WVSTATE - Home

Wheeling Sesquicentennial budget has many sources

Ann Ali — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:19:00 EDT

The budget for Wheeling's Sesquicentennial celebration has come from several sources.

WV secretary of state to seal sesquicentennial time capsule

Whitney Burdette — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:13:00 EDT

Secretary of State Natalie Tennant will seal a time capsule celebrating West Virginia's 150th birthday. The capsule will include items such as a letter, a photo and an iPhone.

Marshall announces hydroelectric demonstration,education project

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:29:00 EDT

A new Marshall University energy project will demonstrate hydroelectric power using acid mine drainage from coal mining as its source of energy.

Ex-Massey official asks WV judge for leniency

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:24:00 EDT

BECKLEY, WV (AP) — A former Massey Energy executive who is cooperating with the criminal investigation into the Upper Big Branch mine disaster is asking a judge for leniency when she sentences him Aug. 1.

WVU Cancer Center part of national study on anti-melanoma drug

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:43:00 EDT

The trial will test whether the immunotherapy drug ipilimumab may provide a new and better option than interferon for high-risk melanoma patients.

Miley selected as new WV House speaker

Whitney Burdette — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:29:00 EDT

Delegate Tim Miley, D-Harrison, was selected as the new speaker of the House of Delegates after Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, stepped down mid-term.

Sesquicentennial Cake a Labor of Love

Ann Ali — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:16:00 EDT

The West Virginia Sesquicentennial cake will make an impact on the celebration, clocking in at 8 feet long and 40 inches tall.

Energy industry seeks to move forward on exporting coal, gas

Taylor Kuykendall — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:35:00 EDT

As domestic use of coal slows and gas resources expand so rapidly that prices have plummeted to historic lows, the nation's fossil fuel giants are looking across the ocean for a solution.

Illinois governor signs tough fracking regulations into law

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:11:00 EDT

The new law requires drillers to disclose chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and to test water before and after drilling as well as hold the companies liable for contamination.

WV legislators to hear about housing challenges

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:56:00 EDT

WHEELING, WV (AP) — Lawmakers studying children and poverty are planning to hear from the public this week on housing issues. Legislators will be convening interim meetings in Wheeling from Wednesday through Friday.

Tomblin picks banker Kinsey for House seat

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:50:00 EDT

CHARLESTON, WV (AP) — A former longtime Wayne County banker is the newest member of West Virginia's House of Delegates.

Woman sues museum, historian over alleged Abe Lincoln photo

Andrea Lannom — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:35:00 EDT

A Martinsburg woman is suing a Maryland museum after she says the then-director publicly discredited a photo she believes is of Abraham Lincoln.

UPDATED: Gov. Tomblin officials calls House of Delegates into session to name speaker

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:01:00 EDT

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued the official proclamation calling the House of Delegates into session to select a new speaker.

WV Supreme Court annuls H. John Rogers’ law license

Andrea Lannom — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:19:00 EDT

Justices annulled the law license of a New Martinsville attorney and former state Supreme Court candidate after he filed a false mental hygiene complaint against a Wetzel County businessman.

Shepherd to start social media program

Whitney Burdette — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:15:00 EDT

The program is composed of five courses that introduce students to social media and digital tools and teach them how to use those skills to promote a business or organization.

Miners, supporters rally again in St. Louis

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:46:00 EDT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Twelve demonstrators have been arrested following a protest by mine workers and their supporters in a dispute with St. Louis-based Patriot Coal.

WV Supreme Court: Engineering company will not receive recovery

Andrea Lannom — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:41:00 EDT

An engineering company was not a law firm's client and thus will not receive one-third of the firm's recovery.

Work on new WV Guard center ahead of schedule

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:34:00 EDT

BUCKHANNON, WV (AP) — Construction of a West Virginia Army National Guard readiness center in Buckhannon is expected to be completed in August 2014, about three months ahead of schedule.

WVU offers new minor in strategic social media

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:27:00 EDT

Students will take five three-hour courses, including three new online social media courses. They are social media strategy, social media applications and social media campaigns.

Morrisey to assess state’s abortion regulations

Andrea Lannom — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:22:00 EDT

The West Virginia Attorney General has sent letters to two clinics, seeking to assess abortion regulations in the state.

Champion earnings improve despite net loss

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:32:00 EDT

HUNTINGTON, WV — Champion Industries Inc. on June 14 announced a reduced second quarter 2013 net loss from continuing operations of $700,000, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $21.0 million for the quarter that ended April 30, 2012.

WV billionaire's coal struggles irk business owners

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:04:00 EDT

Worth an estimated $1.7 billion, Jim Justice is a prominent member of Lewisburg, but his coal operations are struggling as business owners have filed at least nine lawsuits since late 2011.

