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West Virginia Watch
Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed
BUTLER — Former President Donald Trump is recovering Saturday after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler that left a rally-goer and the gunman dead, authorities said. Two people were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., several loud pops […] The post Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states’ ballots?
This special report was written with contributions from States Newsroom’s 39 state news outlets. WASHINGTON — The Electoral College could help Democrats avoid a complicated situation in the event President Joe Biden withdraws from the race after his name is printed on ballots. States Newsroom reporters and editors in the network’s 39 states explored how […] The post If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states’ ballots? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might
For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax won’t pay the bills for much longer. At the same time, many cities have seen their […] The post Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Mental health, addiction drive homelessness in West Virginia, study finds
Many homeless people in West Virginia are long-term residents of the state, a comprehensive study of homelessness released earlier this week found. When people experiencing homelessness move here, it is often for services or to be near loved ones. The study, completed by the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute for the Department of Human […] The post Mental health, addiction drive homelessness in West Virginia, study finds appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted Wednesday to advance an appropriations bill for the federal Department of Labor that contains a provision to block the implementation of a newly finalized rule meant to limit coal miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust. The bill previously passed a subcommittee and, on Wednesday, passed the full Appropriations Committee […] The post U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Republicans want to kill the Dept. of Ed and privatize education. Billionaires are helping them.
Originally published by The 19th In the fall, the Department of Education will mark 45 years since its inception, but that anniversary could be its last if Donald Trump gets his way. The federal agency is one of several he’s vowed to slash if reelected president. “We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, […] The post Republicans want to kill the Dept. of Ed and privatize education. Billionaires are helping them. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Dear WV cities: Just because the Supreme Court says you could doesn’t mean you should
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities can charge people with crimes for sleeping in public, even when they have nowhere else to go. The ruling partially reversed the 2018 case Martin v. City of Boise, which had held that cities had to offer sufficient housing alternatives before criminalizing […] The post Dear WV cities: Just because the Supreme Court says you could doesn’t mean you should appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
State seeks conclusion of suit alleging mistreatment of foster kids, wants to avoid ‘costly’ trial
The state Department of Human Services is seeking a conclusion in a years-long lawsuit over West Virginia’s overwhelmed foster care system. The agency vowed that it has made improvements that dispute the lawsuit’s allegations of mistreatment of vulnerable kids in the state’s care. There are more than 6,100 children in West Virginia foster care — […] The post State seeks conclusion of suit alleging mistreatment of foster kids, wants to avoid ‘costly’ trial appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
‘Compounded’ weight-loss drugs are a growing problem for state regulators
Anna Wysock’s “aha” moment arrived in an Ohio amusement park, as she got ready to ride a roller coaster with her 7-year-old son: The safety bar across her lap would only click into place once. The attendant told her it had to click twice, or she couldn’t ride. She was mortified. “I had to do […] The post ‘Compounded’ weight-loss drugs are a growing problem for state regulators appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV city leaders consider implications of ruling on homeless camping bans
Days after the United States Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city’s public camping ban targeting homeless people, a Morgantown councilwoman called for the city to consider expanding its own camping ban. Councilwoman Louise “Weez” Michael’s comments came during the regular July 2 meeting of city council. Morgantown has an ordinance banning camping or temporary lodging […] The post WV city leaders consider implications of ruling on homeless camping bans appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital killed dozens in Kyiv. Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this […] The post Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine against Russia appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
United by their objections to Trump, congressional Dems largely close ranks behind Biden
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats appeared to quell some inner tumult over supporting President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, after highly anticipated internal meetings Tuesday showed the president retained considerable support from the Congressional Black Caucus and other lawmakers in public statements. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Democrats from both chambers largely declined to detail their […] The post United by their objections to Trump, congressional Dems largely close ranks behind Biden appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Baristas at Flatwoods Starbucks seek unionization for second time after failed bid in 2023
On Monday — for the second time in as many years — workers at the Flatwoods Factory Starbucks filed a petition to hold a union election with the hope of becoming the first unionized Starbucks in West Virginia. Their bid follows a national trend of Starbucks employees seeking unionization. According to a news release from […] The post Baristas at Flatwoods Starbucks seek unionization for second time after failed bid in 2023 appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress called on President Joe Biden to prove to voters that he is up for another four years in the Oval Office, though many in interviews pledged to stick with him as the presumptive nominee as they returned to the Capitol on Monday following the Fourth of July recess. Questions over […] The post Congressional Dems urge a more robust Biden on the campaign trail, but few openly revolt appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
New hydrant rules are up for comment, concerns remain regarding cost to ratepayers for upgrades
The West Virginia Public Service Commission last week filed newly proposed rules for the regulation and maintenance of the state’s fire hydrants following a state-wide audit and investigation into their operations. The new rules would require water systems in the state that operate hydrants to conduct annual inspections for all fire hydrants and hold flow […] The post New hydrant rules are up for comment, concerns remain regarding cost to ratepayers for upgrades appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
End of COVID relief funds forces some West Virginia schools to cut staff, question future
Federal pandemic programs that poured more than $1.2 billion into West Virginia schools will sunset this fall, leaving some counties figuring out how to continue funding critical positions and programs. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, or ESSER, which funded around 1,458 positions — jobs like teachers, reading specialists, nurses and custodians — […] The post End of COVID relief funds forces some West Virginia schools to cut staff, question future appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Celebrating the first year of West Virginia Watch
This time last year, I was slightly panicking but trying to act like I wasn‘t at all. I had started working at States Newsroom in May, and I had to come up with our name and our logo, hire reporters and plan strategy. Amelia Ferrell Knisely joined me the next month and began reporting. Lori […] The post Celebrating the first year of West Virginia Watch appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation
President Joe Biden pledged Monday to stay in his race for reelection, even after a weekend in which a growing number of Democrats asked for him to withdraw and a key U.S. House Republican called for an investigation into the president’s doctor. In a letter to congressional Democrats, Biden argued that the calls for him […] The post Biden tells congressional Dems he is staying in the race, urges end to speculation appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
When ‘universal’ pre-K really isn’t: Barriers to participating abound
When Tanya Gillespie-Lambert goes to an event in a local park in Camden, New Jersey, she takes a handful of brochures about free preschool with her. She has no hesitation about approaching strangers — moms with kids especially — to plug the service in the local public school district, where she’s director of community and […] The post When ‘universal’ pre-K really isn’t: Barriers to participating abound 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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