Shows / Blankenship On Trial
Blankenship On Trial
On April 5, 2010, 29 men were killed in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia. Federal regulators say a history of unsafe practices led to the explosion and prosecutors are now trying to prove that culture at Massey Energy came from the top down, starting with former CEO Don Blankenship. These are the stories as they are told in the courtroom, the evidence as presented by both sides and the community's reactions to the trial of Don Blankenship.
Episodes
Blankenship On TrialEffort To Recognize The Musical Talents Of Coal Miners, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, southern West Virginia has rich but often overlooked musical traditions. Chris Haddox is a West Virginia University (WVU)…
Blankenship On TrialNew Tool To Help Anxious Patients Discuss Big Decisions, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, if your doctor recommends a big test or procedure, a decision tool with the acronym B.R.A.I.N. can help you talk through options…
Blankenship On TrialYounger Coal Miners Are Getting Black Lung, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, from The Allegheny Front, a public radio program based in Pittsburgh, brings us their latest story on the return of black lung…
Blankenship On TrialThe Tale Of The Old Louisville Demon Leaper, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, stories about cryptids are revived every October in the lead-up to Halloween. Oftentimes, these monsters are said to live in the…
Blankenship On TrialElection Day Prep, Funding Public Education And A Giant Troll Sets Its Sights On Huntington, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, our voter's guide is out, and it has all the information you need to know about the upcoming general election in the state. Also…
Blankenship On TrialSilas House And Making A State Park, Inside Appalachia
Author Silas House returns with a sweeping new novel. Also, some folks say, you have to fake it 'til you make it, even if you're trying to establish a state…
Blankenship On TrialAppalachian Author Silas House Talks New Book, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, Silas House is a major voice for Appalachia. The Kentucky native has written more than 15 books and served as the state's poet…
Blankenship On TrialUs & Them: Dinner Party — Huntington 2026
For this episode of Us & Them, the Dinner Party travels to Huntington. Host Trey Kay brings together eight West Virginians at the historic Coin Harvey House…
Blankenship On Trial‘Us & Them’ Dinner Party Guests Weigh In On Immigration, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, as we’re counting down to the midterm election, Us & Them host Trey Kay has invited a new group of guests to a Dinner Party –…
Blankenship On TrialProPublica, Mountain State Spotlight Opened A ‘School.’ Here’s What They Learned, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica has been reporting on the use of public money to fund private education. Earlier this month…
Blankenship On TrialProtecting Yourself When Taking Multiple Medications, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, as people take a greater number of medications across years or decades, experts say the risk for adverse drug interactions…
Blankenship On TrialA Tale Of Tennessee’s Cryptids, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, middle Tennessee’s Dickson County is known for being the filming location for Ernest Goes to Camp, which grossed upwards of $20…
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Energy Rules Coming For Data Centers and West Virginia’s Chestnuts, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, rules are in the works for data centers, lawmakers request a meeting with Flock, and the fate of West Virginia's chestnuts. Bill…
Blankenship On TrialEncore: Ohio’s Ancient Earthworks And Ballad Singing After Hurricane Helene, Inside Appalachia
Ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also…
Blankenship On TrialFollowing Hurricane Helene, A Community Of Ballad Singers Is Making A Comeback, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, when Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina in 2024, it took lives and upended communities. A community of ballad…
Blankenship On TrialThe Future Of American Chestnuts In Mason County, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, in Mason County, West Virginia, new data center developments are changing local landscapes and communities. One of the computing…
Blankenship On TrialThe Best Time To Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, the changing colors of the leaves and the dropping temperatures of fall bring with them calls to get vaccinated against the flu…
Blankenship On TrialObesity Rates In W.Va. On The Decline, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, it’s not often that we associate West Virginia's obesity rates with good news – but data released last month from the nonprofit…
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A WARN Notice In Kanawha And The Flatwoods Monster, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, a mine operation in Kanawha County gets a WARN Notice, three Wyoming County Schools will remain closed until next week, and we…
