banner
LightNews
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight
@mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
720 followers 11 following 880 posts
Our mission is to help West Virginians improve our state by producing “sustained outrage” journalism that exposes abuses of power by government, business and other institutions.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · Dec 4
Hello Bluesky, we're Mountain State Spotlight, a reader-supported independent newsroom covering West Virginia.

Read us at mountainstatespotlight.org and give us a follow to see when we publish new stories!
Mountain State Spotlight: West Virginia News and Reporting
An independent, civic news organization telling stories of importance to West Virginians about the issues and challenges facing their communities.
mountainstatespotlight.org
2 9 27
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 8m
Six months after launching the Mountaineer Mile, Gov. Morrisey’s walking challenge is inspiring statewide participation from universities, state parks and hospitals.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/09/m...
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 3h
NEW: Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says there is no ethical problem with vote for son’s confirmation
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/16/s...
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito votes to confirm her son as US Attorney, raising concern from ethics watchdog
Capito says she did nothing wrong voting to appoint her son to a Trump admin post. An ethics watchdog says it’s part of a growing trend.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 3h
People with healthy bodies live longer lives. And it isn’t all a matter of willpower. Communities need state officials’ support.
Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 20h
A nonprofit organization that received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the governor’s inaugural committee is buying Facebook advertisements to thank him for his policies.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/14/m...
Morrisey’s inaugural leftovers helped fund a nonprofit now boosting his agenda
Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s inaugural funds went to a nonprofit now promoting his policies through Facebook ads.
mountainstatespotlight.org
2
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
33 states require some form of disclosure on how much lobbyists earn to persuade lawmakers to vote in favor of their clients. Despite bipartisan efforts at the Statehouse, West Virginia isn’t one of them.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
A bill to make lobbyist pay and perks public, stop political donations, and require real-time reports died in the state Senate, sent to a Rules Committee on the final day without debate.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/12/l...
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
Public health experts say West Virginia needs consistent nutrition education, funding for farmers markets and support for breastfeeding if the state really wants healthier families.
Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
West Virginia state law says an inaugural committee can donate excess money to a charity. One charity that received $500,000 is applauding the governor’s policies.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/14/m...
Morrisey’s inaugural leftovers helped fund a nonprofit now boosting his agenda
Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s inaugural funds went to a nonprofit now promoting his policies through Facebook ads.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 1d
Stuart, who served as a state senator, warned his colleagues about the “lobbyist driven complex” after resigning this month to work for the Trump Administration. Lawmakers killed his and other efforts at ethics reform.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
3
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
A recent ad buy on social media is showing where that money is going.

buff.ly/RdodQzH
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
Back in June, we reported $500,000 from Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s inaugural campaign went to a nonprofit run by a political ally.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/27/m...
500K from Morrisey’s inaugural fund goes to political non-profit
Leftover money from the governor’s inaugural fund is second donation to a political non-profit in two months
buff.ly
1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the issue of lobbying reform brought together unlikely allies, like MAGA Republican Mike Stuart and Democrat Mike Pushkin. But other lawmakers killed multiple efforts to expose money in politics.
State elected officials killed multiple ethics bills targeting more transparency in lobbying
Lawmakers and the governor killed ethics bills that would have made lobbyists’ pay public and banned nepotism in state offices.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
Weight is something a lot of West Virginians struggle with — and Gov. Patrick Morrisey has opened himself up to attack by connecting with people over that as he encourages the state to join him in his Mountaineer Mile.
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 2d
NEW: Political nonprofit backed by Gov. Morrisey’s inaugural funds runs ads praising his leadership mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/14/m...
1 1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 3d
As West Virginians continue to struggle with higher power bills, data centers are adding to the problem. Here’s how.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/05/r...
Data centers in other states are raising power costs in West Virginia
West Virginians are seeing higher power costs as AI and data centers increase electricity demand across the regional power grid.
buff.ly
1 1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 3d
West Virginia leaders want better health outcomes. Experts say: fund local efforts, support school gardens, improve food access and treat obesity like the chronic disease it is. It’s all in plans the state already has.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1 1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 4d
“I’m far from perfect, but I think a lot of people can see if I can do it in the position I’m in, a lot of people can do it,” Morrisey said.
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 4d
If state officials want to do more to help West Virginians live longer, healthier lives, they can pass laws and enact policies to improve healthy food access, education and community support.
Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 4d
NEW: West Virginia elected officials blocked efforts to tighten ethics rules and increase lobbying transparency

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/12/l...
1 3 4
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 5d
As power grids try to meet the new level of energy demand driven by data centers, they’re offsetting associated costs onto all of their customers, including West Virginians.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/05/r...
Data centers in other states are raising power costs in West Virginia
West Virginians are seeing higher power costs as AI and data centers increase electricity demand across the regional power grid.
buff.ly
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 5d
Since launching the Mountaineer Mile, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has taken groups of children, college students and state employees on his walks as West Virginia grapples with the highest rates of obesity in the country.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/09/m...
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 5d
West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the country. State officials could help reduce the number, and they’ve had a plan to do it since 2016.
Morrisey wants West Virginians to get healthy. Here are 5 ways the state can make that happen.
The Mountaineer Mile is one initiative. Officials could help with nutrition and exercise with several strategies researched for years.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
Back in March, Gov. Patrick Morrisey took it on the chin when RFK Jr. poked fun at his weight. But he's sticking to his guns by walking a mile a day.

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/09/m...
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
“We’re cleaning up our foods, promoting exercise, and putting nutrition back into SNAP,” the governor said.

There are evidence-backed ways to help West Virginians live longer, healthier lives. Many of them are in plans the state already has. 2/2

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/10/w...
mountainstatespotlight.org
mtnstspotlight.bsky.social
Mountain State Spotlight @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social · 6d
In March, Governor Patrick Morrisey said “the Make America Healthy Again movement starts right here in West Virginia.” Now, he has the state talking about weight and joining him for the Mountaineer Mile. 1/2

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/09/m...
In the most overweight state in the nation, Gov. Morrisey is taking the issue personally
Gov. Morrisey’s “Mountaineer Mile” health challenge is drawing statewide attention—and stirring political criticism.
mountainstatespotlight.org
1