Maria Young

3 weeks ago | wvnews.com | Maria Young

People involved in various aspects of the state’s child welfare system turned out to share their experiences and concerns with the West Virginia Department of Human Services in a series of extensive listening sessions last month. They were foster and adoptive parents, biological parents and youth who’ve been in the system. A total of eight sessions were held in Hurricane, Beckley, Wheeling, Parkersburg, Burlington, Philippi, Martinsburg and Morgantown.

1 month ago | wvnews.com | Maria Young

Organizers with the American Lung Association say Raze, a peer-led program to prevent tobacco use among West Virginia kids, will end this summer because of funding cuts. “The Raze program is a unique, effective and truly incredible program,” said Val Gleason, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association. “For over 24 years, Raze members have worked tirelessly to change the tide of youth tobacco use in West Virginia.

1 month ago | catholicfreepress.org | Maria Young

By Maria Young | The Catholic Free PressOn the day Worcester diocesan seminarian Christopher Tillotson flew to Lithuania for a week-long break from seminary, he wasn’t also expecting to hear the news of the death of Pope Francis. Ultimately, he took a flight back early to Rome to serve the late pontiff’s funeral.  Mr. Tillotson, who’s home parish is St. Joseph in North Brookfield, has been studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome since June 2023.

2 months ago | wvnews.com | Maria Young

A collection of note-worthy musicians were inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame Saturday night – in a musical gala held despite a massive, eleventh hour setback. The sudden chaos was caused by the loss of promised federal funds expected to affect cultural events across the state. Saturday night’s star-studded ceremony recognized four new inductees into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

2 months ago | wvnews.com | Maria Young

In the final days of the legislative session, Gov. Patrick Morrisey says he is keeping a close eye on the state budget as well as economic development legislation – especially House Bill 2014. The bill encourages the use of coal for powering microgrids to support data centers. Morrisey says it would support President Donald Trump’s national agenda and bring both jobs and revenue to West Virginia.