West Virginia

First official Alyssa’s Law funds announced

Published

2 weeks ago

May 5, 2026

First official Alyssa’s Law funds announced

JACKSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Alyssa’s Law passed through the West Virginia Legislature, creating a fund to bring panic buttons and other life-saving technology to schools statewide.

Del. Jonathan Pinson, R-Mason, who helped create Alyssa’s Law, said, “Every teacher, every staff member equipped with a wearable panic button that allows them a literal one push to the 911 center, to local law enforcement and EMS.”

Alyssa Alhadeff was a 14-year-old who died alongside 16 other students in the Parkland school shooting in 2018. Her parents are giving the first official funds to West Virginia through the organization called Make Our Schools Safe.

“They’ll make a contribution this evening of $48,888,” Pinson said. “That number 8 is recurring because it was Alyssa’s volleyball number.”

The state Department of Education is giving $348,888 to the fund, as well.

In Jackson County, local funding helped bring in panic buttons, and deputies are required to spend time in schools every week.

Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger said the panic buttons give local law enforcement maps and an alert to their phone.

“It’s a pretty big lift to get the money and we’re looking at $9.5-10 million to get this thing done, and the sad reality is if we had a school shooting tomorrow, we would bend over backwards to get you the money then, but at that point it’s too little too late,” Mellinger said.

He said he wants to be proactive and encourages other counties to do the same.

Pinson said the cost of technology will drop over time, and Alyssa’s Law allows more safety upgrades in the future.

Pinson said Jackson County is a perfect example of what kind of upgrades are possible.

“Right here in Jackson County, they are unveiling AI driven cameras that can immediately alert the school and local law enforcement if a person of concern were to come on campus,” he said.

Leaders hope this technology can save lives across West Virginia. Pinson said the initial cost for panic buttons is about $20,000 per school and the fund is held with Homeland Security until hitting the goal of about $10 million.

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West Virginia

West Virginia DMV says people will not have to retake driver’s tests

Published

11 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia DMV says people will not have to retake driver’s tests

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is reaching out to make citizens aware of a “satire” post on social media stating that West Virginians will need to retake their driver’s examinations. There is no such policy.

The post uses DMV’s logo and may appear real to some social media users. It states that written, skills and vision tests will be repeated due to a “vision screening law” and drivers who do not pass the tests within 30 days of a failed test will have their license suspended. It provides a “rollout plan” and an “official statement,” then, at the end, contains the word “satire.”

DMV is reaching out through its media partners to let the public know there is no such program. Drivers are not being asked to retake tests they have already passed.

Citizens who have questions can reach DMV at 800-642-9066 from anywhere in the state or stop by one of its regional offices. By phone or in person, DMV customers will be treated as welcomed guests and communications from the real DMV will not seek to make readers feel alarmed.

The mission of the Division of Motor Vehicles is to provide essential motor vehicle and driver services, facilitate interstate travel by promoting reciprocity for West Virginia vehicles and drivers in other states, promote highway safety and collect revenue for highway maintenance and construction programs. For more information and tools for motorists, visit the DMV website.

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West Virginia

Supreme Court’s Bunn remembers appearances before Copenhaver – WV MetroNews

Published

23 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Press Room

Supreme Court’s Bunn remembers appearances before Copenhaver – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Supreme Court Chief Justice Haley Bunn appeared before U.S. District Judge John Copenhaver many times during her career as an assistant U.S. Attorney.

Judge John Copenhaver

“I’ll remember the warm regard for how much care he took for practitioners, litigants, juries, he was so amazing with a jury, and just fond memories of the wonderful times I had in his courtroom,” Bunn said.

Copenhaver was remembered in a funeral service Wednesday morning in Charleston. He died last week at the age of 100.

Copenhaver was known for his detailed decisions. Bunn said during a recent appearance on MetroNews “Talkline” that thoroughness was a comfort to a prosecutor.

“His overturn rate was about two percent which is unprecedented over his decades on the bench,” Bunn said. “He covered every base. He made sure that every nook and cranny was addressed. It made you feel almost safe in front of him as a practitioner, you knew it was going to be right whatever the outcome.”

Copenhaver swore-in Bunn to her 12-year term on the Supreme Court on Dec. 30, 2024.

Copenhaver was appointed as a bankruptcy referee in 1958. President Gerald Ford nominated him to the federal bench in late August 1976, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate five days later. His time on the bench was just short of 50 years. He took senior status in 2018 but still carried a full caseload.

Bunn said she’ll take several things from Copenhaver’s life and career.

“To take absolute pride in your work, to do your absolute very best with every case, every case is important and every person involved in those cases is important,” Bunn said. “But while you’re doing your job and taking pride in your work you’re also being gracious to people in front of you.”

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