West Virginia
W.Va. approves $150M in school projects
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – More money for local schools.
West Virginia’s governor stood with county superintendents Wednesday, moments after he joined state officials in awarding nearly $150 million in school construction grants.
Buffalo Elementary in Wayne County, built more than 60 years ago, is set to close with an expansion to neighboring Buffalo Middle that will make the larger, combined facility a Pre-K through 8 school.
Michele Blatt, now state superintendent in West Virginia, served as the school’s principal for four years.
“We spent a lot of time with our PTO and with our community trying to make it as good as it could be for the students,” she told WSAZ.
Blatt says the Buffalo had been passed over for a number of years.
In fact, every project awarded Wednesday was passed over just months ago due to a lack of money.
But then, in March, lawmakers and Gov. Jim Justice added $150 million to the construction fund.
The governor’s chief of staff told an audience Wednesday that move is allowing the state’s School Building Authority to clear the deck.
“You cherry pick what you think are the most needed and the most important projects,” Governor Justice said afterward. “Really and truly, when it really comes right down to it, these extra dollars now help us to go back and get all the projects and everything, and at the end of the day, that’s monstrously important to those folks that have been passed over.”
In Cabell County, it means expansion at Cabell Midland High School and a new school for Ona Elementary. The aging elementary school lacks handicap accessibility and a sprinkler system.
“(It) is going to mean a new facility for generations of students that will be coming through Ona Elementary School,” said Ryan Saxe, superintendent of Cabell County Schools.
In Mingo County, it means a more secure entrance at Tug Valley High School.
“It means that when they come to school, everyone who should be in that building is in that building and people who should not will not be able to be in the building,” said Johnny Branch, superintendent of Mingo County Schools.
“And without the funding you weren’t able to move forward with the project?” asked WSAZ NewsChannel 3 reporter Curtis Johnson.
“No,” he replied. “We just did not have the funds locally.”
Along with new construction, the $150 million is also a key factor in West Virginia satisfying concerns that the federal government had regarding the state’s spending of COVID relief.
Justice predicts that issue will be settled with no pay back to the federal government.
The Buffalo and Ona Elementary projects rank rank as the most expensive projects approved Wednesday.
Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
Benedum Foundation awards $75,000 to RE-PATH West Virginia for substance use recovery work
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has awarded $75,000 to RE-PATH, a new statewide substance use recovery advocacy organization, boosting the group’s foundational effort to expand recovery resources in rural West Virginia.
It is the second competitive grant RE-PATH — short for Recovery Empowerment through Policy, Advocacy, Transformation, and Hope — has secured in recent weeks. Jay Phillips, who leads Seed Sower, Inc. in Beckley and co-chairs the RE-PATH board, said the funding will help advance recovery best practices and workable local solutions.
“This is the second competitive grant we have secured in recent weeks,” Phillips said. “It is hard to put into words how grateful we are to have these funds and to advance substance use recovery best practices and workable solutions to meet real needs of our citizens.”
Rachel Thaxton of Kanawha County, who co-chairs the board with Phillips, said the Benedum funds will be used for professional staff, expert consultants, training and education materials, office space and supplies, and travel.
“It is a major achievement to secure grant dollars from the Benedum Foundation, one of the most trusted sources of funding for non-profits,” Thaxton said. “Leaders of the Benedum Foundation are true partners with the organizations they fund, and we are privileged to have their support.”
Kim Tieman, vice president and program director at the Benedum Foundation, said RE-PATH is filling critical gaps in rural parts of the state where local officials often lack the resources to sustain their own recovery strategies. “One of our foundation’s hallmarks is to level the playing field for areas of unmet need in our region,” she said.
RE-PATH launched in early February 2026. More on its mission is available on its Facebook page. The Pittsburgh-based Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation focuses on grantmaking initiatives supporting human development in West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.
West Virginia
West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on April 15, 2026
The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 15.
Winning Powerball numbers from April 15 drawing
13-21-27-43-45, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 15 drawing
17-18-31-46-51, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 15 drawing
9-3-5
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 15 drawing
4-5-9-9
Check Daily 4 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.
West Virginia
Watch: Pat Kirkland on West Virginia’s special teams
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia football held its final regular practice on Wednesday before Saturday’s Gold-Blue Spring Festival.
WVU special teams coordinator Pat Kirkland spoke to members of the media after practice.
Kirkland said the Mountaineers did not do much special teams work during the spring, but installed the basics of punt and kickoff blocking and coverage. Kirkland also said West Virginia has been trying out several different returners, pulling mainly from the running back and wide receiver rooms.
Click on the video above to watch Kirkland’s full press conference.
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