West Virginia News & Current Events

In January 2014, approximately 10,000 gallons of chemicals used to process coal spilled from a storage tank into the Elk River in West Virginia, a water source which serving 300-thousand people in the Charleston area.(Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Bill aims to weaken WV coal and gas industry chemical tank regulations

Lawmakers in the West Virginia Senate have passed a bill to remove mandated inspections for chemical storage tanks in the oil, coal and gas …

In West Virginia, 11,000 people are incarcerated and another 9,200 are on probation or parole, according to data from the Prison Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, March 17, 2025

Report: West Virginia’s prison population on the decline

West Virginia is among just ten states whose prison population declined between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from the Prison Policy …

Coal is mined in 22 of West Virginia's 55 counties, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock AI/generated Image)<br />

Environmental groups sue over permit for West Virginia valley fills

West Virginia environmental groups are suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, arguing the agency failed to consider residents' health when it gave …

The USDA reported one of seven households in America struggled with hunger in 2023. (Adobe Stock)<br />

SNAP cuts could wreak havoc on West Virginia’s economy

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is on the chopping block in Congress. A House budget resolution would cut $30 billion in SNAP …

Polluted, acidic water leaving KD #1 Surface Mine on Lens Creek near Marmet. (Kanawha Forest Coalition)

WV officials expected to let coal company evade water-pollution cleanup

Watchdog groups said the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection seems poised to allow coal company Keystone West Virginia to walk away f…

Eating food grown, raised or caught within a relatively short distance of where it's consumed supports local farmers and the economy and provides fresher meals. But

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Expert: 'Eating local' may not be best solution for fighting climate change

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Coll…

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, in 2023, 12% of people in West Virginia prisons were over age 55, and the average age of state prisoners was 39. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Bill to increase penalties could overpopulate WV prisons

A bill pending in the West Virginia Legislature would increase the length of penalties for "serious" felony convictions, but critics have said it …

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve saw more than 1.7 million visitors in 2023, the highest attendance since the park was established in 1978. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: WV tourism gains threatened by federal job cuts

With West Virginia's tourism industry seeing dramatic growth in recent years, conservation groups are sounding the alarm about layoffs of federal …

Congestion, caused by lack of of grid capacity nationwide, increased consumers' energy bills by an estimated $20.8 billion in 2022, according to a report by Grid Strategies. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Pushback against proposed AEP rate hike grows in WV

One of West Virginia's major utilities, Appalachian Power, is proposing a more than 13% rate hike, along with cuts to its current net metering rate …

A McDowell County, West Virginia resident holds up a water bottled filled with brown tap water at a webinar hosted by ReImagine Appalachia. (Facebook/ReImagine Appalachia)<br />

Southern WV residents demand lawmakers address ongoing water crisis

Many residents of southern West Virginia say the water flowing out of their taps is a brown or orange color and most continue to rely heavily on bottl…

Meatpacking is a concentrated industry, with the four largest firms handling 85% of all steer and heifer purchases and 67% of all hog purchases, according to USDA data.(Adobe Stock)<br />

Meat processing tax exemption bill could help WV farmers

Some West Virginia lawmakers want to remove consumer sales taxes on the processing of beef, pork and lamb at slaughterhouses. House Bill 2146 would …

According to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, rural children under age 5 make up 24% of children eligible for child care services in the country, yet 55% of them live in areas considered to be child care deserts. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Rural steering committees help to close WV learning gaps

Appalachian counties are expanding efforts to help ensure children are off to the right start in their education. Research shows attending a high-…

A map shows West Virginia's abandoned oil and gas wells. (Ohio River Valley Institute)

WV's abandoned wells could pose risks for planned carbon storage

West Virginia has thousands of unplugged and improperly plugged oil and gas wells that could leak and contaminate groundwater, potentially harming …

The number of of working-age adults with degrees or professional post-high school credentials continues to grow, according to new data from Lumina Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV’s free community college helps more residents attain degrees

