The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce pre-legislative breakfast was held Friday at Rocky Gap with most of the Western Maryland delegation on hand to bring members and the public up to speed on what can be expected when the General Assembly convenes in January.  Senator Mike McKay spoke about the shrinking Transportation Trust Fund. With an increase of electric vehicles on the road, the gas tax no longer generates the revenues needed to drive the funding of the transportation department. One idea being considered to bolster that fund does not sit well with the delegation…

Since West Virginia’s Medicaid eligibility review began this spring, around 100,000 residents have been kicked off the rolls. Experts say many of these people likely remain eligible, but didn’t respond to a paperwork request or they have a new address. The state could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching funds for Medicaid. West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare representative Renata Pore says fewer dollars mean fewer resources… People can start the Medicaid renewal process online through the state’s PATH portal at ‘wvpath.wv.gov' or in person at local Department of Health and Human Resources field offices.

Rocky Gap State Park will be lit up for the holidays this year, thanks to the Western Maryland Jaycees.  The Lights on the Lake event runs Friday to Sunday weekly through Christmas Eve at the park and will include opportunities for families to meet Santa, entertainment, and have some holiday treats at the Hawks Nest.  Billie Jean Clark is the chair of the event for the Jaycees and says the $5 admission fee this year will help a major fundraiser… Clark says the Jaycees have been working since last year on making the event bigger and set up for this…

Governor Jim Justice announced a partnership between the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Black Diamond Council of the Girls Scouts of America to allow scouts to camp for free at various parks as long as the requested facility is available. Recreational activities may also be provided at a reduced or negotiated rate, depending on availability.  DNR Director Brett McMillion said it is a great opportunity for scout service projects…

Maryland’s unemployment rate continues to be the lowest in the nation. According to the preliminary survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland’s total jobs decreased by 11,100 and the unemployment rate increased to 1.7% in October. Maryland's job growth over the last three months has outpaced national growth by point two percent. Maryland's unemployment rate remains near record lows – only September 2023 had a lower rate of any month on record. Trade, transportation, and utilities saw increases in job numbers while construction, manufacturing, and financial activities saw job losses.

A bipartisan bill that proposing the installation of solar panels in schools across Pennsylvania is awaiting a vote in the Senate. The Solar for Schools legislation aims to combat climate change and invest in education. Mick Iskric is superintendent of Steelton-Highspire School District. He explains that after installing solar panels, it now sees a monthly credit on its electric bill. He says the legislation would be a game changer for school districts in the Commonwealth…

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is co-leading an amicus brief with Indiana, asking the Colorado Supreme Court to keep former President Donald Trump on the ballot for that state’s Presidential Primary and General Elections. The coalition of 19 states argues the “Fourteenth Amendment entrusts Insurrection Clause questions to Congress—not state officials or state courts.”“We need to protect the integrity of our elections, and actions like this undermine the right of the citizens to choose who they want to represent them in every level of government,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “This is a very simple argument: Congress gets to decide on…

Cumberland's first annual Winterfest Market at Canal Place seems to be a big success according to Executive Director, Melinda Kelleher of the Downtown Development Commission with crowds of people enjoying the holiday music, vendor’s booths, food, and voting on the best decorated bicycle, The crowd favorite would be the fire pits and marshmallow roasting… If you missed Winterfest Market you still have an opportunity next Saturday between 5:00 till 9:00PM at Canal Place. 

Allegany County Historical Society will host ticketed Christmas Season Historic District events during December 2023. Saturday, December 9, F. Brooke Whiting Museum guided tours are available beginning at Noon at 632 Washington Street in Cumberland. The stylish 1911 bungalow will be decorated as it could have been by the Whiting family, using numerous decorations stored at the house. Tours will feature unique collections of ceramics, books, original art, collectible furnishings, and colonial-era furniture donated to ACHS by F. Brooke Whiting Jr. Tours include cookies and hot drinks, limited to guests over 18 only. Thursday, December 14 and Sunday, December 17, hourly afternoon tours…

Gov. Jim Justice announced today that West Virginia’s General Revenue collections for November 2023, the fifth month of the Fiscal Year 2024, came in at $404.8 million, which is $44.0 million above the official estimate. Cumulative collections for Fiscal Year 2024 of more than $2.213 billion stand at $286.2 million ahead of the cumulative estimate. "Even as inflation continues to throw us a curveball, our state's fiscal strength is shining through,” Gov. Justice said. “Surpassing cumulative revenue estimates by $286.2 million just 5 months into the fiscal year showcases the strength of our diversified economy. Those that said cutting our…