CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Another year of nonstop news, developments and changes in the Mountain State is about to come to a close.
As we say goodbye to 2024 and prepare for 2025, WV News has compiled a roundup of some of the year’s most impactful stories.
Gov. Jim Justice’s delivers his 2024 State of the State address on Jan. 10.
WV Legislative Photography
Gov. Jim Justice reflected on the developments and events of the past seven years during his final State of the State address.
Justice, who was first elected in 2016, focused on the state’s current economic health and the host of economic development projects announced during his tenure.
“We’ve climbed that mountain together — we’ve pulled the rope together every step of the way,” he said. “And the view from the top is breathtaking.”
Sen. Joe Manchin reported West Virginia’s annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the West Virginia Wildlife Center was back on, after having previously been canceled.
WVDNR
Sen. Joe Manchin announced there would be a Groundhog Day celebration in West Virginia after all.
Although Gov. Jim Justice previously announced the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek had been temporarily closed by federal order, the state’s favorite weather-watching rodent would be given a chance to make his prediction, Manchin said.
“After speaking with (United States Department of Agriculture) Secretary Vilsack yesterday, I have been assured that French Creek Freddie will have the opportunity to look for his shadow tomorrow morning,” Manchin said. “Secretary Vilsack and I have remained friends since our time as governors and while we continue to work to fully reopen the WV Wildlife Center, I am excited to see that the festivities will proceed tomorrow and hope French Creek Freddie will not see his shadow, forecasting an early spring.”
West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries reacts to a call.
Photo by Kevin Kinder
BlueGoldNews.com
Darian DeVries was named the 23rd basketball coach at West Virginia University
DeVries agreed to a five-year deal.
“I’m honored to lead this historic program, which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase,” DeVries said. “Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer Basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program.
West Virginia was impacted by multiple tornadoes, according to the Charleston office of the National Weather Service.
An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 110 mph was confirmed in the unincorporated Kanawha County community of Quick. An EF2 tornado with maximum winds of 115 mph was confirmed with a track of about 8 miles extending from Cross Lanes to just south of the community of Wallace, both in Kanawha County. Another EF2 tornado with estimated wind speeds of 130 mph was confirmed near Hico in Fayette County.
The state of emergency declaration for West Virginia’s correctional facilities that had been in place since August 2022 was formally lifted.
Gov. Jim Justice, who signed a proclamation officially ending the state of emergency, thanked the more than 700 members of the West Virginia National Guard who provided assistance in jails and prisons to help combat staffing shortages.
“In the face of real adversity in Corrections, 731 members of the National Guard stepped up and gave us, without any hesitation, tireless effort at 17 of correctional facilities,” the governor said.
The last members of the Guard still serving in correctional facilities were relieved of their duties on May 10, said Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation Commissioner Billy Marshall.
Brian Abraham, Gov. Jim Justice’s chief of staff, speaks during a press conference regarding the death of a 14-year-old Boone County girl.
Screeenshot
Following weeks of questions and speculation surrounding the death of a 14-year-old Boone County girl, state officials attempted to set the record straight during a press conference at the State Capitol.
Brian Abraham, Gov. Jim Justice’s chief of staff, focused his remarks on discrepancies in the accounts of law enforcement members who visited the child’s home more than a year prior to her death and the Child Protective Services workers to whom the officers allege they made a referral.
In April, Boone County deputies responded to a call and discovered the remains of 14-year-old Kyneddi Miller. The officers said Miller’s body was “emaciated to a skeletal state.”
Miller’s mother, Julie Anne Stone Miller, and her maternal grandparents, Jerry and Donna Stone, were charged with child neglect causing death.
The “bottom line” of the state’s findings on the matter is that two members of the West Virginia State Police made contact with Miller in 2023 and found no signs of mistreatment, Abraham said.
“It’s the representation of both troopers that she was in good health, she was unharmed, she was not in any way malnourished nor did she display any angst about any abuse or neglect,” he said.
An outpouring of memories and tributes followed the news of the passing of one of the most iconic West Virginians, Jerry West.