Fracking fuels water fights in nation's dry spots

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EDT

As energy companies vie to exploit vast reserves west of the Mississippi, fracking's new frontier is expanding to the same lands where crops have shriveled and waterways have dried up due to severe drought.

Raleigh General CEO back for 2nd stint

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EDT

David Darden is CEO of Raleigh General Hospital for the second time, having returned in May.

Martinsburg, WV city workers offered tuition discount

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:30:00 EDT

Mayor George Karos and Shepherd President Susanne Shipley signed an agreement Friday that allows city workers to get the discounts for classes that benefit the city.

WV backlash emerging over education standards

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:15:00 EDT

The state Board of Education continues to pursue what are known as the Common Core State Standards, with a goal of phasing them in by the 2014-2015 school year.

Troopers, state police target distracted driving

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EDT

The State Highway Patrol in Ohio says the project will also involve the Kentucky State Police, Indiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police and the West Virginia State Police.

US factory output rises just 0.1 percent in May

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:15:00 EDT

Factories produced more autos, computers and wood products last month, offsetting declines in the production of furniture and primary metals.

SBA to show entrepreneurs power of social media

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:15:00 EDT

As part of Small Business Week, the SBA will host a series of Google+ Hangouts to show small business leaders the importance of social media.

U.Va. to expand free online offerings

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:15:00 EDT

Like WVU, the University of Virginia will expand its free online course offerings through Coursera.

Dixon Hughes Goodman to hold food drive

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:15:00 EDT

The food drive will benefit Mountaineer Food Bank, which serves 48 of West Virginia's 55 counties.

WV businesses to be represented at SBA event in Pittsburgh

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EDT

Chesapeake Energy, Professional Services of America and Cyclops Industries, Inc., will represent West Virginia at the SBA's Small Business Week event in Pittsburgh.

WVU Eberly Ideas discussion series presents â€˜WV Statehood and the Unionâ€™

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EDT

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 10 a.m. June 21, in the Archives and History Library at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston.

West Liberty to host Cleveland Fed Reserve chief

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:00:00 EDT

Sandy Pianalto, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, will speak at West Liberty University Economics Club's June 28 luncheon.

SBA offers free government contracting training workshops

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EDT

The SBA announced recently it would offer free web-enabled, instructor-led government contracting training sessions.

WV continues to clean up from floods

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EDT

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said Friday that on the floods had washed away one lane of Route 119, damaged at least 100 homes and left behind an "astounding" amount of debris.

WV Gov. Tomblin invites residents to join in bell ringing

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:00:00 EDT

Schools, churches and individuals are asked to ring their bells 35 times beginning at 1:50 p.m. Thursday, June 20, to mark West Virginia's 150th year of statehood.

Gas drilling stays in limbo in large slice of NEPA

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:15:00 EDT

While gas drilling thrives throughout the state, a large swath of northeast Pennsylvania still remains off-limits.

Muscle Car gatherings ending at Fairmont, WV shop

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:15:00 EDT

After more than half a century of owning and operating the station, Tom Feorene is calling it a career.

3 WV students to make documentary about trip

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:15:00 EDT

The trio's goal is to film their trip — which is slated to include various national parks, regional sites and local people — to California and back.

US unemployment benefit applications fall to 334K

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:40:00 EDT

The less volatile four-week average decreased 7,250 to 345,250, the Labor Department said Thursday. Both figures are roughly 7,000 higher than month-ago levels, which were the lowest in five years.

Ohio Valley Bank establishes scholarships for MOVC students

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:35:00 EDT

The scholarship fund will benefit students attending Marshall University's Mid-Ohio Valley Center.

US rate on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.98 percent

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:30:00 EDT

That's up from 3.91 percent last week and the highest since April 2012. The average rate was last at 4 percent or higher in March 2012.

Exhibit to explore Lincoln presidency, including WV statehood

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:30:00 EDT

The exhibit is presented in conjunction with the West Virginia University Libraries' West Virginia Day celebration commemorating 150 years of statehood this year.

WV trucking professionals to test skills in driving competition

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:04:00 EDT

The Truck Driving Championships is designed to promote safety in the trucking industry. Each driver has a chance to demonstrate his or her driving skill and knowledge of the trucking industry through a series of tests.

Augusta Heritage to teach students about Cajun, Creole music

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:52:00 EDT

Week one of the Augusta Heritage Center's summer sessions will focus on music in the style of Cajun/Creole and Early Country Music.

WV localities getting federal funds for untaxed land

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:36:00 EDT

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall says the Department of the Interior is issuing the checks under the 2013 Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program.

