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
SOS Warner rebuffs Trump's voter registration fishing expedition
Donald Trump obsesses over his defeat in the 2020 election and is paranoid about possible congressional losses in the upcoming midterm elections. As a result, he has weaponized the United States Justice Department to try to prove his unfounded allegations and discredit potential midterm defeats. Meanwhile, he continues to drop hints about nationalizing elections while
March 5, 2026 - 12:49 am
Trump hits a new low in his rant against the Supreme Court
Our President of the United States has the emotional capacity of a fourth-grade bully and a knowledge of the Constitution to match. That has been evident for years for anyone paying attention, but it becomes ever more apparent when Donald Trump does not get his way. Take for example last week’s 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court
February 23, 2026 - 12:08 am
WV federal judges stop ICE overreach
One of the primary motivations for the American Revolution was the hated “writs of assistance.” These were open-ended powers for British customs agents to search homes, shops, and properties. Founding Father James Madison wrote that when colonists began to challenge the warrantless searches and seizures, “American Independence was then and there born.” Madison’s passion for
February 19, 2026 - 12:31 am
Trump loses support on immigration
President Trump is finding out that there is a significant difference between policy and practice when it comes to immigration. A Pew Research Poll two months before the 2024 election found that six in ten voters said immigration was a very important issue to them. That was a winning issue for Trump who promised tightened
February 3, 2026 - 12:30 am
2026 Republican Primary Election may lead to Senate shake-up
The 2026 West Virginia Republican Primary is shaping up to be a battle for the control and direction of the State Senate. Nineteen of the 34 seats are up for grabs, and at least 10 races feature candidates who may be willing to challenge the existing power structure. The outcomes could have a significant impact
January 29, 2026 - 12:33 am
Morrisey's tax cut bait-and-switch
Governor Morrisey started the 2026 legislative session with a bait-and-switch. During his State of the State address last Wednesday night, he proposed cutting income taxes by ten percent. His language to lawmakers and the public was specific: “I am asking the legislature to pass a ten percent income tax cut. I see a lot of
January 22, 2026 - 12:32 am
WV GOP gives the Democratic Party a lifeline
The West Virginia Republican Party has surged from irrelevance to dominance over the course of a generation. The shift took wing with the 2000 General Election when George W. Bush won the presidency and carried West Virginia while Shelley Moore Capito was elected to Congress for the first time. In 2021, Republican voter registration overtook
January 15, 2026 - 12:26 am
