All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Manchin bill would support more than 10,000 homeless students in West Virginia

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today released the following statement after the West Virginia Department of Education confirmed that more than 10,300 students experienced homelessness in West Virginia during the 2019-2020 school year. The reporting of these students was effectively halted in March due to COVID-19 significantly affecting the number of students who may have been identified as homelessness in the remainder of the year, which shows that the 2019-2020 school year was on track to surpass the 10,522 students who experienced homelessness in the 2018-2019 year in West Virginia.

“It is unacceptable that we have children and youth in West Virginia without a roof over their head, a safe place to sleep, or a warm meal to eat. It truly breaks my heart to think of those children whose basic human needs aren’t being met. The West Virginia Department of Education recently confirmed that more than 10,300 students experienced homelessness in the 2019-2020 school year, but their reporting was severely impacted in March by the statewide closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which means that some students weren’t counted. And we know the number of students who experience homelessness is likely much higher, even when they count for the full school year,” said Senator Manchin. “I introduced the Emergency Family Stabilization Act to help address this issue by creating emergency funding to help our children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge the Senate to include this bipartisan, commonsense legislation in future COVID-19 funding to help keep our children safe during this global health crisis.”

In June, Senator Manchin introduced the Emergency Family Stabilization Act which creates a new emergency funding stream overseen by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide flexible funding for community-based organizations to meet the unique needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. Specifically, the bill aims to provide emergency funding to underserved populations and areas, including in rural communities, who continue to see long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Fact sheet on the Emergency Family Stabilization Act can be found here.

Timeline of Senator Manchin’s work to address children and youth homelessness can be found here

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 15, 2025

It’s a busy week in Buckhannon, with the West Virginia Strawberry Festival in town all weekend!

Webb Grubb Day pays tribute to longtime Buckhannon law enforcement leader Virgil Miller

The eighth annual Webb Grubb Day honored the late Virgil Miller, former Buckhannon Police Chief and five-term Upshur County Sheriff, for his decades of dedicated law enforcement service to the community.

Klie Law Offices marks 20 years of fierce advocacy across West Virginia and Ohio

Klie Law Offices celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting its growth from a small rural firm to a four-city legal advocate known for aggressive, client-focused representation in West Virginia and Ohio.

City of Buckhannon prohibits smoking and vaping at West Virginia Strawberry Festival

The City of Buckhannon has banned smoking, vaping and all tobacco use in public areas during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, with violators subject to fines.

Buckhannon reactivates emergency siren system, issues guidelines for use

The Buckhannon Fire Department, in partnership with local police and emergency management, has reactivated its fire siren system to warn downtown residents and visitors of emergencies such as severe weather or life-threatening incidents.

Denver Junior Carpenter

Denver Junior Carpenter, 80, a retired State Road worker and longtime Buckhannon resident known for his love of auctions and the outdoors, died May 14 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, survived by his wife and family.

Baseball Bucs shake off loss to Wheeling Park to stay alive in regional tournament with 5-4 win over John Marshall

The Buckhannon-Upshur baseball team survived elimination in the Region I tournament with a 5-4 win over John Marshall, overcoming a late rally and advancing to another must-win game against Wheeling Park.

Eight B-UMS track athletes headed to the “Best of the Best: WV Middle School State Meet”

Eight Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School track athletes qualified for the inaugural Best of the Best: WV Middle School State Meet in Huntington after standout performances and school record-breaking achievements during a successful season.

Buckhannon to host 18th annual Friendly Way Day honoring retired firefighters Jim Gregory and Brian Hollen

Buckhannon will celebrate its 18th annual Friendly Way Day on May 16 by honoring retired firefighters Jim Gregory and Brian Hollen, adding their names to the city’s Red Wall and Buddy Bench for outstanding service.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Jack Waggy and Avery Hamer

Jack Waggy, a senior track athlete, and Avery Hamer, a sophomore softball player, have been recognized as this week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars for their standout performances representing Buckhannon-Upshur.

Tens of thousands expected for 83rd West Virginia Strawberry Festival

Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the fairytale-themed 83rd West Virginia Strawberry Festival, which organizers say brings significant economic benefits and community pride to Buckhannon.

Sentencing for former Buckhannon mayor delayed until June

The sentencing of former Buckhannon mayor David McCauley, who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, has been postponed until June to allow further review of evidence by federal prosecutors.