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.
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New data shows racial, economic disparities persist in West Virginia school discipline practices

Stark disparities continue to exist in how Black students and low-income students are disciplined in West Virginia schools, according to data released Wednesday by the state Department of Education.
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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 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 ...
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To land green energy plant, West Virginia lawmakers bypassed their own utility regulators

Gov. Jim Justice signs a bill that will bring a Berkshire Hathaway solar plant to Jackson County, as well as a related manufacturing plant. Photo courtesy Governor's office. When developers joined ...
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West Virginians could get stuck cleaning up the coal industry’s messes

An excavated mountain and highwalls on the western side of the Twilight mining complex owned by Lexington Coal Company in Lindytown, West Virginia (Dane Rhys, special to ProPublica) This article was ...
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‘Power grab’: West Virginia will vote on constitutional amendments to give state lawmakers new authority

Tara Holstein, the acting director of the Boone-Madison Public Library walks by the branch's public computers. Photo by Ian Karbal MADISON – Jim Butcher greeted the Boone-Madison librarians as he ...
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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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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 ...