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mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Our mission is to help West Virginians improve our state by producing “sustained outrage” journalism that exposes abuses of power by government, business and other institutions.
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NEW: What lawmakers' rollback of drinking water protections reveals about how the state regulates the chemical industry

submitted 9 hours ago • 2 comments

Before voting to pass the death penalty in cases where a law enforcement officer or a first responder is killed in the line of duty, lawmakers in the Senate Judiciary Committee dismissed the $25 million price tag attached to the bill: “That’s crazy.” buff.ly/XDKYkVD

submitted 13 hours ago • 0 comments

For generations, the death penalty was a historical factoid in West Virginia. But with a bill that could reinstate it, Mountain State Spotlight talked to a Kentucky attorney who has tried those cases multiple times. buff.ly/XDKYkVD

submitted 17 hours ago • 0 comments

NEW: Lawmakers take first step to bring death penalty back in a state with history of wrongful convictions

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

Senior centers across the state have Meals on Wheels waitlists. People on the lists are considered in the most dire need. buff.ly/RH4pUm6

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

With over a billion dollars on the line for broadband expansion in the state, PSC officials issue new orders on poles as utilities and internet providers continue to disagree over costs. buff.ly/aP5AbLe

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

A federal judge said, “When elected officials fail, the ballot box is the remedy.” And if elected officials want to succeed instead, they could pass laws right now to reform the overwhelmed and underresourced foster care system. buff.ly/2tIC1l0

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Following objections from utility companies and pole owners, the PSC delayed several rulings on pole attachments in new orders. buff.ly/aP5AbLe

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

For decades, most streams and rivers have been protected by designations that limit companies from polluting them beyond safe drinking water levels. A bill pushed by chemical companies could strip that designation from some waterways.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

West Virginia lawmakers have tried to solve West Virginia’s foster care crisis but been unsuccessful. But during the ongoing legislative session, they could immediately enact solutions. buff.ly/2tIC1l0

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

During the 2024 primary season, Young Americans for Liberty’s political campaign arm spent $150,000 to challenge three Republican state senators. Two of those State Senators, Mike Maroney and Craig Blair, lost their elections. buff.ly/tzwYoMn

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

The PSC issues watered-down rulings and orders new hearings ahead of the state’s billion-dollar broadband rollout. buff.ly/aP5AbLe

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

From 2024: As lawmakers fail to address the deep roots of poverty and food security in West Virginia, we examine who is most likely to experience these issues.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

While West Virginians wait for broadband, the PSC releases new rulings on pole attachments. buff.ly/aP5AbLe

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

During the legislative session, lawmakers have an opportunity to help fix West Virginia’s failing foster care system, including issues uncovered in a recent Mountain State Spotlight investigation. Here are 5 immediate fixes lawmakers could implement:🧵 mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/03/06/f...

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

PSC releases new guidelines on pole attachments but leaves many mandates up for further discussion.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Last year, two lawmakers backed by the group got a religious exemption for vaccines for all public school students through the House. A watered down version of that bill was later vetoed by then-governor Jim Justice. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/03/05/l...

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: West Virginia’s foster system is in crisis. Here are 5 ways lawmakers could help foster kids right now.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Seniors who can’t safely prepare meals or get to grocery stores are asking for help. The state agency charged with helping them isn’t advocating for that assistance. buff.ly/RH4pUm6

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Young Americans for Liberty has spent nearly a quarter of a million dollars through a sister organization getting candidates elected who have vowed to repeal vaccine mandates, as well as against sitting lawmakers who have championed them.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: PSC delays action on proposals to speed up broadband expansion after utilities object to cost

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

West Virginia lawmakers are moving a proposal that could weaken drinking water protections. Chemical companies have pushed for the change, which was introduced without public notice. Critics warn it puts drinking water at risk.

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Vaccine mandates have long been a source of conservative ire in West Virginia, which has some of the strictest requirements in the country. But a well-funded group of libertarians have been making waves in recent years. buff.ly/tzwYoMn

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: How a well-funded libertarian group pushed West Virginia toward loosening vaccine requirements

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Lawmakers consider rules that would allow waterways to be recategorized if it’s demonstrated that they don’t have the capacity to reliably and continuously support a public water system.

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

West Virginia has a high rate of older people who aren’t consistently getting enough nutritious food. State officials could help, but are focused on less government spending. buff.ly/RH4pUm6

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

NEW: Chemical companies urge West Virginia lawmakers to roll back water protections

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

“We really need support from the state in this area, and I know every district would benefit from that,” said Monongalia County deputy superintendent Donna Talerico about alternative learning for students with behavior issues.

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Seniors need state officials to fund Meals on Wheels, but those officials are focused on cost savings due to a budget shortfall instead. buff.ly/RH4pUm6

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

For years, seniors stuck in their homes have asked for help from Meals on Wheels. State officials have no current plans to meet the need. buff.ly/RH4pUm6

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

NEW: More than 1,000 seniors are waiting for meals as Morrisey charges agencies to cut costs

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

The bill is expected to focus on barring the data from being used in regulatory and enforcement actions, although that is already the current policy of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

As West Virginians' efforts to track their local air quality continues to grow across the state, the state’s industry is looking for lawmakers to pass a measure to limit how the data that communities collect after a similar effort stalled last year.

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

If last year’s performance is any indication, the prospects for any Democratic policy to pass is little to none. Last year, only one bill sponsored by a Democrat made it to the Governor’s Desk. buff.ly/3Qyfon7

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Gov. Morrisey and lawmakers are working to dismantle DEI programs across the state. The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which represents hundreds of businesses, has long advocated for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

Foster kids suing to reform West Virginia’s troubled child welfare system won’t get their day in court after all.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Unlike last year’s attempt, the bill won’t include language barring the community-collected data from being used in court — the most controversial part of the measure, which largely contributed to its failure.

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

“One of the biggest challenges for businesses we hear about is finding qualified candidates for open positions.” said Kaylin Jorge, communications director for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Mountain State Spotlight’s investigation found that West Virginia’s foster care system is riddled with problems. A federal judge ruled Friday that it’s up to the state to fix them. buff.ly/4kod7Z9

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Foster kids suing to reform West Virginia’s troubled child welfare system won’t get their day in court after all. buff.ly/4kod7Z9

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit aimed at reforming West Virginia’s troubled foster care system. buff.ly/4kod7Z9

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce says its members struggle to find qualified candidates for jobs, but anti-diversity measures like those pushed by Gov. Morrisey could further hurt those efforts.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Gov. Morrisey has vowed to end DEI in West Virginia, but business leaders say it hurts the state’s ability to attract diverse workers.

submitted 11 days ago • 28 comments

West Virginia’s Democrats say their best bet this legislative session is to disguise their legislation under a sympathetic Republican’s name or do their best to slow the process down on bills they oppose. buff.ly/3Qyfon7

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

The 11 Democrats in the West Virginia Legislature say they want to focus on kitchen table issues in the 2025 session. Whether or not they can accomplish those goals remains to be seen. buff.ly/3Qyfon7

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments