Boone County fire claims two lives

Two people were found dead in a fire Tuesday in Boone County. Eyewitness News said the fire was reported about 1:30 a.m. at a home in the 4000 block of Prenter Road near Seth. The victims were identified as an 84-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man, according to a news release from the West Virginia … Read more

Bird flu is detected in neighboring states

Officials are urging West Virginia poultry owners to remain vigilant as avian influenza cases increase in surrounding states. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture says no new cases have been confirmed locally since January, but spring migration raises the risk of exposure from wild birds. Backyard and commercial flock owners are encouraged to strengthen biosecurity … Read more

Hope Scholarship expands to make more students eligible

A major expansion of West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship is now in effect, opening the program to all K-12 students statewide. State Treasurer Larry Pack announced that every child can apply for the 2026–27 school year, including thousands of private and homeschool students who were previously ineligible. Supporters call it a historic step for school choice, … Read more

Huntington man is sentenced to prison in child pornography case

A Huntington man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to federal child pornography charges. Thirty-five-year-old Konnor Wolfe Lyons received five years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. He must also register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say … Read more

Mingo County EMS station ceases operations

A private ambulance provider serving southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky has cut its workforce in half and closed multiple stations, citing a reimbursement crisis. Patriot EMS shut down operations in Mingo County, West Virginia, and in Magoffin and Floyd counties, Kentucky. The company says low reimbursement rates from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers — … Read more

New bill keeps learning going during foster care transitions

West Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill designed to keep foster children from falling behind in school when they move between placements. According to West Virginia Fostering Together, each school change can set a foster child back four to six months. Executive Director Jaycie Bias told Eyewitness News much of that learning loss happens during … Read more

State lawmakers consider a bill that would allow machine gun purchases at state police headquarters

A bill moving through the West Virginia Senate would allow machine guns to be sold at state police headquarters. Senate Bill 1071 creates the Office of Public Defense, led by the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, and sets up a process for qualified buyers to purchase post-1986 machine guns. Applicants would undergo fingerprinting … Read more