Jul 2 Health Masking Questions: How Pandemic Health Measures Became Politicized Health officials and researchers say the science is clear: face masks can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Yet in the Ohio Valley, not all elected officials are in agreement on whether to mandate measures such as the use of face masks in public places. In April, Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine initially announced […] By Liam Niemeyer Jul 2 Health Masking Questions: How Pandemic Health Measures Became Politicized Liam Niemeyer
Jul 2 Health Overdose Incidents Rose Sharply Around Ohio Valley During Pandemic Emergency response data from across the Ohio Valley show sharp increases in suspected drug overdoses since March, when health measures including school and business closures and stay-at-home orders increased social isolation. For public health officials, it’s a grim reminder that another epidemic is ongoing and possibly worsening during the isolation associated with the coronavirus pandemic. […] By Aaron Payne Jul 2 Health Overdose Incidents Rose Sharply Around Ohio Valley During Pandemic Aaron Payne
Jun 26 Economy Coal Towns Were Counting On Tourism For New Jobs. Then Coronavirus Hit. On a recent sunny weekday, Bill Currey proudly walks among 30 neatly stacked, brightly colored plastic kayaks. Birds chirp merrily, and the soothing sounds of the meandering Coal River permeate the background — nature’s version of a white noise machine. For the tanned Currey, who also owns an industrial real estate company, being here, on […] By Brittany Patterson Jun 26 Economy Coal Towns Were Counting On Tourism For New Jobs. Then Coronavirus Hit. Brittany Patterson
Jun 17 Agriculture Ohio Valley Farmers Receive More Than $100 Million So Far In COVID-19 Relief Ohio Valley farmers have received more than $100 million so far in federal relief payments to offset the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with potentially more payments on the way. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance program plans to distribute up to $16 billion in direct payments to farmers, with farmers […] By Liam Niemeyer Jun 17 Agriculture Ohio Valley Farmers Receive More Than $100 Million So Far In COVID-19 Relief Liam Niemeyer
Jun 12 Health These Three Factors Are Driving Many COVID-19 Outbreaks In Rural Communities As the economies of the Ohio Valley gradually reopen from the pandemic closures, state officials are still reporting hundreds of coronavirus cases each day in the region. In Kentucky, coronavirus cases are again on the rise, with a week-long average of daily cases approaching the highest level yet. Public health officials are concerned about a […] By Liam Niemeyer Jun 12 Health These Three Factors Are Driving Many COVID-19 Outbreaks In Rural Communities Liam Niemeyer
Jun 9 Economy Appalachian Program Feeds Families As The Pandemic Economy Places More In Need It’s a sweltering hot Monday in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and the kitchen at Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises, or CANE, is buzzing with activity. In an industrial kitchen that was once a high school cafeteria, Brandon Fleming is chopping onions and sliding them into a massive aluminum tray of beans. Once the beans are in the oven, […] By Sydney Boles Jun 9 Economy Appalachian Program Feeds Families As The Pandemic Economy Places More In Need Sydney Boles
Jun 4 Economy Ohio Valley Weekly Unemployment Claims Down Slightly To 82K As the Ohio Valley continues its phased-in reopening, unemployment insurance claims are down slightly compared to the week before. The region is still reporting high levels of unemployment assistance applications. At least 82,011 people in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia joined those seeking help during the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The data […] By Becca Schimmel Jun 4 Economy Ohio Valley Weekly Unemployment Claims Down Slightly To 82K Becca Schimmel
May 28 Economy Questions And Anxiety Mount Over COVID-19 Workplace Safety As More Businesses Reopen Gail Fleck is a school cafeteria worker in the greater Cincinnati area and lives with her 90-year-old father. She loves her job because she gets to work with kids. But she is worried she won’t be able to keep her dad safe if her work exposes her to the coronavirus and she unknowingly brings it […] By Becca Schimmel May 28 Economy Questions And Anxiety Mount Over COVID-19 Workplace Safety As More Businesses Reopen Becca Schimmel
May 28 Economy Another 100K Unemployed In Ohio Valley; US Jobless Total Tops 40M As some businesses in the Ohio Valley reopen and welcome back both customers and employees the region continues reporting high levels of unemployment claims. At least 100,863 people in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia joined those seeking help during the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia are making progress […] By Becca Schimmel May 28 Economy Another 100K Unemployed In Ohio Valley; US Jobless Total Tops 40M Becca Schimmel
May 27 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For Kentucky’s Primary Election Kentucky’s primary was moved to June 23 from its original date on May 19 due to safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. For the primary, the state has also expanded to all registered voters the option of absentee voting, which was previously only allowed for a few reasons, such as military deployment, disability, or […] By Becca Schimmel May 27 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For Kentucky’s Primary Election Becca Schimmel