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!
About two in three kids in West Virginia state custody are placed with relatives. But those families, often grandparents, don’t receive full foster payments until they complete a certification process that can take months. Lawmakers seek to change that.
Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly
Lawmakers want to help ensure kinship families – relatives who take in kids taken from their parents – get paid as much as foster families.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
About two in three kids in West Virginia state custody are placed with relatives. But those families, often grandparents, don’t receive full foster payments until they complete a certification process that can take months. Lawmakers seek to change that.
“We have medical cannabis on the books, right? That means we support it,” Worrell said. “We need to make sure we're not trying to always make it fail.”
Medical Marijuana bill would spend $34 million
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, proposed spending $34 million raised from medical cannabis sales that is currently tied up in the Treasurer’s Office.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 15, 2026 at 11:29 PM
“We have medical cannabis on the books, right? That means we support it,” Worrell said. “We need to make sure we're not trying to always make it fail.”
The legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said he wanted the bill to help grow the state’s public workforce, while also helping working families.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
How paid parental leave could help West Virginia’s public workers
A paid parental leave program could lower health care and child care costs for West Virginia’s public employees.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 15, 2026 at 11:45 AM
The legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said he wanted the bill to help grow the state’s public workforce, while also helping working families.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, said placing kids with relatives can reduce trauma after removing them from their parents’ homes. His bill would ensure kinship caregivers receive full foster subsidies within 30 days if safety checks clear.
Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly
Lawmakers want to help ensure kinship families – relatives who take in kids taken from their parents – get paid as much as foster families.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, said placing kids with relatives can reduce trauma after removing them from their parents’ homes. His bill would ensure kinship caregivers receive full foster subsidies within 30 days if safety checks clear.
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, said he introduced a bill to make sure the marijuana money gets spent. Currently, it is being held up in the Treasurer’s Office, who has expressed concerns about the legalities of the money.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
Medical Marijuana bill would spend $34 million
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, proposed spending $34 million raised from medical cannabis sales that is currently tied up in the Treasurer’s Office.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, said he introduced a bill to make sure the marijuana money gets spent. Currently, it is being held up in the Treasurer’s Office, who has expressed concerns about the legalities of the money.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
If paid parental leave were implemented, it could have a significant economic impact, resulting in more sales tax and business revenue and lower healthcare costs.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
How paid parental leave could help West Virginia’s public workers
A paid parental leave program could lower health care and child care costs for West Virginia’s public employees.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:35 PM
If paid parental leave were implemented, it could have a significant economic impact, resulting in more sales tax and business revenue and lower healthcare costs.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
A new bill would give West Virginia kinship caregivers the full $790 monthly foster care subsidy within 30 days of children entering their homes — instead of waiting months for certification. State officials estimate it would cost $3.9 million a year.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly
Lawmakers want to help ensure kinship families – relatives who take in kids taken from their parents – get paid as much as foster families.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:35 AM
A new bill would give West Virginia kinship caregivers the full $790 monthly foster care subsidy within 30 days of children entering their homes — instead of waiting months for certification. State officials estimate it would cost $3.9 million a year.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
The state hasn’t spent the $34 million it has collected in medical marijuana revenue. A bill introduced in the House of Delegates could change that.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
Medical Marijuana bill would spend $34 million
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, proposed spending $34 million raised from medical cannabis sales that is currently tied up in the Treasurer’s Office.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 12, 2026 at 9:53 PM
The state hasn’t spent the $34 million it has collected in medical marijuana revenue. A bill introduced in the House of Delegates could change that.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
NEW: Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly under new proposal
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly
Lawmakers want to help ensure kinship families – relatives who take in kids taken from their parents – get paid as much as foster families.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:11 PM
NEW: Relatives who take care of foster kids could get financial support from the state more quickly under new proposal
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/12/s...
A bill proposing millions in tax breaks for data centers is facing pushback from the public and other lawmakers. Its sponsor, Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, said the amount of business the tax credit would bring in would offset any revenue losses.
Tax break for data centers could offset all state taxes
A proposed bill could give away millions in tax breaks to data centers
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:20 PM
A bill proposing millions in tax breaks for data centers is facing pushback from the public and other lawmakers. Its sponsor, Del. Geno Chiarelli, R-Monongalia, said the amount of business the tax credit would bring in would offset any revenue losses.
Without paid parental leave, some West Virginians are facing impossible choices as they balance caring for their children and paying bills.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
How paid parental leave could help West Virginia’s public workers
A paid parental leave program could lower health care and child care costs for West Virginia’s public employees.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Without paid parental leave, some West Virginians are facing impossible choices as they balance caring for their children and paying bills.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
NEW: We discovered $34 million in unspent money from the state’s medical marijuana program. A lawmaker is trying to change that.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
Medical Marijuana bill would spend $34 million
Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, proposed spending $34 million raised from medical cannabis sales that is currently tied up in the Treasurer’s Office.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:57 PM
NEW: We discovered $34 million in unspent money from the state’s medical marijuana program. A lawmaker is trying to change that.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/11/m...
Last year, the public sector employed over 150,000 West Virginians. Nearly a third of those were state workers, who don’t have access to paid parental leave.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
How paid parental leave could help West Virginia’s public workers
A paid parental leave program could lower health care and child care costs for West Virginia’s public employees.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Last year, the public sector employed over 150,000 West Virginians. Nearly a third of those were state workers, who don’t have access to paid parental leave.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/10/f...
