West Virginia

WV House of Delegates passes vaccine requirement bill

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

WV House of Delegates passes vaccine requirement bill

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – Earlier this week the West Virginia House of Delegates passed another bill. This time, it was House Bill 5105, which proposes to eliminate vaccine requirements in schools. Although the bill passed, the vote had a tight 57 to 41 margin. Delegate Joey Garcia (D) voted in opposition, saying the bill simply does not suit West Virginia.

“It’s going to hurt public health,” Garcia said. “It’s going to potentially hurt vulnerable populations in West Virginia, where we have an overall unhealthy population. It’s just not right for our people.”

Garcia further expressed why he thinks vaccine requirements in schools are important.

“We have some of the best school immunization laws in the country we’re number 1 or close to the top,” said Garcia. “It’s very important for the kids that are going there, so there’s not outbreaks and other people that may be vulnerable in their home. This protects whole communities along with the teachers and staff that work there.”

The decision in Charleston has also created discussion locally. Monongalia County Commissioner, Tom Bloom, says it should be a medical decision, not a political one.

“When you go to a doctor, you listen to their advice,” Bloom said. “You don’t go to a politician and ask for that advice. Please, let’s let the doctors do what they do best. They’re telling the school system it ensures the health of everyone.”

House Bill 5105 has been communicated to the Senate, and there has been no further consideration as of Thursday. WDTV attempted to reach out to the sponsoring delegates of HB 5105 but requests were unsuccessful.

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West Virginia

Two Mountaineers Could Be on Team USA’s Radar in the Near Future

Published

6 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Two Mountaineers Could Be on Team USA’s Radar in the Near Future

Baseball and the 4th of July. It goes together so well, and perhaps one day, we will see a pair of West Virginia Mountaineers sporting the red, white, and blue for Team USA in the Olympics (set to return in 2028) or the World Baseball Classic.

I know most everyone’s attention in West Virginia over the last two or so months has been consumed by the Mountaineers’ magical run to the College World Series, so you may not realize how much of a tear former Mountaineer star JJ Wetherholt has been on in the big leagues.

We’ll catch you up to speed.

In the first 81 games of his career, Wetherholt has hit 12 home runs, recorded 35 RBI, and has slashed .260/.357/.398. On top of being one of the best-hitting second basemen in the entire game, he is a perfect 9/9 on stolen base attempts and has been elite with the glove, committing just two errors on the season, giving him a fielding percentage of .994.

One of the best moments of Wetherholt’s red-hot start was this leadoff home run against Paul Skenes, last year’s Cy Young award winner.

JJ Wetherholt hits a leadoff shot off Paul Skenes! pic.twitter.com/7KzVkutArL
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 30, 2026

Hitting a bomb off one of the most talented pitchers in the game certainly raised some eyebrows, but I’m not sure even that tops what he did in just his second game, shooting a ball through the right side of the infield, collecting his first-ever walk-off hit in the majors.

JJ WETHERHOLT WALKS IT OFF! pic.twitter.com/5Adski5dMn
— MLB (@MLB) March 28, 2026

For you baseball junkies out there, Wetherholt currently has a WAR (wins above replacement) of 3.8. Only nine others in the entire MLB — pitcher or position player — have a higher rating. Those players are P Christopher Sanchez (PHI), P/DH Shohei Ohtani (LAD), OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), SS Bobby Witt Jr. (KC), IF Kevin McGonigle (DET), P Chase Burns (CIN), P Jacob Misirowski (MIL), OF Andy Pages (LAD), and SS Otto Lopez (MIA).

The next big league star

WVU Athletics Communications

I think if you polled 100 scouts at the next level, you would get pretty close to a consensus that West Virginia catcher/second baseman is going to be a really good player in the big leagues for a really long time. The hit tool is off the charts, as we all know, but the glove is just as impressive. He finished the season with an overall fielding percentage of .987, helping him earn All-American honors at two different positions, which is incredibly rare. I won’t go as far as saying it’s the baseball version of what Travis Hunter did at Colorado playing wide receiver and corner, but it’s pretty darn close.

As a sophomore, Kelly flirted with a .400 batting average for much of the season before ending the year with a .382 mark. He belted 19 home runs and drove in 63 runs. The scary thing for opposing pitchers is that he still has a ton of room to get bigger and stronger, which will only improve his power numbers and slugging percentage.

With another strong year in 2027, Kelly could be one of the handful of names considered to be the No. 1 overall pick in next summer’s draft.

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West Virginia

Iconic country music band Alabama takes stage for West Virginia’s America 250 celebration

Published

16 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Iconic country music band Alabama takes stage for West Virginia’s America 250 celebration

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Thousands descended upon the West Virginia Capitol on Friday night to hear one of the most iconic country music bands of all time.

Alabama took to the Boulevard Stage shortly before 8 p.m. and gave fans a show lasting approximately 90 minutes, despite the grueling heat that has been factor throughout America250 celebrations and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.

Performing songs such as “Song of the South,” “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” and the classic “Dixieland Delight,” the two-time Grammy Award-winning band even gave West Virginians a treat by playing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which the band said was at the request of Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

The band opened up a weekend full of performances at the Capitol. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will take the stage on Saturday, while the Marshall Tucker Band will perform on Sunday.

The performances are just a piece of what is going on at the Capitol, as vendors and family-friendly activities are offered all weekend. In the evenings, fireworks, light shows and drone shows will light up the night in celebration of America’s 250th.

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Additionally, a 230-foot Ferris wheel is free for visitors to ride throughout the weekend.

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West Virginia

America250 fireworks, events happening this weekend in North Central West Virginia

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Press Room

America250 fireworks, events happening this weekend in North Central West Virginia

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Independence Day weekend is here, and communities across North Central West Virginia are celebrating with parades, festivals, and fireworks.

The events we’ve been made aware of are listed below for Friday and Saturday. If you know of an event that’s not listed, feel free to email us at news@wdtv.com.

Friday — July 3

Elkins’ Red, White & Summer Nights First Friday — Elkins — 4-9 p.m.
Fireworks on the Hill (sponsored by WDTV and the Bridgeport CVB) — Bridgeport — 9:45 p.m.
Terra Alta Volunteer Fire Department — Terra Alta — 100th annual fireworks celebration at 10 p.m.
Burnsville Freedom Festival —Burnsville — parade starts at 6 p.m.

Saturday — July 4

Mountaineer Days — Thomas — Noon to dark (fireworks included)
100th Old Fashion Day in the Park — Terra Alta — 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Morgantown Municipal Band performance — Morgantown — 11 a.m., Parade 4 p.m. and fireworks at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park after dark
Elkins Fourth of July Parade — Elkins — 5 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m.
Stonewall Resort — Roanoke — Fireworks at dark
Barbour County Fairgrounds — Philippi — fireworks at dark
Downtown Weston Street Fair — Weston — fair begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
Downtown Thomas — Thomas — festival begins at 8 a.m. and fireworks at dark
Jawbone Park — Buckhannon — celebration at 5 p.m. and fireworks at dark
Palatine Park — Fairmont — fireworks at 10 p.m.
Monongah Town Hall — Monongah — fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Sagebrush Round-Up — Fairmont — country music and fireworks from 4-10 p.m.
Fairview Volunteer Fire Department — Fairview — parade starts at 10 a.m., and fireworks start at 10 p.m.
Burnsville Freedom Festival — Burnsville — event runs from 3-9 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.