Mountain State Spotlight

Early voting has begun. Here’s what you should know before you head to the polls.

We’ve created a guide with key 2026 general election voting details you should consult before you head to the polls ...
Mountain State Spotlight

This Republican tried to cap the Hope Scholarship. Out-of-state billionaires helped bankroll efforts to replace him.

A high-ranking Republican had wanted only to curb the unchecked growth of West Virginia’s voucher program, not destroy it. In the ensuing backlash, three PACs — affiliated with the Koch family and ...
Mountain State Spotlight

From retirement plans to family farms, the lives of these West Virginians could be upended by a massive power line

NextEra, one of the largest energy companies in the United States, plans to build a 500,000 volt transmission line running through 59 miles of West Virginia. Residents, from affected landowners to ...
mountainstatespotlight

We’re reporters, not teachers. We were able to start private schools anyway.

We have no business running a private school. We’re reporters, not teachers. That doesn’t matter. Inexperience has hardly been a barrier for those who want to start their own schools, as we have ...
Mountain State Spotlight

West Virginia Fire Commission says it critically needs firefighters but not how many

The new state fire plan has no description of how many vacancies fire stations have or how many firefighters would be needed for safety.
Mountain State Spotlight

A West Virginia grant program helps students get free community college education, but its workforce impact isn’t clear

WV Invests has subsidized since 2019, college degrees for students who stay and work here. The state isn’t measuring what alumni are doing.
mountainstatespotlight

We tried to find out where candidates stand on key issues. Most of them didn’t tell us.

Mountain State Spotlight’s voter guide is now live, and I have good news and bad news. We asked candidates to align ...
mountainstatespotlight

Clean water was a top issue for McDowell County voters in 2024. They’re still waiting for elected officials to help.

Steve Brock, of Gary, West Virginia, holds a discolored jar of water that came out of his tap. Photo by Henry Culvyhouse / Mountain State Spotlight Steve Brock sprays mud off his driveway with a ...
mountainstatespotlight

Deaf West Virginians have asked for captioned movies for almost a decade. Lawmakers shelved a bill to improve access.

At 8-years-old, Elena Bostic has hearing loss that requires her to using hearing aids and assistive technology to watch movies at a movie theater. She is pictured here with her mother Caitlin. Photo ...