Blankenship On TrialBarbara Kingsolver, Kudzu Warriors And Pawpaws, Inside Appalachia
Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel takes on issues of class and classical music. Also, kudzu warriors band together to fend off invasive plants and take back the…
Blankenship On TrialAppalachian Author Barbara Kingsolver Talks New Book ‘Partita,’ This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, Barbara Kingsolver is one of Appalachia’s foremost writers. She’s written a string of bestsellers, like The Poisonwood Bible and…
Blankenship On Trial‘Us & Them’ Explores Challenge To Stay Or Go, Part 2, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia has seen the largest population decline in the nation - nearly 1.5% - and many of those leaving are young people…
Blankenship On TrialUs & Them: Stay Or Go — Part 2: The Goers
West Virginia continues to lose young people. In the past five years, the state's population has dropped by nearly 1.5% — the largest decline in the nation…
Blankenship On TrialHow To Effectively Use AI, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, recently, News Director Eric Douglas saw a presentation as part of the Higher Education Policy Commission's STAR lecture series…
Blankenship On TrialUnderstanding The Do’s and Don’ts Of Medical Testing, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, direct-to-consumer tests like full-body scans are marketed as a way to catch diseases early and establish a baseline. But there…
Blankenship On TrialOrigins Of The Flatwoods Monster, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, during spooky season, popular attention turns toward ghosts and goblins – or if you live in Appalachia – cryptids. For the…
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Nuclear Takes A Step Back In W.Va. And We Visit A Fire Tower, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, nuclear power in West Virginia takes a step back, Child Protective Services (CPS) settles with five children, and we make a visit…
Blankenship On TrialBallroom Culture And Hometown Papers Covering The Notable, Inside Appalachia
Ballroom culture offers LBGTQ folks a chance to be as fabulous as they want to be. Also, the national media reports on the deaths of notable people, but small…
Blankenship On TrialA Look At LGBTQ Ballroom Culture, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, a specific style of ballroom dance is helping disenfranchised young people find community in Appalachia. In our latest episode…
Blankenship On TrialThe State’s Hottest New Campsite Is 80 Feet In The Air, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, a popular room with a view comes with a history that explains why it’s the hottest new rental around. Fire towers that served as…
Blankenship On TrialHow, Why Local Law Enforcement Is Assisting ICE, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, across the Appalachian Mid-South, local law enforcement is doing more to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
Blankenship On TrialUsing Wool To Insulate Homes, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, many farmers in our region raise sheep for meat, but not so much for wool. There’s not a great market for it with textile…
Blankenship On TrialThe Evolution Of Artificial Intelligence, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, artificial intelligence, or AI, is a hot topic right now. It seems everyone is using it – even if they sometimes don’t realize…
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Dolly Day And Student Asks State Supreme Court For Help, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, a Lincoln County student asks the state supreme court to step in, a state of emergency is declared in several counties, and a new…
Blankenship On TrialHockey And W.Va. Hip Hop, Inside Appalachia
It’s not easy to find a place to play hockey in Appalachia, and if you happen to be young and ambitious, it can be harder. Also, rappers and musicians across…
Blankenship On TrialA Hockey Hero From Appalachia, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, hockey is still finding fans and players in central Appalachia, but just because it’s an emerging sport in this region doesn’t…
Blankenship On TrialDinner Party Guests Discuss Political Divides Ahead Of Midterms, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, in the runup to the midterm elections, it’s time for a new Us & Them dinner party. Host Trey Kay brings West Virginians together…
Blankenship On TrialUs & Them: Dinner Party — Charleston 2026
For this episode of Us & Them, it’s time for another Dinner Party. Host Trey Kay brings together a group of West Virginians from both sides of the political…
Blankenship On TrialHow The ‘Coolest Thing’ Contest Shows Diversity In Manufacturing, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, the votes are in – more than 3,200 of them – and the winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made In West Virginia competition…
