The Independence Health System in western Pennsylvania has decided it’s better to join forces with a partner.

The West Virginia University Health System has announced plans to acquire Independence, which operates five hospitals in western Pennsylvania.

The WVU Health System also says it will invest $800 million over the next five years to improve Independence’s hospitals and expand clinical services. Regulators must approve the deal, but officials say they hope to complete the transaction in the fall of 2026.

Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said in a statement that he’s looking forward to adding Independence’s five hospitals to the system.

“Today marks the beginning of what I’m confident will be an exciting and rewarding journey, one grounded in our shared commitment to our mission, our patients, and the communities we serve,” Wright said.

Independence serves more than 750,000 residents across 10 counties in western Pennsylvania, just outside the city of Pittsburgh. Its service area isn’t far from the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border.

The system operates Butler Memorial Hospital, Clarion Hospital, Frick Hospital, Latrobe Hospital and Westmoreland Hospital. The five hospitals have a combined total of 925 beds, with Westmoreland (349 beds) and Butler (249 beds) being the largest. Independence employs more than 7,000 workers.

Independence leaders touted the benefits of joining a strong academic health system. Ken DeFurio, president and CEO of Independence Health System, said joining the WVU Health System helps ensure the system’s long-term viability.

“This is a transformational moment for our organization as we take this first, critical step toward building a new future with a nearby health system that shares our values and is community focused,” DeFurio said in a statement.

He praised the WVU Health System as “a progressive and innovative health system that has a proven track record in making deep investments in its people, clinical programs, and infrastructure.”

For his part, Wright said he appreciated Independence’s leaders “for the trust they are placing in us to ensure their five hospitals continue to serve as community pillars and beacons of hope for generations to come.”

Independence Health System faces two large competitors in western Pennsylvania: UPMC and the Allegheny Health Network. And both systems have been growing.

UPMC completed the acquisition of the Washington Health System and its two hospitals last year, and the system has partnered with GoHealth Urgent Care to open 81 locations in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Allegheny, which is part of Highmark Health, said last month it has reached a deal to acquire the Heritage Valley Health System. Allegheny also opened its Wexford Hospital, which is not far from Butler Memorial, in 2021.

Independence was created in 2023 with the merger of the Butler Health System and Excela Health, forming a system with $1 billion in revenue.

The WVU Health System has expanded significantly over the past decade. The system now includes 25 hospitals and boasts $7 billion in revenues and 35,000 employees. The system has more than 3,400 licensed beds, including J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, an academic medical center with 880 beds.

The system is also in the midst of building a new cancer hospital and a new eye institute.

West Virginia men’s basketball takes on Xavier in the third-place game of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic on Sunday afternoon.

The Mountaineers will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season in the opening round of the event against Clemson.

Here is everything you need to know for the game:

WVU basketball vs. Xavier game information

WVU basketball vs. Xavier matchup preview

Xavier fell to undefeated Georgia in its first game of the event by just one point, 78-77. A three-pointer with 11 seconds left gave the Bulldogs the lead and Xavier’s All Wright missed a last-second jump shot.

Tre Carroll and Jovan Milicevic led Xavier in that game with 19 points each. Carroll made it a double-double with 10 rebounds. Wright scored 17 and Filip Borovicanin had a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double. Milicevic made five three-pointers, while Wright added four.

Carroll has been the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game, with Roddie Anderson III coming off the bench to add 13 points per game. Anderson was held to four points in 19 minutes against Georgia.

West Virginia suffered a similar fate in its first-round game, falling at the very end to Clemson. The Tigers took the lead with 30 seconds left and led by three when Brenen Lorient opted for a wide-open dunk rather than try to tie the game with 11 seconds left.

Honor Huff led the Mountaineers with 17 points, while Jasper Floyd added 17. Chance Moore scored 16 with five rebounds, two blocks and two steals in his season debut after sitting out the first five games due to eligibility requirements.

Huff leads WVU in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game. Lorient averaged 11.3 points and seven rebounds, while Floyd averaged 10.5 points and 4.2 assists.

Follow Gold and Blue Nation on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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.

Advertisement

• 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.