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GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers

GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers

GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers

At 91, Dale 'Grey Beard' Sanders reclaims record as oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail

At 91, Dale 'Grey Beard' Sanders reclaims record as oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail

A 91-year-old man who goes by the nickname Grey Beard has reclaimed his record as the oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail

USDA Lifts SNAP Restrictions in Four Flood-Damaged West Virginia Counties

USDA Lifts SNAP Restrictions in Four Flood-Damaged West Virginia Counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a temporary waiver lifting SNAP restrictions in four West Virginia counties: Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Upshur. This decision allows SNAP recipients in these areas to purchase hot and prepared foods using their benefits. The waiver was granted in response to severe storms and flooding that occurred on July 21 and 22, which caused widespread power outages, home damage, and made it difficult for affected households to prepare and safely store food. Normally, SNAP benefits cannot be used for hot or prepared items. The waiver is effective through September 26, though some retailers may require up to 48 hours to update their point-of-sale systems to accommodate these purchases. The state Department of Human Services (DoHS) may seek an extension if conditions necessitate further relief.

Motorcyclist Timothy Brown Identified as Victim in Fatal North Charleston Crash

Motorcyclist Timothy Brown Identified as Victim in Fatal North Charleston Crash

Timothy Brown, a 45-year-old resident of St. Albans, has been identified as the victim in a fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crash that occurred in North Charleston, West Virginia. The Charleston Police Department (CPD) reported that the incident took place around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday in the 3900 block of 7th Avenue. According to police, no other vehicles were involved in the crash. Brown was transported to a local hospital following the accident, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Charleston Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio failed 16 children rescued from squalor. There must be a reckoning | Our View

Ohio failed 16 children rescued from squalor. There must be a reckoning | Our View

Ohio cannot undo what allegedly happened to the Siders kids, but it can make commonsense changes so others do not so easily languish in the darkness.

Congressman Riley M. Moore Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Ratepayers from Data Center Costs

Congressman Riley M. Moore Cosponsors Legislation to Protect Ratepayers from Data Center Costs

Congressman Riley M. Moore has announced his cosponsorship of the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Gabe Evans. This bill aims to ensure that data centers, rather than American families and small businesses, bear the full costs associated with the electricity infrastructure upgrades required to meet their substantial energy demands. The legislation proposes an amendment to the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), mandating state public utility commissions to consider standards that require large data centers to pay for the incremental generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades necessary for their operations. Congressman Moore emphasized that West Virginia families and American taxpayers should not subsidize the infrastructure costs of these massive facilities, advocating for the costs to be borne by the companies themselves.

President Trump Criticizes Anti-Data Center Movement as Opposition Grows in West Virginia

President Trump Criticizes Anti-Data Center Movement as Opposition Grows in West Virginia

President Trump recently took to social media to strongly criticize the growing national movement against data centers, warning that communities rejecting them risk economic stagnation. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump argued that embracing data centers leads to prosperity, lower taxes, and job creation, while opposition could result in communities becoming 'backwards and poor.' He also suggested that foreign competitors, such as China, would welcome domestic resistance to data center development. This statement comes amidst increasing opposition in West Virginia, where residents and state agencies are pushing back against the extensive utility infrastructure required to power large-scale data centers, particularly those serving out-of-state interests. Concerns include local utility customers potentially subsidizing massive power lines and environmental impacts from associated power plants.

West Virginia Humanities Council Awards 27 Minigrants for Cultural and Educational Projects

West Virginia Humanities Council Awards 27 Minigrants for Cultural and Educational Projects

The West Virginia Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded 27 minigrants to various nonprofit organizations across West Virginia. These grants, each requesting $2,000 or less, are designed to support a diverse range of projects focusing on history, education, preservation, arts, and culture. The initiatives include digitizing historical records, organizing exhibitions, hosting lectures and workshops, and facilitating community discussions. For instance, projects like the 'Rooted in Place: African American History in Morgantown and Monongalia County Exhibition' by the City of Morgantown Department of Arts & Cultural Development, and the 'American Guerrillas of Mindanao Gone but Not Forgotten' digitization project by the Brooke County Library Foundation, are among the recipients. The West Virginia Humanities Council aims to foster public humanities initiatives throughout the state by providing financial support and programming.

Why West Virginia has the Best Fans in the Country

Why West Virginia has the Best Fans in the Country

We asked followers of The Smoking Musket Twitter/X account to respond with a number between 0 and 100 that represented their excitement level for the upcoming football season. This is the result: I didn’t know what to expect when I started this poll, but I have to say I’m surprised that the number was this […]

West Virginia Civics Coalition Launches Graduation Cords Program for Civic Excellence

West Virginia Civics Coalition Launches Graduation Cords Program for Civic Excellence

The West Virginia Civics Coalition has introduced the 'Excellence in Civics Education Graduation Cords Program' to recognize graduating seniors who demonstrate exceptional civic engagement. This program awards a special graduation cord to students who successfully meet five specific criteria: completing twenty hours of volunteer community service during their senior year, undertaking at least three Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities during grades 9-12, fulfilling coursework requirements and passing a civics test, participating in experiential learning activities, and submitting a written reflection essay. The program aims to encourage and acknowledge students' commitment to civic responsibility, community service, and academic achievement. The initiative emphasizes that volunteer service must be freely given and unpaid, not part of educational requirements or compensated activities.

Governor Patrick Morrisey Unveils Plan to Eliminate West Virginia State Income Tax Through AI Data Center Revenue

Governor Patrick Morrisey Unveils Plan to Eliminate West Virginia State Income Tax Through AI Data Center Revenue

Governor Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia has introduced a seven-point plan, developed in collaboration with state lawmakers, aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the state's personal income tax. This initiative is primarily funded by revenue generated from approved hyperscale data center projects, particularly those supporting the artificial intelligence boom. Under the plan, 50% of the revenue from these data centers will be dedicated to directly reducing and ultimately eliminating the state income tax. The remaining revenue will be allocated, with 30% going to counties hosting data centers for schools and local government, 10% distributed to all 55 counties, and another 10% earmarked for infrastructure upgrades, including public water systems. Morrisey emphasized that all West Virginians must directly benefit from this data center revenue, ensuring that none of the High Impact Data Center Designation (HIDC) revenue enters the state's general fund. This strategy positions West Virginia to attrac...

Dolphins release DL who had decent preseason showing

Dolphins release DL who had decent preseason showing

The Dolphins have a few moves left to make before their down to 53 players, and one of the final transactions was the release of a defensive lineman.