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West Virginia Watch
IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally
Air travel, banking, media and hospital systems were just some of the industries affected by a bug in a software update that scrambled business operations for many globally on Friday. Many of those who use Microsoft Windows are likely experiencing a “blue screen of death” or an error page. The issue is due to a […] The post IT glitch causing delays in flights, business operations globally appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV paid more than $900,000 sending National Guard members to Texas border in 2023
The state of West Virginia spent more than $900,000 in 2023 sending a group of volunteers from the West Virginia National Guard to the southern border as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial Operation Lone Star initiative, according to documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act and shared by nonprofit watchdog group American […] The post WV paid more than $900,000 sending National Guard members to Texas border in 2023 appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Angry patients spur new state watchdogs to bring down drug prices
Spurred by fed-up consumers, states are trying to curb spiraling prescription drug costs by assembling special public boards to investigate and regulate pricing. The idea is similar to a local utility board: a public group that sets rules or makes recommendations to ensure that what they’re regulating — in this case, prescription medications — is […] The post Angry patients spur new state watchdogs to bring down drug prices appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
As a fellow Ohioan, I have some concerns about U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance
Donald Trump announced Monday Ohio junior U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate in the 2024 election, and I have some concerns. Like J.D. Vance, I am also 39 years old; I also grew up in a struggling old industrial city in Ohio; I have also lost countless people close to me to the […] The post As a fellow Ohioan, I have some concerns about U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. appeals court agrees to block central part of new Title IX gender rules for schools
A federal appellate court has upheld blocking central parts of new Title IX rules from the Biden administration and granted an expedited hearing in October. A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to block the rules from taking effect Aug. 1, shortly before most schools begin their academic year. […] The post U.S. appeals court agrees to block central part of new Title IX gender rules for schools appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
State to change its child abuse and neglect referral system, partners with nonprofit
The West Virginia Department of Human Services will change how it screens referrals and manages cases involving child abuse and neglect. Child welfare leaders hope to better support families who may need assistance but not an investigation. DoHS leaders last month told reporters that they were editing their abuse and neglect screening process amid questions […] The post State to change its child abuse and neglect referral system, partners with nonprofit appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Eagle Pass residents have mixed feelings about sharing their city with the National Guard
EAGLE PASS, Texas — From a shaded bench off Main Street, next to the city park the state of Texas seized in January for its border operations, Jessie Fuentes sometimes likes to count the number of humvees, Department of Public Safety SUVs and unmarked trucks driven by uniformed soldiers that pass him. Often, Fuentes said, […] The post Eagle Pass residents have mixed feelings about sharing their city with the National Guard appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Young West Virginia: Will you stay, or will you go?
I’m writing this for the young generations of West Virginians — the ones in that summer lull between grades, before college, or maybe your first job. You’re fresh from graduation season, listening to inspiring commencement speeches reflecting on where you’ve been and where you’re going. And I wonder, in those moments, if you’re planning to […] The post Young West Virginia: Will you stay, or will you go? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Advocates want tobacco prevention, cessation funding on the agenda for WV special session
A coalition of health care organizations is again calling on West Virginia leaders to increase state funding for tobacco prevention. In a letter Wednesday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, along with the West Virginia Dental Association, West Virginia Hospital Association and the West Virginia State Medical Association asked Gov. Jim Justice to include […] The post Advocates want tobacco prevention, cessation funding on the agenda for WV special session appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
States pledged hundreds of troops and spent millions to help Texas at the border so far this year
More than a dozen Republican governors gathered in Eagle Pass in February, heeding a call from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to confront what he labeled “President Joe Biden’s border crisis.” The governors, along with other GOP state leaders, vowed to send another round of National Guard troops from their states to the Texas-Mexico border. With […] The post States pledged hundreds of troops and spent millions to help Texas at the border so far this year appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Justice at Republican National Convention: Trump ‘an incredible man’
Appearing at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice spoke of his friendship with former President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and said the United States would “become unhinged” if he is not reelected in November. “I want to talk to you tonight about my relationship with President Trump,” Justice […] The post Justice at Republican National Convention: Trump ‘an incredible man’ appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Emily Calandrelli will be first West Virginia woman to travel to space
Emily Calandrelli, an engineer, will be the first woman from West Virginia to be an astronaut to travel to space. She’ll make the journey through a private flight company. The West Virginia University alumna, Emmy-nominated television host and mother announced the news on Tuesday. “I studied as an aerospace engineer for a decade, and it […] The post Emily Calandrelli will be first West Virginia woman to travel to space appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Two decades without a state pay raise, Birth to Three program faces worker shortage
When Kay and Jeremy Rutkowski brought a baby girl in state foster care home from the hospital in 2021, they were told she’d never be able to walk. A social worker referred the parents, who lived in Inwood, West Virginia, to Birth to Three, a free program that offers a range of in-home services to […] The post Two decades without a state pay raise, Birth to Three program faces worker shortage appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals
As part of President Joe Biden’s initiative to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes in underserved communities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced new policy proposals that would require hospitals to adhere to more rigorous maternal care standards or risk losing their ability to participate in Medicare. According to the proposed […] The post Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
What’s the point of a surplus if West Virginians are suffering from lack of child care providers
Gov Jim Justice announced recently that the state’s revenue collections for fiscal year 2024 were about $826 million above estimates. The governor often brags about state surpluses and more money coming in than estimated — meanwhile, West Virginians are suffering because state agencies are underfunded. There are many examples of this, but because Justice wants […] The post What’s the point of a surplus if West Virginians are suffering from lack of child care providers appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Justice thanks God, calls to ‘stop the violence’ following Trump assassination attempt
Following what’s being treated as an assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump over the weekend, Gov. Jim Justice called on West Virginians to “stop the hate” during a live address on Monday. In his remarks, Justice — who described Trump as a “really personal friend” — said he wanted to see an end to […] The post Justice thanks God, calls to ‘stop the violence’ following Trump assassination attempt appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Some police officers leave big cities for smaller towns to avoid heightened scrutiny
Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the police murder of George Floyd, many big-city law enforcement agencies are struggling to fill their ranks. Departments have tried offering hiring bonuses, expediting background checks and increasing salaries. Some have dropped bans on visible tattoos, lowered physical fitness exam requirements and expanded eligibility to […] The post Some police officers leave big cities for smaller towns to avoid heightened scrutiny appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia Dem candidates spend little as summer campaigns kick off
The first campaign finance reports since May’s primary election were filed this week, showing that Republicans in nearly all contested state-level races are vastly outspending and outraising their Democratic opponents. The reports cover a two-month period between April 29 and June 30, meaning they include about two weeks of information before the May 14 primary, […] The post West Virginia Dem candidates spend little as summer campaigns kick off appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
FBI identifies shooter in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally
The FBI said early Sunday it had identified the man who shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. State voter records show Crooks was a registered Republican, and a Federal Election Commission filing showed he made a $15 donation on Jan, […] The post FBI identifies shooter in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
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West Virginia Watch is an independent, nonpartisan news service based in Charleston. Our journalists will hold public officials and agencies accountable, and inform West Virginians of what’s going on behind closed doors. We focus on issues that affect our state every day – such as poverty, access to health care, the foster care system – with an aim of filling the gaps in coverage caused by shrinking newsrooms. The Watch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit network supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. We retain full editorial independence. West Virginia Watch is free to read without paywalls or subscription fees.
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