WFPL Hires Environment Reporter

Reporter Erica Peterson will join WFPL News as Environment Reporter on May 23rd. Her appointment marks another step in WFPL’s expansion to provide quality, in-depth local news coverage.“We’re excited to have Erica coming on board,” says WFPL News Director Gabe Bullard. “The environment is one of the most pressing issues of our time. With her experience covering the coal industry, government and numerous important topics, Erica will be a valuable addition to our expanding newsroom and to our community.”Peterson will also manage WFPL’s regional reporting initiative, The Ohio River Radio Consortium.A reporter and producer at West Virginia Public Broadcasting since 2008, Peterson has covered the environment and energy issues, as well as state government. Her work has aired on NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as Public Radio International’s Living on Earth and WNYC’s The Takeaway. A collaborative series about a massive fish kill in West Virginia was selected by the West Virginia Associated Press Broadcaster’s Association as the best ongoing coverage in the state in 2009.Her work has been cited by numerous blogs, including NPR’s The Two-Way, PBS News Hour’s The Rundown, The Society of Environmental Journalists’ Headlines, the University of Kentucky’s The Rural Blog and the Charleston Gazette’s Coal Tattoo.