Public News Service

The Federal Highway Administration estimates there are 1 million to 2 million accidents involving vehicles and large animals every year in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

WV leads nation in wildlife collisions; federal funding could lower the odds

West Virginia ranks number one in the nation for wildlife/vehicle collisions, with residents having a one-in-37 chance of hitting an animal in a …

Research shows West Virginia's Corridor H highway could potentially impact threatened and endangered species such as the West Virginia flying squirrel. (Adobe Stock)

After WV Town Greenlights Corridor H Highway, Residents Want Input

Residents in West Virginia want more input on a four-lane highway slated to cut through the towns of Thomas and Davis, continuing over the Blackwater …

A bridge pier slide area in the Kerens-to-Parsons section of the under-construction Corridor H highway project near Moore, West Virginia. (Pamela Moe)<br />

Many WV Small Businesses Want Northern Route for Corridor H Highway

Small businesses in Thomas and Davis say they would prefer a planned four-lane highway to be rerouted north, instead of running through what they say …

WV Groups: Corporate Taxes Should Fund American Jobs, Families Plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Former West Virginia Lt. Gov. Jeff Kessler and the Huntington-based Service Employees International Union Local 1199 are among …

Wildlife crossings can help reduce animal-vehicle collisions, which cause more than 200 human fatalities and more than 26,000 injuries each year. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Crossings Reduce Collisions, Impact of Roads in Natural Areas

Charleston, W.Va. - Wildlife crossings such as green bridges or other structures that allow animals to cross roadways safely have been shown to …

Expanding broadband and modernizing West Virginia's electric grid could generate more than 15,000 new jobs, according to a new study. (Adobe stock)

Report: Infrastructure Plan Could Bring Thousands of Jobs to WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With the Senate considering President Joe Biden's massive infrastructure plan, a new study finds that West Virginia stands to …

West Virginia National Guard members remove debris after a 2019 flood in Harman. Damaging floods have increased in the state along with the climate crisis. (U.S. National Guard)

Senate Report Calls for Natural Solutions to Battle Climate Change

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With wildfires out West and a hurricane fueled by high water temperatures in the South, Senate Democrats have released a new …

Three Wheels United has won a climate action prize for

Keeling Curve Prize Winners Hope to Clear the Air

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A group working to get electric rickshaws into polluted Indian cities and a start-up that recycles carbon dioxide from the …

In the most recent period, Jefferson County had the lowest unemployment rate in West Virginia. In spite of this, six of the county's 15 census tracts have been designated

Rockwool Could Get Fed'l. Tax Break Meant for Depressed Areas

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The controversial Rockwool heavy-industry project could get a big federal tax break designed for poor areas - despite …

Unions allege that Florida-based contractor Seminole Equipment cut corners and did substandard work when painting a bridge on I-64. (The Affiliated Construction Trades)

Contractor Fails to Withhold 11 Years Payroll Taxes, Only Forced to Pay Two

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – A highway contractor that was found to not be withholding West Virginia state payroll taxes for a decade is being required …

Flooding such last year's in West Virginia probably will increase because of climate change and will cause more damage to infrastructure in the region, according to a new report. (Dan Heyman)

Study: Climate Change Damaging Region's Infrastructure

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new study from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute warns that climate change impacts could wreak havoc on transportation and …

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice says the state now can move ahead on a huge number of road projects. (Dan Heyman)

Politics Aside, Voters Say, They Want WV’s Roads Fixed

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some West Virginians who voted for the road bonds say they did so just to get the roads fixed. Now that voters have approved it…

Business and consumer groups are resisting a federal proposal to roll back vehicle MPG standards. (Pixabay)

Coalition Supports Keeping Fuel-Economy Standards

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Trump administration is reopening the issue of fuel economy standards. But the message from a coalition including car …

The Florida contractors who won the bid to spot-paint the Yeager Bridge in Charleston confessed to federal fraud on another contract in the state this summer. (Steve White)

