TRT World, West Virginia Poverty

The United States is seen by many as a land of opportunity and wealth but there are deep divisions as almost 50 million Americans are classed as ‘in poverty'. That’s approximately 15 percent of the population. The city of Logan in West Virginia is in one of the poorest areas of the country. Andrea Arenas reports from there.

[@gregr1672]

Lots of hard times in West Va forever. People only knew they were poor if someone told them so. My grandma cooked on an old iron stove for us ,hand pump for water in the kitchen , outhouse out back was the bathroom! I remember how good her home made biscuits smelled .You would wake up to that smell in the mornings. She would fry up some kind of a hot apple sauce in skillet and put sugar on it. All the roads were dirt roads but pretty smooth all in all. Spent lot of time in summers there and people really appreciated the simple things. My dear mom always said ,be thankful for what you have and don't worry bout what you don't have!

[@danielthoman7324]

when people are poor, they know it!

[@gallima2598]

Doesn't sound like she was poor

[@Dodgers-sw2uk]

Not when poverty is all around them and they know nothing else. For example as poor as these people may be in relation to other Americans they are among the richest 10% in the world. You don’t have obesity as a problem in real poor areas

[@macanthony1982]

@2:10.. she says it all depends on the presidential election... that right there is why states are getting screwed... folks keep focusing on the presidency, forgetting to hold the local state governments (which have been screwing folks for decades) accountable for shit..... BOTTOM LINE... LOCAL STATE GOVERNMENTS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS

[@johnwilburn]

True, but man, oh man, did Trump ever do well for WV. They hadn't seen such prosperity since WWII.

[@tarheelpro87]

@@johnwilburn I wouldn’t say West Virginia was prospering, but they were definitely like the rest of the country doing better under trump. We were energy independent, taxes were low, I’m not gonna get deep into politics cause I’m sick of it as we cannot escape it now but you get what I mean.

[@montanaskies2702]

If they’d quit electing the same 🤡 in office & try something different, they might see improved results.

[@samcolt1079]

RIGHT DEMORATS. LETS GO BRANDON.

[@samcolt1079]

@@johnwilburn AND LOOK AT THE PANTY WAIST IN THERE NOW. DONT CRY ABOUT IT TO ME. I COULDNT CARE LESS.

[@cherylsabol387]

Just one more example of why manufacturing needs to come back to the USA..

[@Navy35]

They’ll just bring in illegals to do the jobs

[@SheldonGoff]

That isn't easy to do in WV. Flat land for building is hard to come by, it can be a long distance to the interstate on bad roads. Most of the rail lines have been removed.

[@tonirad9577]

You hit the nail on the head ! I don’t think Americans realize that America producing for America is the KEY . When is the last time you ate off a plate made in America ? Or got dressed in clothes made in America ? Unless and until we bring production back to our own country the downward spiral will continue . I search for made in America at thrift stores. I am proud to use things with that Made in America Stamp , even if it was made 50 years ago .

[@SheldonGoff]

@@tonirad9577 I'm VERY picky about what I buy, and with some shopping (and spending) you can get a lot of things that are made here. My plates are old, so they were made here. Clothes can be found, but you'll pay more for them. More than many can afford sadly.

[@RayoAtra]

That will never happen. Though not because of politics, but because human labor in general is becoming obsolete. In another 10-15 years hiring people will be bad business. It's time we realize it's the 21st century and rethink the idea of wages = a good life. If we were to embrace automation we could provide a great, safe, enriched, secure life for the entire nation at very little cost. Sadly we are fighting this progress as a global society so we can hold on to dying 18th century economic processes.

[@Laura_0708]

My family left WV when it became clear that the good job opportunities were not there anymore. Now we are more scattered, but all found success by being willing to venture out and change with the times.

[@bandido7994]

Smart move, even wild animals know that they MUST migrate to eat and raise a family. Congratulations!!!

[@monicae67]

The people that stayed was probably out of love and hope for WV.

[@johnsradios484]

West Virginia needs another industry, heck most of the USA needs another industry.

[@Tom-kn6sr]

Reel in corporate greed, spread profits out a little more evenly over the workforce and bring all the businesses that went outside of the US home. Find a couple politicians that could make that happen and we'll be getting somewhere.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

JohnsRadios all jobs are being outsourced for profits.now even white collar jobs being sent overseas like accountants to South America.

[@jasonsarah2737]

@richard isner I have lived in WV my entire life, trust me too much regulation is not the issue. We have been poisoned and polluted for centuries. We are the top state for respiratory diseases, rare cancers, and every other horrible malady. Wv companies would rather pay fines regularly than actually clean up their mess. We have several companies in the valley that have hundreds of tons of toxic waste buried and leaking. Not to mention the oil and gas industry that's robbed west Virginians of billions of dollars worth of mineral rights.

[@dudelarson]

Weed.

[@dudelarson]

@richard isner Not to mention buds, bongs, vapes, shatter, glass, gummies, bakes, oil, hash, kief, tincture, drinks, food, B&B's, hemp, plantations, CBD prods, ect. Abundance works better than control and adherence to ignorant ideals.

