Mountain State Spotlight
@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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Mountain State Spotlight: West Virginia News and Reporting
An independent, civic news organization telling stories of importance to West Virginians about the issues and challenges facing their communities.
mountainstatespotlight.org
Hello Bluesky, we're Mountain State Spotlight, a reader-supported independent newsroom covering West Virginia.
Read us at mountainstatespotlight.org and give us a follow to see when we publish new stories!
Read us at mountainstatespotlight.org and give us a follow to see when we publish new stories!
A law, passed earlier this year, stripped local control over data center projects. Now, communities are calling on their leaders to reinstate local control. Some lawmakers say they’re open to it, while others don’t see a need.
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December 14, 2025 at 11:35 PM
A law, passed earlier this year, stripped local control over data center projects. Now, communities are calling on their leaders to reinstate local control. Some lawmakers say they’re open to it, while others don’t see a need.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/14/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/14/d...
Marty Daniel, the founder of a gun manufacturer at the center of multiple mass shooting-related lawsuits, met with Gov. Patrick Morrisey at the Capitol. The next day, Morrisey asked lawmakers to introduce a bill that would protect gunmakers’ profits.
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December 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Marty Daniel, the founder of a gun manufacturer at the center of multiple mass shooting-related lawsuits, met with Gov. Patrick Morrisey at the Capitol. The next day, Morrisey asked lawmakers to introduce a bill that would protect gunmakers’ profits.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
NEW: Despite community opposition to data centers, lawmakers offer no clear plan for addressing local concerns
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mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/14/d...
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December 14, 2025 at 11:05 AM
NEW: Despite community opposition to data centers, lawmakers offer no clear plan for addressing local concerns
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A bill that raises the bar for a lawsuit to be filed in West Virginia against a gunmaker based on how it advertises was championed Del. Elias Coop-Gonzalez, a prominent gun YouTuber and attorney and a gunmaker at the center of multiple lawsuits.
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December 13, 2025 at 1:06 PM
A bill that raises the bar for a lawsuit to be filed in West Virginia against a gunmaker based on how it advertises was championed Del. Elias Coop-Gonzalez, a prominent gun YouTuber and attorney and a gunmaker at the center of multiple lawsuits.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
Anybody can make a public records request — you don’t have to be a journalist. Here’s how one of our Freedom of Information Act requests revealed the gun industry’s influence in our Capitol:
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December 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Anybody can make a public records request — you don’t have to be a journalist. Here’s how one of our Freedom of Information Act requests revealed the gun industry’s influence in our Capitol:
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/f...
Marty Daniel built his fortune selling AR-15s. After his rifles were used in mass shootings from Uvalde to D.C., he faced lawsuits and testified before Congress. In West Virginia, lawmakers welcomed him — and passed laws to protect the gun industry.
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mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
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December 13, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Marty Daniel built his fortune selling AR-15s. After his rifles were used in mass shootings from Uvalde to D.C., he faced lawsuits and testified before Congress. In West Virginia, lawmakers welcomed him — and passed laws to protect the gun industry.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
Daniel Defense, a Georgia-based AR-15 manufacturer, has been at the center of lawsuits in Washington D.C., Nevada and Texas. West Virginia officials, including Gov. Patrick Morrisey, welcomed him to the Capitol.
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December 12, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Daniel Defense, a Georgia-based AR-15 manufacturer, has been at the center of lawsuits in Washington D.C., Nevada and Texas. West Virginia officials, including Gov. Patrick Morrisey, welcomed him to the Capitol.
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mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
The HUD said a new homelessness policy will increase “self-sufficiency” and end rising homelessness. It will result in even more of it.
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December 12, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The HUD said a new homelessness policy will increase “self-sufficiency” and end rising homelessness. It will result in even more of it.
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mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the country. State officials could help reduce the number, and they’ve had a plan to do it since 2016.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
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Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
December 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the country. State officials could help reduce the number, and they’ve had a plan to do it since 2016.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
Calls for accountability for the gun industry have risen as the death toll from mass shootings has mounted. West Virginia passed legislation to prevent that from happening here — with the help of a YouTube personality and a gunmaker.
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December 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Calls for accountability for the gun industry have risen as the death toll from mass shootings has mounted. West Virginia passed legislation to prevent that from happening here — with the help of a YouTube personality and a gunmaker.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/d...
NEW: How a public records ‘fishing expedition’ exposed the gun industry’s influence in Charleston
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December 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
NEW: How a public records ‘fishing expedition’ exposed the gun industry’s influence in Charleston
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mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/11/f...
