West Virginia

West Virginia Looking to Pluck Elite Four-Star WR Out of Pitt’s Backyard

Published

5 months ago

February 10, 2026

West Virginia Looking to Pluck Elite Four-Star WR Out of Pitt’s Backyard

Things will be picking up slowly but surely on the recruiting trail when the calendar turns to March and the dead period is lifted. In the meantime, Rich Rodriguez and his staff are trying to build relationships over the phone and make progress that way.

On Monday, WVU learned that it had made the cut for class of 2026 wide receiver Javien Robinson (6’2″, 190 lbs) out of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Others joining the battle for him are a cluster of old Big East foes in Miami (FL), Pitt, Rutgers, and Syracuse. He also holds offers from the likes of Akron, Florida State, Miami (OH), Temple, Toledo, UConn, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin.

Most recruiting outlets have Robinson rated as a four-star recruit, with ESPN being the only one who has him as a high three-star. Per the folks at On3 Sports, he is the 338th-best player in the country and is ranked 279 by 247 Sports.

The scouting report on Robinson

A smooth operator. Runs crisp routes and flows in and out of his breaks without losing a step. Does a really good job of tracking the ball on downfield throws and uses his big frame to box out defensive backs or make the grab and make something happen after the catch. Probably the most impressive trait is his ability to block. He’s an elite downfield blocker, especially for his age. McKeesport has a very run-heavy offense, so it’s naturally built in that he has to block consistently on the perimeter. Most receivers come to the college level with no idea of how to be an effective blocker, and it eats up a lot of time to teach them the right technique and to do it consistently. Because he will already have that part of his job, combined with his receiving skills, he’ll be able to make a push to see the field relatively early in his career, perhaps in year one as a rotational piece on offense.

West Virginia

Justice firm’s delinquent DEP fines rise past $1.6M amid DOJ criminal liability relief

Published

9 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

Justice firm’s delinquent DEP fines rise past .6M amid DOJ criminal liability relief

One of the most prominent coal companies in the teetering business empire of United States Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., owes the state of West Virginia over $1.6 million in delinquent fines. Justice’s Bluestone Coal Corp. owes the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection roughly $1.61 million in delinquent fines issued for 214 violations across 44 DEP-issued mining permits spanning Sept. 2019 to March 2026, according to records the Gazette-Mail obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request. Bluestone Coal’s delinquent fine debt has grown 32.5% from the roughly $1.21 million it totaled in January 2026, according to records from a previous Gazette-Mail request, an indication that the long-running debt at the expense of Justice’s own constituents may not be going away anytime soon. But the companies’ long history of environmental failures was an issue that prompted a federal criminal investigation scuttled earlier in 2026 by Trump administration officials, according to a report published June 8 by ProPublica and Mountain State Spotlight.

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West Virginia

West Virginia First Foundation advances key initiatives at second quarterly board meeting

Published

19 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Press Room

West Virginia First Foundation advances key initiatives at second quarterly board meeting

Community Bulletin

A longtime State Farm agent on Buckhannon’s Main Street, Kelley Tierney offers home, auto, life and renters insurance — plus State Farm financial services — under the company’s “Here For What Matters” approach. Read more →

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) convened its second quarterly board meeting of 2026 at Ascend West Virginia in Charleston, continuing its work to advance prevention, treatment and recovery efforts across West Virginia through responsible stewardship of opioid settlement funds.

The meeting provided board members with updates on several key initiatives and strategic priorities currently underway.

Expert panel appointments

A significant focus of the meeting was the appointment of several volunteer Expert Panel members following the conclusion of certain panel terms. Expert panelists serve in advisory roles and provide regional knowledge, professional expertise and community perspective to help inform WVFF’s work and funding priorities. To allow time for all appointees to complete the necessary confirmation and onboarding process, names will not be publicly released until all appointments have been finalized.

“Expert Panelists play an important role in helping us understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing our local communities,” said Jonathan Board, Executive Director of WVFF. “We are grateful for the individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to support this work and help guide thoughtful, informed decision-making.”

Local government reporting and best practices

Board members reviewed progress on the 2026 Local Government Expenditure Report, which compiles annual spending data submitted by local governments receiving opioid settlement funds. Staff reported that more than 65% of eligible local governments have submitted expenditure reports to date, with the statewide report expected to be released in mid-July.

The board also received an update on new resources being developed to help local governments identify promising practices and learn from successful approaches being implemented across West Virginia. While WVFF does not direct how local governments spend their allocated settlement funds, the Foundation remains committed to providing educational resources that highlight allowable uses, share examples from around the state and support informed local decision-making.

[CHAMBER] [2026-06-23] Hiring Executive Director

In the coming months, WVFF plans to host regional learning sessions that will bring local government representatives together to share experiences, discuss challenges and explore opportunities to maximize the impact of opioid settlement investments within their communities.

Strategic priorities

The board received updates on the Community Catalyst Grant (CCG) program, which opened for applications on June 1 and remains open through June 30. Designed as a three-year, outcomes-driven investment, the program will support projects focused on public safety response, day report centers and generational prevention efforts.

Board members also received updates on the West Virginia Wayfinder, the statewide needs assessment project led by the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute, in partnership with the Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs, and Data Driven WV. Meetings and engagement activities are underway with WVFF staff, expert panelists and community stakeholders across the state, with data, insights and priority areas currently being gathered and analyzed to help identify needs, gaps and opportunities related to substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services in West Virginia.

“Our Board remains focused on ensuring these funds are invested responsibly and strategically for the benefit of West Virginia communities,” said Greg Duckworth, Chairman of the WVFF Board of Directors. “Each meeting provides an opportunity to review progress, strengthen accountability, and continue building on the work being done across the state.”

Direct funding request approved

The board also voted to approve a $4 million direct funding request submitted by the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) at West Virginia University. The project is focused on expanding access to innovative addiction treatment and recovery support tools while building the technology and infrastructure needed to support implementation across West Virginia.

Consistent with WVFF’s commitment to transparency and accountability, additional details regarding the project and funding agreement will be released in the coming weeks following the completion of final documentation. WVFF and RNI plan to issue a joint announcement once the agreement process has been finalized.

Hold the Line Tour stop at Rea of Hope

After the board meeting, WVFF board members and staff will visit Rea of Hope, an Initial Opportunity Grant awardee, as part of the Foundation’s Hold the Line Tour, which highlights organizations and programs working to make a difference in communities across West Virginia. The visit will provide an opportunity to hear directly from leadership about the impact of recovery-focused services and community support.

The next regular meeting of the Foundation’s board of directors is scheduled for September 17, 2026 (subject to change). Visit wvfirst.org to learn more.

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