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60-day session a “missed opportunity” in eyes of some WV leaders – WV MetroNews

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60-day session a “missed opportunity” in eyes of some WV leaders – WV MetroNews


CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Several leaders from across the state have expressed their thoughts and opinions in the four days since the 60-day legislative session came to a close.

Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Brian Dayton says his group is not content with what was done.

Brian Dayton

“Frustration is probably the correct word from the Chamber’s perspective,” Dayton said Wednesday morning on MetroNews’ Talkline. “It’s really a frustration that there was a lot of missed opportunity when it came to focus on job creation, economic development and better education outcomes.”

As far as economic development goes, Governor Patrick Morrisey has been adament that his data centers bill, which got across the finish line, will attract corporations to build in West Virginia and thus, help the state thrive. The bill was one of the main focuses of his economic “Backyard Brawl” to compete with bordering states.

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Lawmakers passed a couple of bills relating to education and the school system, one focusing on school discipline, while two others aim to put over $60 million of state funds towards the HOPE Scholarship.

Dayton says the session wasn’t all negative, but too much time was wasted.

“There were a few good bills that got through the process, but there was a lot of time that was spent this session, from the business community perspective, on defending against legislation that would make it harder to create jobs in West Virginia and make us a less attractive state to locate,” Dayton said. “That’s frustration right there because we’ve been on such a good path moving forward trying to advance some good ideas.”

West Virginia Manufactures Association President Bill Bissett also appeared on MetroNews’ Talkline Wednesday to share his thoughts on how the session went. He says he’s giving lawmakers and the governor more grace.

Bill Bissett

“I’m not as critical as some,” Bissett said. “One of the things I’m quick to bring out is context. You have to consider you have a new governor, you have a new Senate president, you have 10 new senators in a body of 34, you have a new process for legislation in the House — that’s a lot of new in one session. It’s not only new for the people serving, but also for those interacting with them, so that was a big factor.”

Bissett did say that he sees the concerns people like Dayton have, and he just wants to see the state prosper.

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“Overall, I think there is a valid concern about how much was pro-economic development. I think some of the legislation that came out of the governor’s office was very positive, which we supported, but at the same time, I think we really need to focus on what grows the economy of West Virginia and what allows us to not only grow our population, but what allow people to stay here?”

In addition to the recently wrapped-up 60 day session, Governor Morrisey has gone on record saying there’s a chance he will call one or more special sessions this year to focus on topics such as education and PEIA. For now, Dayton says the Chamber of Commerce is setting its eyes towards making the next regular session better.

“We’re working and talking with legislators right now to do a bit of a reset heading into the 2026 session next year. We’re already thinking in that direction about how do we re-direct that focus down on those things that are going to really improve people’s lives on the day-to-day basis,” Dayton said.



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West Virginia

West Virginia man accused of threatening Trump, ICE agents indicted

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West Virginia man accused of threatening Trump, ICE agents indicted


A West Virginia man accused of threatening to attack President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers was federally indicted this week.

Cody Lee Smith, 20, of Clarksburg was indicted on two counts of threats to murder the president, one count of influencing and retaliating against federal officials by threat of murder and one count of influencing a federal official by threat of murder, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Smith is accused of making a series of public posts on Instagram encouraging and threatening the murder of Trump, those who support him, Israelis and “all government officials,” the news release said.

The indictment also alleges that Smith sent a direct message via Instagram to Donald J. Trump, Jr., stating he would kill his father by cutting his “jugular.”

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In a phone call with the ICE tip line, Smith also threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg and employees staffing the tip line.

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Smith faces up to 5 years for each of the presidential threat charges and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the remaining counts.



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West Virginia falls flat in 65-63 loss to Kansas State – WV MetroNews

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West Virginia falls flat in 65-63 loss to Kansas State – WV MetroNews


West Virginia has said the right things about the need to capitalize on opportunities.

The Mountaineers aren’t following through when they come about.

The latest example came Tuesday night at Kansas State, which scored 21 unanswered points in the second half before holding off a furious West Virginia charge for a 65-53 victory at Bramlage Coliseum.

“The level of urgency and desire to win a game with so much on it wasn’t where it needed to be,” West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge said on postgame radio.

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The Wildcats (12-18, 3-14) played without leading scorer PJ Haggerty, a surprise scratch with an undisclosed injury.

Although WVU (17-13, 8-9) defeated Kansas State 59-54 with Haggerty in the lineup during a January matchup in Morgantown, the Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on his absence in the rematch and fell to 1-4 in their last five games.

