centers And Rising Electricity Costs, This West Virginia Morning Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, residents across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia have packed public meetings in recent months to speak out against data centers. A recurring concern is how the developments could affect the cost of electricity. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, WEKU’s Curtis Tate reports this comes as utility prices have already been on the rise.

Also, legislative interims got underway at the state capitol in Charleston over the weekend, a chance for lawmakers to address significant issues that come up between the regular 60-day session that begins in January.

And, democrats in the West Virginia House of Delegates are renewing their call for Gov. Patrick Morrisey to bring the legislature back in for a special session to address what they call a crisis with the public school funding formula.

Finally, Morrisey ordered U.S. and state flags lowered at all state facilities and in Jefferson County in honor of former state Sen. Herb Snyder, who died last week. Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, Aug. 14.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Pushback On School Clothing Vouchers And Black Lung Numbers Grow, This West Virginia Week Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey gets pushback over school clothing vouchers, Huntington residents seek to ban Flock cameras, and black lung is big again.

Bill Lynch is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week's biggest news in the Mountain State. It's produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

The Legacy Of Comic Strip Snuffy Smith, This West Virginia Morning Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, for nearly 100 years, Snuffy Smith has been a staple of newspaper comic pages, though these days, it’s easier to find him online. Snuffy Smith was brought to life by Artist Fred Lasswell in the 1930s, but now the strip is written and drawn by John Rose, who lives in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke to Rose about drawing the famous hillbilly.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey is getting pushback for the concerns he’s raised about school clothing voucher funds that are accessed through ATMs.

And, a group of Huntington residents hopes to ban the city from entering into any contracts for mass surveillance systems.

Finally, individuals who live or work in Lewis and Upshur counties and lost work due to the severe storms on July 21 and 22 may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Eric Douglas and Maria Young.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Maria Young is our producer.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Black Lung Disease At Its Highest In 50 Years, This West Virginia Morning Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, federal health researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a new report about black lung disease among the most experienced coal miners in Appalachia. They are suffering from the incurable disease at the highest rates in nearly half a century. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Justin Hicks reports.

Also, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has launched an investigation into whether funds from the school voucher clothing program were actually used to purchase things other than clothes for kids.

And, coal volumes for two of the nation’s biggest railroads are up from last year. Domestic coal shipments declined amid a flurry of favorable Trump administration policies.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

An Inside Look At New ‘Coolest Thing’ Tournament, This West Virginia Morning Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

On this West Virginia Morning, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) has just launched its inaugural Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia tournament. Nominations are open now and the public voting begins in a few short weeks. Assistant News Director Maria Young caught up with WVMA President Bill Bissett to find out what organizers hope will come from the competition – and what makes a really cool product.

Also, a former delegate has removed himself from the November general election ballot, avoiding a hearing before the state election commission.

And, southern West Virginia residents concerned about water quality in their homes and communities have a chance to tell Gov. Patrick Morrisey all about those issues.

Finally, three members of the Marion County Board of Education are being sued for sexual discrimination by two employees.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

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