List of Newspapers in West Virginia

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia is a state of stunning natural beauty, resilient communities, and a rich industrial heritage. From the coal fields of southern counties to the river cities along the Ohio and the state capital in Charleston, newspapers have long been the heartbeat of local information, civic discourse, and cultural preservation. Whether you're searching for "West Virginia newspapers list," "West Virginia news sites with URLs," "daily newspapers in West Virginia," or "best local papers in WV 2026," this exhaustive guide delivers a complete West Virginia all newspaper list with URLs, crafted for SEO optimization and user-friendly access. In 2026, as digital transformation continues amid economic shifts and community challenges, these publications blend print traditions with robust online platforms, ensuring Mountain State residents stay connected.

West Virginia newspapers cover critical topics: coal industry transitions, opioid crisis responses, outdoor recreation and tourism, higher education (WVU and Marshall), politics in Charleston, and high school sports rivalries. With a population around 1.8 million, the state's rural and small-town character supports numerous community weeklies alongside a handful of dailies. Print circulation has declined—major titles like the Charleston Gazette-Mail hover in the 30,000-40,000 range—but digital traffic surges, with sites like wvgazettemail.com and wvnews.com attracting significant online audiences. This resource compiles dailies, weeklies, regionals, and digital outlets with direct URLs, helping you track everything from legislative sessions to local festivals like the West Virginia Strawberry Festival or Hatfield-McCoy trails news.

These newspapers play an indispensable role in fostering informed citizenship and preserving Appalachian identity. During pivotal eras—like the coal boom, labor struggles (e.g., Battle of Blair Mountain coverage), Mountaintop removal debates, and recent economic diversification efforts—outlets like the Charleston Gazette-Mail (Pulitzer Prize winner for investigative reporting) and The Register-Herald have held power accountable and amplified local voices. In 2026, facing challenges like news deserts in remote counties, misinformation, and revenue pressures, West Virginia journalism adapts through community-supported models and digital innovation. This guide not only lists every major title but explores history, categories, and trends, making it essential for "West Virginia media directory" or "WV local news URLs" searches.

The Rich History of Newspapers in West Virginia

West Virginia's journalistic story begins in the early 19th century, intertwined with state formation (split from Virginia in 1863 during the Civil War), resource extraction, and labor movements. The press has chronicled triumphs, tragedies, and transitions in this rugged terrain.

The earliest newspapers emerged in the Virginia panhandle and Kanawha Valley. The Berkeley and Jefferson County Intelligencer (1799, Martinsburg area) ranks among the first, followed by titles in Wheeling and Charleston. Wheeling, a key Ohio River port, hosted The Wheeling Intelligencer (1852), which became a major voice during the Civil War, supporting Union causes and statehood. Charleston papers like The Kanawha Republican (1840s) advocated for separation from Virginia.

Post-statehood (1863), newspapers proliferated with coal and timber booms. Southern counties saw titles tied to mining towns; Beckley's Register-Herald traces roots to 1880s mergers. Labor unrest produced partisan press: union-supporting papers during strikes contrasted company-owned outlets. The 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain saw extensive coverage, with some papers censored or shut down.

The 20th century brought consolidation and golden eras. The Charleston Gazette (1907) and Daily Mail (1914) merged in 2015 into the Gazette-Mail under HD Media, winning a 2017 Pulitzer for opioid crisis reporting. Huntington's Herald-Dispatch (merged titles from 1909) covered steel and rail industries. Bluefield's Daily Telegraph (1890s) served the coalfields.

Ethnic and alternative press added diversity: immigrant papers for Italian and Hungarian miners, African American outlets in Charleston. The Great Depression and WWII tested resilience, with papers promoting war bonds and rationing.

Digital shifts began in the 1990s; many adopted websites by 2000. The 2010s saw challenges: declining ad revenue led to closures or frequency reductions (e.g., some dailies to weeklies). Yet, nonprofits and aggregators like WV News (Ogden Newspapers) bolster coverage. Digitization efforts—WVU's West Virginia and Regional History Center, Chronicling America (Library of Congress)—preserve titles from 1790s onward, with over 95 digitized West Virginia papers available.

In 2026, circulation reflects adaptation: print down but online up, with podcasts, newsletters, and social media expanding reach. This history highlights newspapers' role as watchdogs and community anchors in a state of enduring spirit.

Categories of West Virginia Newspapers

West Virginia newspapers are categorized by frequency, scope, and ownership. Dailies provide statewide/regional news, weeklies dominate rural counties, and digital platforms fill gaps. Major owners include HD Media, Ogden Newspapers, CNHI, and independents. Most are English, with some community bilingual elements.

Major Daily Newspapers in West Virginia

These serve larger populations and often cover statewide issues.

Charleston Gazette-Mail

• Description: State's largest, Pulitzer-winning investigative focus on politics, environment, opioids.
• Location: Charleston
• Publisher/Ownership: HD Media

The Register-Herald

• Description: Southern WV coverage, business, sports, community features.
• Location: Beckley
• Publisher/Ownership: CNHI

The Herald-Dispatch

• Description: Huntington metro, education (Marshall U), Ohio River Valley news.
• Location: Huntington
• Publisher/Ownership: HD Media

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

• Description: Coalfields and southern border region, daily updates.
• Location: Bluefield
• Publisher/Ownership: Independent/affiliated

The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

• Description: Northern panhandle, Ohio River focus.
• Location: Wheeling
• Publisher/Ownership: Ogden Newspapers

Dominion Post

• Description: Morgantown area, WVU-centric, education, sports.
• Location: Morgantown
• Publisher/Ownership: Independent

Times West Virginian

• Description: Fairmont/Marion County, local government, community.
• Location: Fairmont
• Publisher/Ownership: Ogden Newspapers

Exponent-Telegram

• Description: Clarksburg/Bridgeport, north-central WV.
• Location: Clarksburg
• Publisher/Ownership: NCWV Media

West Virginia Daily News

• Description: Greenbrier Valley, tourism, agriculture.
• Location: Lewisburg
• Publisher/Ownership: Ecent Corporation

These dailies influence statewide discourse, especially on energy and economy.

Regional and Local/Weekly Newspapers in West Virginia

Weeklies and semi-weeklies serve counties and small towns, often under Ogden, HD Media, or independents.