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180 Ranch to Acquire Property to Address West Virginia's Foster Care Housing Crisis

180 Ranch to Acquire Property to Address West Virginia's Foster Care Housing Crisis

180 Ranch, an organization dedicated to addressing West Virginia's foster care housing crisis, has announced an agreement to purchase the Rippling Waters Camp & Conference Center. This 250-acre facility, located in Kenna, West Virginia, will be transformed to expand services for children in foster care. The organization has launched a $3.5 million capital campaign to fund the expansion, which includes the construction of 96 customized residential bedrooms. The goal is to significantly increase the state's emergency placement capacity, thereby eliminating the need for children to spend nights in hotels or other temporary facilities while awaiting foster placement. Officials project that once fully operational, 180 Ranch could save West Virginia taxpayers an estimated $60 million annually by providing in-state care for children currently placed in out-of-state facilities.
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Lisa Demuth Unveils Plan to Combat Fraud in Minnesota's Department of Human Services

Lisa Demuth Unveils Plan to Combat Fraud in Minnesota's Department of Human Services

Republican-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth has introduced a comprehensive plan aimed at curbing fraud within Minnesota's Department of Human Services (DHS). Demuth's proposals focus on enhancing oversight of DHS programs, replacing current agency leadership, and implementing new penalties for individuals convicted of misusing state funds. She specifically stated her intention to dismiss DHS commissioners and deputy commissioners, citing their alleged failure to manage taxpayer dollars effectively. A key component of her plan includes prohibiting recipients of taxpayer-funded social services from sending money overseas, asserting that these funds should remain within Minnesota. Additionally, Demuth advocates for modernizing DHS's IT systems to detect fraud earlier in the application process. She also addressed the federal freeze on disability service payments, suggesting that properly vetted, long-standing programs should not be affected and that these funds should be unfrozen at the state leve...
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Gov. Patrick Morrisey Announces $145 Million for West Virginia Water Infrastructure, Launches Clean, Clear Water Strategy

Gov. Patrick Morrisey Announces $145 Million for West Virginia Water Infrastructure, Launches Clean, Clear Water Strategy

Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced an additional $145 million in state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure in West Virginia. This investment is projected to push the total value of water projects in the state past $1 billion. The announcement is part of a new initiative called the 'Clean, Clear Water Strategy,' designed to accelerate project implementation and prioritize communities most in need. Over the past 19 months of the Morrisey administration, West Virginia has already allocated more than $174 million in state grants and low-interest loans, facilitating over $552 million in total projects by the end of July. The new strategy involves partnerships with Marshall University, West Virginia University, and the state's 11 Regional Planning and Development Councils to offer grant-writing and technical assistance to smaller, understaffed water systems. Key components of the strategy include faster project oversight with 60-day reviews and a public dashboard, funding allocation based on com...
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Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support

Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support

Senator Shelley Moore Capito Receives Nucor's Inaugural 'Woman of Steel' Award for Manufacturing Support
The Columbus Dispatch The Columbus Dispatch
After Vinton County child abuse case, Ohio eyes foster care caps

After Vinton County child abuse case, Ohio eyes foster care caps

Two state lawmakers are pushing a bill that would create caps on how much counties pay for kids in foster care.
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Mother Found Dead After Going Missing While Swimming with Children in West Virginia River

Mother Found Dead After Going Missing While Swimming with Children in West Virginia River

A mother who went missing while swimming with her two children in a river in West Virginia has been found dead after a dayslong search. The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office confirmed that her body was recovered on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at Wapacoma Campground, where the mother and her children were reportedly overtaken by high water in the Potomac River. The two children managed to return to the riverbank and reported their mother missing when she did not resurface. They informed first responders that their mother was an experienced swimmer and familiar with that section of the river, having swum there multiple times over the past eight years. Her identity has not been released, but her family has been notified.
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Flash Flooding Strikes Kanawha County, W.Va., Prompting Cleanup Efforts

Flash Flooding Strikes Kanawha County, W.Va., Prompting Cleanup Efforts

Severe storms and flash flooding impacted parts of Kanawha County, West Virginia, on Sunday night, leaving residents grappling with significant water damage. Heavy rainfall caused rapid water accumulation, particularly near the intersection of Garrison and Crescent Road, where floodwaters rose quickly. Local resident Dawn Ashworth described the water overtaking her feet as she observed the scene. Emergency crews were on-site to clear debris, including fallen trees and washed-out asphalt. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, and the community has begun recovery efforts. Residents are calling for donations of cleaning supplies and food to aid in the cleanup process. The event underscores the area's vulnerability to flash flooding during heavy storms. [Source: WSAZ, 2026-08-17]
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Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Virginia and Ohio

Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Virginia and Ohio

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood warning for several counties in West Virginia and Ohio due to heavy thunderstorms producing significant rainfall. The warning is in effect until 10:45 p.m. Monday for Jackson and Roane counties in West Virginia, as well as Meigs County in Ohio. Earlier warnings were issued for other counties, including Braxton, Calhoun, and Doddridge, with expiration times ranging from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Radar indicates that thunderstorms are likely to continue impacting these areas, with heavy rainfall expected to exacerbate flooding risks. Interstate 77 and Interstate 79 are among the major roadways potentially affected by the storm activity. (Source time: 2026-08-17T20:41:29+00:00)
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West Virginia Governor Proposes Data Center Plan to Eliminate State Income Tax

West Virginia Governor Proposes Data Center Plan to Eliminate State Income Tax

West Virginia Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey has introduced the West Virginia Responsible Data Center Development Plan, a 20-year framework aimed at revitalizing the state's economy and addressing public concerns regarding hyperscale data centers. The plan, built on seven core principles, mandates that data center developers and utilities cover electrical infrastructure upgrades and energy capacity needs, and procure sufficient power resources for their projects. To mitigate water usage concerns, the state will prioritize projects committed to water-efficient designs and require adherence to environmental laws. A key component of the plan is the allocation of 50% of all revenue generated by hyperscale projects towards reducing or eliminating the state's income tax. Additionally, counties will receive 30% of the revenue from projects within their jurisdiction, with an extra 10% distributed among all counties. The remaining 10% is earmarked for electrical, water, and wastewater infrastructure improveme...
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Implements Superglued Backpacks to Track Endangered Crayfish

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Implements Superglued Backpacks to Track Endangered Crayfish

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is trialing a new method to track the Big Sandy crayfish (Cambarus callainus), a federally threatened species found in Appalachian rivers and streams. Biologists are attaching tiny 'backpacks' containing Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to the crayfish using superglue. This initiative is part of broader efforts to boost the population of these four-inch freshwater crustaceans, which have seen their numbers decline since 2016 due to water pollution and habitat loss. The White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery in West Virginia raises crayfish for one to two months before releasing them into their natural habitat. Current tracking methods, such as visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging, only indicate a specimen is from the hatchery but do not provide individual identification. The new superglued PIT tag system aims to provide individual tracking data, which is crucial for assessing the survival rates of released crayfish during their critical first month...
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Woman Dies in Fayette County Floodwaters Following Severe Storms in West Virginia

Woman Dies in Fayette County Floodwaters Following Severe Storms in West Virginia

A woman died in Fayette County, West Virginia, after being swept away by floodwaters on Sunday. Sheriff Jess McMullen reported that the victim was in a vehicle that made a wrong turn into an area affected by rapidly rising water in Pax. Witnesses stated that as the current swept the vehicle away, a tree branch broke the glass, and the woman attempted to exit but was carried off by the water. First responders were unable to locate her body on Sunday due to another round of severe weather, but the sheriff’s office drone unit found it on Monday. The incident occurred amidst widespread flood damage across Fayette County, with areas like Mount Hope, Pax, and Kanawha Falls experiencing significant impact from several inches of rain in a short period. The Fayette County Animal Shelter also suffered damage, with its access bridge destroyed, necessitating the temporary relocation of 35 dogs and 17 cats.
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Lane Closure on Waverly Road in Williamstown Due to Road Slip Caused by Recent Rain

Lane Closure on Waverly Road in Williamstown Due to Road Slip Caused by Recent Rain

A lane on Waverly Road in Williamstown, West Virginia, has been closed following a road slip. The affected section is located south of the intersection of Waverly Road and Casto Lane. Recent rainfall is identified as the cause, leading to a portion of the northbound lane washing away. While Waverly Road remains open to traffic, only one lane is currently accessible. Drivers are being directed to stop at newly installed stop signs and alternate with oncoming traffic to navigate the single open lane. The closure is a direct consequence of the weather conditions, impacting local commuters and requiring immediate attention from road maintenance authorities.