[@jeromedavid7944]

The real problem with WVa happened over a century ago when the coal, chemical, n timber industries were beginning to boom. The corrupt state leaders like company owners were greedy n put a state tax burden on an already improverished population. Instead of getting revenue off the billions made in coal, timber, paper, n most recently electricity n natural gas being exported it extorted its governmental budget off a population less than the size of a borough in NYC. WVa like Alaska should be paying it citizens to live there with a yearly dividends checks! Maybe just maybe more of them would stick around. Mountaineers will always be Free in spirit soul n heart but continue to be burdened with ridiculous personal property taxes n a state tax the borders on criminal!

[@stuszith]

WOW!!!!

[@toynazi]

Very true!

[@johnbelcastro7239]

n don't forget WV has the highest tax on gas.

[@stuszith]

@@johnbelcastro7239 so don,t go to WV!!??

[@colt5029]

Stuart Smith how can that happen, WHEN YOU LIVE IN WV

[@LDDavis911]

I moved to Florida from WV in 1989. Amazing people but profound poverty abounds. They deserve better.

[@muddog2159]

We need too bring back factories that makes well made American products like tools car parts machinery clothing

[@baykay9559]

muddog2 and Americans need to be willing to spend a little for “Made in the USA”

[@muddog2159]

Bay Kay they have too theirs almost nothing made in America it need too come back and the people has a choice either buy Ryobi or buy dewalt as an example

[@baykay9559]

dark zeratul true. The attitude for both consumer and business has to change. Ethics over money. Good point.

[@leilanigreenwood9881]

@@baykay9559 I agree with you. Finding made in USA is hard

[@peterdunne2756]

Hahaha well made american products nah I’m good I’ll stick with the Germans and the Japanese

[@shannonfbc1]

West Virginia is beautiful and home to some of the kindest most resolute people you could ever meet.

[@susieq8253]

My daughter and her friend visited West Virginia back in May and absolutely fell in love with it’s beautiful mountain and small town vibe. Only problem was there’s no jobs unless you’re a nurse or a truck driver.

[@anthonydavis3424]

Well stay or drive or become a nurse quit whining or move then

[@colinvanblaricom6573]

@@anthonydavis3424 No need to be rude !

[@twistedmetal15]

​@@anthonydavis3424 who pissed in your cereal? What you want everybody to leave then?

[@dedfishermen985]

@@anthonydavis3424just go away

[@ryanadams0922]

​@@anthonydavis3424jerk

[@beckylipps7286]

I live in Parkersburg. There are beautiful homes here. I’m sick of folks displaying us as country hicks with family trees as wreaths. It’s a beautiful state and I wouldn’t live anywhere else!!

[@thomasmoore4676]

Ur not working in the mines on a day to day trek of survival

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

True but the Ohio River Valley and Northern West Virginia are a lot different from Southern West Virginia

[@Mr.grubby]

It's a boring state also

[@thatonefatguy9043]

I absolutely love West Virginia, I think if I could move anywhere it'd be there. Kind people beautiful mountains love it all. But I'm stuck in Michigan.

[@katiewilldorton4183]

These documentaries never show how the middle class live, they place alot of emphasis on the ones below the poverty line to make it into something it's not. I'm from pulaski va, I can tell you right off alot of people choose to live this way because of the welfare they can get. It's the working man or the folks who've actually tried that can't get help when they need it. If you work you don't get anything and that's not right.

[@ssgoblin]

All areas of West Virginia are hit just as hard. I left home when I was 18, came back a couple of times but never could stay. Hopefully when I retire I can return home.

[@cole8834]

West Virginians have got to start homesteading. It's how my family survived before the coal boom. It's how you'll have to survive after it.

[@danielmeadows1114]

Not many people have enough land to raise their own food, it’s sad.

[@donpayne562]

The part I grew up in the taters would roll off the hill.lol you could north of Charleston and east of 77if you had enough to get started.

[@cole8834]

@@donpayne562 My uncle on the side of a hill raised goats. Although that was waaay back, and I bet nobody wants to eat goat anymore.

[@Mario_N64]

@@cole8834 I like barbecued goat.

[@John-uv7zp]

Absolutely the government has Givin up on Americans....

[@lolagoetz561]

I was born n raised in Danville, a few miles away from Logan. The corridor G was both a blessing and a curse for businesses in the small communities that meander deeper into the hills. The corridor G cut them off and they were bypassed. Must say also that shutting down the vocational schools throughout WV was a terrible hit to the population and the economy. Whoever thought that was necessary, was a fool. I left. Ive had success in my life but those who remained have had a tough row to hoe.

[@ferrellsl]

She mentioned the 10,000 miners who lost their jobs but failed to mention the other 120,000 people who worked in jobs directly supporting the mines such as those who worked in machine shops, construction, coal trucking/hauling, beltline installation/repair, and heavy equipment repair and sales. Killing the coal industry killed off a lot more than just the livelihood of coal miners.

[@barrybb5409]

Right. Same with electric cars. They may mention the auto workers that will face losing jobs, but never the support industries that dwarf the auto industry.

[@garybonnell5083]

These are the best people you will ever meet give you the shirt off their backs but don't put them down or piss them off

[@timricketts1621]

I have been there and met with some of them years ago...

