News Staff

Charleston is the newest city to join Ascend West Virginia — a program aimed at bringing more jobs and residents to the Mountain State. Leaders gathered at Capitol Market Friday to celebrate the expansion. The program recruits remote workers from across the country, offering relocation help, flexible work options, and free access to West Virginia’s … Read more

The Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association has named its grand marshal for homecoming. The voice of “Wheel of Fortune,” Jim Thornton is has roots in Huntington and ties to Marshall, and he’ll serve as the grand marshal for Homecoming Week from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18. Thornton will lead the Homecoming parade at 6 … Read more

A Scioto County man is facing felony charges after bomb threats were made against two local school districts. Deputies say 26-year-old Brian Sampson of Wheelersburg posted threats to Facebook targeting Minford and Wheelersburg schools. The FBI and Sheriff’s Office traced the threats to his home. Sampson initially fled, but later turned himself in and admitted … Read more

The projected budget for the Hope Scholarship, which provides funding for private schooling, homeschooling or other education services, has dropped by $70 million for the 2026-27 school year. The maximum Hope Scholarship budget for the next school year dropped from an estimated $315-million to $244-million due to a decrease in eligible students, according to West … Read more

A construction worker was seriously injured after falling through a bridge on US-119 near Danville in Boone County. The incident happened Saturday morning on the Jill Micah Hess Memorial Bridge. The worker fell through a hole and landed on scaffolding below — a drop estimated between 8 and 15 feet. Emergency crews from several departments, … Read more

West Virginia State University is celebrating a major milestone with a $1 million gift to support its new school of agriculture. The donation comes from the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and will help fund WVSU’s new Purdy School of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. University President Ericke Cage called the gift “transformative” and a strong … Read more

Former West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner and longtime state senator Walt Helmick has died at 81. A Democrat and public servant for nearly 25 years, Helmick began his political career on the Pocahontas County Board of Education and served in the state legislature from 1988 to 2012. After his term as Agriculture Commissioner, he led the … Read more

A Michigan man who had a warrant for felony delivery of a controlled substance has been arrested. Daniel Leggette of Detroit, was arrested following a brief chase on foot in the Marcum Terrace Neighborhood, according to a release from the Huntington Police Department. Investigators said an extensive ongoing drug investigation, led by the Huntington Violent … Read more

The Columbus Zoo’s newest arrival now has a name. The baby Asian elephant, who made her debut last month, is named Rita Jean, in honor of Rita Jean Wolfe, part of the Wolfe family that helped start the zoo nearly a century ago. Back in 1926, the Wolfe family encouraged the city to build a … Read more

Clay County students received a special message from an enduring rock star this week. Chad Smith, the heartbeat of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shared a video with Clay County High School to announce his foundation will be supporting the school’s music program. The Chad Smith Foundation offers scholarships for aspiring musicians and music educators. … Read more