While happiness can be hard to define, a recent study analyzed 30 metrics across three distinct categories to produce a ranking for all 50 states. West Virginia came in at the bottom of the list. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia-and-kentucky-among-least-happiest-states-in-u-s/ 

Friday is National Cheeseburger Day, and burger chains across the nation are offering steep discounts, BOGOs, and other deals. Some deals even started Thursday! https://www.wowktv.com/news/national-cheeseburger-day-2026-restaurants-with-freebies-and-deals/ 

Fire crews responded to the scene of a fire near St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington. https://www.wowktv.com/news/crews-on-the-scene-of-a-fire-in-huntington/ 

One person was taken to a nearby hospital following an early morning shooting in Huntington. https://www.wowktv.com/news/police-are-on-the-scene-of-a-morning-shooting-in-huntington/ 

A Morgantown woman has been arrested and is facing charges after deputies say she left an elderly victim in the bathroom for nearly 20 hours. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/morgantown-woman-accused-of-leaving-incapacitated-man-in-bathroom-for-19-hours/ 

Despite relatively stable numbers in child welfare placements overall, West Virginia still lacks critical residential care facilities for children in foster care. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/west-virginia-enters-opioid-crisis-ripple-effect-amid-foster-care-facility-closures/ 

The chance of a lifetime! 7-year-old Emma Vollborn, of Gallia Co, OH, shares what it was like going up on stage and singing with Ella Langley in Charleston, West Virginia! https://www.wowktv.com/on-the-record-with-amanda-barren-tv/on-the-record-ohio-girl-joins-ella-langley-on-stage-in-charleston/ 

Two women accused of violating West Virginia election laws have been convicted in the case. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/cabell-county-wv/2-cabell-county-women-convicted-of-falsifying-candidacy-documents/ 

On Wednesday, 1,250 volunteers worked at 104 projects in the region as part of the United Way of Central West Virginia's Day of Caring. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/1250-volunteers-give-back-on-united-way-of-central-west-virginia-day-of-caring/ 

The community cut the ribbon Wednesday on the new We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Huntington!https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/cabell-county-wv/we-rock-the-spectrum-kids-gym-cuts-ribbon-in-huntington/

"Loudcasting" may not be a word familiar to many, but the practice of it is pervasive in much of contemporary society. Have you ever experienced Loudcasting?https://www.wowktv.com/news/loudcasting-why-do-people-play-music-loudly-in-public/

Families from across West Virginia gathered at the Clay Center to honor organ, tissue and cornea donors during the Center for Organ Recovery and Education’s annual “A Special Place” ceremony.https://www.wowktv.com/news/core-honors-west-virginia-organ-donors-at-annual-a-special-place-ceremony/

While the drowning death of Marly Kinney at Grayson Lake State Park has been determined to be accidental, two more people are facing alcohol-related charges. https://www.wowktv.com/news/kentucky/carter-county-ky/marly-kinneys-death-ruled-accidental-2-accused-of-giving-alcohol-to-a-minor/ 

As of this week, the U.S. Postal Service is officially accepting letters addressed to Santa Claus as part of its Operation Santa initiative, which traces back to 1912.https://www.wowktv.com/news/usps-operation-santa-now-accepting-christmas-letters-seeking-adopters/

WVU football faces its toughest test so far in 2026, taking on No. 25 Virginia at Bank of America Stadium. But WVU head coach wants the Mountaineers to prepare like any other game.https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/west-virginia-wants-to-be-business-as-usual-ahead-of-virginia-game/

A Floyd County, Kentucky, school bus was involved in a crash Wednesday afternoon. https://www.wowktv.com/news/kentucky/floyd-county-ky/floyd-county-school-bus-involved-in-crash/ 

A helicopter news reporter and pilot who died in a tragic crash while covering a fatal L.A. Metro bus collision have been identified. https://www.wowktv.com/national-news/tv-news-helicopter-crashes-near-deadly-l-a-bus-collision-3-killed/ 

Human remains were found Monday in Grand Canyon National Park.https://www.wowktv.com/news/human-remains-found-in-grand-canyon-national-park/

Ohio AG Andy Wilson says he believes Flock cameras are a “valuable” tool and that they have already helped solve thousands of cases in Ohio. https://www.wowktv.com/ohio-3/ohio-attorney-general-calls-flock-technology-valuable-for-law-enforcement/ 

Two men who were involved in a shooting at the Shawnee Sports Complex in 2024 appeared in court to receive probation.https://www.wowktv.com/news/two-men-convicted-in-shawnee-complex-shooting-to-receive-probation/

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in several years in the face of stubborn inflation. https://www.wowktv.com/national-news/fed-hikes-interest-rates-by-quarter-point/ 

Pints of a popular frozen dessert are being recalled over concerns that they may contain small stones and other foreign material. https://www.wowktv.com/news/danone-recalls-frozen-dessert-that-could-contain-stones-other-hard-material/ 

Two West Virginia women have pleaded guilty to fraud schemes involving COVID-19 relief. https://www.wowktv.com/news/two-w-va-women-plead-guilty-to-covid-19-relief-fraud/ 

Ohio lawmakers are preparing to introduce legislation that would reimburse electricity ratepayers after a sustained power outage.  https://www.wowktv.com/news/ohio-bill-would-reimburse-power-outage-losses/ 

A former Scioto County Commissioner and his wife have been sentenced for their roles in what the Ohio State Auditor has called a “public contracting scheme.” https://www.wowktv.com/news/ohio/scioto-county-oh/former-scioto-county-commissioner-sentenced-for-theft-in-office/ 

A woman facing multiple charges in two Vinton County criminal cases has been arraigned on sexual charges in court. https://www.wowktv.com/news/vinton-county-mother-accused-of-child-neglect-arraigned-on-sexual-charges/ 

West Virginia’s economy is stable, but there are still major challenges ahead, according to Dr. John Deskins with West Virginia University. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/west-virginia-economy-remains-stable-as-workforce-population-challenges-continue/ 

A free resource that puts a purpose on produce is now available to the public. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/produce-focused-west-virginia-cookbook-launches/ 

New data from West Virginia's school voucher program shows the majority of families are happy with their choice. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/survey-hope-scholarship-parents-96-satisfied-with-program/

According to the City of Charleston, more than 100 people have moved to West Virginia over the past year through the Ascend WV program. https://www.wowktv.com/news/west-virginia/kanawha-county-wv/ascend-wv-to-celebrate-one-year-in-the-charleston-area/