Ken Ward Jr.
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kenwardjr.bsky.social
Ken Ward Jr.
@kenwardjr.bsky.social
530 followers 72 following 140 posts
Investigative journalist in West Virginia. Founding editor-in-chief of @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social watchdog newsroom. Former ProPublica local reporter. MacArthur Fellow.
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kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/11/09/p...
11 governors joined together to address rising power bills in the region. Morrisey didn't join them.
Morrisey is one of two governors not participating in a coalition of governors working to make a 13-state power grid more affordable and reliable.
mountainstatespotlight.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/10/26/c...
Retiring UMWA President Cecil Roberst reflects on a coal career
Mountain State Spotlight talked with retiring UMWA President Cecil Roberts about a life leading the nation’s coal miners
mountainstatespotlight.org
October 26, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Ken Ward Jr.
propublica.org
NEW: Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises.

Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica investigation found.

By @emcahan.bsky.social
For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.
Psychiatric hospitals — increasingly owned by for-profit corporations — are illegally turning away patients during crises. Yet only a handful face penalties, with fines that are trivial, a ProPublica ...
www.propublica.org
September 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Had 'em all the way. #BeatPitt

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQic...
John Denver & Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Take Me Home, Country Roads (Live at Farm Aid 1985)
YouTube video by Farm Aid
www.youtube.com
September 14, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Reposted by Ken Ward Jr.
craigweekends.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Don't miss another maddening story of inaction by West Virginia officials on flooding, by @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social's @sarahbishi.bsky.social

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/29/f...
Despite decades-long efforts, the state has done little to address flooding risks facing West Virginia
Following the 2016 floods, lawmakers created an office tasked with addressing floods. But in the years since, little else has been done.
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 29, 2025 at 8:43 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Must-read @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story by @sarahbishi.bsky.social

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/29/f...
Despite decades-long efforts, the state has done little to address flooding risks facing West Virginia
Following the 2016 floods, lawmakers created an office tasked with addressing floods. But in the years since, little else has been done.
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 29, 2025 at 11:10 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Very important new @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/28/b...
100,000 West Virginians will no longer receive high-speed fiber internet
Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s new broadband plan excludes about 100,000 West Virginians after rule change reclassifies slow internet as “served.”
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/15/d...
West Virginians call on Congressional lawmakers to hold town halls. So far, they aren’t showing up.
With big federal changes looming, West Virginia residents are asking lawmakers to hold town halls. Few are getting a response.
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/10/d...
Despite federal funding in 2022, West Virginia finally funds flood studies
Years after the deadly 2016 floods, West Virginia will launch flood risk studies of Kanawha River Basin and Guyandotte River.
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 10, 2025 at 11:19 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
“Today, that unlawful, unpermitted discharge stops.”

Latest @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social update from @sarahbishi.bsky.social

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/08/07/c...
Chemours to stop unlawfully releasing toxic chemicals into Ohio River at West Virginia plant
A judge ordered Chemours to stop polluting the Ohio River with cancer-linked chemicals from its West Virginia plant.
mountainstatespotlight.org
August 7, 2025 at 7:23 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/29/f...
Congress said they were targeting Medicaid “fraud.” Their cuts hurt patients, not fraudsters.
Politicians said Medicaid patients are milking the system and took away their health care. But providers are the ones at fault.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOtx...
Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good (Nana's Journey Into Song, March 8th, 1979)
YouTube video by Chuck Mangione
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/20/o...
West Virginia is seeing fewer opioid overdoses, but Congress’ funding cuts threatens recovery
Politicians celebrated a drop in overdose deaths while supporting Trump and Congress’ funding cuts that could cause more casualties.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 20, 2025 at 12:31 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/17/w...
Why do politicians want data centers to come to West Virginia? Mountain State Spotlight explains
Gov. Patrick Morrisey and lawmakers want to bring data center developments to West Virginia. So, what does that mean for the state?
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who has responded. If you haven't yet, please help @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social investigate

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/14/f...
Tell us about your experience with your federal representatives - Mountain State Spotlight
Have you reached out to your congressional representatives in recent months? Tell us how they responded.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Help @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social investigate

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/14/f...
Tell us about your experience with your federal representatives - Mountain State Spotlight
Have you reached out to your congressional representatives in recent months? Tell us how they responded.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPhW...
Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A. (Official Video)
YouTube video by BruceSpringsteenVEVO
www.youtube.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/03/t...
How Trump’s food stamp cuts will leave West Virginians hungry
Those working with some of the state’s most vulnerable say food stamp cuts could be devastating to the state.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Super important @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story by @erinbeck.bsky.social

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/07/02/m...
West Virginians already struggle to get health care. It’s about to get much worse.
Rural West Virginians lack ERs, addiction treatment and infant care. Congress is rushing through a bill to make survival even harder.
mountainstatespotlight.org
July 3, 2025 at 1:44 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/article/fema...
States Fear Critical Funding From FEMA May Be Drying Up
Many states rely on the federal government for the vast majority of their emergency management funding. Now, local leaders are looking for clues about the money — and the future of FEMA itself.
www.propublica.org
June 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
Happy West Virginia Day from @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/06/20/w...
Want to better understand and appreciate West Virginia? Read these books.
Readers submitted their favorite West Virginian published works. Here are some books that were recommended.
mountainstatespotlight.org
June 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
“If you can raise the money to throw an inauguration, then raise it to feed some kids"

Must-read @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social story

mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/05/11/m...
Gov. Morrisey wants to reduce spending. On inauguration night, donors spared no expense.
Morrisey vowed “fiscal responsibility" as governor. His inauguration, funded by $1.2M in donations, included lobster, fireworks and VIP lounges.
mountainstatespotlight.org
May 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/05/11/m...
Gov. Morrisey wants to reduce spending. On inauguration night, donors spared no expense.
Morrisey vowed “fiscal responsibility" as governor. His inauguration, funded by $1.2M in donations, included lobster, fireworks and VIP lounges.
mountainstatespotlight.org
May 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
kenwardjr.bsky.social
mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/05/07/t...
Trump’s EPA blocks effort to reduce toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in West Virginia drinking water
Over 700,000 residents are at risk of serious health problems from cancer-causing pollution. The EPA canceled a small grant to start tackling the problem.
mountainstatespotlight.org
May 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM