Mountain State Spotlight

HUD helped this disabled West Virginian get housing. Funding cuts could send people like him back into homelessness.

Hundreds of West Virginians with disabilities are set to lose housing following cuts to a HUD program by the Trump administration.
Mountain State Spotlight

Air pollution expert says Tucker County power plant would likely exceed emission limits in permit issued by the state

An expert witness testified to the state Air Quality Board that a data center complex power plant won’t be a “minor” source of pollution.
Mountain State Spotlight

Future of Appalachian Hydrogen Hub in doubt as Trump administration considers funding cut

The Appalachian hydrogen hub is now on the DOE’s list of potential grant cuts, casting doubt on its clean energy future.
Mountain State Spotlight

Citizen groups challenge secrecy and pollution concerns in Tucker County data center air permit decision

Citizen groups are challenging the DEP’s decision to issue a permit for a power plant in Tucker County amid transparency and ...
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Q&A: Evan Feinman led broadband expansion under Biden. Here’s what he thinks of West Virginia’s high-speed internet plan.

Evan Feinman led the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program during the Biden Administration. Courtesy Photo. West Virginians have struggled for years with slow, spotty and unreliable ...
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West Virginians need medical cannabis. Restrictions on the industry make it too expensive.

Deborah Boggs uses medical cannabis for her Crohn's disease and has gotten back her appetite. Photo by Duncan Slade / Mountain State Spotlight The smell of sausage frying in a pan filled Deborah Boggs ...
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West Virginia has collected $34 million from its medical cannabis program. It hasn’t spent a penny.

A marijuana plant is seen at a medical marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) Since the state’s first dispensary opened in 2021, West Virginia ...
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Locals fought for details about a planned data center complex. Lawmakers took away their power to do anything about it.

A yard sign protesting the data center project is staked in a planter outside of Trailhead Coffee Shop in downtown Davis. Photo by Sarah Elbeshbishi / Mountain State Spotlight TUCKER COUNTY — In late ...
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West Virginians need child care so they can go to work. Lawmakers haven’t done much but have another chance.

Getting more West Virginians into the workforce is “the challenge of our time,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey told lawmakers during his State of the State address last week. He proposed creating an online job ...
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Morrisey says his budget would fully fund essential services. But there’s plenty of need going unfunded.

House Finance Committee Chair Vernon Criss, left, leads the committee meeting on the governor's proposed budget while state Budget Director Mike McKown, right, explains the proposal. Photo by Perry ...
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‘An ecosystem of dysfunction:’ West Virginia still has a child welfare worker shortage, and it’s taking a toll on foster kids and families

As West Virginia’s foster care system struggles to hire and retain workers amid low pay and overwhelming caseloads, it stresses foster families and keeps kids from getting the attention they need.
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Settlement with West Virginia landowners will force nation’s largest natural gas well owner to plug abandoned wells faster

Diversified Energy Company banner displayed on the outside of the New York Stock Exchange building. Credit: Diversified Energy Company Facebook The nation’s largest owner of natural gas wells will ...