State briefs

Colleges urged to increase tuition

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission will meettoday to decide whether to approve tuition increases of up to 8.5percent at seven four-year public colleges.

Marshall University and West Virginia University have alreadyapproved higher tuitions and fees, and do not need approval from thecommission.

Beginning this fall, in-state Marshall students will pay 5.5percent more, bringing their tuition to $2,299. In-state students atWVU will pay 8 percent more or about $2,550 per semester.

The commission's staff has recommended approval of increases ofbetween 5.7 percent and 8.5 percent for the other publicinstitutions.

Manchin keeps leadin contributions

Gov. Joe Manchin maintains a considerable money edge over fellowDemocrat Mel Kessler as the May 13 primary approaches.

Manchin raised another $150,000 during the pre-primary reportingperiod, bringing his contribution total to $2.4 million. His re-election campaign still had $1.8 million on hand as of April 27.

Kessler, a freshman delegate from Raleigh County, collected just$175 during the filing period. He loaned his campaign $10,000.

The primary winner faces Republican Russ Weeks. The formerRaleigh County state senator is unopposed in the GOP primary. Hispre-primary report had not been posted Thursday.

COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS

Manchin's latest contributors include coal and utilityexecutives, video lottery operators and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.The Beckley native gave his campaign $1,000.

Art groups getting

federal grants

Six arts organizations in West Virginia are getting federalgrants totaling $748,500 from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The state Division of Cultural and History received the largestgrant, $663,500. The agency will use part of the funding for in-house expenses and distribute the rest to arts groups around thestate.

Other grants include $10,000 to the Clay Center for the Arts andSciences, $25,000 to Davis & Elkins College, $10,000 to GreenbrierValley Theater and $15,000 to the Wheeling Symphony.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra received two grants: $17,500for a statewide tour to underserved rural communities and $7,500 forchamber music performances by the Montclaire String Quartet andworkshops by composer Darol Anger.

COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS