Amelia Ferrell Knisely

Amelia Ferrell Knisely

[email protected]

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.

Senate Health chair wants WV to reinstate death penalty for egregious sexual crimes against children
West Virginia

Senate Health chair wants WV to reinstate death penalty for egregious sexual crimes against children

Sep 11, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Sen. Brian Helton, a member of Senate leadership, says he’ll push legislation to reinstate the death penalty in West Virginia. Under his plan, capital punishment would be an option in cases where a person was found guilty of felony sexual...
Data shows big jump in WV voters choosing no-party ballot in closed Republican May primary
West Virginia

Data shows big jump in WV voters choosing no-party ballot in closed Republican May primary

Sep 10, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
In a stress test for West Virginia Republicans’ return to a closed primary , new data shows fewer Republicans came out to vote in the May primary election compared to the 2022 primary. While there was an education push from...
After Brooke County principal arrest, Sen. Weld says WV needs felony penalty for secretly filming 
West Virginia

After Brooke County principal arrest, Sen. Weld says WV needs felony penalty for secretly filming 

Sep 09, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
After a Brooke County high school principal was arrested and charged for reportedly placing recording devices in girls’ locker rooms, a state senator said the ordeal has exposed a gap in state code regarding punishment for those covertly filming others...
Treasurer Pack says Mingo parents’ anger is ‘misdirected’ in Hope Scholarship lawsuit
West Virginia

Treasurer Pack says Mingo parents’ anger is ‘misdirected’ in Hope Scholarship lawsuit

Sep 08, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
State Treasurer Larry Pack said his office will “aggressively oppose” any attempt to block universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship following a recent lawsuit from parents seeking to block new applicants. Several parents of Mingo County students sued the state...
Facing a school closure, Mingo County parents file lawsuit to block Hope Scholarship expansion
West Virginia

Facing a school closure, Mingo County parents file lawsuit to block Hope Scholarship expansion

Sep 06, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
A new lawsuit brought by Mingo County parents seeks to stop universal expansion of the Hope Scholarship, the state’s education voucher program. The parents say their children’s school, which is set to close next year, has been impacted by public...
Justice says he’s considering challenging Morrisey for governor of West Virginia
West Virginia

Justice says he’s considering challenging Morrisey for governor of West Virginia

Sep 03, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — While Sen. Jim Justice considers challenging Gov. Patrick Morrisey in the 2028 gubernatorial primary, the pair took the stage Thursday at The Greenbrier to deliver economic-focused talks with a flavor of stump speeches. They’re both...
Lack of child care still a key need for WV businesses while state slowrolls lawmakers’ bill
West Virginia

Childcare still a key need for WV businesses while state slow rolls implementation of landmark law

Sep 02, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — West Virginia’s business leaders continue to beat the drum that the state is woefully short on affordable childcare spots. They say it is one of the reasons the state continues to have the nation’s worst...
WV Supreme Court dismisses ethics charges against Judge Akers stemming from foster care comments
West Virginia

WV Supreme Court dismisses ethics charges against Judge Akers stemming from foster care comments

Aug 28, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has dismissed ethics charges against Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Maryclaire Akers stemming from a radio interview where she spoke about the state’s foster care system. In a dismissal order issued this week...
WV Schools superintendent backs Kanawha County protocol for special education and Hope Scholarship
West Virginia

WV Schools superintendent backs Kanawha County protocol for special education and Hope Scholarship

Aug 27, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia’s top school official says Kanawha County Schools’ procedure regarding students with disabilities returning to the public schools and the Hope Scholarship is legally sound. Michele Blatt, state schools superintendent, sent a letter to Attorney General JB McCuskey on...
DoHS nears finish line delivering school clothing vouchers but questions linger over summer saga
West Virginia

DoHS nears finish line delivering school clothing vouchers but questions linger over summer saga

Aug 27, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia Human Services officials are providing more information about their decision to automatically issue school clothing financial assistance to some West Virginia children who didn’t apply. The long-standing program, which gives low-income students $200 to use on back to...
Kanawha County Schools disagrees with AGs letter, says Hope Scholarship policy follows the law
West Virginia

Kanawha County Schools disagrees with AG’s letter, says Hope Scholarship policy follows the law

Aug 26, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Kanawha County Schools issued a defense in response to Attorney General JB McCuskey’s stern letter about the county’s protocol regarding the Hope Scholarship and students with disabilities. The school system argued they’re operating in accordance with federal and state law...
Morrisey: 54K received school clothing allowance so far, including low-income kids who didn’t apply
West Virginia

Morrisey: 54K received school clothing allowance so far, including kids who didn’t apply

Aug 25, 2026
Amelia Ferrell Knisely
More than 54,000 children have received school clothing allowance funds as of Monday while the Morrisey administration continues to vet applications during the school year. In a new twist in the administration’s handling of the program, some low-income children who...