West Virginia's innovative programs and a boost in state financial aid have made it possible for more people to earn a college degree or get a credent…

Nearly half of U.S. adults said it was at least somewhat hard for them to regularly obtain and eat nutritious foods, and 54% agreed the nation is not making enough progress in making nutritious food accessible and affordable, according to a 2024 survey from Research!America and the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)

Revive SNAP Stretch, WV growers, consumers urge

Food advocates are calling on lawmakers to help jump-start the state's SNAP Stretch program, which was paused last year due to budget constraints…

According to the health care advocacy group KKF, there were 9,422 people living in certified nursing home facilities in West Virginia in 2024. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Lawsuit alleges unsafe conditions in West Virginia nursing homes

Rural West Virginia counties are already facing shortages of home health care services and nursing home workers. Now, they are facing accusations of …

Nationwide, at least 17 public universities and colleges in 2024 faced existential crises and considered merging or shutting down, according to the Hechinger Report. (Christopher Ziemnowicz/Wikimedia Commons)<br /><br />

WV communities grapple as public colleges merge, close

By Jon Marcus, Brianna Atkinson, Molly Minta and Amy Morona for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News …

Syringe exchange programs can play an important role in reducing HIV and viral hepatitis infection, according to The Foundation for AIDS Research. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Syringe exchange fears hobble fight against West Virginia HIV outbreak

By Taylor Sisk for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Se…

More than a half million Mountain State residents rely on Medicaid for health coverage, according to the health advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Medicaid essential for WV nursing home care

Nearly one-third of Medicaid funding could be on the chopping block as lawmakers look for ways to reduce the national deficit. A new report found …

Appalachia could see wind and solar economic benefits over the next decade, according to the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute. (Adobe Stock)

What’s next for Appalachia's green energy economy?

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

In recent years, the meat industry took out full-page ads in newspapers, and placed a $5 million Super Bowl commercial, claiming that meat is

How 'big meat' worked to rebrand in 2024 using disinformation

By Jessica Scott-Reid for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service C…

At least 75 tree species, more than 225 bird species and eight federally listed, threatened or endangered bird, bat, salamander and plant species call the Monongahela National Forest home, according to the U.S. Forest Service. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

WV groups urge shutdown of Monongahela coal haul road

Advocates want federal regulators to shut down what they say is an illegal coal haul road in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest. South Fork …

Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, roughly 13 bottles per month for every person in the country, according to Earthday.org. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Trump administration should ban vinyl chloride

As public awareness about the link between plastics and cancer risk increases, environmental groups said they want the Trump administration to make …

The Cranberry Glades, located in the Monongahela National Forest, protects the largest area of bogs or acidic wetlands in West Virginia, according to the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Lawsuit alleges South Fork Coal violations near Cranberry Wilderness area

Environmental groups are suing South Fork Coal Company, alleging the company has repeatedly violated federal law in Greenbrier County. The lawsuit …

Congress's latest one-year Farm Bill extension provides $20 billion in funding for federal farm programs and $10 billion in direct economic relief to farmers. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

As inflation and falling crop prices continue to affect farmers, their advocates say the incoming Trump administration could take steps to reform the …

Six million U.S. students attend a school where there is a School Resource Officer but no school psychologist on staff, according to a Brookings Institution report. (Adobe Stock)

WV schools funnel more kids into juvenile justice system

West Virginia schools' reliance on zero-tolerance policies are driving more kids into the juvenile justice system - with lifelong consequences…

The Environmental Protection Agency has set and implemented emissions standards to control pollution from everything from cars, heavy-duty trucks and buses, and construction and farm equipment, since 1970. (Adobe Stock/AI generated Image)

Poll: Most voters want a robust EPA, more pollution controls

Nationwide, 76% of Trump voters and 86% of all voters oppose attempts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new poll …

About 13 million people live in higher education

Rural WV students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors

By Jon Marcus, Brianna Atkinson, Molly Minta and Amy Morona for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News …