[@tommylong5141]

I there for 6 yrs thing to do is dont piss off a Carolina man there assholes whole state

[@beltfed4624]

I'm a born and raised WV boy, hillbilly to the bone. We'll help someone just because, but if they push our buttons, they can take home a black eye just the same. The gutter dwellers brought drugs into this beautiful state and ruined so much of its beautiful simplicity. I still love WV though, she just needs a good cleaning, if you know what I mean.

[@tommylong5141]

@Mark Kellerman I live in NC

[@tommylong5141]

@@beltfed4624 stay in west Virginia ok per NC man

[@uktravel8341]

Coal production has been declining in America since 1967, and has nothing to do with Republican or Democrat. Everything to do with China and other countries developing their own coal industries since World War 2, as well as cheaper methods like wind power, solar and natural gas expanding since then.

[@kevinmaclaren1117]

So it has nothing to do with the democrats regulating coal fire power plants almost out of existence?

[@uktravel8341]

@Scott Ouellette Coal is by far the most expensive fuel for creating electricity (over 20 times more expensive than wind power per KwH), so it is natural we have moved to wind, solar power and other materials.

[@garywolfe4504]

@@uktravel8341 Good Point. I believe that I've read that coal from Wyoming is of a higher and cleaner quality and is easier to get to and cheaper to produce that dirtier, narrower seamed coal from WV and Kentucky. Competes and compares poorly with western coal, I've read.

[@seththomas9105]

@@kevinmaclaren1117 When my grandfather quit farming and ranching in 1950 he went to work for Northern Gas Co. converting commercial steam boilers to gas from coal. He was on the conversion crew for West Point academy. How many houses are heated by coal in the USA compared to 1940? How many coal fired steam engines have the railroads used since 1960? So Standard Oil was a Democrat company? Oh, right cause Democrats, that's why! Read a book and don't make yourself look the fool.

[@seththomas9105]

@@garywolfe4504 Most Eastern coal has a much higher BTU content per ton, but is higher sulfur and harder to mine.

[@tikigodsrule2317]

After WWII the worlds factories were destroyed but the US was still in business and it was booming. Farms and business were not automated and required thousands of workers creating a large middle class. Time moved on. Business is for profit. Cutting expenses (your job) increases profits. The goal of corporations is to reduce the number of living wage jobs to a minimum and to eliminate jobs as much as possible. That is Capitalism. The USA works when the middle class gets bigger and fails like a little dictator republic when there is no middle class. We are in this shape now because the middle class is declining dramatically. The USA works when is part Capitalist (Business) and Socialist (We the people get some of the pie). How do you fix homelessness and the despair driving addiction? Simple its a job to give me some respect and money to live. How did this change so fast? About 20 years ago the democrats and republicans sold you out to corporations. This allows major companies based in the US to claim for tax purposes their corporation is really based in Ireland in a lawyers file cabinet. Now they can escape paying taxes while enjoying living in American without paying for anything. Unlimited stock buybacks is a technical tool for cooking the books legally giving all the power to shareholders that bribe the CEO with mega bonuses and leave the workers with no power or representation in companies anymore. I don't know anyone that belongs to a union or even if there are any unions anymore. The internet was the tool corporations needed to outsource your work and job to someone overseas in another country. Washington also gave companies permission to fire US workers and actually bring foreign workers into the US under the H1B visa program. They just have to claim they can't find a US worker and no one challenges them. Is it any wonder we have no jobs that pay a living wage? That destroyed towns and cities all over America. Think about that when you vote.

[@stuszith]

Very well said !! offshoring Corporations .I don,t thinl ALL of them are over in Ireland-in some Corporate Lawyers file Cabinet -thye could be in Other countries Too!!! Hey watch a GOOD FELLOW who puts HIS POINT ACROSS on KZbin - The JIMMY DORE SHOW -

[@jenniferfaux8294]

H1b is what Trunp is trying to abolish. Companies like Disney and Facebook are fighting against it. What we need to do as consumers is refuse to patronize these busnisses no matter the sacrifice, and stop whanting things at the cheepest cost possible.

[@billfeld5883]

That is about it you for got to mention we 're build them with newer technology and our old steel factories would be obsolete, funny you can ship iron ore over seas and back and it's cheaper.

[@seththomas9105]

It was more than 20 years ago, try 40.

[@tikigodsrule2317]

@@seththomas9105 your right. Man I'm getting old too fast.

[@judya.shroads8245]

When Logan coal miners were on strike yrs ago, I gathered food clothes and toys for them. It was almost Christmas. The ppl living in Logan are nicest and kindest ppl. I'm sorry that it all has gone to such deplorable conditions. No mines, no jobs and ppl leaving. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[@jamieallen2126]

West Virginia, my home state where there is no WHITE PRIVILEGE or BLACK PRIVILEGE, we are all equally in the poverty bracket!!!

[@wallystewart1979]

amen im from west Virginia myself

[@hildaromero325]

Jamie Allen as has to be

[@elduderino1809]

@@chaosdweller use F7 please

[@chaosdweller]

@@elduderino1809 I love your name lol!

[@WVFAN1958]

It takes a special person to get down in the mines..I want to thank you miners. 👍 Born in WV and I’ll die in WV...on top of a mountain. Stay WV strong and take care of each other. Go errrrs. God bless the USA...

