))
Red Onion Prison, NIOSH And The Mountain Laurel Festival, Inside Appalachia - Podcast - Inside Appalachia Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Manage episode 480288747 series 123294
Officials are scrutinizing a supermax prison in Wise County, Virginia, after inmate complaints and a visit by a state lawmaker.
Also, laid-off federal workers warn the Trump administration’s mass firings could make a big difference for coal miners.
And, every year, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival stages a formal dance. Organizers rely on a manual that’s been passed down for generations.
You'll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
- A Virginia Mercury Reporter Investigates Red Onion State Prison
- Deadly Cost Of NIOSH Cuts
- Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival And The Grand March
- Antonia Capriotti's Life Through Art
- United Mine Workers Of America President Reflects On Career
A Virginia Mercury Reporter Investigates Red Onion State Prison
Courtesy of Virginia Department of Corrections
In parts of Appalachia, coal mines have given way to a newer industry. Southwestern Virginia has two high-security, supermax prisons: Wallens Ridge State Prison, near Big Stone Gap, and Red Onion, not far from the town of Pound.
Prisoners at Red Onion say they live in poor conditions and are often placed in solitary confinement for long stretches of time. Reporter Charlotte Rene Woods has been covering the story.
Deadly Cost Of NIOSH Cuts
Photo Credit: Chris Schulz/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Trump administration has fired tens of thousands of workers since January. Including at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Nearly all the workers at the NIOSH offices in Morgantown, West Virginia, lost their jobs in April.
Kyle Mandler is one of the affected workers. He spoke with West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Chris Schulz about the cuts.
Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival And The Grand March
Photo Credit: Will Warren/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Appalachia is home to a lot of festivals. In Eastern Kentucky, the town of Pineville has the oldest festival on record in the state. It’s called the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, and it happens Memorial Day weekend.
It’s a four-day celebration that culminates with an exquisite tradition: The Grand March. A traditional dance that has been passed down since the first festival in 1931. Folkways Reporter Will Warren was born and raised in Pineville and grew up taking part in the festival. In 2023, he reported on the Grand March.
Antonia Capriotti's Life Through Art
Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
West Virginia artist Antonia Capriotti creates paintings and illustrations that are full of life.
Her journey as an artist began in Jefferson County’s public schools, where special education classes helped her discover a lifelong passion. WVPB’s Jack Walker has more.
United Mine Workers Of America President Reflects On Career
Courtesy of UMWA
In October, Cecil Roberts will step down as president of the United Mine Workers of America. Roberts says that in his 30 years at the head of the union, no achievement was more important than saving the health care and pensions of tens of thousands of retired coal miners. Roberts recently spoke with WVPB’s Curtis Tate about the fight for those benefits.
------
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jeff Ellis, Dinosaur Burps, Ron Mellenex and Gerry Milnes, Frank George, John Inghram, Mary Hott and Blue Dot Sessions.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: [email protected].
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Sign up for the Inside Appalachia Newsletter!
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
1019 episodes
Share
