West Virginia
Trump Administration’s approval of West Virginia’s broadband development plan announced by Governor Morrisey
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that West Virginia’s broadband development plan was approved by the Trump Administration.
According to a press release, the Trump Administration’s approval of West Virginia’s broadband development plan, which will help the Mountain State connect more than 73,000 additional locations to reliable high speed internet services, was announced by Governor Morrisey on Friday, November 21, 2025.
This technological upgrade will connect every corner of West Virginia and facilitate the jobs and opportunities needed to move forward. We’ve worked closely with the Trump administration to secure this historic investment and are proud to provide these possibilities to the people of West Virginia.
The press release stated that the investment will help strengthen rural communities, support long-term economic growth, and expand opportunities throughout the Mountain State.
Congratulations to West Virginia on the approval of its BEAD Final Proposal—an important milestone in the state’s path toward universal connectivity. Under the Benefit of the Bargain reforms, West Virginia generated a savings of 43 percent, bringing costs down from $959 million under the last administration to $545 million today.
I appreciate the work of Governor Morrisey, West Virginia’s Office of Broadband, and the providers across the state for truly sharpening their pencils and delivering for their state.
- Arielle Roth | Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator
According to the press release, the broadband initiative is part of West Virginia’s planned investment, overseen by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in the state’s energy sector, rural health transformation, and manufacturing growth. The plan aims to help offer stronger and more reliable internet to students, families, healthcare providers, and businesses.
We’re going to continue working closely with the Trump administration and NTIA to ensure that this is just the beginning. With additional investments in energy, health care, and technology, West Virginia is positioned to use this new broadband access to make major strides in our standard of living and economic strength.
This is going to help so many West Virginians – making lives easier and services more accessible in their everyday lives. We’re talking about expanded telehealth opportunities in rural areas, online tutoring and education courses for students, and streaming with the family all together on movie night.
This investment is a remarkable development for our business community. Now, more businesses will have the ability to take mobile payments, connect with customers online, and find the talent they need to grow. Any business exploring a move to West Virginia will expect and appreciate such a critical investment in our infrastructure.
The press release stated that the approved plan for the Mountain State included almost $546 million for 142 deployment projects, which will help connect 73,044 unserved and underserved locations across West Virginia. Other allowed uses for the funds is being reviewed by the NTIA, and updated guidance will be released at a later date.
Losing to Kansas State wiped away all hope for West Virginia to make the NCAA Tournament. That seems to be the clear consensus in the Mountain State, but is there actually still a chance? Well, I guess so.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi still has West Virginia listed as a team to consider, the second team outside of the “next four out” grouping.
Lunardi’s current NCAA Tournament bubble
Last Four Byes: Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas, Ohio State
Last Four In: SMU, Santa Clara, New Mexico, Indiana
First Four Out: VCU, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati
Next Four Out: San Diego State, USC, California, Seton Hall
Next: Stanford, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona State
How is this even possible?
Short answer? I don’t really know.
My best guess as to why? Two things: the respect for the Big 12 and the opportunities left on the table, and two, an incredibly weak bubble.
Should West Virginia beat UCF on Friday, it will give the Mountaineers a 9-9 record in Big 12 play. That’s not as much of a guarantee to make the dance as having a winning record, but still, it’s an impressive mark, especially when, in this instance, they would have wins over Kansas, BYU, and sweeps over Cincinnati and UCF.
If you ask me, they still have too many bad losses for it to matter. I mean, even if they got red-hot out of nowhere and made it to the Big 12 championship game next week, is that enough? Potentially, but that’s a big IF.
The one thing WVU does have on its side is the number of Quad 1 wins, which they have five of. Virtually every other team in college basketball that has a minimum of five Quad 1 victories is expected to make the tournament. In that previously mentioned scenario, they would add at least one more Quad 1 win in the conference tournament, giving the committee something to think about.
The bubble is just incredibly weak, though. Like, how in the world is Auburn, who is 16-14 currently, the second team out of the field? Cincinnati, which WVU swept and has the same record as, is the fourth team in the “first four out” grouping.
At this point, the only path I see is for the Mountaineers to cut down the nets in Kansas City — good luck with that. We could be having a very different conversation if they didn’t lallygag their way through the first 30 minutes of the games against Utah and Kansas State.
Buckle up, Upshur County. Starting Friday, March 6, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will step up seatbelt enforcement as part of a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign running through March 23.
The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) announced the high-visibility mobilization as a warm-up to the national seatbelt campaign in May. The goal is to ensure every occupant — front seat or back, driver or passenger — is buckled on every trip.
“During this mobilization, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will be out in full force. They will be strictly ticketing drivers who are unbuckled or who are transporting children not properly restrained in car seats,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP.
The numbers behind the campaign are sobering. In 2023, 40% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in West Virginia crashes were unrestrained. The state’s seatbelt usage rate has also slipped — from 91.9% in 2024 to 91.6% in 2025.
Rural drivers face elevated risk despite a common assumption that country roads are safer. In 2023, 65% of the state’s traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas, compared to 35% in urban centers.
Under West Virginia law, wearing a seatbelt is required. A citation carries a $25 fine, though McNeely says the real point isn’t the penalty.
“Click It or Ticket isn’t about the citations; it’s about saving lives,” he said. “A ticket is a wake-up call. It is far less expensive than the alternative — paying with your life or the lives of your family and friends.”
For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WCHS) — A West Virginia man accused of threatening to attack President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers was federally indicted this week.
Cody Lee Smith, 20, of Clarksburg was indicted on two counts of threats to murder the president, one count of influencing and retaliating against federal officials by threat of murder and one count of influencing a federal official by threat of murder, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Smith is accused of making a series of public posts on Instagram encouraging and threatening the murder of Trump, those who support him, Israelis and “all government officials,” the news release said.
The indictment also alleges that Smith sent a direct message via Instagram to Donald J. Trump, Jr., stating he would kill his father by cutting his “jugular.”
In a phone call with the ICE tip line, Smith also threatened to kill ICE agents in Clarksburg and employees staffing the tip line.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Smith faces up to 5 years for each of the presidential threat charges and faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the remaining counts.
Commentary: As ‘The Pitt’ suffers a digital meltdown, a human with analog experience saves the day
Britney Spears Open to Treatment Plan as Team Weighs Options
Anxiety grows among California Democrats as gubernatorial candidates rebuff calls to drop out
Owners of fire-destroyed Palisades mobile home park seek to displace residents for development deal
Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Fact check: Did French border guards mock influencers returning from Dubai amid Iran war?
Iran’s fight for survival / The widening war / Trump’s nebulous goals : Sources & Methods
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling