Alana Watson, Author at Ohio Valley ReSource

Alana Watson

Ohio Valley ReSource Economics Reporter

Alana Watson is covering the workplace, economic opportunity and infrastructure issues for the ReSource from partner station WKU Public Radio in Bowling Green, KY.

Email Alana Watson @AWReports

Jan 8

Democracy & Civic Life

After ‘Dark Day’ In Washington, Ohio Valley Lawmakers And Residents Who Were There Take Stock

Owensboro, Kentucky, pastor Brian Gibson spoke at an event in Washington, D.C., Tuesday that combined religion with support for President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the results of the election. “How many of you all believe that the people we elected are going to do what’s right tomorrow?” Gibson asked the crowd at Washington’s Freedom […]

By Jeff Young , Alana Watson , , Liam Niemeyer and Corinne Boyer

Democracy & Civic Life

After ‘Dark Day’ In Washington, Ohio Valley Lawmakers And Residents Who Were There Take Stock

Jeff Young, Alana Watson, , Liam Niemeyer and Corinne Boyer

Dec 23

Coronavirus

‘Timely Help’: Barber Reflects On How The Pandemic Has Changed Business

The coronavirus relief bill under consideration in Washington would make more money available for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Hair stylists and barbers are among those struggling, including Black business owner Chad Stradwick in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Ohio Valley ReSource first spoke with Stradwick in May, just when he was reopening Stradwick’s […]

By Alana Watson

‘Timely Help’: Barber Reflects On How The Pandemic Has Changed Business

Dec 21

Health

Watchdog Report Finds Over-Prescription Of Opioids For Some Medicaid Patients

A report from a federal oversight agency shows that over 4,000 patients in the Ohio Valley received high amounts of opioids in 2018 through Medicaid, potentially putting hundreds at risk of addiction and overdose. The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services focused the report on six Appalachian states in […]

By Alana Watson

Watchdog Report Finds Over-Prescription Of Opioids For Some Medicaid Patients

Dec 18

Economy

Report Shows Personal Income Declined Sharply In Ohio Valley Between July And September

A new federal report shows that West Virginia and Kentucky saw the country’s sharpest declines in personal income last quarter as some forms of federal support during the pandemic expired. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says personal income decreased in every state in the third quarter of 2020, which includes the months of July, […]

By Alana Watson

Report Shows Personal Income Declined Sharply In Ohio Valley Between July And September

Dec 4

Democracy & Civic Life

Despite Voting Restoration Thousands Are Still Disenfranchised In The Ohio Valley

After more than a decade, Kentucky resident Guy Hamilton-Smith voted this year for the first time in the state. Even though he didn’t vote in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sending his ballot through the mail was still an emotional moment. “Not being able to vote for many years was like a really big […]

By Alana Watson

Democracy & Civic Life

Despite Voting Restoration Thousands Are Still Disenfranchised In The Ohio Valley

Nov 24

Health

“Diseases Of Despair” Deaths Drop Slightly But Still Higher In Appalachia Than U.S.

New research shows that deaths due to the mix of substance abuse and suicides known as “diseases of despair” declined slightly in 2018. But the mortality rates throughout the Ohio Valley and Appalachian region are still higher than the national average. A report from the Appalachian Regional Commission found that overall mortality rates from diseases […]

By Alana Watson

“Diseases Of Despair” Deaths Drop Slightly But Still Higher In Appalachia Than U.S.

Nov 4

Democracy & Civic Life

2020 Voter Turnout Increased As Ohio Valley States Expanded Voting Options

Much of the Ohio Valley saw historic levels of voter turnout in the 2020 election, as election officials expanded voting options to reduce the risk from coronavirus. Compared to the 2016 election, voter turnout for the 2020 general election increased slightly in Kentucky and Ohio, while West Virginia — which had some of the nation’s […]

By Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat

Democracy & Civic Life

2020 Voter Turnout Increased As Ohio Valley States Expanded Voting Options

Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat

Nov 3

Democracy & Civic Life

Can You Wear “Black Lives Matter” Clothing To The Polls? Yes.

Some voters in Ohio and Kentucky expressed concern that poll workers were advising them that “Black Lives Matter” attire was not allowed in polling locations. But according to both state’s laws on the subject, BLM clothing is perfectly fine to wear while casting your ballot. The voters shared their concerns using the tipline operated by […]

By Alana Watson

Democracy & Civic Life

Can You Wear “Black Lives Matter” Clothing To The Polls? Yes.

Oct 30

Democracy & Civic Life

The Missing Voters: The Ohio Valley Has Some Of The Nation’s Lowest Voter Turnout. What Could Change That?

This fall, Lexington, Kentucky, activist and artist Devine Carama launched a different kind of road trip across his home state. He visited a dozen cities and towns, from Pikeville, in the state’s Appalachian east, to Paducah, near where the Ohio River joins the Mississippi. He carried a sign that said “I’ll walk 400 miles if […]

By Suhail Bhat , Sydney Boles , , Alana Watson and Jeff Young

Democracy & Civic Life

The Missing Voters: The Ohio Valley Has Some Of The Nation’s Lowest Voter Turnout. What Could Change That?

Suhail Bhat, Sydney Boles, , Alana Watson and Jeff Young

Oct 30

Democracy & Civic Life

Last-Minute Voting Questions In The Election Home Stretch

The conclusion of this most unusual general election is only a few days away. On Tuesday, November 3, people will make their way to polls, if they haven’t done so already, to cast their ballots. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, election officials have expanded voting options for those who are concerned with catching the virus. […]

By Alana Watson

Democracy & Civic Life

Last-Minute Voting Questions In The Election Home Stretch

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