If you’ve lived in Huntington for more than a week, you know the city doesn’t do "quiet." This January has been no exception. Between the high-stakes legal drama at the state level and the local hum of Marshall University’s spring semester starting up, there’s a lot to wade through. Honestly, keeping up with huntington w va news can feel like a full-time job lately.
One day you're hearing about million-dollar health grants, and the next, you're watching a local businessman make a play for the State Senate. It’s a lot. But it’s home.
The Courtroom Drama and a New Face on the Bench
Let’s talk about the big news coming out of the Cabell County Courthouse. David D. Amsbary is officially stepping into his role as the newest circuit judge. His public investiture is set for Thursday, January 15, at 3 p.m. in Courtroom One.
Amsbary isn't a stranger to the area. He’s a Huntington native who’s been deeply involved in everything from the Cabell County Public Library board to coaching Little League. He was appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey to fill the gap left by Judge Paul T. Farrell’s retirement. It’s a significant shift for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, especially with some heavy cases looming on the horizon.
Speaking of heavy cases, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is currently chewing on an election fraud case that’s been dragging on for over three years. We’re talking about Jan Hite King and Kimberly Maynard, former candidates for the Cabell County Commission. They’re accused of conspiring to commit election fraud. The justices heard oral arguments just this Tuesday. It’s one of those stories that makes you realize how small the political world here can feel sometimes.
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Money, Health, and the "Big Beautiful Bill"
There is a massive amount of cash flowing into rural healthcare right now. Governor Morrisey announced that West Virginia secured $199 million for 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation Fund. This is part of what folks are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill" from the Trump administration.
What does that mean for you in Huntington?
Basically, it’s supposed to bridge the gap between patients and providers. If you’ve ever had to drive an hour just to see a specialist, you know how vital this is. The plan is to modernize infrastructure and tackle the workforce shortages that have been plaguing our local clinics for years. They’re also looking at "nutrition and lifestyle" as a way to prevent things like diabetes and COPD before they start. It's ambitious. Kinda makes you wonder if we’ll actually see those numbers hold up for the full five years of the program.
What’s Happening at Marshall University?
The Herd is back. Classes for the Spring 2026 semester kicked off on Monday, January 12. If traffic near 4th Avenue felt a bit more chaotic this week, that’s why.
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But the real news at Marshall right now is the unveiling of the re-imagined Buck Harless Center for Student-Athlete Success. This isn't just a place for tutoring. They’ve added something called "Herd R&R," which is a recovery and relaxation space. We’re talking massage chairs, soft lighting, and sensory tools to help student-athletes decompress.
Athletic Director Gerald Harrison mentioned that the department hit a record GPA of 3.42 in the Fall 2025 semester. Clearly, they’re doing something right.
The Local Economy: A Mixed Bag
It’s not all sunshine and ribbon cuttings, though. If you feel like your paycheck isn't stretching as far as it used to, you aren't imagining things.
Recent data shows that while healthcare jobs are projected to grow—adding nearly 15,000 positions by 2032—the traditional sectors like mining are still bleeding out. Housing costs in West Virginia have spiked much faster than median household income. It’s a weird paradox: we have job growth in some areas, but the "cost of living" is winning the race against "wages."
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Huntington w va news often highlights these economic shifts because we are the hub of the tri-state area. We’re the center of the Huntington-Ashland-Ironton metro, so when the state’s workforce participation rate stays at the bottom of the national list, we feel it here first.
Safety, Inclusion, and the Streets
Crime stats are always a touchy subject in Huntington. Let’s be real: the numbers for property crime and motor vehicle theft are still higher than we’d like. According to recent reports, the chance of being a victim of property crime here is about 1 in 27.
However, there is a silver lining that often gets overlooked in the headlines. For five years running, Huntington has received a perfect score for LGBTQ safety and inclusion from the Human Rights Campaign. It’s a reminder that even when the "hard" news feels heavy, the "heart" of the city remains pretty progressive and welcoming compared to some of our neighbors.
Actionable Insights for Huntington Residents
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here’s how to navigate the current landscape:
- Watch the Roads: The WV Department of Transportation has several lane closures on I-77 and US 50 through January 16. If you’re commuting toward Charleston or Parkersburg, give yourself an extra 20 minutes.
- Engagement Matters: The next City Council meeting is usually the place where the rubber meets the road on local issues like flood protection and neighborhood grants. Keep an eye on the city's official portal for the next agenda.
- Health Resources: With that $199 million injection into rural health, keep an eye out for new telehealth options or local clinic expansions. It might be time to check if your provider is offering new services under the transformation fund.
- Marshall Events: You don’t have to be a student to enjoy the campus. There’s an Academic Showdown Region 2 competition coming up at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center on February 7. It’s a great way to support local high schoolers.
Huntington is a city in transition. We’re moving away from the old industrial backbone and trying to build something new around education, healthcare, and a more diverse economy. It’s messy, and the news reflects that. But as any local will tell you, there's a spirit here you just can't manufacture.