West Virginia is a designated Health Professional Shortage Area for dental providers, falling short by 135 dentists statewide, according to the health care advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid expansion critical for ensuring WV dental care access

West Virginia's adult Medicaid dental benefit plays a critical role in helping to reduce oral health disparities, experts said. Expansion changes …

More than 67% of children younger than age 6 have parents in the workforce and more than two million parents report making job changes because of issues with child care, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

WV braces for more child care center closures

West Virginia child care advocates said they are bracing for more center closures in the new year. There are more than 60,000 children in the state …

Rural young people returning to their communities from out-of-home placements may face unique barriers to successful reentry, and rural reentry service providers may face challenges in meeting their needs, according to the National Reentry Resource Center. (Adobe Stock)

In New Year, Medicaid will cover WV youths transitioning out of incarceration

Changes in federal law will permit West Virginia and other states to use Medicaid dollars to pay for health care services for incarcerated youths begi…

Every year, humans around the world eat 360 million metric tons of meat, according to OurWorldinData.org. (Adobe Stock)

How many animals are killed for food every day?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Colla…

West Virginia has the nation's third highest electricity costs as a percentage of household income, according to a 2022 report by Citizens Utility Board of Illinois. (Adobe Stock)

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

Major electric grid operator PJM Interconnection estimates it'll cost more than $14 billion to provide electricity for 2025-2026, up from $2.2 …

A report released this year by the state's Department of Human Services found homelessness is up by 24-percent compared to 2021. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Evidence-based strategies to help WV address homelessness

Cities and states are struggling with mounting homelessness, and West Virginia is no exception. A recent report points to potential solutions and …

West Virginia communities rely on more than 600 elementary and secondary schools statewide, according to the state's Department of Education. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Survey: WV voters support investing in local public schools, teachers

A new postelection survey found voters across the political spectrum said they support investing in public schools and teachers. The findings from …

The number of certificate or microcrediental earners younger than age 18 jumped by 18.8% in 2022-23 compared with the prior year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

West Virginia launches microcredentials to open up paths to jobs, careers

CORRECTION: About 180,000 West Virginians have completed some college, but received no credential. An earlier version of this report incorrectly …

The pesticide Dacthal is often used on vegetable farms for crops like cabbage and onions. (Adobe Stock)

EPA bans weedkiller Dacthal, used on WV farms

The Environmental Protection Agency has banned the pesticide dacthal, frequently used on farms in West Virginia and other states. Mounting evidence …

Money bail is a source of racial disparities in the justice system, particularly for Black and Latino populations, research shows. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Bail reform in WV has no impact on crime rates

Changes in bail policy don't affect crime rates in cities nationwide, according to new data from the Brennan Center for Justice. Cash bail has …

Americans' unpaid care, two-thirds of which is performed by women, is valued at more than $1 trillion each year, according to a 2024 analysis by the National Partnership for Women and Families. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Report: WV women play major economic role as unpaid caregivers

Women's labor force participation rate in West Virginia has fallen over the past two decades but more are performing unpaid work, mostly as …

In 2024, 450,374 West Virginia residents relied on Medicare for health coverage, according to the health care advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Medicare open enrollment: Tips to help older West Virginians select plans

Medicare open enrollment begins today and for West Virginians over 65, this season is a time to reconsider their health care needs. More than 450,000…

After Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February 2023, officials set aflame 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride into the region, citing explosion risk. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA to consider vinyl chloride ban; public comments through Oct. 23

The Environmental Protection Agency began an in-depth review of the health risks of vinyl chloride last year, part of a process required to limit or …

Federal regulations are an area in which the president has significant latitude to affect food policy. (Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)<br />

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Colla…

$A fracking waste impoundment pond site. Research shows radioactive waste from fracking can spread to groundwater. (FracTracker/Flicker)$

WV lawmakers consider new rules on radioactive waste

West Virginia lawmakers are pushing legislation forward to pave the way for state management of the transport, storage and disposal of potentially …

