State

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $500,000 award Tuesday to CHANGE Inc. through West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program to improve health care delivery and chronic disease management in Brooke and Hancock counties. The award is the first issued through the program’s Provider Productivity Support Fund, which is designed to reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency for health care providers. “We want our doctors and healthcare professionals focused on patients, not paperwork,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “This investment will give providers better tools to manage chronic conditions, stay connected with patients, and spend more time delivering care.” CHANGE Inc. plans to use the funding for a 24/7 artificial intelligence-powered patient contact center, AI-assisted clinical documentation and expanded chronic care management and remote patient monitoring services for patients with conditions including diabetes and hypertension. The project will expand CHANGE Inc.’s chronic care management services from 41 to at least 90 patients while providing additional tools to help providers monitor patients between office visits. The organization, which has operated in West Virginia for more than 40 years as a federally qualified health center and Community Action Agency, works with more than 25 community organizations. Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said the investment will help providers coordinate care and manage chronic conditions, while CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the federal program supports locally driven efforts to strengthen rural health systems.

West Virginia’s tourism industry generated a record $9.4 billion in economic impact in 2025 as the state welcomed 78.4 million visitors, officials announced Monday at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Overnight travel increased nearly 2%, with those visitors spending $6.8 billion in West Virginia communities, an average of about $18.7 million per day. “This tourism boom is a direct reflection of the hard work happening in every corner of our state, proving that when we cut red tape and move at the speed of business, travelers and companies alike are ready to experience everything West Virginia has to offer,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. The state also highlighted recent national recognition for West Virginia, including Travel + Leisure naming it the nation’s second-most naturally beautiful state and honors for the New River Gorge and the town of Davis. Tourism officials said the industry supports 61,728 jobs, generates $2.3 billion in personal income and produces $643 million in state and local tax revenue. The state is also moving forward with new tourism infrastructure, including $2.275 million in planned improvements at Twin Falls Resort State Park, 32 glamping sites scheduled to open at four state parks in spring 2027 and a new 100-site campground at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. “The secret is out, but our best days are still ahead of us,” Morrisey said. “Together, we are going to keep building on this record-breaking success, pushing new boundaries, and showing the world why West Virginia is truly Almost Heaven.” Other projects include the Hill Hall Hotel in Fayetteville and renovations to the Hawks Nest tram.  

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $7.3 million investment Monday to rehabilitate Fort Gay’s wastewater system following concerns raised during his Water Listening Tour. The project will include construction of an extended aeration wastewater treatment plant and upgrades to the town’s wastewater collection system. Funding includes $3.1 million recommended from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $2.5 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and $1.7 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s Economic Enhancement Grant Fund, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “When I went out on our Water Listening Tour, I heard loud and clear from folks in Wayne County about the critical need to upgrade our aging infrastructure,” Morrisey said. “Today, I am proud to announce a major win for Fort Gay.” The project is located in an ARC-designated distressed census tract and is expected to provide about 356 customers with more reliable wastewater collection and treatment services. “We are proud to support this $7.3 million wastewater system improvement project,” Morrisey said. “We’re installing a brand-new, extended aeration wastewater treatment plant to completely rehabilitate the town’s system. This means better, more reliable service for roughly 356 customers in a hard-working Wayne County community that deserves our full support.” The project is part of the state’s efforts to address infrastructure needs in rural communities and accelerate improvements to local water and wastewater systems.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $291,403 award Sept. 21 to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to expand nursing education and address nursing shortages across West Virginia. The funding, provided through Mountain State Care Force under the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program, will support expanded enrollment and new instructional sites in Wheeling and Berkeley County. The WVU Health System reports about 1,000 nursing vacancies across its network. “A strong healthcare system starts with having the people in place to care for patients,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “This investment will help put more nurses in our hospitals and communities so West Virginians can get the care they need, improve their health, and get back to work.” The expansion is expected to accommodate about 100 additional nursing students annually, with an emphasis on students from rural areas and communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. The program will provide tuition and fee assistance, academic services, wellness resources and other support to help students complete their nursing education. Participating students will commit to working in West Virginia’s health care workforce. Health Secretary Dr. Arvin Singh said the initiative will expand educational opportunities while strengthening the state’s nursing workforce. Alina Czekai, director of the CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation, said the federal program supports community-driven efforts to expand rural health care capacity and access.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced September 17 that the West Virginia Health Information Network will receive $855,400 through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program to expand secure health information exchange and strengthen the state’s health data infrastructure. The funding will support the Connected Care Grid, one of seven statewide initiatives under the program, with the goal of improving coordination among patients, health care providers and community-based services. WVHIN operates West Virginia’s health information exchange, allowing health care organizations to securely share patient information across systems. The new investment is expected to expand participation in the network and increase the number of organizations able to exchange information, giving providers more timely access to patient records when people receive care from multiple facilities. Gov. Morrisey said the investment will help connect providers and allow patients to receive more coordinated care closer to home, according to a statement released from the governor’s office.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey joined family, friends and fellow veterans Saturday at the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum to celebrate the 98th birthday of Korean War veteran Glenn Darrell Johnson. The event brought together veterans and community members to honor Johnson’s decades of military and civilian service. Johnson served as a prisoner guard during the Nuremberg Trials in Germany following World War II. He later served during the Korean War, where he earned three Bronze Stars for his service. After leaving the military, Johnson spent a career in the railroad industry before retiring. He has also been a lifetime member of the Shriners. “West Virginia is blessed to be home to some of the bravest, most dedicated patriots this nation has ever seen, and today we celebrate a true legend among them,” Morrisey said, according to a statement released from the governor’s office. “From guarding prisoners during the historic Nuremberg Trials to earning three Bronze Stars in Korea, Glenn answered the call of duty with unwavering courage.” Organizers sought to mark Johnson’s 98th birthday by gathering 98 veterans in his honor. Gov. Morrisey joined the group in recognizing Johnson’s lifetime of military service, community involvement and dedication to others.

MORGANTOWN — State Sen. Mike Oliverio (R-Monongalia) says county sheriffs should have control over data collected by Flock automated license plate reader systems, while law enforcement should generally be required to obtain a warrant before searching that information. Oliverio told WV MetroNews the technology can provide useful investigative information, including in cases such as kidnappings, […]

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday over the legality of the process used to remove Joseph de Soto from a House of Delegates seat he won in the 2024 election. DeSoto won the 91st District seat as a Republican but changed his party affiliation to Democrat shortly before his December 2024 […]

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Republican Party said Friday that it has reaffirmed its support for Republican nominees and that members of party executive committees who run as write-in candidates against those nominees violate party bylaws. The statement, issued September 18, comes after Ken Reed filed as a write-in candidate in the 15th Senatorial District. […]

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — Owners of The Greenbrier resort have been released from millions of dollars in federal and state tax liens following a roughly $500 million financial deal between U.S. Sen. Jim Justice and his family and New York-based Kennedy Lewis Investment Management. The IRS on Sept. 3 released federal liens totaling about $3.3 […]