The radio “dean” of West Virginia broadcasters, Hoppy Kercheval joined West Virginia Radio Corporation in 1976. Through the years Hoppy’s assignments have spanned the gamut to include news, sports, and talk.
A native of Summit Point in Jefferson County, Hoppy began as a news anchor/reporter at WAJR in Morgantown while still attending West Virginia University. After graduating with honors from WVU, Kercheval took over as news director at WAJR and began carving an identity as one of the leading broadcasters in West Virginia.
A founding father of Metronews, Kercheval served as News Director until assuming the role of Vice President of Operations in 1991. In 1993, he created Metronews Talkline, which has become a signature program of the network. Hoppy’s gift of interviewing has made Talkline a must-listen for lawmakers and anyone interested in state politics and the day’s top news events.
Kercheval has a Master of Science in Journalism degree from WVU. He also has an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from West Virginia Wesleyan. Kercheval has received a number of honors over the years, including the Mel Burka Award, which is given annually by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association to the state’s top broadcaster.
An avid traveler, Hoppy’s adventures have taken him to 19 different countries around the world. He and his wife, Karin, live in Morgantown. Kercheval has one son, Ben, who lives in Denton, Texas where writes for the sports website bleacherreport.com.
Recent Articles by Hoppy Kercheval
"I Early Voted"
I am proudly wearing the “I voted early” sticker handed to me by a friendly poll worker. My wife and I always early vote at the same location in Monongalia County, and all went smoothly Wednesday. We were in and out in just a few minutes. West Virginia’s early voting began with the 2002 Primary
May 9, 2024 - 12:35 am
Donald Trump and Evangelicals
The testimony by former porn actress Stormy Daniels in the Donald Trump hush money trial got me thinking for the umpteenth time about Evangelical Christians and Trump, given Trump’s behavior. Daniels testified in detail about her one night stand (Trump denies the affair) with Trump in a hotel room in 2006 just months after Melania
May 8, 2024 - 12:31 am
Will you vote?
During a contentious campaign cycle—like the one we are in now in West Virginia—there are an overwhelming number of advertisements, campaign appearances, news reports and punditry. Anyone paying the slightest bit of attention knows there is an election. But how many West Virginians will vote? One of the most important factors during early voting and
May 7, 2024 - 12:19 am
In defense of a "wasted" vote
I have talked with several people in the last few days who worry about a “wasted vote.” The argument is that voting for a candidate who has little chance of winning has no value. It is better, the argument goes, to vote for an individual who can win. I understand that argument from a statistical
May 6, 2024 - 12:54 am
Delinquent Jefferson County Commissioners get the boot
Actions have consequences. Former Jefferson County Commissioners Tricia Jackson and Jennifer Krouse have learned that the hard way. (Read more from Brad McElhinny here.) The two refused to attend any of the commission meetings between September 7 and November 30 last year as a protest of the slate of three candidates nominated by the Jefferson
May 3, 2024 - 12:20 am
How colleges and universities let protests get out of control
Colleges and universities are traditional centers of intellectual rigor, fountains of diverse opinions and laboratories for ideas. They should be safe spaces for open minds and healthy debate. But as we have seen in recent weeks, the aspirational mission is clouded by blatant anti-Semitism, violence and cowering college administrations. All public universities are subject to
May 2, 2024 - 12:02 am
Biden's EPA regs threaten coal, natural gas and the power grid
The Biden administration’s EPA has released new carbon emission rules that will force the country’s remaining coal-fired power plants to close, make it more difficult for future natural gas power plants to operate and put even more of a strain on the nation’s energy grid. The new regulation requires coal plants to reduce greenhouse gas
May 1, 2024 - 12:18 am
