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Mountain State Spotlight
In West Virginia’s ‘Poultry Capital,’ immigrant workers struggle to find the help and support they need
Lea en español. Li an Kreyòl. MOOREFIELD — Tatiana had two options after she lost her job in 2020, and both of them broke her heart. The first was to stay in Honduras, a country where more than half of the people live in poverty. With no new job opportunities, Tatiana knew she and her […] In West Virginia’s ‘Poultry Capital,’ immigrant workers struggle to find the help and support they need appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
In one of the most dangerous workplaces in West Virginia, a poultry giant has profited from immigrant labor for decades
Lea en español. Li an Kreyòl. ဤဆောင်းပါးကို မြန်မာဘာသာဖြင့်ဖတ်ရှုရန်။. MOOREFIELD — On a rainy afternoon in 2020, Pilgrim’s Pride’s West Virginia chicken factory was dirty. The slaughterhouse has sharp metal hooks, deboning knives and conveyor belts. The machinery butchers over a million live birds every week and is constantly covered with animal grime. That day, dozens […] In one of the most dangerous workplaces in West Virginia, a poultry giant has profited from immigrant labor for decades appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Mountain State Spotlight selects Tre Spencer for Journalist of Color Fellowship
Mountain State Spotlight is excited to announce that Tre Spencer has joined the organization as a fellow. As a native Ohioan born and raised in Toledo, he has developed a vested interest in community impact journalism, public service and nonprofit management. He will be covering an array of topics including environmental and economic development, and […] Mountain State Spotlight selects Tre Spencer for Journalist of Color Fellowship appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Lawmakers came back to Charleston and left again with no action to help West Virginians with child care
West Virginia child care centers are closing. A deadline to fund help so parents can afford child care is fast approaching. Lawmakers and Gov. Jim Justice insist that child care is a priority. But again last week, policymakers met and adjourned without taking any child care action. After child care was not addressed during the […] Lawmakers came back to Charleston and left again with no action to help West Virginians with child care appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Ritchie County residents found pollution in their drinking water. Now local officials are scrambling to fund a new system
ELLENBORO — Mark Parsons and his wife live on a 150-acre farm in Ritchie County, raising cattle, guinea hens and chickens. They’re also raising their two young children, a family and business plan they’ve long had to stay in their native state after meeting at West Virginia University. They bought the farm, which has been […] Ritchie County residents found pollution in their drinking water. Now local officials are scrambling to fund a new system appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
New testimony from top official describes widespread problems with West Virginia’s child welfare system
The West Virginia agency charged with protecting children repeatedly rejected proposals to reform the child welfare system as kids were beaten and died, a senior state official said in sworn testimony made public on Thursday. Jeremiah Samples, a former deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources who now advises top lawmakers, said […] New testimony from top official describes widespread problems with West Virginia’s child welfare system appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Lawmakers approve a plan to put less money in the Rainy Day Fund. Could that hurt WV in the long run?
In a session to address social services spending, lawmakers made a change to the Rainy Day Fund – the state’s emergency savings account – that will mean less money goes into it in future years. Lawmakers approve a plan to put less money in the Rainy Day Fund. Could that hurt WV in the long run? appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
West Virginia lawmakers just sent $180 million to help seniors, kids and the disabled. It’s not nearly enough
In Charleston this week, lawmakers spent several days bickering over the details of a funding package to help some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. Back home in legislators’ districts across the state, real West Virginians continued to need more help and support. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities languish in state psychiatric institutions. Seniors […] West Virginia lawmakers just sent $180 million to help seniors, kids and the disabled. It’s not nearly enough appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Here are Steve Williams’ answers to our questions
MSS: When you were elected mayor Huntington in 2012, you inherited a city that was kind of teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Over your time in office, the city’s finances were largely turned around, essential services were preserved and the city’s bond rating actually increased. While West Virginia has been enjoying a revenue surplus, […] Here are Steve Williams’ answers to our questions appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Are tax cuts coming? It’s complicated. Here’s how West Virginia’s income tax trigger works, and why it’s causing confusion
The 2023 tax trigger could potentially eliminate the state’s income tax in the coming years and is fueling new budget woes at the Capitol. Are tax cuts coming? It’s complicated. Here’s how West Virginia’s income tax trigger works, and why it’s causing confusion appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
We asked people in the Northern Panhandle what’s on their mind this election season. They told us: roads, jobs and drugs
Every few hours, fleets of tanker trucks zip through the very same narrow two-lane roads George Vucelick travels to get to his Moundsville home. The old, winding country roads now feature a growing number of potholes and divots alongside sections of asphalt that are sagging, even crumbling at some points — illustrating the devastating toll […] We asked people in the Northern Panhandle what’s on their mind this election season. They told us: roads, jobs and drugs appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Steve Williams turned Huntington around. Now he wants to give West Virginia a try
Patrick Morrisey emerged from a crowded and bitter GOP gubernatorial primary and faces an experienced Democratic challenger. Steve Williams turned Huntington around. Now he wants to give West Virginia a try appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
On Primary Election Day, here is what’s on West Virginians’ minds
We believe that elections are — or should be — more about West Virginians and our families, so on Primary Election Day, Mountain State Spotlight reporters fanned out across our state to see what our neighbors were thinking about. On Primary Election Day, here is what’s on West Virginians’ minds appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
West Virginia 2024 primary election results: Morrisey goes for Governor, Justice eyes Washington
Voters across West Virginia have selected the candidates who will run in the November general election. Here’s what happened in the primary election. West Virginia 2024 primary election results: Morrisey goes for Governor, Justice eyes Washington appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Parkersburg: Partisanship gets in the way of real solutions to homelessness, addiction
Jessica Siefert runs the Parkersburg Art Center and said the downtown is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parkersburg: Partisanship gets in the way of real solutions to homelessness, addiction appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Kanawha City: Struggling to get public assistance or a good job
Angelina Nemeth is finishing up dental school and says it’s difficult to get enough money to take care of her kids Kanawha City: Struggling to get public assistance or a good job appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Charleston: Watching politicians treat trans people as ‘subhuman’
Ryan Alexander, a trans man from White Sulphur Springs, said campaign rhetoric is dangerous Charleston: Watching politicians treat trans people as ‘subhuman’ appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Huntington: Love the arts, uncertain on the levy
Sheila Redling, a writer and city welcomer, said she’s concerned about the contentious school levy vote and who will be the next mayor of West Virginia’s second-largest city. Huntington: Love the arts, uncertain on the levy appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
Mullens: Volunteering to beautify the community
Becky Moorefield and Michelle Martin say volunteer efforts are integral to Mullens' continued recovery from a 2001 flood. Mullens: Volunteering to beautify the community appeared first on Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia's civic newsroom.
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