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West Virginia University at Parkersburg holds Fall Commencement

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West Virginia University at Parkersburg holds Fall Commencement


Keith Burdette, president and chief executive officer of Polymer Alliance Zone, was the keynote speaker at he WVU Parkersburg Fall 2024 Commencement on Saturday, Dec. 14. (Photo Provided by WVU Parkersburg)

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia University at Parkersburg Saturday held its 2024 Fall Commencement with more than 300 students earning degrees.

The welcome was given by Isabella Hileman, president of WVU Parkersburg Student Government Association, who introduced the keynote speaker, Keith Burdette, president and chief executive officer of the Polymer Alliance Zone.

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Hileman shared her insights of her college journey, encouraging the fall class of 2024 to value relationships, embrace challenges beyond their comfort zones and view graduation as the start of a greater journey.

“Graduation is not an end, but instead it’s a part of a longer journey. Wherever the future takes you, let it be somewhere bright,” Hileman said.

Burdette highlighted the importance of the lessons that come after college, urging graduates to embrace mistakes as valuable learning opportunities and to remain open to possibilities ahead.

Drawing from his own experiences, Burdette said the most meaningful lessons in life came not from success, but from failure. Challenging and unwelcome moments have shaped his actions and taught him to appreciate success, he said.

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“Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself so seriously. Don’t be afraid to laugh at the mistakes,” Burdette said. “Be the best you can be at whatever you choose to be, but laugh at yourself a little along the way.”

Burdette has held several public and economic development roles including secretary for the West Virginia Department of Commerce and executive director of the West Virginia Development Office. Burdette was the youngest Senate president in West Virginia’s history, served in the House of Delegates and held advisory roles under Govs. Earl Ray Tomblin and Bob Wise.

Torie Jackson, president of WVU Parkersburg, talked about the history of higher education, the legacy of WVU Parkersburg and steps students should take to move forward.

“Our success has been based on our ability to be adaptable and make necessary changes. The same skills you have learned are the ones we apply to redevelop ourselves and match the needs of our communities,” Jackson said. “It’s why we start new degrees. It’s why we reinvigorate others. Our mission still is to cultivate economic and social progress. We will continue to elevate and so should you.”

Jackson left graduates with a message.

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“As you enter the next part of your life, have confidence, be proud of your accomplishments and know that you are ready to achieve more,” she said.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 123 graduates who crossed the stage, with 330 students earning certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees, pending final grades.

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* The full fall 2024 commencement ceremony is available to watch online at https://tinyurl.com/37kbuff3.

* For more videos, West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s YouTube page is at https://www.youtube.com/wvuparkersburg.

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West Virginia Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Lotto America on March 30, 2026

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The results are in for the West Virginia Lottery’s draw games on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 30.

Winning Powerball numbers from March 30 drawing

07-11-31-41-57, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Lotto America numbers from March 30 drawing

01-21-44-47-48, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 30 drawing

5-7-5

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 30 drawing

3-5-2-0

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Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 25 numbers from March 30 drawing

03-05-10-16-19-21

Check Cash 25 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.



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W.Va. courts data centers statewide, touting billions in investment amid AI demand

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W.Va. courts data centers statewide, touting billions in investment amid AI demand


West Virginia leaders are pushing to attract large data centers across the state, including sites in Mason County and Putnam County, citing growing demand for artificial intelligence and data storage and the potential for major economic gains.

State officials maintain the projects could bring billions of dollars in investment while forecasting increased tax revenue that could support local services.

“We’re talking multi-billion dollar investment,” said Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam. “When that comes about and you start receiving the personal property taxes from that, we are looking at millions of dollars going toward our emergency services, millions of dollars going toward our school levies.”

However, some experts caution the long-term economic benefits may be limited.

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“Most or many of the jobs that are created are temporary,” said Kelly Allen with the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. “The biggest job is related to the construction, and then there are typically few permanent jobs. Those don’t necessarily go to local West Virginia workers.”

Questions also remain about who will benefit most from the investment. While data centers can generate significant property tax revenue, a recently passed law could shift much of that money away from local communities.

In 2025, West Virginia lawmakers approved House Bill 2014, which allows the state to collect most of the property tax revenue from data centers. Experts say that could leave counties, municipalities and school districts with less direct economic impact than expected.

Beyond economics, environmental concerns are also being raised — particularly around water usage.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection requires large water users to report their usage annually. State leaders said companies must submit environmental and engineering plans.

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“They’ve submitted detailed engineering and environmental plans, and they’re working on water and mitigation strategies,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. “There’s a long-term commitment to responsible development. We’re going to have plans to limit the noise. We’re going to do it the right way from a water perspective.”

Still, some critics say oversight may not go far enough. Reporting requirements occur after water is used, and there are currently no caps on consumption.

“Large-scale data centers could consume up to 5 million gallons of water a day in some scenarios,” Dr. Nathaniel Hitt with the WV Rivers Coalition. “Local communities simply do not know whether that’s going to be the situation for their local data center, because there’s no transparency for what amount of water will be used or from where that water will come.”

As more projects are proposed across West Virginia, experts say key questions remain about their long-term impact on local economies, natural resources and whether the promised benefits will fully materialize.



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Upshur County Sports Calendar

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Upshur County Sports Calendar


Plan your week with the Upshur County Sports Calendar, featuring baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, and track matchups from March 30–April 5. Find game times and opponents for Buckhannon-Upshur, West Virginia Wesleyan, and more—plus a Happy Easter on Sunday.



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