New regional bank aims to grow Appalachian economy

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:33:00 EDT

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Commission announced the formation of a new central bank called Appalachian Community Capital.

Ohio budget bill may regulate radioactive oil and gas waste

Pam Kasey — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:20:00 EDT

Drilling mud, sludge, and some other shale wastes would be subject to radioactivity testing; classification of drill cuttings is in question. Some hope to separate measure from budget bill entirely.

WV House Speaker race seems to have slowed

Ann Ali — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:40:00 EDT

The once-contentious scramble in the House of Delegates over who would be the next speaker has stalled with an announcement by two members.

WV Board of Ed adopts new hiring policy amid teachers' union concerns

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:29:00 EDT

The West Virginia Board of Education voted unanimously June 13 to seek public comment on a new teacher hiring policy.

Legislative Infrastructure Committee will hear Marcellus road damage issues

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:29:00 EDT

A meeting about road damage has been added to the agenda while lawmakers are in the Wheeling area for committee meetings.

West Virginia's health slowly improving

Andrea Lannom — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EDT

Rankings issued for the state earlier this year are causing some concern about whether West Virginia's health is improving.

Kanawha health department administrator to serve in Putnam County role

Andrea Lannom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:48:00 EDT

The Kanawha-Charleston health department's director of administration will take over as the Putnam County health department's senior interim administrator after operation irregularities surfaced.

WV Supreme Court decides landowner case, defines ‘surface’

Andrea Lannom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:29:00 EDT

A landowner's language was not ambiguous when conveying "surface" rights in an early 1900s deed, West Virginia Supreme Court justices recently ruled.

Feds propose final rule on digital black lung radiography

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:59:00 EDT

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs has published for public comment a direct final rule and a companion proposed rule adopting updated standards for administering and interpreting digital radiographs for the Federal Black Lung Program.

Arch wants appeals court to rehear W.Va. mine case

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:57:00 EDT

Arch Coal is preparing to re-argue key points in a long-running battle over the Environmental Protection Agency's retroactive veto of a water pollution permit for a massive West Virginia strip mine.

Court to decide $90.5 million question

Andrea Lannom — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:00 EDT

After a $90.5 million verdict was appealed to the state Supreme Court in a case where a family alleged a nursing home's neglect.

WV Legislature to investigate electric utility billing practices

Pam Kasey — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:13:00 EDT

The investigation by the Joint Standing Committee on Government Organization, based on ratepayer complaints, adds to one announced last week by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

WV Supreme Court: DHHR not responsible for man’s death

Andrea Lannom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:50:00 EDT

The WV DHHR was not responsible for the death of a man who choked on his food and died because of found deficiencies within the facility he was staying in.

West Virginia leaders reflect on changes

Whitney Burdette — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:30:00 EDT

Birthdays often are a time of reflection — a time to look back on the past year and assess your growth, your strengths and even your weaknesses with the hope of building on that in the future.

Allen Loughry discusses time on bench, family life

Andrea Lannom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:59:00 EDT

Five months in and nearly 600 issued opinions later, one thing is certain — West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry loves his job.

WV Sen. Rockefeller wants TV network to ban food, drink ads targeting kids

Whitney Burdette — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:58:00 EDT

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is asking Nickelodeon and Viacom to ban television ads that promote to children unhealthful food and drinks.

Century Aluminum, other parties file agreements with Ky. PSC

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:24:00 EDT

Century Aluminum joined Kenergy Corp. and Big Rivers Electric Corp. to file definitive agreements June 12 with the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Matheny marks opening of Kenova dealership

Jim Ross — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:33:00 EDT

A celebratory and educational event June 8-9 at Matheny Freightliner Truck Center as Matheny Motors marked the opening of Matheny Motors' new dealership in the Huntington area.

Historian touts ironies abundant in state's centennial

Mike Ruben — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:13:00 EDT

Historians enjoy irony, says John Alexander Williams.

West Virginia's prior celebration sheds thoughtful light on upcoming sesquicentennial

Ann Ali — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:00:00 EDT

West Virginians are a prideful bunch.

GOP senator: IRS to pay $70M in employee bonuses

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:10:00 EDT

An influential Republican senator says the Internal Revenue Service is about to pay $70 million in employee bonuses despite an Obama administration directive to cancel discretionary bonuses because of automatic spending cuts.

House to consider cuts to food stamps

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:10:00 EDT

A wide-ranging farm bill the House is considering would cut food stamps by $2 billion a year and make it more difficult for some people to qualify for the domestic food aid program.

Budget office view boosts Senate immigration bill

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:30:00 EDT

Supporters of a far-reaching immigration bill in the Senate see fresh momentum from a report by the Congressional Budget Office that says the measure would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits by billions of dollars.

