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mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight
@mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
720 followers 11 following 850 posts
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 @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · Dec 4
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!
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
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1h
By 2028, Putnam County needs at least 4,000 new housing units to keep up with growing demand.
BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
West Virginia’s BUILD WV Act is funding new housing, but rents in Putnam County are far above what many can afford.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
There are many reasons that are causing increased electricity rates for West Virginians. But the explosion of data centers is making it worse.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/05/r...
Data centers in other states are raising power costs in West Virginia
West Virginians are seeing higher power costs as AI and data centers increase electricity demand across the regional power grid.
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
When the BUILD WV ACT became law in 2022, it was intended to help grow the state’s housing supply. So far, it’s producing housing at costs that are much higher than affordable market rates.
BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
West Virginia’s BUILD WV Act is funding new housing, but rents in Putnam County are far above what many can afford.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
West Virginians are struggling with higher power bills. Data centers in Virginia are making it worse.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/05/r...
Data centers in other states are raising power costs in West Virginia
West Virginians are seeing higher power costs as AI and data centers increase electricity demand across the regional power grid.
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
Have you struggled to pay rent or afford a home? Do you want to move homes but feel stuck due to interest rates? Do you work in real estate? We want to speak with West Virginians who have first-hand experience with West Virginia’s housing crisis.
Help us report on West Virginia’s housing crisis
Mountain State Spotlight is a nonpartisan, reader-supported investigative journalism outlet covering West Virginia. We want to speak with West Virginians who have first-hand experience with West…
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 3d
Putnam County is one of the fastest-growing counties in West Virginia. But a program intended to spur housing development there is pricing some residents out.
BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
West Virginia’s BUILD WV Act is funding new housing, but rents in Putnam County are far above what many can afford.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 4d
NEW: Data centers in other states are raising power costs in West Virginia
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 4d
The BUILD WV program helps developers invest in housing units across the state. So far, $90 million has been invested in Putnam County, fueling the construction of pricey apartments and townhomes.
BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
West Virginia’s BUILD WV Act is funding new housing, but rents in Putnam County are far above what many can afford.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 5d
Former Gov. Jim Justice said the BUILD WV program would help ease the state’s housing crisis. But so far, it’s spurred high-cost units in Putnam County that are out of reach for many West Virginians.
BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
West Virginia’s BUILD WV Act is funding new housing, but rents in Putnam County are far above what many can afford.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 5d
Do you work in the medical cannabis or agricultural hemp industries? Do you or a loved one have a medical cannabis card? Do you want a card but can’t get one due to cost or other obstacles? We want to hear from you.
Help us report: Share your experience with medical cannabis in West Virginia - Mountain State Spotlight
Help us report on the medical cannabis industry in West Virginia.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
Residents across West Virginia have questions for companies proposing massive energy projects in their communities. Except they can’t get anyone to give them answers.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/28/d...
West Virginians want ‘basic answers’ about massive data center projects
As plans for data center projects pop up around the state, residents in those communities are frustrated at the lack of answers.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
NEW: BUILD WV was meant to help West Virginia’s housing shortage, but has spurred pricey apartment developments
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
The contract sets multiple milestones that Majestic Care must meet in the months and years after its purchase of West Virginia state-owned nursing facilities.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/h...
Newly released contract reveals details and timelines for sale of West Virginia hospitals to private company
The West Virginia-owned hospitals sale contract says Majestic Care will spend $140 million on three nursing homes on a rebuild timeline.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
Marijuana use is still illegal on the federal level, but 40 states have recognized the plant’s medicinal value. West Virginia is one of them. Medical cannabis was legalized in the state in 2017 and serves more than 35,000 residents.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/m...
West Virginians are turning to medical cannabis, but there are limits. Here’s what to know.
Medical cannabis is legal in West Virginia — but there’s uncertainty around employment and gun rights for patients and cardholders.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 7d
Majestic Care, the private buyer of West Virginia-owned nursing homes, is required to find sites for three new facilities within six months of closing, or pay $5 million to the state.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/h...
Newly released contract reveals details and timelines for sale of West Virginia hospitals to private company
The West Virginia-owned hospitals sale contract says Majestic Care will spend $140 million on three nursing homes on a rebuild timeline.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 7d
Frustration continues to brew among residents across West Virginia as they struggle to get answers about massive energy and data projects slated for their communities.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/28/d...
West Virginians want ‘basic answers’ about massive data center projects
As plans for data center projects pop up around the state, residents in those communities are frustrated at the lack of answers.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 7d
The private buyer purchasing state-owned nursing homes aims to rehire “substantially all” employees with “substantially similar” pay and job titles, but also may evaluate performance before closing and take other applications.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/h...
Newly released contract reveals details and timelines for sale of West Virginia hospitals to private company
The West Virginia-owned hospitals sale contract says Majestic Care will spend $140 million on three nursing homes on a rebuild timeline.
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 7d
“I just need basic answers,” Point Pleasant resident Ben Stevens said about the sprawling industrial project proposed to be built in his backyard.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/28/d...
West Virginians want ‘basic answers’ about massive data center projects
As plans for data center projects pop up around the state, residents in those communities are frustrated at the lack of answers.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 8d
More than 60,000 West Virginians use the Affordable Care Act Marketplace to get their health insurance. With costs already rising, they could go through the roof if a key program is not extended before the end of the year.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/30/a...
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 8d
35,553 West Virginians hold an active medical cannabis card. The Medical Cannabis Act allowed patients to seek alternative medication for severe health issues.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/m...
West Virginians are turning to medical cannabis, but there are limits. Here’s what to know.
Medical cannabis is legal in West Virginia — but there’s uncertainty around employment and gun rights for patients and cardholders.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 8d
As thousands of West Virginians stand to lose their healthcare, lawmakers in Congress are doing nothing about it.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/30/a...
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 9d
As energy projects, including data center complexes, pop up across West Virginia, residents who live in the communities where these developments are being proposed are struggling to get information.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/28/d...
West Virginians want ‘basic answers’ about massive data center projects
As plans for data center projects pop up around the state, residents in those communities are frustrated at the lack of answers.
mountainstatespotlight.org
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 9d
NEW: 60,000 West Virginians risk losing affordable health care as Congress stalls on subsidies

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/30/a...
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Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 9d
The private company buying West Virginia’s state-owned nursing facilities has committed $80 million to build new facilities on a strict timeline, according to newly released sale documents.
Newly released contract reveals details and timelines for sale of West Virginia hospitals to private company
The West Virginia-owned hospitals sale contract says Majestic Care will spend $140 million on three nursing homes on a rebuild timeline.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 9d
West Virginia’s medical cannabis industry has been operational for nearly four years. Mountain State Spotlight explains legal cannabis use in the state and the process for residents to enter the program.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/m...
West Virginians are turning to medical cannabis, but there are limits. Here’s what to know.
Medical cannabis is legal in West Virginia — but there’s uncertainty around employment and gun rights for patients and cardholders.
mountainstatespotlight.org