West Virginia
W.Va. Wildfire And Appalachia’s Declining Population, This West Virginia Morning – West Virginia Public Broadcasting
On this West Virginia Morning, high winds Wednesday fanned more than 20 fires across the state. As Chris Schulz reports, the largest of those fires is still burning.
And, the population in central Appalachia has been in decline for decades. As jobs went away, young people did, too. Now, a series of population estimates shows things might get even worse. Journalist Jim Branscome grew up in southwestern Virginia and recently covered this story. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with him. West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.
Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Eric Douglas, Maria Young and Randy Yohe.
Eric Douglas is our news director and produced this episode. Teresa Wills is our host.
Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning
We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which
enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time.
For any issues, contact support@wvnews.com or call 1-800-982-6034.
West Virginia
Morrisey signs Baylea’s Law, increasing criminal penalties in W.Va. for DUI causing death
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey officially signed House Bill 4712 into law on Friday.
The bill, better known as Baylea’s Law, increases criminal penalties against those who are convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death. The bill is named after Baylea Bower, a 24-year-old woman from Boone County who was killed in a car crash on Easter in 2025 caused by a drunk driver.
The bill passed the House in February, with several of Bower’s family and friends gathered at the West Virginia Capitol in support of the bill.
“Obviously we’re going to be heartbroken,” Bower’s friend India Henderson said. “We have the lifetime sentence of not having Baylea. But if this does help save a life in the future and cause someone to not want to go out and cause this tragedy, then that is a win.”
In accordance with the passage of the bill, Baylea’s Law will take effect on June 12.
“West Virginia will no longer allow those who drive while impaired to escape the full weight of justice,” Morrisey said Friday in a press release. “Baylea’s Law gives our legal system the teeth to demand absolute accountability for the most heartbreaking crimes. Today, our laws stand firmly on the side of victims and their families.”
Specifically, Baylea’s Law introduces the offense of aggravated DUI resulting in death, which will carry the following mandatory sentences, according to a release from Morrisey’s office:
- Five to 30 years in prison
- Fine of $2,000 to $10,000
- Lifetime revocation of the offender’s driver’s license
-
New York26 minutes agoRail tickets to New Jersey World Cup matches will be $105, not $150.
-
Detroit, MI56 minutes agoDetroit Tigers lose fifth straight, Kerry Carpenter injured
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoFallen tree downs powerlines in SF, delays Muni line
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoFC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake: Lineup notes 📝
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoYour 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoTexas A&M SS Boston Kellner suffers orbital bone fracture
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoPedestrian fatally hit by Frontier airplane departing Denver for Los Angeles, flight canceled after
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoSeattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business