West, also known as “Mr. Clutch” for his awe-inspiring late-game performances and as “The Logo” because his silhouette inspired the NBA logo, passed away at the age of 86.
After leading the West Virginia University Mountaineers to the 1959 NCAA championship game, West went on to have one of the most storied careers in the history of professional basketball.
He was an All-Star in all 14 of his NBA seasons, a 12-time All-NBA selection, part of the 1972 Lakers team that won a championship, an NBA Finals MVP as part of a losing team in 1969 and was selected as a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
West has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame three times: As a player and as a member of 1960 U.S. Olympic team, and for his contributions to the game as an executive.
Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., center, celebrates the start of operations for the Mountain Valley Pipeline in June with Thomas Karam, executive chairman of Equitrans Midstream, left, and Toby Rice, president and CEO of EQT.
Office of Sen. Joe Manchin
Gas finally began flowing through the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
The 303-mile natural gas pipeline, after a decade-long development process, went into service after “satisfying all applicable legal and regulatory requirements,” said Equitrans Midstream in a press release.
“This is an important and long-awaited day for our nation and the millions of Americans who now have greater access to an abundant supply of domestic natural gas for use as an affordable, reliable and cleaner energy resource,” said Diana Charletta, president and CEO of Equitrans Midstream.
Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency for all 55 counties due to a prolonged shortage of rainfall that caused dangerous drought conditions.
The U.S. Drought Monitor indicated extreme, severe and moderate drought conditions throughout the entire state.
“This drought has plagued West Virginia farmers, putting them at risk of losing everything,” Justice said. “We cannot and will not stand by and watch our hardworking farmers suffer from this severe lack of rain. We understand the immense stress and hardship this drought has caused.”
Officials from WVU Medicine requested help as the heath care network set out to achieve a prestigious designation.
The WVU Cancer Institute is working toward becoming the 73rd cancer center in the nation to be awarded an official designation from the National Cancer Institute, said Albert Wright, president and CEO of the WVU Health System.
“Let’s face it,” he said. “All of us know someone who’s been affected by cancer, and all us will know people affected in the future. So this is our job at the health system — to create a National Cancer Institute-designated center that the state of West Virginia deserves.”
Pat McAfee hosts an episode of his show in August live from downtown Morgantown to mark the start of the college football season.
Staff photo by Damian Phillips
A crowd of thousands gave former West Virginia University Mountaineer kicker Pat McAfee a warm welcome Friday at the site of old Mountaineer Field, now the green space between Woodburn Hall and the Life Sciences Building.
McAfee was in Morgantown for a live broadcast of “The Pat McAfee Show” for ESPN2.
Thousands of students, fans and former Mountaineers filled the green space and sat perched on the hill for hours waiting for the show to begin at noon.
McAfee kicked it off with a call-and-response cheer of “Let’s Go, Mountaineers!” and called the crowd “electrifying.”
Dr. E. Gordon Gee delivered the final State of the University address of his tenure as president of West Virginia University.
Gee, who announced plans to retire in June when his current contract expires, touched on the accomplishments of his years leading the university but focused his remarks on his vision of the future.
“This is just the beginning: West Virginia University is built to last — I can tell you that,” he said. “It will continue to grow and prosper as we create endless possibilities for our students and the citizens of West Virginia.”
Dr. E. Gordon Gee will retire in June 2025 as president of West Virginia University.
Staff photo by Michael Lemley
After leading the institution from 1981 to 1985, Gee returned to the role of president in 2014.
“Over my second tenure here, I marvel at what our faculty, staff and students have accomplished, even among challenges and obstacles,” Gee said.
Gov. Jim Justice, center, poses with North Central West Virginia Airport Deputy Director Shawn Long, left, and Anthony Bellotte, consultant to the Benedum Airport Authority, outside of the new terminal building.
Office of Gov. Jim Justice
State and local officials got a “sneak preview” of North Central West Virginia Airport’s new terminal building during a ceremony.
