CHARLESTON, W.Va – Months after state Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby informed the legislature that the West Virginia Culture Center on the state capitol grounds was in a concerning state of disrepair, progress is being made toward solving short-term problems and making long-term plans.
Ruby told lawmakers last year that numerous renovations, including a new roof, needed to be made, and some of those are starting to move forward.
“The biggest and most urgent need is the roof. The

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the appointment of a new state budget director.
Aaron Snodgrass will be taking on the role of state budget oversight.
That role had been occupied by Mike McKown, who had been the budget director through several administrations. McKown had retired during the Justice administration and then returned for the early years of the Morrisey administration. Deputy Revenue Director Mark Muchow, sometimes paired with McKown affectionately as “Doom and Gloom,” also retired in

Today on MetroNews This Morning:
–The Supreme Court could hear a couple of high profile cases later this year
–The Freedom Caucus in the Legislature plans to look for legislation to block the MARL
–The man accused of shooting to members of the West Virginia National Guard could now face the death penalty
–In Sports: The Mountaineers send Troy home and now turn their attention to North Carolina
Listen to “MetroNews This Morning 6-17-26” on Spreaker.

The post MetroNews This Morning 6-17-26

A debate over who has the last say over West Virginia’s education regulations will go to oral arguments before the state Supreme Court.
Justices earlier this month entered an order for a case focused on that question to proceed to oral argument. The date and time of the oral arguments will be set later.
The most likely time period for the oral arguments would be this fall.
The court adjourned its winter and spring term on June 11. The next regular term of court does not begin until Sept. 2, when

CHARELSTON, W.Va. –The life and legacy of former United Mine Workers of America District 17 President Cecil Roberts are on display in the Capital City.
Cecil E. Roberts at Tuesday event
Tuesday evening, friends, family, UMWA members and community members gathered for the opening of the Cecil E. Roberts Legacy Museum at UMWA District 17 headquarters, 1300 Kanawha Blvd. E. in Charleston.
The museum aims to tell Roberts’ story with the union, which spanned 48 years. He became president in 1995,

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the 4th of July nearly two weeks away, West Virginia officials continue preparations for the America 250 celebrations in the Capital City and statewide.
The West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission met Tuesday afternoon at the state Capitol Complex. State Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby and Gov. Patrick Morrisey provided updates during the meeting, emphasizing that the celebration would extend across West Virginia — not just Charleston.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey
“A lot of

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The identity of the person who was found dead in the Monongahela River in the Granville area on Saturday has been confirmed by law enforcement.
The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office said the body has been identified as that of Dylan Anthony Brown of Morgantown.
Deputies initially responded to the Granville area at approximately 11:06 a.m. after receiving reports of a body in the water. Emergency personnel successfully recovered Brown’s body roughly 200–300 yards north of the