Mission Statement
The Kanawha Valley Update serves the citizens of Kanawha County, West Virginia by offering free access to accurate, independent, nonpartisan community news and information.
About the Kanawha Valley Update
The Kanawha Valley Update is an independent, nonpartisan, digital-first local news outlet focused on providing accurate, fact-based reporting on the diverse communities of the Kanawha Valley region of West Virginia. It was founded by Michael Ramsburg, an experienced multimedia journalist and lifelong West Virginian. The Update strives to support the local news and information needs of the more than 174,000 people who currently call Kanawha County home, including those in communities outside the Charleston metro area.
The Kanawha Valley Update began as a weekday newsletter on the Substack platform. The newsletter was launched in November 2023. Beginning in 2025, the Update expanded its digital offerings, launching this multimedia website. Content is now distributed through the free flagship newsletter, on the kvupdate.com website, and via various news partners and social media channels.
The Update was designed to compliment other area news providers, not replace them. Because the publication is currently staffed by only one person (editor and founder Michael Ramsburg), it can not possibly cover all news happening around the Kanawha Valley. Instead, its aim is to provide community-focused, locally-inspired news coverage, spotlighting topics and beats that may receive less attention in other existing regional media.