Last year, state lawmakers stripped away local control over where data centers could be built and sucked up 70% of local taxes. Now, they have a proposal to give away millions in tax breaks to data centers, warehouses and factories.
Tax break for data centers could offset all state taxes
A proposed bill could give away millions in tax breaks to data centers
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 10, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Last year, state lawmakers stripped away local control over where data centers could be built and sucked up 70% of local taxes. Now, they have a proposal to give away millions in tax breaks to data centers, warehouses and factories.
State lawmakers are working on a bill that would allow data centers to offset state taxes for up to 10 years if businesses invest at least $2.5 million or create 10 jobs. Revenue department officials said it could cause a significant loss in tax money.
Tax break for data centers could offset all state taxes
A proposed bill could give away millions in tax breaks to data centers
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:19 PM
State lawmakers are working on a bill that would allow data centers to offset state taxes for up to 10 years if businesses invest at least $2.5 million or create 10 jobs. Revenue department officials said it could cause a significant loss in tax money.
NEW: West Virginia could get nothing in taxes from data centers for a decade under proposed bill
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/09/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/09/d...
Tax break for data centers could offset all state taxes
A proposed bill could give away millions in tax breaks to data centers
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:19 PM
NEW: West Virginia could get nothing in taxes from data centers for a decade under proposed bill
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/09/d...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/09/d...
Del. Lori Dittman wants to require state schools to share information about the programs available to help older foster kids. She said the bill was inspired by our recent investigation that found millions of dollars for this support was going untapped.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/f...
State lawmaker proposes help connecting foster kids to more resources following Spotlight report
Delegate Lori Dittman wants to make sure more older foster kids know the programs they can access through the federal government’s Chafee program.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Del. Lori Dittman wants to require state schools to share information about the programs available to help older foster kids. She said the bill was inspired by our recent investigation that found millions of dollars for this support was going untapped.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/f...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/f...
About 30 states have adopted their own low-income housing tax credits to help fill the gap left by expiring federal rules. West Virginia isn't one of them.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
Low-income West Virginians could lose access to affordable housing over the next decade without state action
West Virginia is projected to lose 28% of its federally subsidized rental housing unless lawmakers act.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:13 AM
About 30 states have adopted their own low-income housing tax credits to help fill the gap left by expiring federal rules. West Virginia isn't one of them.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
WV officials admit CPS is chronically understaffed. But their proposal would let the state reassign CPS workers based on short-term need, rather than hiring and retaining quality staff.
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
Gov. Morrisey admits the CPS workforce is strained, but his proposal doesn’t solve the problem.
West Virginia CPS workers can’t keep all the kids in their care safe. The governor admits understaffing but his bill doesn’t fix it.
buff.ly
February 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
WV officials admit CPS is chronically understaffed. But their proposal would let the state reassign CPS workers based on short-term need, rather than hiring and retaining quality staff.
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
Over 60,000 West Virginians rely on federal rental assistance for housing. As tax credits expire, landlords can raise rents to market rates or convert units entirely.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
Low-income West Virginians could lose access to affordable housing over the next decade without state action
West Virginia is projected to lose 28% of its federally subsidized rental housing unless lawmakers act.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 8, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Over 60,000 West Virginians rely on federal rental assistance for housing. As tax credits expire, landlords can raise rents to market rates or convert units entirely.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
A fully-staffed, well-qualified CPS workforce is needed to keep kids safe and support families. Gov. Morrisey has a staffing bill in play in the Legislature, but researchers say he and lawmakers need to do much more.
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
Gov. Morrisey admits the CPS workforce is strained, but his proposal doesn’t solve the problem.
West Virginia CPS workers can’t keep all the kids in their care safe. The governor admits understaffing but his bill doesn’t fix it.
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
A fully-staffed, well-qualified CPS workforce is needed to keep kids safe and support families. Gov. Morrisey has a staffing bill in play in the Legislature, but researchers say he and lawmakers need to do much more.
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
buff.ly/F2Mluxm
Since 2010, West Virginia has given back nearly $7 million meant to help foster kids transition into adulthood. A state delegate is proposing a partial fix: making sure more kids who can benefit know about all their options.
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
State lawmaker proposes help connecting foster kids to more resources following Spotlight report
Delegate Lori Dittman wants to make sure more older foster kids know the programs they can access through the federal government’s Chafee program.
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Since 2010, West Virginia has given back nearly $7 million meant to help foster kids transition into adulthood. A state delegate is proposing a partial fix: making sure more kids who can benefit know about all their options.
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
A WV delegate is sponsoring a bill to make sure older foster kids know about all of the services they can access, in the wake of a Mountain State Spotlight investigation that found many were unaware.
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
State lawmaker proposes help connecting foster kids to more resources following Spotlight report
Delegate Lori Dittman wants to make sure more older foster kids know the programs they can access through the federal government’s Chafee program.
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 1:35 AM
A WV delegate is sponsoring a bill to make sure older foster kids know about all of the services they can access, in the wake of a Mountain State Spotlight investigation that found many were unaware.
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
buff.ly/rSFnsIW
Federal affordability rules are set to expire for more than a quarter of West Virginia’s low-income housing units within the next 5 to 10 years, putting thousands of seniors and families at risk.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
Low-income West Virginians could lose access to affordable housing over the next decade without state action
West Virginia is projected to lose 28% of its federally subsidized rental housing unless lawmakers act.
mountainstatespotlight.org
February 6, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Federal affordability rules are set to expire for more than a quarter of West Virginia’s low-income housing units within the next 5 to 10 years, putting thousands of seniors and families at risk.
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...
mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/05/h...