West Virginia

Secretary of Commerce excited about state’s economy, eager to build on state’s natural strengths – WV MetroNews

Published

3 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Secretary of Commerce excited about state’s economy, eager to build on state’s natural strengths – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Secretary of Commerce Matt Herridge is encouraged with West Virginia’s current economic state, but he has an eye for the near future.

Matt Herridge

Herridge spoke before the Joint Committee on Government and Finance during legislative interim meetings earlier in the month.

Herridge, the former state GOP chair, gave lawmakers a look at the state’s improvements with license reciprocity, which allows some professionals to come over to the Mountain State without obtaining another license to work.

“In the month September 2023, there were 69 new contractor licenses approved. In 2024 September, there were 89. In 2025, we’ve had 101 contractors’ licenses approved. It’s a continuing trend — a very big trend — from last year,” Herridge said.

Herridge also noted that the state’s small business development center, which is led by Will Miller, has had a good 2025.

“Over calendar year 2025, we’ve had 73 business starts that we’ve worked with. We’ve served 1,217 clients, created 252 jobs within that small business development center

After giving some statistics, Herridge focused his opening statement to lawmakers towards the future. Like Governor Patrick Morrisey who appointed Herridge to the role of secretary of commerce, Herridge believes that West Virginia is on the verge of being a national leader in energy production.

“I see West Virginians economic development direction as building on our strengths and that is energy, and we are a desirable place to live and to work,” he said.

He says the Mountain State has the resources.

“If we were to draw a 90-mile radius around the city of Wheeling, about 25 percent of the natural gas reserves in the country sit right there,” Herridge said. “As these AI initiatives go forward, as data center investments go forward and the need for that energy, West Virginia stands primed to be a target for those companies and those investments. I’m very excited about that opportunity.”

Herridge says that there’s a big thirst for energy as is, but he sees it only growing.

“The reality is that the future of energy is exponential. Even if we see these data centers and these AI hubs start to become more efficient, what’s going to happen is we’re still going to have more need for energy than what is available right now, so we see West Virginia being in that perfect position to fulfill that need.

During his presentation, Herridge did admit that there are some hurdles, but he’s confident West Virginia can face them head on and become that energy hub.

“We also have our challenges in front of us and that includes housing, making sure that we have a workforce that is trained and ready for those energy jobs, for those engineering jobs, for those welding jobs, and for those skilled labor jobs that are sure to come,” he said

“I truly believe that the future is going to be in West Virginia because of our energy reserves and what we want to do is take those energy reserves, turn those right into those advanced manufacturing right around the site where that energy is coming out of the ground. We want to let companies know that it is just simply wise to not only get your energy here, but to build here and manufacture here,” he continued.

Source link

West Virginia

West Virginia Opens as Heavy Underdogs for Coal Rush Game vs. TCU

Published

20 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia Opens as Heavy Underdogs for Coal Rush Game vs. TCU

Yesterday was a great opportunity for West Virginia to get back in the win column and ride some momentum coming back home for a night game against TCU, but instead, the poor play continued with a resounding 45-13 loss to UCF that spells trouble for what’s left of the 2025 season.

Early Sunday morning, the opening odds for West Virginia’s home clash with TCU were revealed, and the Horned Frogs will begin the week as 14.5-point favorites. Considering the way the Mountaineers have been dominated in Big 12 Conference play, I’d be shocked if that line didn’t swell up to 17 or higher by the time kickoff approaches on Saturday evening. The over/under, at the moment, is at 55.5.

This is a really bad matchup for WVU — yes, they all are — but especially this one as Josh Hoover is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country and he’ll be going up against a secondary that has been getting carved up since league play began. Hoover just tossed for 231 yards and three scores in the 42-36 win over Baylor and has thrown three or more touchdown passes in five of seven games this season. For the year, Hoover is connecting with his receivers at a 65.4% clip and has totaled 2,124 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just six picks.

Over the last three games, West Virginia’s defense has allowed 323 (UCF), 351 (BYU), and 290 (Utah) yards through the air. Zac Alley’s unit will have their work cut out for them against the high-flying potent attack, but if the Mountaineers can’t find any rhythm offensively, they won’t stand a chance. Getting into a shootout isn’t something WVU is capable of doing, but if they can get into the 20s, anything can happen with a little bit (or a lot) of luck.

The Mountaineers and the Frogs will kick it off at 6 p.m. ET.

Odds Disclaimer

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

West Virginia

Tayven Jackson returns from injury to power UCF past West Virginia 45-13

Published

2 days ago

October 18, 2025

Press Room

Tayven Jackson returns from injury to power UCF past West Virginia 45-13

UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson returned from injury to throw two fourth-down touchdown passes to freshman receiver Chris Domercant as the Knights snapped a three-game losing streak with a 45-13 victory over West Virginia on Saturday.

Jackson missed last week’s game against No. 24 Cincinnati after injuring his shoulder against Kansas two weeks ago. UCF (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) was without its starter from last week. Cam Fancher, who was ruled out for this game, so the Knights turned back to Jackson.

He threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns on 23-for-34 passing in the game. Domercant caught five passes for 89 yards to lead UCF’s receiving group.

West Virginia (2-5, 0-4) struggled to find its offense. The Mountaineers only scored off Knights turnovers, the first on fourth down in Mountaineers territory and the other after a fourth-quarter interception was returned to the 2.

Kahlil Wilkins led the Mountaineers in rushing with 48 yards on 15 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown run. Diore Hubbard scored the other touchdown.

UCF outgained West Virginia 578-210.

UCF opened the game up in the third quarter, starting the half with a nine-play, 92-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard run from Jaden Nixon.

The Knights defense got on the board with a strip-sack forced by Nyjalik Kelly that Keli Lawson returned 32 yards for a touchdown.

Nixon scored his second rushing touchdown on the next UCF possession with an 83-yard run, completing UCF’s third scoring drive of 80 yards or more. Nixon finished with 116 yards on seven carries with his two touchdowns.

QB shuffle

Both West Virginia and UCF entered the game with questions at quarterback.

West Virginia started freshman Scotty Fox Jr. after starters Nicco Marchiol, Khalil Wilkins and Jaylen Henderson all suffered injuries this season. Fox became the first freshman to start at quarterback for the Mountaineers since Fred Wyant in 1952.

Fox finished 4 for 11 for 22 yards and was sacked five times. He left the game in the first quarter before returning with West Virginia trailing 28-7.

The takeaway

West Virginia: The Mountaineers continue to seek balance in their backfield after injuries decimated the quarterbacks and running backs.

UCF: The Knights snapped a three-game losing streak and avoided the drive-killing mistakes that cost them in their last three outings.

Up next

West Virginia is home next Saturday against TCU.

UCF plays at Baylor on Nov. 1.

Source link

West Virginia

West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Daily 3 on Oct. 17, 2025

Published

2 days ago

October 18, 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 Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Oct. 17 drawing

09-21-27-48-56, Mega Ball: 10

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Oct. 17 drawing

3-5-5

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Oct. 17 drawing

0-8-9-1

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from Oct. 17 drawing

01-03-09-10-12-22

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.

Source link