Visitors can take in the view from Bear Rocks at the Dolly Sods. According to data collected by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, an estimated 35,000 people visit the Dolly Sods each year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Dozens of volunteers help maintain West Virginia’s Dolly Sods

A volunteer program has caught the attention of West Virginia tourism officials. The Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards program has been recognized with …

60.5% of all graduate school completers have federal student loan debt; 54.2% have debt from their graduate studies, according to the Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Graduate degree costs have tripled since 2000

The cost of a graduate degree tripled between 2000 and 2020, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the …

Some 78% of Americans are concerned about rising utility bills, according to a 2024 survey from CNET. (Adobe Stock)<br />

WV regulators dismiss AEP rate hike proposal

A proposed rate hike by American Electric Power that would have affected customers in two dozen West Virginia counties is off the table for now…

Medical co-pays in prisons are associated with worse access to health care behind bars, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Adobe Stock)

WV’s $5 prison copay called a barrier to care for incarcerated people

New research showed medical copays are preventing incarcerated people from receiving medical care. West Virginia's $5 copay is much higher compared …

The nation's child poverty rate increased 1.3 percentage points to 13.7 percent in 2023, according to newly released Census data. (Adobe Stock)

WV poverty rate for children among highest in nation

The number of West Virginia children living in poverty remains among the highest in the nation, and more children are living in households struggling …

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West Virginia

Bill aims to weaken WV coal and gas industry chemical tank regulations

Report: West Virginia’s prison population on the decline

Environmental groups sue over permit for West Virginia valley fills

SNAP cuts could wreak havoc on West Virginia’s economy

WV officials expected to let coal company evade water-pollution cleanup

Expert: 'Eating local' may not be best solution for fighting climate change

Bill to increase penalties could overpopulate WV prisons

Advocates: WV tourism gains threatened by federal job cuts

Pushback against proposed AEP rate hike grows in WV

Southern WV residents demand lawmakers address ongoing water crisis

Meat processing tax exemption bill could help WV farmers

Rural steering committees help to close WV learning gaps

WV's abandoned wells could pose risks for planned carbon storage

WV’s free community college helps more residents attain degrees

Revive SNAP Stretch, WV growers, consumers urge

Lawsuit alleges unsafe conditions in West Virginia nursing homes

WV communities grapple as public colleges merge, close

Syringe exchange fears hobble fight against West Virginia HIV outbreak

Experts: Medicaid essential for WV nursing home care

What’s next for Appalachia's green energy economy?

How 'big meat' worked to rebrand in 2024 using disinformation

WV groups urge shutdown of Monongahela coal haul road

Advocates: Trump administration should ban vinyl chloride

Lawsuit alleges South Fork Coal violations near Cranberry Wilderness area

Trump administration could tackle corporate food system, help farmers

WV schools funnel more kids into juvenile justice system

Poll: Most voters want a robust EPA, more pollution controls

Rural WV students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors

Medicaid expansion critical for ensuring WV dental care access

WV braces for more child care center closures

In New Year, Medicaid will cover WV youths transitioning out of incarceration

How many animals are killed for food every day?

Grid operator's $14 billion in costs mean higher bills for WV residents

Report: Evidence-based strategies to help WV address homelessness

Survey: WV voters support investing in local public schools, teachers

West Virginia launches microcredentials to open up paths to jobs, careers

EPA bans weedkiller Dacthal, used on WV farms

Report: Bail reform in WV has no impact on crime rates

Report: WV women play major economic role as unpaid caregivers

Medicare open enrollment: Tips to help older West Virginians select plans

EPA to consider vinyl chloride ban; public comments through Oct. 23

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

WV lawmakers consider new rules on radioactive waste

Dozens of volunteers help maintain West Virginia’s Dolly Sods

Report: Graduate degree costs have tripled since 2000

WV regulators dismiss AEP rate hike proposal

WV’s $5 prison copay called a barrier to care for incarcerated people

WV poverty rate for children among highest in nation