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 ...
Mountain State Spotlight

Here’s how West Virginia’s childhood vaccine law is being threatened and why it matters

Lawsuits and politics threaten West Virginia’s vaccine protections. Public health experts warn of potential outbreaks.
mountainstatespotlight

West Virginia’s broadband plan wins federal approval, but defers support for libraries, schools and workforce development

Gov. Morrisey announces federal approval of West Virginia's broadband plan on Nov. 21. Courtesy photo. West Virginia’s broadband plan had been approved by federal officials, clearing the way to bring ...
mountainstatespotlight

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 ...
Opinion
Mountain State SpotlightOpinion

West Virginians need medical cannabis. Restrictions on the industry make it too expensive.

Neighboring states have legalized recreational use and have cheaper prices. In West Virginia, patients are struggling to afford medical cannabis.
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As coal companies point fingers, Wyoming County residents say they’re being poisoned by a contaminated creek

James Christian holds up a jug of another Wyoming County community member's discolored well water. The water has already been filtered multiple times. Photo by Erin Beck / Mountain State Spotlight ...
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West Virginia’s reliance on out-of-state group homes leaves some foster kids in unsafe, abusive situations

George Junior Republic in Grove City, PA. Photo by Duncan Slade. In early 2015, West Virginia state inspectors visited an all-boys group home in Grove City, Pennsylvania. There were West Virginia ...
mountainstatespotlight

For West Virginia teachers, PEIA’s financial crisis has real costs

Teachers watch in the gallery of the West Virginia Senate on March 1, 2018, during a nine-day teachers' strike. Photo by Will Price/WV Legislature It was the middle of fall and Christy Cardwell’s ...
mountainstatespotlight

Here’s why West Virginia has struggled to increase labor force participation for decades

Coalfield Development crew members and trainees work on a number of projects to help boost the workforce and revitalize the economy of Southern West Virginia. Photo courtesy Coalfield Development For ...
mountainstatespotlight

A West Virginia community is counting on a ‘miracle’ to keep their power plant open. But questions remain about its new owner

This story was produced in collaboration with Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action. ST MARYS — For Pleasants County native Rick Miller, ...