radioNOVO News for Parkersburg, WV 06-18-26

Good morning.West Virginia lawmakers are squaring off over major utility and property rights issues following a series of legislative meetings. Republican lawmakers are heavily questioning two proposed high-voltage transmission line projects set to cut through parts of the state. Critics argue the lines are ratepayer subsidies forced on West Virginians to power data centers out in Virginia. Meanwhile, state Democrats are demanding immediate changes to a newly enacted data center law to restore local zoning control.West Virginia is gearing up to celebrate America’s two-hundred-and-fiftieth birthday. Governor Patrick Morrisey revealed major upcoming events leading into the Fourth of July, including a statewide bell-ringing ceremony and a multi-day Capitol festival featuring the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel.And Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will officially celebrate West Virginia’s one-hundred-and-sixty-third birthday this Saturday. The West Virginia Day festivities will feature historic blacksmithing demonstrations and open-fire cooking, followed by free cake and ice cream.For more news, download the radioNOVO app. I’m Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News.