Mountain State Spotlight: West Virginia News and Reporting
5 days ago · Mountain State Spotlight is a nonprofit investigative newsroom that exists to give West Virginians the information they need to make our state a better place. As a nonprofit, we rely on your help to power our journalism. We are committed to lifting up voices that aren’t always heard and spotlighting solutions that are making a difference.
In Elkins, schools & young people need help
Oct 4, 2024 · Elkins residents say there’s much to love about Randolph County’s county seat. But schools and young people need more help. At a community listening event, residents said they’re encouraged by downtown revitalization efforts. But they say they need better-funded schools, more jobs and affordable homes to encourage people to live there.
Special session: WV lawmakers approve 2% cut, little for child care
Oct 9, 2024 · In mid-September, Gov. Jim Justice told the people of West Virginia he’d be calling the Legislature back into session at the end of the month. “I promised you I’d fight like crazy for a 5% tax cut, I promised you I would try to help out with child care,” he said. When the gavels slammed concluding the special session on Tuesday, most ...
Taylor County deals with opioid epidemic
Oct 8, 2024 · As election nears, Taylor County residents look for candidates to address opioid epidemic and bring jobs. In conversations about what they’d like to hear candidates talking about as they compete for votes, Taylor County residents focused on the opioid epidemic and concerns about rising living costs. by Duncan Slade October 8th, 2024.
Tackling ‘persistent poverty’ in West Virginia
Jan 16, 2024 · In many places around the state, this isn’t a new problem: 11 of West Virginia’s 55 counties are classified as “in persistent poverty” by the U.S. Census Bureau, having a poverty rate of 20% or higher continually for the past three decades. In the past, often lawmakers have passed laws and proposed plans to reduce poverty in the state ...
What are West Virginia’s marijuana laws? - Mountain State Spotlight
Jul 23, 2024 · Non-medical sale, use and possession of marijuana remains illegal in West Virginia. Possession of a controlled substance, including marijuana, is a misdemeanor that comes with either a fine of up to $1,000 or three-to-six months of jail time. First-time offenders can be granted probation instead. The federal government still maintains laws that ...
As WV recovery houses face challenges, lawmakers focus on …
Dec 7, 2023 · The Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability will hear from a sober living taskforce created in the 2023 regular session. State policymakers charged the taskforce to examine “insurance fraud, human trafficking, success of programs, and any other relevant issues.”.
West Virginia 2024 voter guide: General election
Deadline to register to vote in the General Election: Oct. 15, 2024. Early in-person voting starts Oct. 23 and goes through Nov. 2. Every county has at least one location where you can vote during this period, generally the county courthouse or judicial annex. Contact your county clerk for more information.
West Virginia Amendments 1, 2 and 4 explained - Mountain State …
Oct 26, 2022 · One of four proposed constitutional amendments on the general election ballot could allow the Legislature to slash taxes that go directly to counties. In the case of Boone County, those taxes made up nearly half of the libraries’ $226,000 annual budget last year, and also support services like ambulance systems, schools and the local fire ...
Taylor Kate Brown, Floodlight, Sarah Elbeshbishi, Author at …
Oct 6, 2024 · Taylor Kate Brown, Floodlight. A West Virginia community is counting on a ‘miracle’ to keep their power plant open. But questions remain about its new owner. by Taylor Kate Brown, Floodlight and Sarah Elbeshbishi October 6th, 2024. The state is betting $50 million on Omnis Energy’s promise of a ‘revolutionary’ new energy production ...