News

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Kanawha County murder case that stretched more than four years reached a conclusion with the conviction of Michael Smith on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Cheyenne Johnson last Thursday.
Smith was originally charged in connection with Johnson’s death in 2021, but several factors delayed his trial until last week. Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Debra Rusnak said it took a long time, but this is why her office exists.
“This case is the very essence of

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State workers will get a chance to comment beginning Monday on the proposed changes to their health insurance through PEIA.
The PEIA Finance Board hits the road for public meetings, two a week for the next three weeks. The first stop is Monday night at the Highlands Event Center in Wheeling.
PEIA is proposing a 3% aggregate premium increase for both employees and employers and a $200 monthly spousal surcharge increase. The changes would begin next July 1.
Dale Lee
Education

PIPESTEM, W.Va. — State lawmakers are on the road for this month’s interim committee meetings taking up residence at Pipestem Resort State Park in Summers and Mercer counties.
Meetings begin Sunday. The three-day schedule includes several off-site tours.
Lawmakers will get a look at Bluestone Dam and take part in a walking tour of Hinton Sunday. The Joint Committee on Education will meet on the campus of Concord University Sunday. Committee members will also tour the campus.
Meetings Monday

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The state Department of Education is ready to host the first-ever Farm to School Conference that will involve educators, farmers and students from across the Mountain State.
Tony Crago
The inaugural conference will begin on Tuesday morning as part of a two-day event that will be hosted at the Marriott Waterfront in Morgantown.
Department of Education Director of Child Nutrition Tony Crago said he’s about the opportunity to connect educators along with local officials in order

BRANDONVILLE, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission is accepting public comments on the proposed Brandonville Solar project that, if approved, could be operational by late 2027.
George Street
Brandonville Solar is a division of sustainable energy producer, Enel North America headquartered in Andover, Mass. They have about 850 workers that manage similar operations in the United States and Canada that produce about 12 gigawatts electricity.
Delegate George Street, R-Preston, vice chairman