A fully staffed, well-qualified CPS workforce is needed to keep kids safe and support families. WV Gov. Morrisey has a staffing bill in play in the Legislature, but researchers say he and lawmakers need to do much more. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/02/04/c...

WV Gov. Patrick Morrisey said 650 immigrant arrests “have removed dangerous illegal immigrants from our communities and made our state safer for families and law-abiding citizens.” A federal judge says the government hasn’t proved it. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/01/31/i...

Lawmakers from both parties consider proposals to freeze electric rates. Important @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story as West Virginians continue to struggle to afford their bills, by Tre Spencer mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/01/21/p...

Republican lawmakers' child welfare proposals won’t fix the roots of the crisis — the reasons so many families end up involved with CPS and kids end up in foster care. One researcher said proposals could result in "incremental" change. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/01/15/f...

2025 in review: In June, Erin Beck highlighted that Republicans stripped funding for SNAP-Ed, a federal program aimed at teaching low-income people to eat nutritiously with little money and prevent health problems. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/08/s...

While Congress gets most of the attention when it comes to health care costs (see the fight over ACA subsidies), there are steps state-level lawmakers could take to help constituents facing higher premiums and other health care costs. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/01/08/w...

As 2025 winds down, we’re looking back on some of our biggest stories of the year. In January, Erin Beck reported that relatives who care for kids who'd otherwise end up in foster care can face more strain — and get less help — than other caregivers.

There’s money available to help West Virginia’s former foster kids. Morrisey wouldn’t commit to spending it all. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/16/m... via @erinbeck.bsky.social

From 2010-2023, health officials returned to the federal government nearly $7 million meant to help older and former foster kids. The Morrisey administration isn’t saying whether it will have to return funds. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/16/m...

West Virginia got federal money to help foster kids succeed as adults. But it’s helped few kids — so since 2010, the state has returned nearly $7 million for these programs to the federal government. New from @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social by Erica Peterson mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/16/w...

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. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/12/07/h...

If you’re considering a Giving Tuesday contribution, I hope you’ll donate to Mountain State Spotlight. WV is a state I love & that I’ve felt called to serve by holding power to account. And for our readers, the information we share is power. mountainstatespotlight.fundjournalism.org/donate/?camp...

Hi everyone! I am reporting on health insurance costs and need your help. Can you fill out this survey for Mountain State Spotlight and tell us how your health insurance costs or coverage are changing in 2026? Thanks in advance! mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/11/07/a...

After @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social requested WV Gov. Patrick Morrisey's visitor logs to see who he was meeting with, the governor's legal counsel said the office was no longer keeping them and that journalists were "abusive about the process" mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/24/m...

This astounding piece by Nicole Blevins is what real investigative journalism looks like. WV has been sitting on $34 million in medical cannabis program fees, taxes and interest that was supposed to go to treatment, law enforcement & cannabis research. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/22/3...

NEW: The rural health fund won’t ease the pain of Medicaid cuts mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/19/h...

To get the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed, Congress tacked on a $50 billion fund to divvy among states. It’s no match for massive cuts to Medicaid and health care provider revenue. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/19/h...

Morrisey says he’ll “make WV healthy” — starting with the Mountaineer Mile. But if the state is serious about obesity and health, it needs to follow evidence-based, proven strategies — not just slogans. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...

West Virginia released the contract for the sale of its state nursing hospitals. 🔹 $80M in upgrades pledged 🔹 6 months to find new sites 🔹 Promise to rehire staff “substantially all”… with some loopholes 🔹 No requirement where new hospitals will be located mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/29/h...

A federal committee opened up access to this year’s COVID-19 vaccine. But some people have already tried to get it and been turned away. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/25/v...

Tuberculosis. Black lung. Mine disasters. Mental illness. Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center and Lakin Hospital evolved over a century to meet pressing health needs. Last month, they were sold to a private buyer. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/09/16/w...

The biggest Medicaid cuts in history are expected to drop 55,000 West Virginians from coverage over the next decade, but not all at once. This timeline explains when each change hits and which groups of people are affected. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/27/m...

While Gov. Patrick Morrisey assured West Virginians his administration rigorously vetted the buyer of four state-owned hospitals for vulnerable seniors, the governor's office wouldn't say if he knew the buyer was facing a lawsuit over alleged discrimination mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/19/m...

A new law requires people on Medicaid to push through red tape to prove they're working, but a majority of enrollees are workers, students & people with disabilities. "You don’t 'save' $326 billion by targeting only a few people supposedly on a couch.” mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/31/w...

Congress cut Medicaid to stop “fraud.” But patients weren't the ones stealing. Laura Jones, who runs a Morgantown free clinic that accepts Medicaid, said she doesn't see any patient fraud. “If you were making tons of money, you’d have insurance.” mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/29/f...

West Virginia’s state bird, the cardinal, is a symbol a lost loved one is near. They carry messages to grieving people. A 42% decline in overdose deaths brought us hope. But progress is fragile. 766 people died in a year. Program cuts are looming. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/20/o...

West Virginia’s state bird, the cardinal, symbolizes hope, positivity and messages from lost loved ones. This story is about a sign of hope. But it’s also about how, for grieving people, signs can feel like warnings. This is why. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/20/o...

“There is a long and terrible history of painting Jewish people as deceptive, power-hungry sub-humans… These stereotypes have been used again and again to justify some of the worst atrocities in human history.” westvirginiawatch.com/2025/07/08/m...

West Virginia’s child welfare system is in crisis. Two judges tried to intervene. The state’s ethics panel said they crossed a line. What does it mean when judges are reprimanded for trying to fix a failing system? Here’s what happened: 🔗 mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/08/a...

Super important @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story by @erinbeck.bsky.social mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/02/m...

Imagine you're having a heart attack. ERs were already overwhelmed in West Virginia. Congress is on the verge of closing them completely. This is a health care system in crisis on the verge of collapse. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/02/m...

Congress’ funding bill defunds a program to help low-income families make healthy choices. So West Virginia nutrition efforts are ending now. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/26/n...

A kid with a token. A tote of fruits and veggies. A chance to make healthy choices, like a grown-up. Now members of Congress want to cut the program that made that possible. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/26/n...

Wow. “They make these deceptive accusations because they desire power and social status at the expense of others.” - Del. Pat McGeehan, referencing two Jewish and Democratic delegates. Via @westvirginiawatch.com westvirginiawatch.com/2025/06/27/w...

NEW — Morrisey’s inaugural fund gave $500k to nonprofit run by political ally mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/27/m...

Kids like Julia were learning to shop, cook and grow food. But WVU is shutting down those programs as organizers anticipate Congress will end the program’s funding. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/26/n...

Pleas for more methadone treatment have gone disregarded by state lawmakers. A state health official says it could save the lives of people addicted to fentanyl. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/05/27/w...

With low pay and high turnover, WV child protective services workers can’t keep track of all the abused and neglected kids they’re supposed to help. Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s plan? Do better anyway. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/18/m...

An early story on these cuts: mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/08/s...

Story you need to read, written by @erinbeck.bsky.social , one the most thoughtful journalists in the state of #WV. Follow her to stay informed #westvitginia

A kid with a token. A tote of fruits and veggies. A chance to make healthy choices, like a grown-up. Now members of Congress want to cut the program that made that possible. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/26/n...