Amelia Ferrell Knisely

Amelia Ferrell Knisely

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Amelia Ferrell Knisely is an investigative reporter at West Virginia Watch. Originally from Rand, she started her career in television news in her home state before moving to Nashville and reporting for The Tennessean. Amelia returned to West Virginia in 2019 through Report for America to write about poverty for the Charleston Gazette-Mail, where she documented the state’s 10,000 homeless students and growing child hunger problem. She went on to work at Mountain State Spotlight and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Amelia’s work, which regularly focuses on child welfare, people with disabilities and social services, has won several national awards. She and her husband, Sean, have three daughters.

Infant reportedly in WV foster care found dead; Morrisey says state working hard on CPS reform
West Virginia

Infant reportedly in WV foster care found dead; Morrisey says state working hard on CPS reform

6:00am ET
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
After a four-month-old baby in West Virginia foster care died last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey had no information to share with reporters on Monday about the case but said, “We certainly want to get to the bottom of things.” “I...
Capitol grounds transform for America250 celebration, Morrisey says celebration within $2M budget
West Virginia

Capitol grounds transform for America250 celebration, Morrisey says celebration within $2M budget

Jun 29, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
The state Capitol grounds are being readied for West Virginia’s America250 Capital City Celebration, which kicks off Thursday. Other events are being planned across the Mountain State to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a press conference Monday...
WV school leaders say multiple counties headed to insolvency after lawmakers didn’t tackle funding 
West Virginia

WV school leaders say multiple counties headed to insolvency after lawmakers didn’t tackle funding 

Jun 24, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia school officials shared a grim outlook for the state’s public schools on Wednesday, warning multiple counties could be headed to insolvency if lawmakers and the governor don’t address funding shortfalls. “What if I told you here today in...
Lawmakers overhaul how West Virginia provides clothes, beds to foster kids in need
West Virginia

Lawmakers overhaul how West Virginia provides clothes, beds to foster kids in need

Jun 24, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia is changing how it provides clothing, beds, diapers and more to foster kids with immediate needs after lawmakers mandated an update to the program. Lawmakers unanimously approved legislation, which went into effect this month, requiring the Department of...
Hope Scholarship price $155M so far after 26,617 WV students apply 
West Virginia

Hope Scholarship price $155M so far after 26,617 WV students apply 

Jun 22, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
More than 26,000 students have applied for full funding of the Hope Scholarship for the upcoming school year, costing the state of West Virginia an estimated $155 million so far. The estimated cost for the education voucher program will continue...
WV Sen. Weld writes book about historic Wellsburg homes after researching his childhood home
West Virginia

WV Sen. Weld writes book about historic Wellsburg homes after researching his childhood home

Jun 16, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
The idea for Sen. Ryan Weld’s first book began in his childhood home. He was curious about its history and the people who had lived there before his family. “It started back in a conversation that I had with my...
DoHS to fund WV Family Support Centers this summer, but long-term funding uncertain under Morrisey
West Virginia

DoHS to fund WV Family Support Centers this summer, but long-term funding uncertain under Morrisey

Jun 15, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
DAVIS, W.Va. — Federal funding for West Virginia’s Family Support Centers, which provide food and child abuse prevention services to children and families, will be available next month to keep the centers open this summer. However, it’s not clear if...
Schools, nonprofits try to keep WV kids fed this summer amid grocery price hikes, welfare changes
West Virginia

Schools, nonprofits try to keep WV kids fed this summer amid grocery price hikes, welfare changes

Jun 15, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
The air in the school gym smelled like homemade biscuits. Kanawha County Schools cook Marsha Burns spent the morning at Elk Center Elementary in Charleston, West Virginia, making biscuits with a new white wheat flour produced in West Virginia. She...
Bridge Program sees success encouraging WV kids in foster, kinship care to graduate from high school
West Virginia

Bridge Program sees success encouraging WV kids in foster, kinship care to graduate from high school

Jun 11, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Going into her junior year of high school, Raynbow Carter/Freeman described herself as “lost.” In 2023, the teenager’s mother died, then she moved in with a family member in Kanawha County. “I didn’t have anybody at the time,” she said...
WV Family Support Centers face uncertain July TANF funding and future; lawmakers seek info
West Virginia

WV Family Support Centers face uncertain July TANF funding and future; lawmakers seek info

Jun 10, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia’s Family Support Centers, which provide a multitude of services to needy families across the state, face uncertain budgets and possible job and services cuts next month. FSCs, located in every county, are grappling with unresolved contracts with the...
Del. Kimble challenges election loss, says GOP ballots exceeded number of registered GOP voters
West Virginia

Del. Kimble challenges election loss, says GOP ballots exceeded number of registered GOP voters

Jun 08, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Citing possible “voting irregularities,” House of Delegate member Laura Kimble, R-Harrison, will formally challenge the results of the recent primary election after her narrow loss by six votes to Tim McNeely. She is seeking to confirm if any non-Republican voters...
Children suing WV over troubled foster care system granted appeal, suit will move forward 
West Virginia

Children suing WV over troubled foster care system win appeal, suit will move forward 

Jun 04, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Foster children suing West Virginia officials over the state’s troubled child welfare system will have another chance to pursue legal action following a successful appeal. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday reversed and remanded a decision last year...