[@RayoAtra]

All it takes are people in need with no other option at that level of pay.

[@bigtripp304]

23 year native to West Virginia! love my mountain momma

[@donovan2913]

God bless you sir

[@DBL304]

Amen!

[@thomasmitchell4128]

Hey there, can I ask you something? What is a mountain momma ? Is that a big chick who sneaks over at night and puts it on you but takes off before anyone can catch her over at your house ? Is that like a sugar momma type deal where she pays your bills or something? Is there a Mountain of a Momma that people just call mountain momma because she is the most mountain of all the mommas? Just curious and wishing you all the best, - your Alligator wrasslin'st, swamp surfin'est, alcohol poison'n'est cousin down in Louisiana.

[@donaldcassidy1592]

Beautiful people and country who are down now but will rise again. It's God's countrythere!

[@wvmountaineer80]

yes agreed

[@robertmorris7256]

Very sad situation, but also very beautiful, I would imagine the tourist industry would or could use a push.

[@ray1965ify]

Being from Illinois i have been to logan several times in 1968. over the mountain to a place named Dingess in Mingo county.wonderful country wonderful people. John Denver said it best, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.

[@Mario_N64]

They say Mingo county used to be really corrupt. Has that changed?

[@tomjones7089]

Sad situation. Many times drugs start creeping in and it becomes more than worse.

[@jeffcraddock3580]

There is now a massive drug problem in WVa towns, due in large part to the shrinking industrial opportunities. In fact, Netflix has a documentary about it.

[@lurchman60]

Move your broke ass! I used to live in detroit, think it's just bad in WV? It's bad everywhere. So move your broke ass to a new place, and get a job

[@lurchman60]

@@jeffcraddock3580 if everybody is broke(so they say) where are they getting money for drugs?

[@mikejohn0088]

It's every time. Too much time on your hands, to much time to think so most elect to dull the senses to hide from reality and that is a treadmill you will seldom get off.

[@sexymama8784]

I moved away 4yrs ago. There's nothing there anymore

[@garvinhooper]

retired 15 years ago and decided to come to WV never regretted it for one minute,, taxes are good and the cost of living is nice,its not a place to come to if you are seeking employment though

[@sexymama8784]

@@garvinhooper but the drugs are so bad its nothing there!! Illiterately

[@stuszith]

@@garvinhooper -Iguess the Only job one COULD find is being aCashier /stocker at aDollar General -- ??

[@nuclearpugg]

No you're wrong there are plenty of soul sucking fast chains everywhere oh theres a Wal-Mart too!

[@sexymama8784]

@@nuclearpugg lol ok Wal-Mart!!!! Oh boy

[@PanzermansBunker]

Cut the EPA restrictions on coal fired power plants....start them up. The mines will need workers then.

[@planexshifter]

NO! GET BETTER JOBS- why must we be stuck in the past?! There are many newer and better industries that need a location. If our politicians would stop stealing from us and work for us, we could have it much better.

[@jakeblanton6853]

Need to get rid of the unions also... They are a socialist construct, so they shouldn't exist anyway in a free society...

[@abram730]

We can't eat fish up north due to the mercury that the South rained on us with their coal plants. We should have a multi-trillion dollar lawsuit over it and make them poor whites pay for the damage they did.

[@jakeblanton6853]

@@abram730 -- Actually, it is Asia that is the problem according to this article: phys.org/news/2016-01-mercury-rainfall-north-america.html

[@earlystrings1]

Natural gas is cheaper and we’ve got so much, we sell it overseas. There are plenty of energy jobs in oil and fracking, but sadly not in WV.

[@chrismc.4437]

Depressing, especially since n the dead of winter. When you see an old mattress laying outside that's been there for a while you damn well know the situation is as hopeless as it can be.

[@barbaramccrady1507]

God bless west Virginia

[@johnsilver7150]

So sad. I was born in Verdunville and went to East End JR High. Family moved to Cleveland when I was 14, 1963. Sorry to see this about Logan.

[@Nimrodbodeinejr]

So you know Dwayne Evan's from verdunville hes my dad

[@kellishannonharmon8573]

Girl you went right down to the most raggedy spot in Logan lol

[@chucknoob7041]

The surrounding mountains look great. Any opportunity for recreation as an income source? In northern Minnesota they are building old Iron quarries into mountain bike trails and bringing flocks of riders from the Twin Cities.

[@Professional_street_hustler]

Honestly man I’ve been saying we need to do stuff like that make more nature reserves and national parks legalize recreational maybe bring some endangered animals here anything that can help empower the tourism industry..but it’ll never happen because the coal companies have their greedy hands so far up the up the governments ass West Virginia has practically become Ancapastan

[@sugargooslin6473]

Our leaders in Congress and the Senate need to focus on economic development for southern wv and eastern ky

[@travelingwithrick]

You mean Moscow Mitch didn't spearhead economic development in Kentucky? Guess he's too busy kissing trumps ass to help the state has been senator of for decades. Loser.

[@monicae67]

Bye .. bye Manchin.

[@mommajoe824]

Hopefully this will too change.

