Acting anecdotes, declining overdoses and chaos in child care, this week in West Virginia

This week in West Virginia, we look back at the life of famed actor James Earl Jones, who died this month at age 93. Jones was an actor in the 1987 John Sayles film “Matewan,” filmed in Thurmond, West Virginia.

Reporter Curtis Tate spoke with David Wohl, who invited Jones to speak to his acting class at West Virginia State University decades before his death.

Additionally, we'll hear good news about the overdose rate due to public health issues, concerns about addressing a growing child care crisis, and the latest on how to keep students focused in the classroom.

In this episode we also travel back in time 110 years, where a murder, a pay heist and a car chase unfolded in one weekend in the hills of Mingo County.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting premiered an original radio drama this week called “The Last Train to Glen Alum.” The story revives the centuries-old caper through contemporary text by news director Eric Douglas.

Douglas sat down with historian Stan Bumgardner to discuss the dramatic moment in West Virginia history. You can find out more about the piece at this link.

Jack Walker is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that covers the week's biggest news stories in the Mountain State. It was produced with the help of Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Caelan Bailey, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, Randy Yohe and Maria Young.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.