West Virginia
West Virginia declares state of emergency over FAFSA chaos
On Tuesday, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) declared a state of emergency over persistent issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The financial aid form, which is required for any college students seeking federal grants or loans—not to mention financial aid at most colleges—has been plagued with technical bugs since its rollout in December.
As part of the state of emergency, Justice has lifted the state’s requirement that students submit the FAFSA form in order to receive major state grants.
“I don’t believe any other state in the nation has gone this far, but I simply cannot and will not stand by as money sits on the table that could be helping our students continue their education,” Justice said in a press release. “There’s only so much outreach you can do when students can’t complete the form due to issues only the federal government can control. We have been left with no choice but to suspend the FAFSA requirement for our state financial aid programs.”
As part of the 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the Education Department was directed to create a streamlined version of the FAFSA form. On December 31, 2023, the department finally released the new form—more than two months later than FAFSA’s usual release date and without extending the deadline for completion. While the updated form was much shorter than previous versions, it was also inundated with technical bugs.
FAFSA’s own website details dozens of errors in the form since its release date—some that persisted for months, preventing students from completing the form at all. In March, the Education Department even announced that around 200,000 complete forms had been miscalculated, leading colleges and the government to offer students more financial aid than they were eligible for.
In a typical year, around 17 million students fill out the FAFSA form, but as of mid-April successful form completions are down 29 percent. That means millions of students who would typically complete the form are likely to miss out on financial aid for college.
How is West Virginia going to know who is eligible for state grants without FAFSA? According to Tuesday’s press release, students can show they’re eligible for the need-based Higher Education Grant by providing their school with a letter showing they qualify for one of several state welfare programs (like Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Students who previously received the grant don’t have to prove eligibility again.
The governor’s executive order also lifts the FAFSA requirement for a handful of other state educational grants, though it isn’t clear if students will need to complete additional steps in place of FAFSA to receive funding.
Justice’s executive order highlights just how disastrous this year’s FAFSA rollout has become—and sends a powerful signal that, if the federal government can’t make good on its promises, individual states can take matters into their own hands.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Due to the weather conditions, many counties throughout West Virginia have been experiencing vehicle crashes and traffic alerts.
Dispatchers have reported the following traffic alerts to watch out for this morning.
In Mason County, U.S. Route 35 is currently shut down due to an accident involving a tractor trailer.
On I-64 Westbound between Teays Valley and Hurricane, traffic is at a standstill due to an accident. The accident occurred in a parking lot right before Culloden.
There is also a vehicle crash reported on U.S. 50 near Volcano Road. One lane is closed.
In Charleston, a two-vehicle accident near Lee Street West and Pennsylvania Avenue North has caused the lane to be blocked. No injuries were reported.
An accident at 4019 Paint Creek Rd. in Logan also occurred due to slick road conditions. No injuries were reported and the lane is currently blocked.
On Corridor G South and Kesari Drive in Alum Creek at the Lincoln County line, an accident with injuries has been reported. The lane is currently closed.
A tractor trailer rollover also occurred on 22 Mine Rd. near Woodstock Road in Logan County, dispatchers said. Dispatchers are working to get more information on the accident.
A crash involving a school bus in St. Albans has also caused a roadway near Walnut Street and Washington Avenue to close.
The right lane on I-81 Northbound near mile marker 21 is also closed due to a crash in Berkley County.
In Eleanor, a traffic advisory is in place near Charleston Road and Camelot Drive due to a two-vehicle accident with reported injuries. Route 62 is currently closed as of 6 a.m., dispatchers said.
WSAZ will continue to provide updates as we get more information from dispatchers.
Keep checking WSAZ for the latest.
Copyright 2025 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
West Virginia
National Guard member Andrew Wolfe, shot in DC, has shown positive signs, West Virginia governor says
The surviving West Virginia National Guardsman who was shot by a terror suspect near the White House is showing positive signs of recovery – but remains in critical condition, his home state’s governor said Monday.
Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, has begun flashing a thumbs up and moving his toes when asked by nurses if he can hear their questions.
“Andrew is still fighting for his life,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday. “Andrew needs prayers.”
Wolfe was rushed to a hospital in critical condition after being shot alongside 20-year-old Spc. Sarah Beckstrom while on patrol Wednesday afternoon in Washington, DC.
Beckstrom was shot in the head and chest, and later died of her wounds.
The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Afghan immigrant Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was also shot and stabbed in the altercation and remains hospitalized.
A motive for Lakanwal’s alleged attack remains unknown.
But Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem announced Sunday that the alleged killer is believed to have been radicalized after coming to the US in 2021.
Lakanwal was part of a CIA-trained outfit of Afghanistan locals who battled the Taliban during the US’ involvement in the country.
He reportedly suffered a mental breakdown over the violence he saw with the unit, but was allowed to move to the Seattle area after the US’ chaotic pullout from the Middle Eastern country in 2021.
The shooting has been deemed a terror attack, and Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder.
Lakanwal was subdued by two National Guardsmen who heard the gunfire and sprang into action. One was armed with nothing but a pocket knife and managed to take the alleged terrorist down, while the other shot him.
Wolfe and Beckstrom were among about 2,200 National Guard troops stationed in DC as part of the president’s crime-fighting deployment to the capital.
About 170 of them were from the West Virginia Guard, and had volunteered to stay on in November after the deployment was reduced.
Beckstrom had even volunteered for duty the day she was shot so that others could go home to be with their families for Thanksgiving.
“Our sole focus right now is looking after the well-being of the 170 service members who are on the ground, focusing on the family, assuring that prayers are going out,” Morrisey said of the remaining West Virginia troops.
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