[@flukeoutdrsy650]

They need to focus more on vacationers and travelers! Setup pkg plans and draw people in!

[@lisa9867]

I agree. It's a beautiful state and they should build nice hotels, restaurants and shops in their downtown. Tourist will go for all the natural beauty. That could bring in a lot of money. Forget about coal mining. Who would want to do that job anyway?

[@garyboardwine3349]

Wv tourism is on the rise , along with the recent addition of the new river gorge national park

[@willbygosh4887]

Being a native of West Virginia,God Bless our Coal Miners and it's history but it's time to move on and diversify.

[@superdavelane4]

Damn I guess I need both headphones for this.

[@Stephen-bg8ol]

Kayla, smart and beautiful. The downward path of coal mining makes me think of the brief history of the whaling industry. Both served as energy sources, providing useful materials for their era and people with a means of survival and even wealth. Times change.

[@jameskeeney2966]

I left the great state of WVA in 1963 at the age of nine. It was not by choice but rather necessity because my parents both worked at the Owens Illinois glass plant in Charleston which was being closed down. At that time there were almost no jobs to be had so we relocated to New Jersey to survive. Now almost sixty years later the employment opportunities have not improved much and the staple of the state as well as the region ( coal mining) has been in a continuous decline for over sixty years. There has been basically one politician , Robert Byrd who fought for the good people of this state. What has been lacking in this region as well as most of the South is a first rate education. The politicians are not the only entity to blame for the quality of life there the parents of these children could have pushed them a lot harder but instead settled for the status quo and deprived their offspring of better opportunities. Every one can point fingers and make excuses but in this country there is always a path to success if you are willing to push yourself. I love these people and the state of WVA but if you are not willing to change and take advantage of your opportunities you must first blame yourself.

[@sandranorman5469]

I saw the handwriting on the wall and when I got out of college, I had a friend look for me down here in South Carolina and got a job offer right away. But I will always be a West Virginian at heart. When I first moved away I used to wave at people. After a month I realized they were not waving back. I know, I know why did it take me a month-because it never occurred to me that nobody was waving back. I will always be a WVU Mountaineers.

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

It’s painful to see communities lose jobs. 💔In Greece they had several years of a financial crisis = they went back to bartering and people developed an alternative money system called TEM . It was basically like a point system where you could exchange & get goods and services . They stayed afloat cause the elderly had small pensions and got help from the EU.

[@willskitchen618]

My dad left Logan in the 60's and never looked back.

[@MarieLuvsNate]

My dad and grandparents moved to Washington state from Logan at around the same time.

[@kyleoxley5048]

Coward

[@crystalbelle2349]

@@MarieLuvsNate I gew up in Logan County WV enjoying a wonderful childhood as a UMWA coal miner’s daughter during the coal boom years of the seventies and eighties. After the miner’s voted a lawyer in as UMWA President in the late eighties instead of a Union coal miner, it. wasn’t long before my little family moved out and on, as Dad had fortunately already retired. My ex became a Commercial Construction worker and I worked in automotive. Im now retired and my Son works for the County where we live. Miss my parents buy they’ve already gone to be with God so I think I’m where He wants me. WV has been and always will be a beautiful state with many good people.

[@robertdamron898]

Beautiful Audio. The left , right. Nice wide yet easily understood space. Nice Production. we are not used to that in these Parts... LOL. great Production.

[@suzybailey-koubti8342]

Home Sweet Home. Born and reared in Logan County when coal mining was king!

[@robertvalderaz7329]

It is up to the people, open bed and breakfasts. Make it a tourist spot. Sell crafts open up shops. That is what we did in Texas to save our smaller towns.

[@charleslovell6307]

Check out the small towns of Thomas and Davis wv... they have just done this ..took an old historic town and turned it into a tourist destination

[@charleslovell6307]

West Virginia is beautiful and I love the people!

[@Khmat]

Almost heaven!!

[@randomtube8226]

If people would just tear down all the eye sores, fix all the sidewalks, pot holes, streets, back roads, pick up all the trash, plant more trees and vegetation. WV wouldn't look so bad. Not everything but it would be a start. Sometimes i wonder why i still live here.

[@richarddrum9970]

Random Tube.....of course filming in the dead of winter with no vegetation and wet streets from a recent snow also helps to make it look deplorable. Trust me, it’s a different scene in the summer.

[@usmc-veteran7316]

Why they live there? Because it's home.

[@triedntru8049]

It takes MONEY to fix all that. Money that WV doesn’t have. But you’re right. .it would look much more inviting. Excluding its deplorable buildings and trash, you can’t deny its beautiful wildlife scenery. The people make WV even that much More beautiful!

[@heckinbasedandinkpilledoct7459]

Plant more trees??? WV is hella green. But I agreed with the rest of what you said. I've seen too many videos of residents living in squalor. At least dump the trash out of plain view.

[@randomtube8226]

WV trees are not as lush and green as they should be.

[@davidbrattain1446]

Nothing that a few manufacturing plants could not fix overnight. Many of these guys have metalworking and mechanical skills. We are not utilizing the skills of these people and its a damn shame.

