West Virginia

Gov. Morrisey's refusal to recognize Juneteenth confuses W.Va. state workers

Published

9 months ago

June 18, 2025

Gov. Morrisey's refusal to recognize Juneteenth confuses W.Va. state workers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced he will not recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday, causing some confusion for state employees.

“State workers have to report to work, but county buildings where many state workers do work are closed,” Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said.. “I think a lot of them are going to work remotely or if they don’t want to work remotely, they take PTO. It’s an unusual situation.”

Salango said it’s required that county employees have the day off, but Morrisey is allowed to make a decision regarding an observance of the holiday.

“Each administration is different. They can recognize whatever holidays they want to recognize,” Salango said. “Certainly, it’s within Gov. Morissey’s prerogative and his discretion to do that.”

Not everyone is happy with the governor’s decision. Rev. Matthew J. Watts said Juneteenth holds importance to many West Virginians.

“Juneteenth becomes a way to really educate people really about the impact of slavery in West Virginia and the fact that we were a slaveholding state,” Watts said.

West Virginia became a state on June 20, 1863, but not because it were against slavery. Watts said there’s artifacts dating back to that period right in the capital city.

“Slaves in coal mines, slaves in salt mines right up at Belle and Rand West Virginia,” he said. “Slaves worked in steel mills to some degree. Slave labor was critically important.”

Watts hopes West Virginians can take the day to educate themselves on the state’s history.

“I was never taught that slavery existed in West Virginia,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we were told West Virginia succeeded from Virginia over the slave issue and that’s what I believed until I was well into my adulthood.”

Watts is joining Delegates Sean Hornbuckle and Hollis Lewis Thursday for a Juneteenth celebration at the Capitol at 10:30 am.

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West Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Daily 3, Daily 4 on March 19, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 19.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 19 drawing

6-6-4

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 19 drawing

2-5-7-9

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from March 19 drawing

08-09-10-14-18-20

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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West Virginia

Man shoots father in face with crossbow, West Virginia police say

Published

20 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Man shoots father in face with crossbow, West Virginia police say

Updated on: March 19, 2026 / 2:37 PM EDT
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A man is accused of shooting his father in the face with a crossbow in West Virginia.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said in a post on Facebook that Chase Fleming was charged in connection with the crossbow shooting on Tuesday.

Authorities said Fleming was taken into custody after “a very lengthy” foot pursuit that went through snow-covered Jackson and Roane counties on Wednesday. The “exhausting search” involved the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the West Virginia State Police, and deputies from Roane and Kanawha Counties, officials said.

The sheriff’s department said the victim was last listed in stable condition at a local hospital. Authorities did not say what led up to the shooting.

Fleming was charged with one count of malicious assault, with the sheriff’s department adding that more charges are possible in the future. He was not released on bond as of Wednesday morning. The investigation into the crossbow shooting continues.

“How the guy is still alive is beyond me. It’s really remarkable,” Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told WV MetroNews.

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West Virginia

Boys State Tournament : Day 2 sees Chapmanville and Winfield pick up wins

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Press Room

Boys State Tournament : Day 2 sees Chapmanville and Winfield pick up wins

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (WCHS) — Two area teams – Chapmanville and Winfield – captured victories in Class AAA on Wednesday at the West Virginia High School Boys Basketball State Tournament.

And they will play each other

Chapmanville, the No. 1 seed, topped Robert C. Byrd in the first game of the evening session. Winfield, the No. 4 seed, meanwhile, took care of Ripley in the last game of the day.

The Tigers from Logan County and the Putnam County-based Generals will square off Friday at 11:15 a.m. with the winner advancing to Championship Saturday.

Also on Wednesday, Bridgeport and North Marion collected AAA wins. Bridgeport started defense of its title with a win over East Fairmont in the first game of the day session. North Marion then hung on to sideline Shady Spring in the third game of the day session. The two will get together Friday.

Two AA quarterfinals were played Wednesday with southern West Virginia schools Bluefield and Wyoming East advancing. Bluefield defeated Petersburg while WE eliminated Logan. The two will meet on Friday.

Thursday’s schedule features all four Class AAAA contests and the two Class A semifinals.

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All four championships are set for Saturday.

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