NEW: How a gun manufacturer accused of marketing to mass shooters helped shape West Virginia gun laws
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December 11, 2025 at 11:05 AM
NEW: How a gun manufacturer accused of marketing to mass shooters helped shape West Virginia gun laws
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The Trump administration’s new homelessness policy ends rental assistance for formerly homeless and disabled people after a set time period, even if they make little money and will end up back on the streets.
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December 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Trump administration’s new homelessness policy ends rental assistance for formerly homeless and disabled people after a set time period, even if they make little money and will end up back on the streets.
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The Trump administration is considering cutting federal funding for a project to build a regional network of facilities across West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania that will produce, store, distribute and utilize hydrogen.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
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Future of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in doubt as Trump administration considers funding cut
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is now on the DOE’s list of potential grant cuts, casting doubt on its clean energy future.
mountainstatespotlight.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The Trump administration is considering cutting federal funding for a project to build a regional network of facilities across West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania that will produce, store, distribute and utilize hydrogen.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
Robert Stewart believes he’d likely be dead if not for an anti-homelessness program that helps him with rent, since his disabilities prohibit him from affording housing.
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December 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Robert Stewart believes he’d likely be dead if not for an anti-homelessness program that helps him with rent, since his disabilities prohibit him from affording housing.
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The two-day hearing on the merits of the appeal wrapped up Thursday. Now, the West Virginia Air Quality Board has 60 days to make a decision.
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December 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
The two-day hearing on the merits of the appeal wrapped up Thursday. Now, the West Virginia Air Quality Board has 60 days to make a decision.
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About 850 West Virginians, often seniors, have little or no income due to serious disabilities. They’re set to lose their homes and return to homelessness following a recent HUD cut to a successful housing program.
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December 8, 2025 at 7:03 PM
About 850 West Virginians, often seniors, have little or no income due to serious disabilities. They’re set to lose their homes and return to homelessness following a recent HUD cut to a successful housing program.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
The Trump administration is cutting funding for an anti-homelessness program that has been effective in keeping people who have been homeless housed. An estimated 850 West Virginians will lose their homes.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
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December 7, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The Trump administration is cutting funding for an anti-homelessness program that has been effective in keeping people who have been homeless housed. An estimated 850 West Virginians will lose their homes.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
The WVDEP gave a proposed Tucker County power plant an air permit designating it as a “minor” polluter. But an air pollution expert said the plant’s emissions could exceed the limit.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
December 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
The WVDEP gave a proposed Tucker County power plant an air permit designating it as a “minor” polluter. But an air pollution expert said the plant’s emissions could exceed the limit.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
NEW: HUD helped this disabled West Virginian get housing. Funding cuts could send people like him back into homelessness.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
December 7, 2025 at 11:12 AM
NEW: HUD helped this disabled West Virginian get housing. Funding cuts could send people like him back into homelessness.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...
Dr. Ron Sahu, an expert in air pollution and emissions, testified on Wednesday to the West Virginia Air Quality Board that a Tucker County power plant will likely emit more pollution than it’s currently designated: “This is not a minor source.”
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
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December 6, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Dr. Ron Sahu, an expert in air pollution and emissions, testified on Wednesday to the West Virginia Air Quality Board that a Tucker County power plant will likely emit more pollution than it’s currently designated: “This is not a minor source.”
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
The Trump administration cut funding for two of the hydrogen hubs earlier this year. The remaining five hydrogen projects, including the Appalachian-based hub, were spared. But the federal Department of Energy is considering canceling them too.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
Future of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in doubt as Trump administration considers funding cut
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is now on the DOE’s list of potential grant cuts, casting doubt on its clean energy future.
mountainstatespotlight.org
December 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The Trump administration cut funding for two of the hydrogen hubs earlier this year. The remaining five hydrogen projects, including the Appalachian-based hub, were spared. But the federal Department of Energy is considering canceling them too.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
NEW: Air pollution expert says Tucker County power plant would likely exceed emission limits in permit issued by the state
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
December 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
NEW: Air pollution expert says Tucker County power plant would likely exceed emission limits in permit issued by the state
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/06/t...
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is one of more than 600 grants the U.S. Department of Energy is considering cancelling.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
Future of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in doubt as Trump administration considers funding cut
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is now on the DOE’s list of potential grant cuts, casting doubt on its clean energy future.
mountainstatespotlight.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is one of more than 600 grants the U.S. Department of Energy is considering cancelling.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub was selected to get almost $1 billion in federal funding. Now, the U.S. Department of Energy is considering cutting that funding.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
Future of Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub in doubt as Trump administration considers funding cut
The Appalachian hydrogen hub is now on the DOE’s list of potential grant cuts, casting doubt on its clean energy future.
mountainstatespotlight.org
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub was selected to get almost $1 billion in federal funding. Now, the U.S. Department of Energy is considering cutting that funding.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/03/a...