Contractor Admits Fraud, Fills New WV Contract with Out-of-State Workers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Florida contractor confessed to defrauding workers on a Braxton County project, but still won a million-dollar state contract …

The terrible damage of the recent floods is likely to also have an impact on the West Virginia state budget. (State of West Virginia)

Flood Leaves WV Lawmakers Facing Familiar Budget Woes

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The recent floods mean state lawmakers are facing a familiar budget dilemma once again. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is …

West Virginia lawmakers have passed a budget, but it may not resolve the state's fiscal crisis. (West Virginia State Legislature)

WV Legislature Passes Budget, But Veto Possible

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Legislature has passed a budget, but it may be headed for a veto. A contentious special session resulted Thursday in …

Votes against several tax bills in the House are leaving West Virginia lawmakers with no clear path to a workable budget. (West Virginia State Legislature).

Tax Bill Failures Leave State Budget in Doubt

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - The House of Delegates has defeated several tax bills, leaving big holes in the state budget. The chair of Senate Finance says …

West Virginians are returning to the roads after a whale of a winter storm. (Dan Heyman)

Main Roads Look “Passable” for WV Monday Commute

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginians are returning to work after a whale of a winter storm over the weekend. Officials say a lot of the snow from …

A new study of bike-share programs in four cities shows the majority of rides are replacing other modes of transportation. Credit: Tyree303/Wikimedia Commons

Study: Folks Do Use Bike-Share for Recreation, Transportation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - More people are willing to share bicycles to meet their daily transportation needs and people are also using bike-share programs …

Some roads in Wetzel County have been damaged by gas drilling truck traffic to the extent that they're unsafe for school buses. Credit: Ed Wade/The Sierra Club

Wetzel School Bus Routes Hit by Heavy Drilling Truck Traffic

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A local emergency medical technician says natural gas drilling in Wetzel County has damaged roads so much that it's …

Charleston City Council member Karan Ireland says the water system that serves the city and surrounding counties should be run by a public utility, not a for-profit corporation. Credit: Dan Heyman

WV American Water's "Failures" Behind Push for Public Takeover

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – West Virginia American Water continues to slight consumers and their safety, according to critics calling for a public …

PHOTO: Upgrades to affordable multi-family housing could save tenants, owners, managers and utilities money, and significantly reduce energy usage. Photo by Rudy Matthews Photography and Lloyd Wright for the National Housing Trust.

Big Energy and Money Savings in Affordable Housing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Basic upgrades of affordable housing will result in a huge energy efficiency payoff, according to two new studies from the …

PHOTO: Four oil-train derailments and explosions in a single month (Feb.) prompted two U.S. Senators to introduce legislation outlining major oil shipment safety improvements. Photo of the Fayette County derailment courtesy Office of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Oil-by-Rail Safety Bill in Congress

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – On Wednesday, senators introduced a bill in Congress to improve safety of oil shipments by rail. The legislation…

PHOTO: A witness who had to flee Monday's huge train derailment and explosion in West Virginia says it has changed how he looks at rail shipment of crude oil. Photo courtesy Office of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Crude Oil Blast “Could Have Been Right By My House”

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A witness who fled Monday's train derailment and massive fire says he can't help but wonder now if he and his neighbors …

PHOTO: MADD and the state police are warning people not to drive impaired this holiday season. Field sobriety test photo is courtesy of Wikimedia.

Have Fun, But Get Home Safely

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Nationwide, as many as 800 people die in car crashes involving a drunk driver every December. It's why this month is one of the …

PHOTO: Many lawyers will tell you a designated driver is a smart � and money-wise � strategy for holiday parties. Photo credit: Wikimedia.

Want to Blow Your Holiday Budget? Get a DUI

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A designated driver should be part of this season's planning process for festivities that include alcohol. And one …

MAP: West Virginia, seen in pale blue, ranks far lower for energy efficiency than the more efficient dark blue states. According to the analysis behind this map, West Virginia's numbers were driven down by inefficient home heating and cooling. Map courtesy of Wallethub.

