Fred Echols
Producer and ReporterFred Echols is a long-time member of the WVTF Music/RADIO IQ news department and produces news content as well as public affairs programs. Fred's career in broadcasting began in North Carolina's Triad before switching from commercial radio, where he'd held numerous positions including program director. He was a long-time host of All Things Considered on WVTF and Radio IQ, and listeners still hear him on Radio IQ news programs, including during Cardinal Conversations features. He's also heard during our on-air fund drives.
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Many small, private colleges are struggling financially across the country, and Virginia is no exception. Cardinal News education reporter Lisa Rowan has written about how a couple of schools in the state are trying to work through their fiscal challenges.She spoke with Fred Echols about Averett University in Danville, where past financial mismanagement has left the school in technical default on $13 million in bond debt. -
Virginia is looking to become a leader in Controlled Environment Agriculture, which uses technology to produce leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries and other crops indoors year-round.
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Next week Virginia will begin recording cases of Alpha-gal syndrome, a disease transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Symptoms can include a severe allergy to red meat and related by-products.
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The Trump Administration has made a change to a federal program that supports internet access expansion and the effect on Virginia will be significant.
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The use of license plate cameras by police is becoming more and more common in Virginia. In many cases the cameras are paid for by money from a program called Helping Eliminate Auto Theft, or HEAT.
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A $5 million grant from the U. S. Army will help Virginia Tech develop better ways of preventing possible drone attacks. This kind of research is gaining importance as drones become more potent and more difficult to detect.Tad Dickens reported on this story for Cardinal News and he spoke with Fred Echols.
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Students in Career and Technical Education classes in Southwestern Virginia can now spend their summers working – and earning – as apprentices with companies that install solar power systems.
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Agriculture is Virginia's largest private industry. Matt Busse with Cardinal News recently wrote about farming in Virginia and he spoke with Fred Echols.
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More than a dozen families in Southwest Virginia's Scott County have seen children diagnosed with cancer in the last five years. That's cause for concern in a community of only 20,000 people.
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Danville is expanding its use of a technology that could save money and ease the strain on the power grid all around Virginia. Arlington-based Lightshift Energy will build a second battery system in Danville to store power that city-owned Danville Utilities can use when it's needed most.Matt Busse is covering this story for Cardinal News and he spoke with Fred Echols.