Japan's trade deficit climbs to $10.5B in May

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:21:00 EDT

Japan's trade deficit rose nearly 10 percent in May to 993.9 billion yen (nearly $10.5 billion), highlighting the challenge Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces in revitalizing manufacturing as industries increasingly shift...

Investors look for answers on economy from Fed

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:20:00 EDT

Worry and speculation have consumed investors since Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke to Congress last month about the Federal Reserve's drive to keep long-term interest rates at record lows.

Oil falls near $98 a barrel before Bernanke speaks

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:30:00 EDT

The price of oil fell Wednesday, before the conclusion of a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting.

Asia Markets mostly down as investors eye Fed

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:30:00 EDT

Asian markets were mostly lower Wednesday as investors waited for an update on the U.S. economy from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Dish won't submit revised bid for Sprint

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:00:00 EDT

Satellite TV operator Dish Network Corp. said Tuesday it would not submit a revised bid for Sprint, leaving the path open for the wireless carrier to accept what it already considers a superior offer from Japan's...

Rural lawmakers push for farm bill votes in House

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:50:00 EDT

Farm-state lawmakers are scrambling to win bipartisan support for a five-year, half-trillion-dollar farm bill on the House floor this week.

NSA director says plot against Wall Street foiled

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:30:00 EDT

The U.S. foiled a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange because of the sweeping surveillance programs at the heart of a debate over national security and personal privacy, officials said Tuesday at a rare open hearing on...

Gameloft & Mattel Team-up to Launch 'UNO™ & Friends'

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:21:00 EDT

It's time for fans of UNO™, the classic family card game, to rejoice! Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games, and Mattel, the world's #1 toy company, are excited to announce the launch and...

Job Openings

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:46:00 EDT

The State Journal is an equal opportunity employer is dedicated to providing a broad outreach regarding job vacancies.

The Outlook for Medical Devices Worldwide

Tue, 7 May 2013 13:17:00 EDT

Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

WV Stamp to be introduced for state’s 150th birthday June 20

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:50:00 EDT

A new United States Postal Service stamp to commemorate West Virginia's Sesquicentennial will be available June 20.

Vietnam hunger strike tests official intimidation

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:10:00 EDT

Cu Huy Ha Vu's books come with pages torn out by prison guards. Only some of his letters reach home. He is not allowed to access evidence from his trial or to see his wife alone.

Capitol's Frederick Douglass statue to be unveiled

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:10:00 EDT

The 19th-century orator and writer Frederick Douglass will once again stand tall in the U.S. Capitol.

Obama's Berlin speech: History raises the stakes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:40:00 EDT

Five years and 50 years. As President Barack Obama revisits Berlin, he can't escape those anniversaries and the inevitable comparisons to history and personal achievement.

Social issues still fire up GOP despite 2012 loss

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:30:00 EDT

Republican lawmakers have a message for those who want the party to soften its emphasis on social conservatism in hopes of reaching a wider national audience: Not so fast.

Obama relying on untested oversight board on NSA

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:30:00 EDT

The obscure oversight board that President Barack Obama wants to scrutinize the National Security Agency's secret surveillance system is little known for good reason. The U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board...

Obama to renew calls for nuclear reductions

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:00:00 EDT

President Barack Obama on Wednesday will renew his call to reduce the world's nuclear stockpiles, including a proposed one-third reduction in U.S. and Russian arsenals, a senior administration official said.

Colenda chosen to lead West Virginia United Health System

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:26:00 EDT

Christopher Colenda currently is chancellor for health sciences at West Virginia University. He'll assume the new role in January 2014.

Spilman wins legal battle for health care client

Sun, 9 Jun 2013 10:25:00 EDT

The law firm Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC (Spilman) announced that it recently won a favorable ruling for client Fairmont General Hospital (FGH).

Edwards Cancer Center appoints director

Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:20:00 EDT

HUNTINGTON, WV – Dr. Uma Sundaram, a physician researcher with experience in translational medicine, has been named director of the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital and vice dean for clinical and translational sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

'Biggest Loser' contestants encourage healthful lifestyles

Whitney Burdette — Wed, 5 Jun 2013 14:44:00 EDT

The Biggest Loser Run/Walk series makes its way to Charleston on June 29, and two former contestants share their thoughts on living a healthful lifestyle.

Fairmont Regional Cancer Center joins WVU Hospitals

Sun, 2 Jun 2013 10:27:00 EDT

The Fairmont Regional Cancer Center recently became part of WVU Hospitals, officials announced.

Coming soon? Nutritional labels on alcohol drinks

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 12:49:00 EDT

(AP) — Alcohol beverages soon could have nutritional labels like those on food packaging, but only if the producers want to put them there.