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Good morning, Charleston! In today’s edition: Bald eagle rescue, Disney On Ice, wedding expo, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
From injury to advocacy: A West Virginia community helped save a bald eagle as a veterinarian recounts trauma and the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia’s role, while the charity works with South Carolina’s governor — see how partners stepped in.
State awards breakdown revealed: West Virginia was awarded $199.5 million in year one of the federal Rural Health Transformation program, which provides annual funding through 2030, topping Virginia and Maryland while trailing Kentucky — see how funds are allocated.
State boards welcome new leaders: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced appointments to the Veterans Council and Board of Pharmacy, including Putnam County Sheriff Bobby Eggleton, to strengthen oversight, professional expertise, and veteran representation — meet the new appointees.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Wider access and affordability: As the ABLE Savings Plan marks its 11th anniversary, State Treasurer Larry Pack announced updates expanding eligibility by raising the disability onset age from before 26 to 46, opening enrollment to tens of thousands more people. WVABLE also eliminated its account maintenance fee starting January 1, 2026. See what’s changing and when.
Burrito night upgrade: When the craving hits, Black Sheep Burrito and Brews nails comfort-meets-creative. Think California burritos with fries, a General Tso chicken burrito, and the mission-style Baa’d Ass, all paired with rotating taps. Oh, and a breakfast burrito exists, because priorities.
Hands-on brain reboot: Whether your kids are scaling Ashton’s sculpture, splashing through WaterWorks, or you’re catching goosebumps in the Caperton Planetarium, the Clay Center delivers hands-on wonder that thaws winter blahs, with warm indoor galleries, brain-tingling shows, and easy smiles for every age.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏺 Friday Homeschool Clay Class @ MadeBy Community Pottery Studio | Friday (1/9) at 11:00 AM – Whether your homeschooler is already a clay convert or just needs a break from worksheets, this Friday pottery series delivers. Over four weeks, ages 10+ learn real techniques and build projects, they get a productive mess, you get some peace, and maybe a lopsided mug.
⛸ Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures @ Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Ready to earn hero status with the kids without booking a theme park trip? Disney On Ice spins through Moana, Simba, Aladdin, and Toy Story in one rink. Expect big smiles, catchy songs, and zero adult costumes, sorry Uncle Dave.
🎶 Tai Ray and more @ Folklore Music Exchange | Friday (1/9) at 8:00 PM – Mountain State Music is taking over the Folklore Stage with Tai Ray and Boone County’s Crawford & Ashby, an in-store set you can catch in person or online. Expect indie-folk heart, bluegrass bite, and that high, lonesome attitude. It’s free, donations make the pickin’ sweeter.
🥋 WVGO Gi and No Gi Winter Championship @ North Charleston Recreation Center | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Make room for Charleston’s official state BJJ championship, a gi and no gi rumble with kids, teens, masters, and the still-thinks-their-back-is-fine crowd. Double elimination, absolute divisions, and one price for as many brackets as you can handle. Family friendly, bragging rights mandatory.
🎻 Missy Raines & Allegheny @ The WV Culture Center | Saturday (1/10) at 7:30 PM – Shake off the holiday cobwebs and catch Missy Raines, 10-time Bluegrass Bass Player of the Year, with Allegheny in Charleston for bluegrass. It’s foot-stomping and warm-hearted, the kind of night that makes small talk unnecessary. Tickets at FOOTMAD.org, or be smart and grab the season.
🎤 Chicago’s Sweet Georgie and more @ Blue Parrot | Saturday (1/10) at 8:00 PM – Clear your calendar and lace up the comfy shoes. The Blue Parrot brings Chicago’s Sweet Georgie with DJ ActRight, Tim Hoover, Matt Murphy of V100, and Mick Wiseman of 104.5, so expect proper house grooves, familiar voices, and a dance floor your knees forgive.
👾 8 Bit Brunch @ The Empty Glass | Sunday (1/11) at 12:00 PM – Whether your thumbs remember Pac-Man or you just want an easy win, this Sunday buffet is a two-player combo of drink specials, house-made soups, and smoked pulled pork, plus over 5,000 video games. Come for the brunch, stay because 4,999 wasn’t enough.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Charleston report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 64°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 2%
Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 87%
Rain after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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