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West Virginia Watch
Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci defended his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, testifying before Congress about his work on the virus as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during two presidencies. House Republicans who called the hearing grilled Fauci during the contentious three-hour session about the origins of […] The post Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
As silica dust rule goes into effect, experts advocate education for the industry’s youngest
As a new federal rule to limit silica dust exposure for mine workers is set to go into effect later this month, advocates and industry experts are hoping to see the younger generation of coal miners learn more about — and use — the rights they have to ensure the updated industry standards are being […] The post As silica dust rule goes into effect, experts advocate education for the industry’s youngest appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private.
Years before the Dobbs decision, providers like Dr. Kylie Cooper were already uncomfortable with some of the reporting requirements for abortion procedures in states where they practiced. Cooper was a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for several years in Idaho before she reluctantly left the state in 2023 because of the near-total abortion ban that is now […] The post States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA won’t always keep it private. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Proposal would eliminate several Kanawha County bus routes, replace them with on-demand service
Dozens of people spoke against a proposal to eliminate more than 10 bus routes to Kanawha County communities during a public hearing Friday afternoon. The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority is considering ending 11 routes that take passengers to Sissonville, Clendenin, Campbells Creek and Tyler Mountain, among other places. The affected routes have a higher […] The post Proposal would eliminate several Kanawha County bus routes, replace them with on-demand service appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says
WASHINGTON — With Friday marking the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden administration is spotlighting commitments from over a dozen internet service providers to offer plans at $30 or less to low-income households through 2024. This comes as Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the short-term program had to […] The post Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire proposal from Israel on Friday, saying the three-phase plan presented to Hamas represents the best chance to end the war. Biden, speaking from the White House, urged people around the world who have been calling for an end to the war in the Middle East to pressure […] The post Biden urges Hamas to accept new Israeli ceasefire plan intended to end war appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Manchin registers as unaffiliated as deadline approaches to run as independent in November general
In what is becoming an election tradition, West Virginians are again being left to wonder what longtime Democrat Joe Manchin will do politically come November as the U.S. senator on Friday announced that he has left the Democratic Party and changed his voter registration to unaffiliated. The registration change means Manchin, 76, could enter the […] The post Manchin registers as unaffiliated as deadline approaches to run as independent in November general appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid
Twenty-one states are joining a push by the Biden administration to modernize America’s aging electric grid, which is under pressure from growing demand, a changing power generation mix that includes lots of wind and solar and severe weather. The administration, which has set a goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035, announced Tuesday that […] The post 21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told leading Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday he will not meet with them to discuss the court’s code of ethics, following revelations of displays of politically oriented flags at the homes of Justice Samuel Alito. Individual justices will continue to decide their own […] The post U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Former Williamson mayor pleads guilty to charges for diverting hospital funds for private use
Former Williamson Mayor Charlie Hatfield pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds for actions taken during his time as CEO of Williamson Memorial Hospital. Hatfield served as the rural hospital’s interim CEO for one year, from September 2018 to 2019. He was first elected as Williamson’s mayor […] The post Former Williamson mayor pleads guilty to charges for diverting hospital funds for private use appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial
WASHINGTON — Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in […] The post Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S.
WASHINGTON — Taxpayers across the United States could be guaranteed a free public option to file federal tax returns online as the Internal Revenue Service announced plans Thursday to make its Direct File program permanent. The pilot program offered in 12 states from March to April drew roughly 140,000 accepted returns this filing season and […] The post Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation pushed in both chambers of Congress aims to stop illegal fentanyl production and trafficking by focusing on the machinery used to manufacture pills. The Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates, or CAST, Act would redefine the criminal penalty for producing counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Counterfeiting drugs is already illegal as outlined […] The post Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom
More than half of the nation’s jobs created in the past five years have come in two states: Texas and Florida. They’re at the forefront of a job creation revolution in which states with lower wages and a lower cost of living are gaining the highest share of new jobs, according to a new Stateline […] The post Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The jury now will decide Trump’s fate in hush money trial, after lengthy closing arguments
WASHINGTON — Closing arguments in the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president concluded Tuesday, leaving the jury to now decide if Donald Trump is guilty of faking reimbursement to his personal lawyer for hush money paid to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election. Just outside the Lower Manhattan courthouse during […] The post The jury now will decide Trump’s fate in hush money trial, after lengthy closing arguments appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV foster care ombudsman resigns; new court docs allege state edited her reports on troubled system
West Virginia’s first foster care ombudsman, tasked with overseeing the state’s troubled foster care system, has resigned. Pamela Woodman-Kaehler submitted a letter of resignation, which will take effect on June 6, according to an email from a state Department of Health spokesperson. “It has been an incredible honor and pleasure to serve the citizens of West […] The post WV foster care ombudsman resigns; new court docs allege state edited her reports on troubled system appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
New solar will help keep power on during scorching summer, report says
With some parts of the country already facing heat waves, the organization in charge of setting reliability standards for the American electric grid is warning that a scorching summer could lead to a shortage of power generation in some regions. The warning comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there’s a 99% chance […] The post New solar will help keep power on during scorching summer, report says appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Funds for clean school buses coming to hundreds of districts, White House says
WASHINGTON — As part of its ongoing effort to replace diesel-fueled school buses, the Biden administration on Wednesday said it will provide approximately 530 school districts across nearly all states with almost $1 billion to help them purchase clean school buses. The initiative, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program rebate […] The post Funds for clean school buses coming to hundreds of districts, White House says appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Lawmakers give additional $27M to Hope Scholarship program
West Virginia lawmakers will give an additional $27 million to the Hope Scholarship, the state’s education savings account program, from unused state dollars. It is one of the nation’s broadest education saving account programs, giving roughly $4,400 per student in taxpayer money to families to use for private school, homeschooling and more. During the May […] The post Lawmakers give additional $27M to Hope Scholarship program appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
A bipartisan push to make air travel easier for new parents packing breast milk and formula
As the summer travel season approaches, new parents may be navigating airports with their babies — and the complexities of keeping them fed. Despite federal guidelines for airport agents laying out how to treat nursing moms, stories about problem encounters with security sometimes go viral. In 2023, actress and singer Keke Palmer said she was […] The post A bipartisan push to make air travel easier for new parents packing breast milk and formula 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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