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Bishop says Catholic schools would continue with current West Virginia vaccination standards – WV MetroNews

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Bishop says Catholic schools would continue with current West Virginia vaccination standards – WV MetroNews


If private and parochial schools are allowed to set their own immunization policies under new legislation, West Virginia’s Catholic schools would continue to abide by existing standards.

Bishop Mark Brennan

“We’re not going to change our practice. We will be requiring the normal set of immunizations for children in our schools,” Mark Brennan, bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston said on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”

“It really is for the good of the children and the staffs, but also the Catholic way is to contribute to the common good. Vaccinations have a more than two centuries track record of really helping to improve public health.”

House Bill 5105 removes vaccination requirements for students in virtual public schools, and it also would allow private and parochial schools to set their own standards.

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But senators pulled out a provision that would have allowed parents to send in a letter citing a religious exemption to vaccination requirements. The bill passed both chambers on the final night of the regular legislative session and is now awaiting a decision from the governor.

West Virginia’s latest figures show 12,494 non-public school students in 143 private/parochial schools. This does not include 25,882 homeschooled students.

Of those, the largest number are private schools associated with the Catholic Church — with total enrollment in 26 elementary and high schools at 4,528 students.

“We need to protect those children and also the teachers and the staff who are with them — but also the wider community. We’re helping by having children who have the proper immunizations. It really contributes to the good of the entire state. So we will not be changing our policy,” Brennan said.

“It is great that the Legislature wants to recognize our rights to do what we think is proper in our schools, but we do think it is proper to maintain the protocols we had in place for immunizations for our students.”

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As of now, the West Virginia Department of Education boasts that the state has one of the most effective school-entry vaccine preventable laws in the nation:  “The vaccination laws have proven to improve attendance rates for students and staff while ensuring children stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn.”

West Virginia students entering school for the first time must show proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis B unless properly medically exempted.

Asked last week about whether he would sign the bill loosening the requirements for virtual students and private schools, Gov. Jim Justice said he hadn’t yet made up his mind.

Gov. Jim Justice

“I just need to look at it. I am all for all the understandings of our freedoms. I am not a medical doctor. I do not know the ramifications about the possibilities that can exist or would exist by taking the shots and everything,” Justice said. 

“Let me just look at it. I think it’s premature for me to say ‘Yeah, I’ll sign it or we’ll go another way.’”

Fred Albert

At a state Board of Education meeting last week, Fred Albert of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, said the bill allowing vaccination loopholes is bad policy.

“I’m all for people having freedom and choice. That’s the American way of life. But when someone’s freedom then infringes upon the safety of others, I think we have a real concern,” Albert said. “Why would we want to go back to the days of measles and mumps and rubella, chicken pox, polio.”

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Albert asked people to contact the governor to urge a veto.

“Please veto this bill,” he said. “It’s not a good bill.”



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West Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Daily 3 on Dec. 16, 2025

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Are you looking to win big? The West Virginia Lottery offers a variety of games if you think it’s your lucky day.

Lottery players in West Virginia can choose from popular national games like the Powerball and Mega Millions, which are available in the vast majority of states. Other games include Lotto America, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Cash 25. 

Big lottery wins around the U.S. include a lucky lottery ticketholder in California who won a $1.27 billion Mega Millions jackpot in December 2024. See more big winners here. And if you do end up cashing a jackpot, here’s what experts say to do first.

Here’s a look at Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 results for each game:

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Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

20-24-46-59-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

0-7-5

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

3-0-0-1

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Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing

02-05-06-08-23-24

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.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

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You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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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State officials look to limit number of W.Va. youth in out-of-state placement facilities

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State officials look to limit number of W.Va. youth in out-of-state placement facilities


West Virginia is trying to bring home more than 300 children placed in expensive out-of-state treatment by the child welfare system.

Tuesday Gov. Patrick Morrisey revealed plans to create what the state is calling a home base initiative fund. It would allow for renovations and repairs to existing state buildings if it helps keep from sending troubled children to out-of-state placement facilities.

Out-of-state placements – now serving about 380 youth – cost about $156,000 per child and are undesirable due to separating families.

“We want to create a new revolving investment fund in order to make sure we’re building our existing state-owned facilities,” Morrisey said. “Those dollars are going to be used to renovate and repair existing state property by providing high acute psychiatric, neural-developmental and trauma services for kids in West Virginia.”

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Morrisey said the details still have to be worked out with the Legislature on this program which is aimed at limiting the number of West Virginia youth kept out-of-state. The governor appears ready to commit $6 million in surplus money toward the effort.

“It’s a huge problem, an expensive problem,” Sen. T. Kevan Bartlett, R-Kanawha, said. “It’s a problem that’s not reflective of our values to send kids away. We’ve got to come up with better answers to take care of kids. It’s the best that we can do. Then we’ve got to come up with something much better. I think that’s what the governor wants to do and I support that completely.”

Morrisey noted children in foster care have at least dropped a little below 6,000. While that number still seems high, Child Protective Services’ backlog has been cut by 50%. Numbers show children removed from a home for substance abuse is down 37%.

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“These are the statistics but we shouldn’t be beating our chests,” Morrisey said. “We have a lot more work to do.”



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As expected, buck harvest down significantly for 2025 – WV MetroNews

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As expected, buck harvest down significantly for 2025 – WV MetroNews


CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia deer hunters killed 33,775 bucks during the recently completed two week buck firearms season.

According to information released Tuesday by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Greenbrier County was the top county in the state for bucks in 2025 with 1,730 killed during the gun season. Second was Preston County with 1,349, Randolph County 1,198, Hardy County 1,165 and Pendleton at 1,135. The rest of the top ten counties in order were Pocahontas, Monroe, Grant, Fayette, and Hampshire Counties.’

Click here to see county-by-county buck firearms season harvests for the last five seasons.

As predicted by the DNR prior to the season, the total harvest was 18.5 percent below 2024. All of the DNR’s districts registered a decrease in harvest, with the exception of District 4 which experienced a 7.5 percent increase compared to last year. The DNR predicted the lower harvest because of a major abundance of mast in the state. The conditions were such that deer didn’t have to travel far to find adequate food and therefore were not as exposed to hunters.

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The agency acknowledged several counties along the Ohio River and central West Virginia experienced an outbreak of hemorrhagic disease in the early fall which also impacted hunter success especially in western counties of the state.

Several deer hunting opportunities remain for 2025. The state’s archery and crossbow season runs through Dec. 31, the traditional Class N/NN antlerless deer season will be open in select areas on public and private land Dec. 11-14 and Dec. 28-31, the muzzleloader deer season will be open Dec. 15-21 and the youth, Class Q and Class XS season for antlerless deer will be open Dec. 26-27 in any county with a firearms deer season.



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