[@markrichards6863]

It's a beautiful state, have driven through a few times. I wish they could diversify their economy and find a way to make young people want to stay. But this decline has been going on for a very long time. I think they are not only hurt by the lack of demand for coal but also the lack of any sizable urban center. It seems like but would be a good place to move if you wanted a rural lifestyle.

[@javiersanabria7513]

Yeah very rural area .

[@dianebays5484]

Logan and Boone counties, are the same. It's a shame.

[@Aaron25thinfantry]

So is Wyoming

[@thomasweaks4359]

My roots are not in West Virginia but I lived and worked there for almost 30 years. Most people in the state own their home, are debt free, have plenty to eat, and don’t lean on social programs for subsistence. I found them to be very friendly and strongly family oriented. West Virginia had the lowest crime of all states of the nation during the period that I lived there from 1971- 2000. Let me suggest that those people who are curious about poverty look at states where poverty is real. You won’t have to look far to find hordes of hungry homeless who have nothing and are totally dependent on handouts from social programs. Those are the states where poverty is real.

[@bdawg9489]

After 2000, heroin took over. You missed out.

[@Facetiously.Esoteric]

Lmao So many lies.

[@dantalbot8795]

Wonder Woman at 1:33!

[@radiocameron]

She really does look like Lynda Carter.

[@Nimrodbodeinejr]

Shes my cousins ex wife

[@tobysirus4996]

Is she a DJ or something?

[@Mario_N64]

@@Nimrodbodeinejr Why did they split

[@macanthony1982]

local state government need to do a better job in instances like this... but yet, evreyone focuses on the Presidency... SMH JUST ASK DETROIT, THAT WAS NO FAULT OF ANY PRESIDENT

[@johnirby493]

What can local and State Governments do? They can not manufacture jobs, or money.

[@macanthony1982]

@@johnirby493 tehy can at least help spur investments bringing possible jobs

[@JTDyer21]

Sad for many towns like this. Seems the only solution is prayers for the state.

[@edwardjonez6615]

THAT IS THE PROBLEM MY FRIEND. PRAYER DOES NOT WORK. SCIENCE, ECONOMICS, REASON AND EDUCATION IS THE SOLUTION. RELIGION IS A CRUTCH.

[@thechosengod576]

Be receptive to change.

[@keniser2509]

Awesome place to ride ATV'S... Very nice people in that town.

[@macanthony1982]

this issue is similar to Detroit, places like this relied so much on the coal industry that they did not "invest" the money from the coal industries in other ways... this is aint a political thing, this is a common sense thing.. THESE LOCAL STATE GOVERNMENTS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT DOING THEIR JOB EFFICIENTLY

[@Professional_street_hustler]

That’s quite ironic considering a lot of the drugs are coming from Detroit but I do agree with you

[@macanthony1982]

@@Professional_street_hustler drugs are coming from Detroit, but said drugs are not made there.. they come Canada by way of the good ole cartel...🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Professional_street_hustler]

@@macanthony1982 I’m not saying it’s made in Detroit but Detroit is where a lot of it is being trafficked in to West Virginia from

[@bigdaddy3662]

Not to worry, Donny made coal mining great again just like he said he would, oh wait, no he didn't, he lied about that just like everything else.

[@garywolfe4504]

That's right. Trump hasn't been able to help the coal industry, nor the coal miners. Lies daily and is in court trying to cancel obamacare medical insurance.

[@SheldonGoff]

@@garywolfe4504 you can't help a dead industry. And Obamacare gutted my insurance, I'd like to see it gone.

[@brasileirosshelton]

@@SheldonGoff Gutted your insurance? More stupid lies like always. You keep ur tdrump while the rest of us sane people get him the hell out of here.

[@nnt.473]

Beautiful West Virginia. Wish more companies would come to open business. Hollywood could also help out like they did in Louisiana and Atlanta. ..

[@xwrtk]

They definitely need it. A few companies have but it’s like fast food and a grocery store here and there. Fast food doesn’t really pay the bills.

[@johnwheet7037]

Gandhi was once quoted as saying the worst form of violence was poverty

[@blaze-uz6or]

Betcha they will have a army recuiter in every strip mall .

[@Tom-kn6sr]

Betcha they don't have a strip mall....

[@blaze-uz6or]

@@Tom-kn6sr prob right

[@MrThenry1988]

Way more have left California.

[@omar9268]

40 million people live in california, only 1 million live in west virgina, makes sense why no one wants to live in that poverty ridden red state

[@joeparks3748]

My recollection is that economies tend to go from agrarian to industrial to service based. Chances are manufacturing in the way it used to be in the US isn’t coming back. We’ve moved on to a service based economy with more people going to college and trade schools. Most of us make a living by providing a service.

[@ericunderwood8080]

Such beautiful people in such a beautiful place.....a flavor all of its own...❤️WV....and wishing you all the best... always... evolve and thrive! Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California... I visited for a month while working on Dulles 1995-6... My God .. Beautiful there!

[@robertcarr5190]

I left in '79 with the steel mill lay off... Best move ever made.

[@Mario_N64]

Where did you go

[@brendahall8651]

Why did you show the most run down places there. Not all of Logan looks like that. This is why people make fun of West Virginia, poor reporting.

[@MichaelWH]

Exactly !