The state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot facility is the result of seven years of planning and the support of numerous stakeholders, said Harrison County Commissioner David Hinkle, who also serves as president of the Benedum Airport Authority — the airport’s governing board.
“I don’t think that seven years ago when we talked about it, we ever really envisioned that we’d be here today with this building,” he said. “This is another huge step that we’ve made for Harrison and Marion counties and for North Central West Virginia.”
Gov. Jim Justice lifts the lid on platter to reveal a pile of gold ingots during a bill signing ceremony for the state’s latest personal income tax cut measure.
Office of Gov. Jim Justice
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 2023 into law during a ceremony in front of the state Capitol.
The bill, passed during a special session of the West Virginia Legislature, will provide a 2% reduction in the state’s personal income tax rates effective Jan. 1.
The 2% reduction is in addition to the 21.25% cut Justice signed into law the previous March and the 4% cut triggered by last fiscal year’s revenue collections — for a total personal income tax reduction of 27.25% in less than a year.
“Absolutely, West Virginia needs to stay on the path of getting rid of your personal income tax,” said Justice. “If you do that, there will be opportunity, there will be jobs, there will so much goodness come to West Virginia that it’s off the charts.”
Republican Gov. Jim Justice was elected as West Virginia’s next U.S. senator.
The popular two-term governor defeated Democratic candidate former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott.
“It’s a big, big, big honor,” Justice said during an election night celebration at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. “I thank all of you in every way for standing arm in arm with me every day and especially arm in arm with my whole family.”
Justice will replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va.
Gov. Jim Justice, surrounded by family and friends, celebrates his victory for a U.S. Senate seat at The Greenbrier resort.
Staff file photo
Republican state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey was elected as 37th governor of West Virginia.
Morrisey defeated Democratic candidate Huntington Mayor Steve Williams.
“You deserve respect and dignity and a path for a better life,” Morrisey said during an election night speech. “I want to help you find that by fighting to protect your freedoms and eliminating all the barriers where you have government standing in your way.”
State and local officials, along with “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, participate in a groundbreaking ceremony in Fairmont to celebrate Prime 6’s plan to invest $35 million in transforming the former Philips Lighting facility into a new manufacturing plant.
Staff photo by Charles Young
Prime 6, a manufacturer of wood-based charcoal alternatives, held a groundbreaking ceremony in Fairmont to celebrate its plan to invest $35 million in transforming the former Philips Lighting facility into a new manufacturing plant.
The plant is expected to create between 75 and 100 new employment opportunities, according to the company.
The ceremony was attended by Gov. Jim Justice, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., a host of state and local leaders and Kevin O’Leary, one of the hosts of “Shark Tank.”
“62% of the jobs in America are created by companies with between five and 500 employees,” said O’Leary. “That’s not some of the economy, that’s the whole damn thing. That’s how it works — you’ve got to build small businesses with adventurers, take risks, create jobs, grow and build a community.”
Former Mountaineer football coach Rich Rodriguez returned to West Virginia to fill his old shoes again after 17 years.
Pat McAfee, who played as a kicker under Rodriguez, brought “The Pat McAfee Show” to WVU’s Coliseum to help welcome Rodriguez back to Morgantown.
Students, recent graduates and longtime fans gathered to get McAfee’s take on the Mountaineers’ new coach.
Rodriguez said being back on campus was “surreal,” but said he “liked what they’ve done with the place.”
West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker, left, introduces new West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez during a news conference.
Benjamin Powell, member, Associated Press
The West Virginia First Foundation announced the nonprofit organizations set to receive funds from its Initial Opportunity Grants, the organization’s first disbursement of funds from the state’s opioid settlement monies.
The Foundation announced funding of nearly $10.4 million for 38 organizations.
“The opioid crisis continues to be a profound challenge for our state, and these funds represent a crucial step in addressing the epidemic with both urgency and care,” said Jonathan Board, executive director of the Foundation. “We’re proud to celebrate the incredible work of our awardees and to support them in creating measurable, sustainable change.”
