Virginia

West Virginia gubernatorial candidates differ on homeless policy

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

West Virginia gubernatorial candidates differ on homeless policy

The city of Wheeling, W.Va., enacted its camping ban for homeless people earlier this year. Since April, this spot along Maintenance Trail has been the one legal place for people to camp. (Daniel Finsley | Finsley Creative for West Virginia Watch)

In West Virginia’s gubernatorial race, candidates have seemingly differing views about how government should respond to homelessness.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that laws that prohibit homeless people from sleeping outside do not violate the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment, even when there are no shelter beds available.

Advocates for homeless people say the ruling could open the door to more states and cities criminalizing homelessness by enacting camping restrictions. Already, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered that state agencies remove homeless encampments from state parks, beaches, agency buildings, highways and the areas between them, the Associated Press reported.

In West Virginia, a Morgantown councilwoman has suggested the city expand its camping ban.

Nationally, more than 650,000 are estimated to be homeless in the United States, the most since the country started doing point-in-time counts in 2007, the Associated Press reported.

In West Virginia, the state Department of Human Services recently released a $373,000 study about homelessness. Senate Bill 239, passed during the 2023 legislative session, required the study to be completed and submitted to lawmakers for consideration of legislation relating to the homeless in the state.

Asked whether he would sign a bill that legislated a statewide ban on camping in public, were one to come across his desk, Democratic candidate Steve Williams, the mayor of Huntington, said he believes in addressing the root causes of homelessness, not just the symptoms.

“While I understand the concerns about public safety and the use of public spaces, a statewide ban on public camping without providing adequate housing and support services would only criminalize our most vulnerable citizens,” Williams said in an emailed statement. “I would focus on expanding affordable housing, increasing access to mental health and addiction services, and creating comprehensive programs to help individuals transition out of homelessness.

“Addressing homelessness requires compassion, support and real solutions, not punitive measures,” he said.

The city of Huntington does have a camping ban. Between April and mid July, the Huntington Police Department wrote nine citations for loitering, camping or trespassing to homeless people, according to the city’s response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The campaign for Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the state’s Republican gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to emails asking if Morrisey would support a statewide ban on camping.

But Morrisey, as the state’s attorney general, did sign on to an amicus “friend of the court” brief on behalf of Grants Pass, the Oregon city at the heart of the Supreme Court ruling that enacted laws prohibiting people from sleeping in public.

In the court filing, the two dozen states argue that they are responsible for protecting the health and safety of all their residents, homeless or not, but the policies should not be up to federal governments.

“[States] sovereign duties also include defining crimes and enforcing a criminal code within their borders,” they argue. “They do not always approve of each other’s policies on homelessness, much less the broader set of policies other States choose to pursue in their criminal codes. But they all agree these choices are theirs to make — not the federal government’s, and certainly not the federal courts’.”

In an earlier statement to West Virginia Watch about the amicus brief, Morrisey said that local and state governments should have the power to select the solutions that work best for them.

“Instead, as we’ve pointed out in our amicus brief, decisions like Grants Pass effectively turn federal courts into homeless czars, stripping away traditional state authority over criminal law and making the problem worse,” he said in the statement. “As the brief said, that’s the wrong approach — this issue is a matter of local concern.”

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Virginia

Three Takeaways From Virginia Tech Baseball’s Series Win Vs Cal

Published

12 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Three Takeaways From Virginia Tech Baseball’s Series Win Vs Cal

Berkley, CA — Virginia Tech won their third consecutive ACC series and have won 9 of their last 12 matchups on the diamond. Despite dropping game three in 9-4 fashion, the Hokies needed this series win and got it, putting themselves firmly on the bubble this week.

There’s plenty of takeaways from the series, so here’s my top three.

No. 1: The Hokies are peaking at the right time

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column on what the Hokies would need to do to put themselves in position on the bubble, and they have followed that blueprint to a tee.