Blankenship On TrialCommunication Challenges For Emergency Personnel, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, two federally important facilities located in West Virginia require a strict limit on radio frequency interference. But for…
Blankenship On TrialOstrich Burgers Take Off At Kentucky Farm, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, in recent years, physicians across the country have monitored surges of a condition known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which can cause…
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Coal Gets A Lifeline And WMUL Wins A Murrow, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, the coal industry gets a lifeline, the U.S. Secretary of Education comes to Cabell County, and WMUL wins a Murrow – again. Bill…
Blankenship On TrialEncore: The Love Of Competition, Inside Appalachia
One thing about Appalachians, we can get competitive. We’re proud of our local food. Love a good hunt. And enjoy competition with friends. We learn the rules…
Blankenship On TrialDecades-Old Musical Tradition Pays Tribute To Welsh Immigrants, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, in southern Ohio, there’s a musical tradition that goes back nearly 1,000 years and 4,000 miles. For Inside Appalachia, Folkways…
Blankenship On TrialMU Radio News Program Rakes In Prestigious Awards, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, in August, the student-led team that produces the news for WMUL at Marshall University learned they had won an Edward R. Murrow…
Blankenship On TrialExploring Appalachian Lore, History Through Plants, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, a new book called Appalachian Plants: In the Garden, In the Yard, and In the Wild explores some of the history and lore of…
Blankenship On TrialData Center Proposals In Neighboring Pennsylvania, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, data center proposals are popping up in West Virginia – and in neighboring Pennsylvania, where one small community is juggling…
Blankenship On TrialEfforts To Retain Name On Aircraft Carrier For W.Va. Cook, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, many West Virginians may not remember the name Doris “Dorie” Miller, but he served on the USS West Virginia when it was attacked…
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West Virginia Hopes For Nuclear Investment And 9/11 Remembered
On this West Virginia Week, the state signs a memorandum of understanding about nuclear energy, the Public Service Commission (PSC) disputes need for a…
Blankenship On TrialEncore: Willie Carver Jr. And Marina Waters, Inside Appalachia
In author Willie Carver, Jr.’s new book, he reconsiders a negative childhood experience with a neighborhood girl who might have just been looking for a friend…
Blankenship On TrialRemembering 9/11, 25 Years Later, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, 25 years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., a hijacked plane hit one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center in New York…
Blankenship On TrialUs & Them: Stay Or Go — Part 1: The Stayers
While Americans disagree about many things when it comes to politics, elections and domestic and global affairs, most agree that a robust economy is essential…
Blankenship On Trial‘Us & Them’ Explores The Challenge To Stay Or Go, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, economic growth in West Virginia ranks close to the bottom in national rankings. It’s not just losing jobs, it’s also losing…
Blankenship On TrialNational Report Highlights Use Of Opioid Settlement Funds For Police Surveillance, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, as one of the hardest hit states in the country's opioid crisis, communities across West Virginia have started spending their…
Blankenship On TrialA Look At Whether Big Tech Is a Good Neighbor, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, the mayor of Gallatin, Tennessee, says a Meta hyperscale data center is the city’s largest taxpayer, but residents still have…
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A Second Data Center In Mason County And Kathy Mattea Remembers Dolly, This West Virginia Week
On this West Virginia Week, a second data center is coming to Mason County, the Rural Health Transformation Program Funds are beginning to be distributed in…
Blankenship On TrialRemembering Dolly Parton, Inside Appalachia
We remember the one and only Dolly Parton. Dolly used her musical success to help others. She started the Imagination Library, a free book program for children…
Blankenship On TrialSinger, Mountain Stage Host Kathy Mattea Remembers Dolly Parton, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, we remember Dolly Parton, not just as a musician and celebrity, but as a voice for Appalachian humor, resilience and kindness…
Blankenship On TrialUnderstanding How Heat Affects The Body, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, NPR recently released a story showing that heat-related deaths in the United States have likely been undercounted. The Centers…
Blankenship On TrialDealing With The Hottest Days, This West Virginia Morning
On this West Virginia Morning, every week, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know - and what…