CHARLESTON, W.Va – The stakes for April’s University of Charleston Marathon just increased.
The university, along with the city of Charleston and the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, announced Thursday that the marathon gained certified status with USA Track and Field, meaning that it serves as a qualifier for major races like the Boston, New York, and London Marathons.
University of Charleston President Marty Roth said part of planning the race included setting up a course that

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s no significant movement to reopen the federal government. The shutdown hit its ninth day Thursday.
Shelley Moore Capito
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said their was another vote scheduled on a funding bill at around midday but she wasn’t confident the result would be any different than the other half-dozen or so votes.
Senate Democrats continue to refuse to support a clean continuing resolution. Capito and the Republicans won’t a clean continuing resolution and

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Monongalia County high school student is facing charges after bringing a gun to school, according to officials.
Deputies with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department began their investigation after being notified by the school safety officer.
It is believed the student brought the firearm to school to show it to other students.
Deputies were able to find the student and secure the weapon without incident.
The unidentified student will be subject to disciplinary action

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Following the resignation of Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey this week, his successor was sworn in Wednesday, the same day Harvey tendered his resignation as he moves to his new position as US Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Stephen Groh has worked for the prosecutor’s office for a number of years, most recently as an assistant prosecuting attorney.
Jefferson County Commission President Pasha Majdi said Groh will “step in on a temporary basis

HUTTONSVILLE, W.Va. — A Pendleton County woman died in a single vehicle crash in Randolph County Wednesday evening.
State police said Mary Redrode, 55, of Brandywine, was traveling north on U.S. Route 219 in Huttonsville when she drove off the highway. Troopers said her vehicle struck a culvert and overturned.
Redrode was pronounced dead at the scene.
The wreck occurred at around 6 p.m.
Troopers are continuing their investigation.
The post Single vehicle crash in Randolph County claims life

Story by Luke Wiggs 
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office is responding to public criticism of a recent officer-involved shooting.
Berkeley County Sheriff Rob Blair
David Edward Browne, 29, of Martinsburg, was shot and killed by deputies Sunday after he attacked one of them with a hatchet.
Sheriff Rob Blair said during Wednesday’s Panhandle Live on WEPM Radio he has reviewed the body cam footage.
“The individual bolted from the door, with hatchet raised,” Blair said. “I

Today on MetroNews This Morning:
–More testimony today in the Raleigh County court case over required vaccinations for children vs. religious exemptions
–A Charleston teen is headed to prison for life for his role in the death of another and a Kanawha County jury has acquitted a man of involvement in a shooting that incited panic at a youth soccer tournament
–The Berkeley County sheriff defense actions of his deputies in a fatal officer involved shooting
–In Sports: the WVSSAC suspends Braxton