I stated that the Hokies would need a 15-4 run going down the stretch, and they’re within striking distance, needing to go 6-1 from here on out with four games against non-conference opponents.

They couldn’t afford another series loss in conference, and they haven’t taken one.

With that run, the Hokies — who sat outside of the top 45 — have moved themselves up to 36th in RPI — a firm bubble position — with a three big ACC games remaining and four must-win non-conference games.

No. 2: Brett Renfrow has found it

What is ‘it’ exactly? Well, he’s the only one that knows.

Over Brett Renfrow’s first two starts in the month of April against Miami and Boston College, he surrendered 12 runs in 11 innings, striking out 10 batters and hurling over 200 pitches in the short time span.

Since then, he’s arguably been the best pitcher in the conference. In his recent three starts, Renfrow has allowed the following statline:

21.0 IP
3 ER
10 H
6 BB
27 K

Those numbers bring an ERA of 1.29 and a K/9 of 11.57.

For those of you who are familiar with the K%-BB% stat, Renfrow’s is sitting at 25.9%. For context, Tarik Skubal — who won the AL Cy Young last year — had a rate of 27.8%.

Brett Renfrow getting back to those strong, consistent starts that we’ve seen in the past is something that Virginia Tech desperately needed from it’s ace, and it will be crucial for the Hokies down the stretch.

No. 3: The Bullpen has been much more consistent

Earlier this season, the Virginia Tech bullpen had a huge issue with blowing leads and losing games.

Against Cal, the Virginia Tech bullpen surrendered just a pair of runs in 10 innings of work.

The highlight of the bullpen as of late has been Chase Swift, who hasn’t given up a run since March 3rd against Marshall. He’s made nine appearances in that time and has posted the following stat-line:

13.1 IP
0 ER
4 H
6 BB
18 K

Much like with Renfrow, consistency from the Virginia Tech bullpen is going to be key down the stretch, and the Hokies are headed in the right direction.

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Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on May 4, 2026

Published

24 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 4.

Winning Powerball numbers from May 4 drawing

30-36-42-60-63, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from May 4 drawing

09-10-12-50-52, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from May 4 drawing

3-7-6

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from May 4 drawing

4-6-8-6

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from May 4 drawing

02-03-09-10-20-21

Check Cash 25 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the West Virginia Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 11 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:59 p.m. ET Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Daily 3, 4: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.
Cash 25: 6:59 p.m. ET Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Celebrate bike month with a wild ride at the Virginia Zoo

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Press Room

Celebrate bike month with a wild ride at the Virginia Zoo

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Zoo will host its annual Bike Night on Friday, May 8, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in celebration of National Bike Month. This all-ages event offers guests the opportunity to explore 53 acres of the Virginia Zoo’s beautifully landscaped grounds on designated paths.

This is just one of many events planned throughout the City of Norfolk for National Bike Month.

Animal exhibit trails and the Goat Yard will remain open after-hours, until 7:30 p.m. This unique experience allows visitors to observe animal behaviors after regular operating hours.

Local vendors will also be on hand to assist with bike repairs or accessories.

Guests can meet Animal Ambassadors for a Zoo Tales story reading at the ZooLive! Stage at 6 p.m. The evening also features an energizing DJ dance party. The Zoo’s young professionals group, GenZoo, will help attendees craft decorations for their helmets. Local businesses like Slow & Steady Bikes and Goods and East Coast Bicycles will offer bike accessories. Community organizations such as Elizabeth River Trail, Visit Norfolk, Spinclusion and Bike Norfolk are also scheduled to attend.

Member tickets for Bike Night cost $8. Non-member adult tickets are $18, and non-member child tickets are $13. Children under two receive free entry, but a reserved “under two” ticket is still required.

The event is likely to sell out, so if you are interested in attending, it’s best to act fast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at virginiazoo.org/event/bike-night/.

Bike Night will take place rain or shine.