Wasteful Home Energy Use Lowers WV Efficiency Rankings

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginia ranks low for consumer energy efficiency in a new report, mostly because of wasteful home energy use. Financial …

West Virginia has a large backlog of bridges in need of repairs, according to federal and state figures. Photo courtesy of the WV DOT.

Backlog of Deficient West Virginia Bridges

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Federal data and the preliminary findings of a blue ribbon governor's commission are both warning that West Virginia has a huge …

Undistracted - Making West Virginia's Roads Safer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Many hope a tighter cell-phone ban going into effect in West Virginia this summer will help people keep their eyes on the road…

PHOTO: Expectant mothers should buckle up; it's safer for them and their pregnancy. Courtesy of Microsoft Images.

Buckling Up Best for Moms-To-Be

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Expectant mothers often worry that having a seat belt buckled can damage their unborn child in a crash, but a new study has found …

A judge has ruled that the contract to build a section of the King Coal Highway was granted improperly, and critics of the contract say the road was badly built and the roadbed is settling. Photo by Steve White.

King Coal Highway Decision: "A Win for Open Bidding"

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Last week's court decision that West Virginia highway officials broke bidding rules will help reinforce vital taxpayer …

Cutting the Cost of Running Errands

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – With gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, it can pay West Virginians to plan ahead for those daily errands in the car…

Up to $100,000 Available for Green Streets-Green Jobs-Green Towns

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just announced that grants of up to $100,000 are available throughout the …

Safe Winter Travel Reminders for West Virginians

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Temperatures may feel mild across West Virginia, but Jack Frost still could choose to blow his brisk air and snow across the …

Labor, Civic, and Faith Groups: Rebuild WV Bridges To Rebuild Economy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Nearly four out of 10 West Virginia bridges are structurally deficient or obsolete, according to the American Society of Civil …

Are Feds Saving WV Jobs, Helping in Crisis? Many Say 'Yes'

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Federal stimulus and rescue spending has saved 56,000 jobs in West Virginia and kept the state's unemployment rate from hitting 14…

Report: US Military Leading the Way on “Going Green”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The U.S. military is leading the way in reducing the nation's carbon footprint and using alternative energy sources. A new report …

Singing For Broadband Access

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - "Affordable, Accessible Broadband for All" is the tune from by community groups in Kentucky, West Virginia and across the nation…

Why is Old Man Winter so Mean?

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Thousands of West Virginians have lost power in fierce winter storms, and more heavy snowfall may be on the way. Why is old man …

Conservationists Hoping For Another Good Year

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - It's time to look back and look forward: 2009 was a horrendous year for the U.S. economy but the environment prospered, according …

Local Official: Gas Tax Helps Safety

CHARLESTON, W.V. - A special session of the West Virginia legislature is looking at funding a shortfall in the state's transportation budget…

CDC Expert On Race And Health In WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A national expert on issues of race and health who is to be in West Virginia today says there are a lot of things that can …

How Safe is the Big Rig In The Next Lane? WV Worst By One Measure Of Truck Safety

Charleston, WV - A new analysis of federal data shows more than 28,000 motor carrier companies operating over 200,000 trucks have violated federal …

City of Morgantown Saving Money and Cutting Carbon

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Even in a state where electricity is relatively cheap, local governments can save money and reduce their carbon footprints by …

Renewables, Natural Gas: Top Picks in "Pickens Plan" Push at DNC

Denver, CO - T. Boone Pickens is an oilman with a big plan. He's in Denver this week, making the rounds at the Democratic National Convention to …

Land-Owner: Power Line Has Land “Slip-Sliding” Away

Glenville, WV - A Gilmer County landowner is battling some "powerful" trouble. Wes Smith of Glenville is embroiled in a legal dispute with Allegheny …

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WV: Urban Planning and Transportation