Both teams were dismal offensively in the opening half, which ended with West Virginia leading, 26-23.

The Mountaineers got 10 points apiece from reserve forwards Chance Moore and DJ Thomas, helping the visitors to at least somewhat overcome a starting lineup that scored six points on 3-for-15 shooting over the first 20 minutes.

“When you’re playing a team that is a little down and out, you can’t give them life and can’t give them hope,” Hodge said. “We had so many opportunities in the first half and at the beginning of the game to make some plays and entice a team that’s been struggling to maybe keep struggling.”

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After a scoreless first half, WVU guard Honor Huff made his 100th three-pointer this season with 18:33 to play, allowing the Mountaineers to lead 31-27.

West Virginia went the next 8-plus minutes without a point, and Wildcats took control during that stretch.

Khamari McGriff scored the Wildcats’ first four points of the extended 21-0 spurt and accounted for four buckets and eight of the first 15 points during that time.

A jumper from CJ Jones with 10:53 remaining left the home team with a 48-31 advantage, before Thomas scored from close range to end his team’s extended drought at the 10:27 mark.

“I’m aware of our shortcomings and I understand when you’re deficient in some areas, your margin for error to win is razor thin,” Hodge said. “I’m disappointed with what was at stake, we got beat to loose balls. Would it have been nice to make more layups and threes? Of course. But when those things aren’t happening, you better do those other things.”

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KSU had separate 19-point leads, the latter of which came at 57-38 when McGriff made two free throws with 7:29 to play.

WVU then increased its aggressiveness offensively and reeled off the next 11 points, while the Wildcats began to play tentative while in possession.

A three-pointer from K-State’s Nate Johnson left the Wildcats with a 60-49 lead with 3:48 left, but the Mountaineers continued to battle and trailed by six when Chance Moore scored in the paint at the 1:24 mark.

Moore’s next basket made it a five-point game, and after a Johnson turnover, Huff made two free throws to bring WVU to within 61-58 with 48 seconds left.

Another KSU turnover gave the visitors the ball back, but after Moore missed a shot that the Mountaineers rebounded, Huff committed a costly turnover. 

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Johnson made two free throws with 17 seconds left, and McGriff added two more with 7 seconds remaining before Huff made a trey at the buzzer.

Moore led WVU with 18 points and made 6-of-7 shots, but again struggled on free throws, finishing 5 for 9. WVU hurts its cause at the charity stripe and made only 9-of-16 attempts.

Brenen Lorient was the Mountaineers’ second-leading scorer with 14 second-half points, while Thomas followed with 12 and Huff added 11 on 3-for-11 shooting.

Treysen Eaglestaff led all players with 11 rebounds in defeat, but made only 3-of-12 shots in a six-point showing.

McGriff led KSU with 18 points and added seven rebounds.

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Johnson finished with 16 points and nine boards.

WVU had nine of its 13 turnovers in the second half. 

“Nine turnovers in the second half creates more busted floors, more cross match opportunities and through that, it makes you vulnerable for paint touch opportunities,” Hodge said. 

K-State played under the guidance of interim head coach Matthew Driscoll. Driscoll replaced Jerome Tang, who was fired in between the team’s first and second matchups with West Virginia this season.

“Sometimes in life you get what you deserve,” Hodge said, “and we deserved to lose tonight.”

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Nitro completes utility deal with West Virginia American Water – WV MetroNews

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Nitro completes utility deal with West Virginia American Water – WV MetroNews


NITRO, W.Va. — It’s a done deal.

Nitro Mayor Dave Casebolt signed an agreement Tuesday with West Virginia American Water Company President Scott Wyman completing the sale of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Utility including the sewer plant for $20 million.

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The water utility will now own and operate the city’s water and wastewater systems. The state Public Service Commission recently approved the deal.

Casebolt said it’s good to get the long-talked-about agreement signed. He said the city can’t afford to make the improvements required at the sewer plant.

“We’re looking at needing between 40 and 50 million dollars of upgrades to our system and expecting our four-thousand customer base to try to offset those costs is not even practical,” Casebolt said.

Casebolt said sewer bills are going to go up but he said they were going to go up regardless. He said the city was facing increasing rates by as much as 50 percent.

West Virgina American is planning $42 million in upgrades to the sewer system over the next five years, Casebolt said.

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“It’s a much-need investment and actually allow the system to handle rainwater much better where it’s not backing up into people’s homes,” Casebolt said.



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