[@peruvianllama1046]

this was 4 years ago.

[@davidsean1762]

We will end poverty in West Virginia 💯

[@AppalachianHistoryDetectives]

The government has bailed out every industry but the coal miner. The southern counties of WV have also voted one party for more than 70 years. Only the last 2 presidential elections has that been different. What’s happened here will soon be all over the US.

[@terryalford955]

Cant wait to tell my tech friend to learn to dig coal when the tech industry dumps them for a machine programmed to do there job. Become a miner?? Comming soon to an apocalypse near you

[@richardmorris7063]

Should put in a kmart,or radio shack,or even old's or Pontiac dealership !

[@stuszith]

HAA_HA -so funny!!

[@mattstarr8203]

you forgot sears

[@peruvianllama1046]

a Circuit City would help :D

[@richardmorris7063]

What's really not funny is this covid 19,we will be lucky if things ever get back to normal.this unfortunately may be the new normal.

[@robertjohnson8938]

The minimum wage state

[@williamcureton5388]

What Year Is this

[@ronaldschultenover8137]

Beautiful place

[@timhallas4275]

I always ask the same question. Does being poor make people people pile their garbage in the front yard and break their windows? I will suggest that there is something more to this story than a failing economy. I think that while the coal mines were booming, the men and women of this town celebrated their success with alcohol, and now that there is a decline in income, alcohol is the last thing they will give up. Most rural poor white towns have alcohol and drug issues that are the true reason for the shitty way of life. Coal miners could adapt to another way of earning a living, but the alcohol and drugs takes that option off the table. In this town, like many others, you have families that can't afford to feed their children proper food, yet you'll see the husband and wife with a beer in their hand at noon.

[@2011blueman]

It wasn't just alcohol, West Virginia had the worst oxycontin and then heroin addiction numbers in the country. Oxy wasn't called "hillbilly heroin" for nothing.

[@timhallas4275]

@@2011blueman Believe it or not, less than .1% of the population of W. Virginia is addicted to any drug. That's 10 people in a town of 10,000. Alcohol gets 20% of them. That's 2,000 in a town of 10,000.

[@2011blueman]

@@timhallas4275 In 2018, West Virginia providers wrote 69.3 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons. Take a look at this map and tell me W. Virginia doesn't have an opiod problem: www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state

[@tylermoses7829]

In WV, 1 in 5 children was born dependant on opioids in 2018 alone...

[@timhallas4275]

@@2011blueman I saw the documentary. The part you left out is that more than half of the prescriptions written are to people from other states who travel here once a month to get their drugs. The doctors and pharmacies are in the opioid business. W.Virginia is lax on the laws regarding the writing and filling of prescriptions. That's what attracts drug addicts here. Public officials appear to be in on the profits as well.

[@outwestexplorer1966]

I've been thru w.virginia several times. Beautiful state. Maybe they can boost there economy catering to tourists. Put some rv sparks along the interstates some nice stores, restaurants, souvenir shops.

[@judya.shroads8245]

The bad thing is, there are no highways around some of these city's. They are deep in the middle of WV.

[@johnnychaos152]

I live in West Virginia and we actually were starting to rake in quite a bit of money from tourism but covid 19 wiped it right out.

[@outwestexplorer1966]

@@judya.shroads8245 another idea might be logging. Not sure how people in w. Virginia feel about it.

[@judya.shroads8245]

@@outwestexplorer1966 Idk id the ppl own a lot of acreage. The mines probably own the most. In my area, ppl have sold their timber, but they had 97 acres. That would be a good idea to do if they had lots of land. Thanks

[@judya.shroads8245]

@@johnnychaos152 Hopefully it will return next yr. Pray

[@johnq.public4455]

Is that Trisha Takinawa from Quahog News reporting?

[@spookshow6999]

We’re not hopeless!

[@stephentucker2714]

ive driven through and worked in thr coal field areas for 12 years now. I looks the same now as it did then. Wonderful ppl though and its a shame but it cant be all blamed on democrate war on coal (im not a dem by the way)

[@charles1964]

...."The foreman says these jobs are going boys,and they ain't comin' back - to your hometown"

[@lilasullivan5826]

Wow! TRT World got to rural southern West Virginia! That's a long way from Ankara.

[@sidclark1953]

Really. What are the Turks doing in WV??

[@MrBrownnn696]

Damn.... Poor people...

[@susanjcumming1961]

Hey Joe Biden, this is who needs massive help with the stimulus package not illegals or Pakistani Trans.

[@austinadjutant5684]

Lol why didn’t your lord and savior solve everything himself? 😂😂

[@danbailey96]

@@austinadjutant5684 the orange Buffon didn’t help like he promised

[@bandido7994]

The Orange Messiah had 4 years to help them.

[@ruruone1]

Move. There's another world out there.

[@nordland2235]

My momma lived in a coal mine camp...she and her brothers n sisters went to school in Man.....the coal mine company bought time on KLOG for them to sing and play their instruments....the people loved the program......the camp was braeholme coal company...the camp was up buffalo creek.....back in the 30s/40s...momma's uncle was Dalton Hensley......they owned the saw mill.....they built "Hensley Heights?

