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

May 7

Coronavirus

Vaccinate U? Contrary To Health Advice, Most Area Schools Won’t Mandate COVID Vaccine

Roughly a million students attend college around the Ohio Valley, and the student-age population has an especially high rate of coronavirus infection. That’s why some public health advocates say schools should require that students be vaccinated. However, a review by the Ohio Valley ReSource found that of 400 colleges and universities in Kentucky, Ohio, and […]

By Corinne Boyer , Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat

Vaccinate U? Contrary To Health Advice, Most Area Schools Won’t Mandate COVID Vaccine

Corinne Boyer, Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat

Apr 14

Democracy & Civic Life

Election Reform: Kentucky Makes Changes While WV and OH Remain The Same

Election reform efforts to expand ballot access made little headway around the Ohio Valley, as only one state in the region made voting easier, according to a voting rights expert. Several state governments around the nation are making major changes to voting laws following the 2020 presidential election. Kentucky is the only state in the […]

By Alana Watson

Democracy & Civic Life

Election Reform: Kentucky Makes Changes While WV and OH Remain The Same

Apr 2

Economy

Ohio Valley Communities Wait For Guidance On COVID Funds

The American Rescue Plan Act signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11 provided the nation with a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus, including funds to state and local governments, but local officials around the Ohio Valley say they aren’t yet sure just how the money can be applied. The aid package includes $350 […]

By Alana Watson

Ohio Valley Communities Wait For Guidance On COVID Funds

Mar 12

Coronavirus

Prisoners And The Pandemic: A Year Into COVID, Crowded Jails Fuel Infections In Ohio Valley

When the first coronavirus cases were reported last year, Warren County, Kentucky, Jailer Stephen Harmon knew there was going to be a COVID-19 outbreak in his jail. It was just a matter of when. “We tried our best to keep it from happening,” he said. “However with this many people in a fairly small spot, […]

By Alana Watson

Prisoners And The Pandemic: A Year Into COVID, Crowded Jails Fuel Infections In Ohio Valley

Feb 12

Coronavirus

Ohio Valley Economists Weigh In On Biden’s Recovery Plan

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to cripple the economy in the Ohio Valley and President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats are pursuing his plan for economic recovery. Biden’s economic priorities include raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, forgiving student loan debt, and undoing some Trump-era tax cuts. But Biden’s immediate focus is on […]

By Alana Watson

Ohio Valley Economists Weigh In On Biden’s Recovery Plan

Feb 10

Economy

Ohio Valley Natural Gas Counties Get Small Piece Of National Economic Pie

An analysis of natural gas production in the Ohio Valley finds that the biggest gas producing counties in the region suffered economically over the past decade compared to the rest of the country, although natural gas production was high. The report released Wednesday by the Ohio River Valley Institute, a nonprofit think tank, shows that […]

By Alana Watson

Ohio Valley Natural Gas Counties Get Small Piece Of National Economic Pie

Jan 22

Coronavirus

Biden Has An Ambitious Agenda. What Will It Mean For The Ohio Valley?

After an extraordinary inauguration ceremony marked by heightened security and coronavirus safety measures, President Joe Biden started his first day in office signing executive actions on climate change, immigration, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before taking the oath of office, Biden was already addressing the nation about his ambitious plans to fight the twin crises […]

By Jeff Young , Liam Niemeyer and Alana Watson

Biden Has An Ambitious Agenda. What Will It Mean For The Ohio Valley?

Jeff Young, Liam Niemeyer and Alana Watson

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

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