Justin Hicks
Former Workforce Development ReporterJustin Hicks joined the reporting team for Indiana Public Broadcasting News (IPB News) through funding made available by (IPBS) Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations. Justin was based out of WVPE in his new role as a Workforce Development Reporter for IPB News.
Justin came to Indiana by way of New York. He has a Master's Degree from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University. He previously earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Appalachian State University where he played trumpet. He first learned about Elkhart, Indiana, because of the stamp on his brass instrument indicating where it was produced.
Not long ago, Justin started a branch of Young Eisner Scholars to work with intellectually curious students in Appalachia. He traveled through rural counties to start a dialogue about math, computer programming, writing, science and philosophy.
Justin was born and raised in Mt. Olive, North Carolina.
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For decades, miners have called for limits on highly toxic silica dust, which they're exposed to while mining. An investigation shows its impact and the weakness of proposed rules to protect them. -
Many Kentucky residents may have to vote somewhere new in this year's elections. That's because dozens of counties have consolidated polling places — a move that's raised concerns about ballot access.
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The federal government has come out with a proposal meant to prevent deadly black lung disease among miners. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 1, 2023.)
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Five people are dead and nine others injured after a shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville, Ky. The gunman is dead and three police officers were injured after they responded to the shooting.
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In eastern Kentucky, government assistance and recovery efforts following deadly flash floods have been uneven. People have started to band together to help each other.
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Half a dozen faculty at Indiana University said they’re bracing for striking graduate student workers to lose their positions. They said their concerns stem from information they’ve learned at closed-door meetings with the Provost and other campus administrators.
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Graduate students at Indiana University’s flagship Bloomington campus voted to extend their labor strike for another week. The student workers demand the university recognize their union and then begin negotiations for better pay and benefits.
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Indiana recorded a 2.2 percent unemployment rate in March. It’s the third lowest rate in the country and yet another record low for the state.
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Around 1,000 graduate student workers at Indiana University’s Bloomington campus are on strike to demand the school recognize them as a union. But the school says it has no intention of bargaining with the group – and no legal obligation to do so.
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Most Indiana manufacturers feel COVID-19 is no longer a significant threat to their businesses. In fact, in an annual survey, many said they expect profits to rise. Instead, they’re frustrated with supply chain slowdowns and labor shortages.
