Mountain State Spotlight: West Virginia News and Reporting
WEB5 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.
2022 Capitol Tracker — Mountain State Spotlight
WEB2022 Capitol Tracker — Mountain State Spotlight. Track bills through the lengthy legislative process, contact elected officials, and follow live updates from our reporters.
Philippi struggles following Alderson Broaddus closing
WEBby Erin Beck January 5th, 2024. Alderson Broaddus' campus is empty; it closed in August. Photo by Erin Beck. PHILIPPI — For the past century, students from all over West Virginia and the rest of the country came to Barbour County to study at Alderson Broaddus University. For many, the town of Philippi and the school were nearly synonymous.
West Virginia’s tax cut trigger, explained - Mountain State Spotlight
WEBMay 17, 2024 — In 2023, West Virginia lawmakers approved a tax cut package that included an immediate 21.25% cut in the personal income tax, a series of property tax cuts, and a vehicle tax rebate. But it also had a tax trigger, which is set to go into effect any time the revenue in a given year passes the general fund revenue collected in 2019, adjusted for ...
Tackling ‘persistent poverty’ in West Virginia
WEBJan 16, 2024 — 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. Datasets used include 1990 and 2000 Decennial Censuses, 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.
What are West Virginia’s marijuana laws? - Mountain State Spotlight
WEBJul 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 ...
Senate advances changes to requirements for WV SNAP food …
WEBFeb 14, 2024 — West Virginia lawmakers are moving forward a bill to change the work requirements for food stamps. The bill expands work requirements to older adults — able-bodied people between age 53 and 59 — and will likely affect thousands of West Virginians. But changes to the bill removed able-bodied adults with dependents from the requirements ...
WV public schools suffer budget cuts, teacher shortages. What’s …
WEBJan 23, 2023 — Fred Albert, President of the West Virginia chapter of the American Federation for Teachers union, has pointed to a 2014 bill that set a goal of raising base salaries for teachers in West Virginia to at least $43,000 by 2019. While it passed, it was never acted on. Tagged: [email protected].
Report shows West Virginia jail officials knew about SRJ issues
WEBDec 20, 2023 — by Henry Culvyhouse and La Shawn Pagán December 20th, 2023. In April 2022, public outcry about conditions at West Virginia’s Southern Regional Jail reached a fever pitch. For weeks, media outlets had been reporting serious mistreatment and neglect of people held at the jail. They were deprived of …
WV child abuse oversight bill keeps details hidden
WEBJan 24, 2024 — Legislators propose child abuse case ‘check and balance’ system that hides key details from the public. A bill would enhance oversight of the Department of Human Services, the agency tasked with investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. But many details would not be made public. by La Shawn Pagán January 24th, 2024.