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
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 8 Democracy & Civic Life Small Towns Host Black Lives Matter Marches As Movement Spreads Beyond Cities By now it’s become a familiar scene: Marchers fill the streets with placards proclaiming “Black Lives Matter,” and chants fill the air as the demonstrators recite the names of those lost. But there’s something different about some of these protests around the Ohio Valley in the past week. They’re not just happening in the larger […] By Liam Niemeyer and Staff Jun 8 Democracy & Civic Life Small Towns Host Black Lives Matter Marches As Movement Spreads Beyond Cities Liam Niemeyer and Staff
May 22 Agriculture Pandemic Could Make Food Insecurity Worse Among Older Adults In Ohio Valley A new study shows the Ohio Valley has some of the nation’s highest rates of food insecurity among older adults, and anti-hunger advocates say that situation could be made worse by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The annual study was published May 21 in partnership with researchers from the University of Kentucky, researchers […] By Liam Niemeyer May 22 Agriculture Pandemic Could Make Food Insecurity Worse Among Older Adults In Ohio Valley Liam Niemeyer
May 14 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For West Virginia’s 2020 Primary West Virginia officials moved the state’s primary election from May 12 to June 9 out of safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, and have expanded options for mail-in voting. Registered voters can vote in person during early voting or on Election Day at a polling location, or by absentee ballot. The last day to […] By Brittany Patterson May 14 Democracy & Civic Life A Pandemic Voter Guide For West Virginia’s 2020 Primary Brittany Patterson
May 7 Economy Are Ohio Valley States Ready To Reopen? Analysis Finds More Coronavirus Testing Needed An analysis by Harvard scientists and NPR finds that most states — including Kentucky and Ohio — are not testing enough residents for coronavirus in order to meet recommended benchmarks to safely begin to reopen their economies. That analysis by Harvard’s Global Health Institute found that West Virginia is roughly meeting the minimum targets for […] By Jeff Young and Becca Schimmel May 7 Economy Are Ohio Valley States Ready To Reopen? Analysis Finds More Coronavirus Testing Needed Jeff Young and Becca Schimmel
May 5 Economy West Virginia Small Businesses Face Tough Decisions As State Reopens West Virginia is among the states beginning to loosen restrictions meant to reduce the spread of coronavirus, allowing for some non-essential businesses to reopen beginning this week. On Monday, May 4, West Virginia entered the second week of Gov. Jim Justice’s six-week reopening plan, which he calls “the comeback.” During week two, businesses with fewer […] By Brittany Patterson May 5 Economy West Virginia Small Businesses Face Tough Decisions As State Reopens Brittany Patterson
Apr 22 Agriculture Online SNAP Program Could Increase Food Accessibility In Ohio Valley Kentucky and West Virginia have recently been added to a federal pilot program to allow food stamp recipients to purchase groceries online, and Ohio Valley anti-hunger advocates say it’s a good move to improve food accessibility amid the coronavirus pandemic. The pilot program lets those receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to […] By Liam Niemeyer Apr 22 Agriculture Online SNAP Program Could Increase Food Accessibility In Ohio Valley Liam Niemeyer