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.
Mountain State Spotlight

Q&A: Evan Feinman led broadband expansion under Biden. Here’s what he thinks of West Virginia’s high-speed internet plan.

Former BEAD chief Evan Feinman explains what West Virginia’s $1.2B broadband plan means for residents waiting for high-speed ...
Mountain State Spotlight

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

Gov. Patrick Morrisey touted savings under the state’s new BEAD plan after cutting funds for cell service, community internet ...
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.
mountainstatespotlight

In West Virginia, lawmakers have thoughts and prayers — but no money — for flood prevention

Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, addresses the House chamber in April asking fellow lawmakers to put money into the flood fund. Photo by Perry Bennett / West Virginia Legislature On the first Friday in ...
Mountain State Spotlight

West Virginia’s seniors and retirees face rising costs and little help as they struggle to find affordable housing

With little state support, West Virginia seniors face long waits and high costs to find safe, affordable housing.
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

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 ...
mountainstatespotlight

The “death penalty” of child welfare: in six months or less, some parents lose their kids forever

Jackie Snodgrass in her younger daughter’s bedroom in Charleston, West Virginia. Photo by Stephanie Mei-Ling, special to ProPublica and NBC News. This article was originally published by ProPublica, a ...
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 ...