West Virginia

Penny Hardaway Believes Ross Hodge Will ‘Take West Virginia Back to the Glory Days’

Published

9 months ago

March 28, 2025

Penny Hardaway Believes Ross Hodge Will ‘Take West Virginia Back to the Glory Days’

Penny Hardaway had a fantastic career in the NBA as a player, making four All-Star appearances, three All-NBA selections, and winning the 1993-94 Rookie of the Year Award. Now, he’s one of the best head coaches at the mid-major level, leading the Memphis Tigers.

In seven years as Memphis’s head coach, Hardaway has a record of 162-68 and three NCAA Tournament appearances. It’s safe to say the man knows what it takes to win, and knows a winner when he sees one.

On Thursday, Hardaway was asked about West Virginia’s hire of Ross Hodge, who he’s faced twice over the last two years, and gave the new Mountaineer head coach a glowing review.

Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway communicates with the team during the second half against Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

“Ross is definitely one of my favorite coaches in the country. He is the next big-time coach to take West Virginia back to the glory days of winning and playing in NCAA Tournaments. He is arguably one of the best in the country defensively and his teams will always be a hard out. They are relentless in their efforts for 40 minutes. It’s one of the hardest teams that I have ever had to coach against because they are so tough.”

Hardaway and Hodge split their two meetings against each other with Hodge and the Mean Green taking the first game 76-66 last season and Memphis getting their revenge this season with a narrow 68-64 victory.

Hardaway isn’t the only college head coach who has praised Hodge, either. Michigan’s Dusty May, Baylor’s Scott Drew, and Texas Tech’s Grant McCasland also had great things to say about him, which you can read here.

West Virginia

West Virginia DoHS reports decrease in children waiting for Wraparound services

Published

12 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia DoHS reports decrease in children waiting for Wraparound services

WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services said it saw a significant drop in the number of children waiting on Wraparound services in 2025, reflecting progress its made in strengthening support for children in the Mountain State.

The average weekly Wraparound waitlist declined from 137 children in January 2025 to 14 by November, representing nearly a 90% reduction, according to a news release from the DoHS. Wraparound refers to intensive and individualized support in all areas of their life that aims to prevent children from being placed in out-of-home care.

The agency said the steady downward trend is the result of targeted efforts to expand provider capacity, improve timely access and better align services with family needs statewide.

“Reducing wait times for Wraparound services means children and families receive the right support sooner, when it matters most,” Alex Mayer, Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia DoHS, said in the news release. “Every child deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and stay connected to family and community. This progress reflects deliberate efforts to strengthen the workforce, expand provider capacity, and remove barriers that delay care.”

The DoHS said it also expanded service capacity and strengthened coordination across the behavioral health system, including onboarding five new providers and expanding service areas with existing providers.

The Bureau for Behavioral Health further reduced waitlist pressure by providing Intro to Wraparound training to alternative service providers outside of the wraparound network, helping families connect with appropriate supports and further reducing waitlist pressure, the news release said.

To further address ongoing challenges, the DoHS said it is focusing on implementing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics statewide, boosting provider recruitment and outreach, authorizing telehealth where capacity is limited and expanding the Safe at Home program in high-need counties.

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West Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on Dec. 22, 2025

Published

24 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

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 Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

01-09-18-19-44, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 05

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

0-1-4

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

2-9-0-4

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

05-06-13-16-18-20

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.

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.

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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West Virginia

West Virginia State Parks expands original bourbon sales

Published

2 days ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia State Parks expands original bourbon sales

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia State Parks is expanding its partnership with a popular distillery to sell its bourbon across the Mountain State.

The Lewisburg-based distillery Smooth Ambler has partnered with the state parks since 2023 to offer unique blends of its Old Scout Bourbon exclusively at restaurants and lounges located at Cacapon Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Pipestem Resort, Blackwater Falls, Chief Logan, Hawks Nest, Stonewall Resort and Twin Falls Resort state parks.

On Monday, the state parks and Smooth Ambler have announced an expanded collection to be served at Audra, Blennerhassett Island, Cass Scenic Railroad, Coopers Rock, Babcock and Lost River state parks. The new line will also be available for purchase at select stores around West Virginia.

Andrew Robinson, Smooth Ambler’s blending and processing manager, is happy to see the partnership continue.

“We are pleased to honor our state parks with special labeling that showcases the natural beauty and spirit of West Virginia,” Robinson said. “We hope folks will enjoy our hand selected bourbon as much as they enjoy exploring the trails and nature in our state parks.”

The original line of drinks will still be available at their respective lodge restaurants.

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