Since Gov. Patrick Morrisey took office, nearly 9,000 West Virginia households have lost food stamps. Meanwhile, food pantries say they’re serving more families while state funding and federal food supplies fall. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/03/s...

When Skylar Sams was in college, her grandma passed away leaving her without a home. The 22-year-old gets help from a transitional living program in Parkersburg. She believes more at-risk young people need information about available resources. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/02/h...

New study: Black lung disease rate in Appalachia is the worst in nearly 50 years as coal miner protections stall — from @pubhealthwatch.bsky.social and @npr.org mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/05/b...

“They can't get into public housing. A lot of times they can't get into shelters. At that point, there's really no option for them,” said Niamh Coomey, who volunteers with the unhoused population in Wheeling. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/02/h...

Helen Comer quit her job to care for her parents. After they died, her food stamps dropped from $400 to $24 a month due to new federal work requirements, so she relied on credit cards and sold her belongings for more income. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/03/s...

In Monroe County, residents want more reliable, affordable internet options for more than streaming movies, but for telehealth appointments, remote work and paying bills online. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/30/i...

“The issue is systemic, and the root is that these people need resources and support,” said Abby Mitchell, a fourth-year medical student who volunteers to take medical care to people living on the street. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/02/h...

New: ‘I've never been so low in my life’: As thousands lose food stamps, West Virginia food pantries struggle to keep up mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/03/s...

After years of promises to deliver broadband, state officials say Monroe County’s terrain and sparse population have made it challenging to connect homes and businesses. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/30/i...

While there is bipartisan interest in finding solutions for flood relief, spokespeople indicate there’s currently no movement toward a special legislative session on the issue. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/29/f...

Flooding in north central West Virginia highlights the need for flood plan funding

A flood devastating parts of north central West Virginia renews calls to address the threat as climate change increases the risk of flooding.

mountainstatespotlight.org

New: From shelters to medical care, three young West Virginians want the state to change how it confronts homelessness mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/08/02/h...

“Floods don't care if you're red, if you're blue, if you're straight, if you’re gay.” — House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle on the need to prioritize West Virginians' safety in the wake of the latest catastrophic flooding. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/29/f...

Flooding in north central West Virginia highlights the need for flood plan funding

A flood devastating parts of north central West Virginia renews calls to address the threat as climate change increases the risk of flooding.

mountainstatespotlight.org

Young adults in West Virginia are struggling to find work, and three of them say why working out of state might be better. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

Why young West Virginians leave, in their own words

These young West Virginians want to build a career in the state. To find good jobs, they’re looking elsewhere.

mountainstatespotlight.org

Earlier this year, lawmakers introduced proposals to hold internet providers accountable for poor service, but did not help to expand access for residents in West Virginia’s most rural areas. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/30/i...

When Clay County lost its only childcare center, it sent parents scrambling to find care, changing work schedules and questioning whether they could remain in the workforce. It's a statewide problem 🧵

In Monroe County, residents want more reliable, affordable internet options for more than streaming movies, but for telehealth appointments, remote work and paying bills online. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/30/i...

The Flood Resiliency Office was created years ago to protect the state from future floods, but it has languished with little funding until a recent $5 million appropriation—a figure advocates call a "drop in the bucket" for needed infrastructure. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/29/f...

Flooding in north central West Virginia highlights the need for flood plan funding

A flood devastating parts of north central West Virginia renews calls to address the threat as climate change increases the risk of flooding.

mountainstatespotlight.org

In West Virginia, the job market is bleak, even more so for young adults. This is what three of them had to say about it. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

Why young West Virginians leave, in their own words

These young West Virginians want to build a career in the state. To find good jobs, they’re looking elsewhere.

mountainstatespotlight.org

Another major flood has devastated communities across north central West Virginia, leaving residents to pick up the pieces. Despite the recurring nature of these disasters, lawmakers have struggled to turn flood resiliency plans into concrete policy. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/29/f...

Flooding in north central West Virginia highlights the need for flood plan funding

A flood devastating parts of north central West Virginia renews calls to address the threat as climate change increases the risk of flooding.

mountainstatespotlight.org

Affordable housing is now a pipe dream for many young West Virginians across the state. With the cost of living rising exponentially, people are struggling to find a place to live in their price range. buff.ly/wvVgxr9

Young West Virginians say unaffordable housing is pushing their futures out of reach

Young West Virginians face high rents, unsafe buildings and low wages that make it difficult to get by in the Mountain State.

buff.ly

While planning for their futures, three young people describe why they’re looking out of state for opportunities. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

Why young West Virginians leave, in their own words

These young West Virginians want to build a career in the state. To find good jobs, they’re looking elsewhere.

mountainstatespotlight.org

This month, we’re looking back at some of the biggest stories we’ve published in 2026. Out-of-state political groups poured money into the primary elections. Their targets included Republican lawmakers who had proposed limiting spending on the Hope Scholarship program. 🧵

New: West Virginians are still waiting for reliable internet. Residents of the state’s least connected county say they’ve waited long enough. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/30/i...

Three young people share why working in West Virginia is a struggle. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

Why young West Virginians leave, in their own words

These young West Virginians want to build a career in the state. To find good jobs, they’re looking elsewhere.

mountainstatespotlight.org

New: Deadly flooding in West Virginia finds prevention plans unaddressed mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/29/f...

Young West Virginians across the state are struggling to find affordable housing. It now takes a minimum wage worker an average of 70 hours per week to afford a one-bedroom apartment. Yet, housing prices continue to rise and people can’t afford basic necessities. buff.ly/wvVgxr9

Young West Virginians say unaffordable housing is pushing their futures out of reach

Young West Virginians face high rents, unsafe buildings and low wages that make it difficult to get by in the Mountain State.

buff.ly

For three young West Virginians, job opportunities are scarce. Each of them has a reason why. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

Why young West Virginians leave, in their own words

These young West Virginians want to build a career in the state. To find good jobs, they’re looking elsewhere.

mountainstatespotlight.org

New: These young West Virginians want to build careers in the state. A lack of good jobs is forcing them to look elsewhere. mountainstatespotlight.org/2026/07/27/w...

This month, we’re looking back at some of the biggest stories we’ve published in 2026. This winter, ICE arrests surged across West Virginia. But as immigrants challenged their detention, federal judges repeatedly found the arrests violated the Constitution. 🧵

As the cost of living rises, housing costs have skyrocketed. Young West Virginians around the state are trying to afford basic necessities, but find themselves going without. We talked to three young people. Here are their stories. buff.ly/wvVgxr9

Young West Virginians say unaffordable housing is pushing their futures out of reach

Young West Virginians face high rents, unsafe buildings and low wages that make it difficult to get by in the Mountain State.

buff.ly