Eric Douglas

Hi Nick.

Eric Douglas is wanting to know what even is a slap nut and how did y'all get Jared to do your intro? Well, He's got cameo.

We paid him cameo to do the intro.

That's why.

But some advocates say that number is low.

WVPB's News Director Eric Douglas visited a few and had this.

Ted Bettner, senior researcher at the Ohio River Valley Institute, and Dave McMahon, the co-founder of the West Virginia Surface Owners Rights Organization, are showing me an abandoned gas well.

The sound of gunfire ruptured the cool morning air at the edge of Kanawha State Forest.

And certainly, methane is something that the Lung Association recognizes as a very powerful agent that exacerbates climate change.

According to the DEP, the average cost to plug an orphaned well is approximately $65,000, meaning it would cost more than $400 million to plug all the documented orphaned wells in this state.

For West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this is Eric Douglas in Charleston.

As the healthcare industry cuts unprofitable rural hospitals, small towns across Appalachia are paying the price.

A state senator wants to make sure ratepayers are protected.

Eric Douglas has more.

House Bill 2014, passed in 2025, establishes how data centers can be developed and powered.

Some legislators wanted to require coal-fired power plants to run at 69% capacity, whether that was the cheapest energy source or not.

So there was some concern that the PSC was going to misinterpret some of the language in House Bill 2014 and maybe mandate that.

The legislature will have to approve any new rules during the next legislative session.

For West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this is Eric Douglas in Charleston.

This is West Virginia Morning.

Abby Neff is our associate producer.

Our executive producer is Eric Douglas.

Irina Zhorov is our editor.

Our audio mixer is Patrick Stevens.

[upbeat music]

Recently, News Director Eric Douglas saw a presentation as part of the Higher Education Policy Commission's Star Lecture Series with Professor Ali Alsanayed.

He's an assistant professor and director of the West Virginia State University Cybersecurity Innovation Center.

Last week, we aired the first part of Douglas's interview with Professor Alsanayed about what AI is.

Did you say that you-- I needed a hot topic, real information? No, you didn't.

So he's technically, he just providing you a fake one.

That was Professor Ali Alsanayed from West Virginia State University speaking with Eric Douglas.

Visit our website to read a longer, more detailed version of the interview and find next week's story.

[gentle music] A room with a spectacular view in a rustic cabin is a dream for many.

But what if it is eighty feet in the air? Eric Douglas went to check one out.

The drive to the Red Oak Fire Lookout Tower in Webster County in the Monongahela National Forest is up a well-maintained gravel road through a canopy of trees that makes it feel like you're motoring through a tunnel.

It's even more jarring when you arrive at a clearing at the top of the hill and see a tower to your right standing eighty feet straight up.

For those interested in camping above the forest, there are no spots left this fall.

Beginning January 1st, visitors can go to the recreation.gov website and book a spot.

For West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this is Eric Douglas in Charleston.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Residents of three West Virginia counties are one step closer to reliable electric service in their homes.

Eric Douglas has more.

The Black Diamond Power Company and Appalachian Power have until next week to file a schedule with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for a proposed purchase agreement.

Black Diamond Power provides electricity for approximately 5,000 customers in Clay, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties.

PSC staff filed a report saying that the service provided by the company was inadequate and unreasonable.

Following the September 21st hearing, the commissioner ordered the two companies to prepare an acquisition plan and purchase agreement.

For West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this is Eric Douglas in Charleston.

Governor Patrick Morrissey declared a state of emergency for Boone and Lincoln counties following significant flash flooding Wednesday.

Kenny, in the middle of your offensive line today, we expect to see some changes.

What's the reasoning behind your decision to move Eric Douglas in as center?

Well, you know, we're expecting an even front.

We've struggled in that department.

Here at Notre Dame Stadium, Irish turned it over on a fumble in Navy territory at the 48.

Now the Mets on fourth and goal to go inside the one with Dobbs the quarterback.

The step-under first-time starter at center, Eric Douglas, with 7.18 to go here in the opening quarter.

Following Navy's second time out of this drive, searching for the game's first lead.