Gov. Patrick Morrisey spoke with WCHS-TV following his State of the State Address to outline his tax reform priorities and broader budget goals for West Virginia. An income tax cut is at the top of Morrisey’s agenda. West Virginia currently uses a personal income tax reduction system tied to economic triggers that must be met before … Read more
The West Virginia Board of Education has assumed control of Hancock County Schools after a deepening financial crisis raised alarms about the district’s ability to cover payroll and sustain daily operations. State Board President Paul Hardesty said conditions had worsened to the point that state intervention became unavoidable. “The situation is dire, so much so … Read more
A former West Virginia State University football player is facing prison time after prosecutors say he raped an Ohio University student. Andres Sebastian Sagastume, 23, of Chantilly, Virginia, was found guilty of rape following a four-day trial, according to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors said Sagastume sexually assaulted an Ohio University student he had … Read more
Authorities have made an arrest in a fraud investigation involving the Whittakers, a rural Raleigh County family that gained widespread attention on social media. John “Patrick” Roark, 47, was arrested Friday after an investigation that began in September into the alleged exploitation of members of the Whittaker family, according to a news release from the … Read more
A West Virginia man is facing felony charges after deputies say he secretly recorded children changing clothes and used artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit videos. Caleb Daniel Bourgeois, 36, of Cottageville, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a social media post from the Jackson County Sheriff’s … Read more
The Portsmouth Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a woman who has been reported missing. According to a post from the department, 39-year-old Tosha Marie Elmore was last seen Sunday in the 1700 block of 6th Street in Portsmouth. Police described Elmore as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 100 … Read more
West Virginia State Police and federal immigration officers detained eight men following a traffic stop and a subsequent investigation at a residence in Hurricane, according to State Police. In a news release, State Police said troopers and ICE officers conducted a traffic stop involving a red 2024 Ford F-250 around 12:30 p.m. Friday near Sleepy … Read more
A classroom teacher in Jackson County, West Virginia, has been terminated following what school officials described as a recent arrest and serious allegations. Jail records show that 38-year-old Emily Joy Wise has been charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16. Jackson County Schools confirmed Wise’s termination and released a statement … Read more
A portion of Interstate 79 South reopened Thursday afternoon after multiple crashes shut down traffic in Kanawha County for several hours, emergency dispatchers said. According to a Metro 911 alert, problems were reported shortly after 1 p.m. near mile marker 7.5 in Elkview. Emergency personnel confirmed the roadway reopened around 4 p.m. Dispatchers said several … Read more
West Virginia is placing foster children not only in hotels when no other beds are available, but also in short-term rental properties such as Airbnbs, according to state officials and recent legislative testimony. The practice highlights a child welfare system strained by bed shortages, growing mental health needs, and an overwhelmed court system. The issue … Read more