[@nickstevens3139]

Greetings from Logan in the great state of Queensland

[@richardsmith6995]

If I were younger, I'd love to go out there and find a nice girl, and treat her like a princess. My ex-wife didn't appreciate anything that was done for her, these folks would, I'm sure.

[@mariak9079]

Richard Smith - I’m sure that was her loss.

[@richardsmith6995]

@@mariak9079 like that comedian said 'I married my HS sweetheart, she didn't'.....

[@hardrocker796]

Lol

[@Mario_N64]

Find a corn-fed coal miner's daughter. That's some good livin

[@davidalexander7952]

Yeah whatever. Cause they'll still vote for trump in 2020.

[@FromTheBiggining]

Won't be any better than with Biden. He's a China puppet.

[@CosmicWhovian]

Most places look like this in WV. There are places like Pullman Square in Huntington, WV. Those are small areas. People try to say everything looks like it's falling apart because it's old, but new buildings are not taken care of. The local government does very little in terms of upkeep. The overabundance of homeless people is due to lack of mental health care. Please send help.

[@marywegrzyn506]

Wow, my Dad left n went into the Army n when he get out he moved to DT, MI wher his sister had rec not moved to from Logan n it was right next to his Sister's house wher he met my mom. They got married n lived a long, happy life together not far f on DT til he passes in 2001 from Cancer.

[@touristfromearth]

Almost heaven.. West Virginia

[@ernestgallo8060]

Closer to Hell! 🤣😂😈🔥

[@ernestgallo8060]

@Earnest S , I rest my case. 🤣😂

[@that1weirdo24oof9]

I live there

[@joelsilverman3354]

Can I text you darling?

[@tangyorange6509]

What’s it like? I live in Chicago

[@stuszith]

@Appalachian Abomination Hey - I wanna buy a house in WV - cause iam a cheapskate!!

[@stuszith]

@Appalachian Abomination -Yes I ahve checked out abunch of Homes /Fixer -Uppers -very Good deals!!! for a house -BUT ELECTRIC HEAT!!!! -ican see why someone would move out of there , unless WV utilities are low/moderate!!

[@stuszith]

@Appalachian Abomination Really??? maybe Natural gas cause of Fracking ??!!

[@VTMCompany]

Boy George (Culture Club) said it best: "Move, move, move away from me darlin.'"

[@arthurrogers3996]

See if coop can be viable makkng camp grounds to being city people

[@arthurrogers3996]

Find blacksmith make knives. Find some one make flintlock with mountaineer wv ect.

[@Growmechanic]

Keep voting for the Democratic Party! They have got you where you are now, right?

[@jeromedavid7944]

Actually the GOP has been in charge of both the House and the Senate in Little Switzerland for about six years now! And they've done such a wonderful job.....not!!! Those hooray for me and screw you Red dickheads have done away with State Prevailing wages and made us a Right to Starve State. Our trade unions were able to give miners and other misplaced production workers a chance to find employment with a wage close to what they were making. Not anymore! And the only "justice" Big Jim is after is the kind that lines his already fat pockets! So if this state is voting Democrat someone forgot to inform the Polling Booths!!!

[@jimhanratty9543]

I don't know how u blame the democrats when Republicans are in charge of your state. They have been for years. So quick run down to your social security office and sign up for ssi. Just give up the dream, and wait for the mailman once a month. Nothing like unearned income.

[@jeromedavid7944]

@@jimhanratty9543 you are right James they've (GOP) been running the show here in Wild Wonderful for around six years. In which time they've done away with State Prevailing Wages and much of the mechanical licensing, as well as breaking one off in the school teachers and made us a Right to Starve State. So yeah Mr Hanratty they've been doing a bang up job....NOT!!!

[@josephcartaphilus9433]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqvRdGuqatNpotU

[@havacigar7388]

Do some research...Governor is Republican. Also voted Republican in last two Presidential Elections.

[@sheriff-larue7770]

4 years later, nothing changed, still logan

[@davidr.massey419]

Even though a boat load of people will disagree coal is high in Carbon. Someone will in years to come invent a process to refine Coal to get Carbon to produce "GRAPHENE". I said in the future, because manufacturing is still more advantageous via other sources. 20 years from now the entire world will be Graphene crazy. When i was in high school no one thought there would be hand held computers either. Coal will be a hot commodity.

[@pamelayoung2783]

Praying 🙏

[@chesterwhite7824]

Hey ya'll I was born and raised in wva I and when I graduated out of high school In 1979 I was going to be a coal miner but they had a wildcat strike and closed down every mine in the coming so there was nothing left for me I tryed all kinds of things to make a living I did not want to leave my home and my family but at 21 I said before I get to old to start my life so I left and I have tryed to come back a couple of times but it just didn't work out for me I'm still a hillbilly I've never forgot where I come from my siblings still live there but their retired or disabled I miss the mountains and the rowing hills almost heaven wva

[@eggocozzz2310]

As a person who has lived in wv for her entire life this is funny

[@monicae67]

Why is it funny?

[@Kermit46]

I thought this was about testosterone replacement therapy.

[@yabadabado3951]

Why does the scenery look so nice. mountains in the background and old buildings. Sucks no jobs in such a beautiful place.

[@danasixty4012]

The audio is off