CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The National Weather Service has placed 25 West Virginia counties under a flood watch through Friday morning.
The flood watch is in effect through Friday morning. (NWS graphic)
Meteorologists said quick-hitting rainfall is possible from a system set to move through the state. Strong thunderstorms could produce up to an inch of rain.
“Combined with already elevated streamflows, this poses a threat for localized flooding,” the NWS said. “Additionally, elevations above 3,500

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The Marion County Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for Friday after Superintendent Donna Heston announced she will not return for the 2026-27 school year.
Donna Heston
Board member Thomas Draggich, a retired Marion County educator, said Heston did a fine job during her time leading the school district.
“I’m thankful we’ve had her for five years and I appreciate everything she’s done for Marion County,” Draggich said. “Somebody is going to have an outstanding

Flanked by likeminded delegates and senators, the chairwoman of the Senate’s school choice committee said a proposal to reign in the Hope Scholarship for students outside the public school system goes too far.
Patricia Rucker
“This is a way to stop innovation and individualized educational opportunities, which many Hope families are specifically looking for,” said Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson.
“These changes would drastically change the benefits of the Hope Scholarship and dramatically

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – House Bill 4712, also known as “Baylea’s Law,” is moving to the Senate as state lawmakers attempt to strengthen the penalties for DUI causing death.
The House of Delegates passed the bill by a vote of 95-0 with five members absent.
That bill would raise the penalty for DUI causing death to a prison sentence of 5-30 years, as well as increase fines and bar someone convicted of DUI causing death from receiving probation, suspension of sentence, home confinement, or youthful

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — A fugitive from the state of Kentucky has been captured in Mingo County.
Whitney Hurley
Mingo County Sheriff’s Deputies spotted Whitney Hurley, 36, of Freeburn, Kentucky Thursday morning and she was arrested after a brief pursuit in the community of Rawl, W.Va. According to Kentucky State Police, Hurley walked away from the Pike County Detention Center in Kentucky Wednesday evening around 6 p.m.
Hurley faces charges of being a fugit
ive from justice, fleeing with reckless

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates passed a three percent pay raise for state troopers, teachers and school service personnel Thursday.
Sean Hornbuckle
The pay raise under HB 4765 will average about $1800 for those three groups of workers including about $1500 for teachers and $900 for school service personnel.
State law requires lawmakers to pass bills for pay raises for those three groups of workers because their salary schedules are in state code.
The House provides three percent

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – City and county officials are ready to take the next steps toward construction of the Capital Sports Center after the announcement of $7 million in congressionally directed spending to help jumpstart the project.
Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said that money won’t fund everything, but it does get the process moving.
Ben Salango
“That’s going to be between 10 and 15 percent, and then the rest will be funded through—hopefully, we can get some additional