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West Virginia Watch
Tuberville relents on months-long blockade of most military nominees, blaming Democrats
WASHINGTON — After blocking hundreds of U.S. military promotions for most of 2023 in protest of a Pentagon abortion policy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said Tuesday he will lift his holds on all of them except for a handful of four-star general nominees. The senator, who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Forces, […] The post Tuberville relents on months-long blockade of most military nominees, blaming Democrats appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Pennsylvania senator pushes review of U.S. investments in China but hits roadblock in House
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan measure that would require screening of U.S. private investments in high-tech enterprises in China, Iran, North Korea and Russia may not be included in Congress’ annual defense policy legislation. The Senate approved the so-called “outbound investment” amendment, 91-6, to its version of the National Defense Authorization Act in July, with proponents […] The post Pennsylvania senator pushes review of U.S. investments in China but hits roadblock in House appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Worries over secrecy grow as state officials shield records from the public
Just weeks after lawmakers in Little Rock passed legislation shielding certain state records from public disclosure, opponents launched an effort to amend the Arkansas Constitution to protect access to government documents. “The coalition that’s coming together on this is about as broadly bipartisan as you could get — from the extreme, extreme right to the […] The post Worries over secrecy grow as state officials shield records from the public appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Your 2023 West Virginia Watch Wrapped
Happy Spotify Wrapped Season to all who celebrate! The music app Spotify creates a list for each user in late November to show how many minutes they used the app listening to music and podcasts, and lists their top genres, artists, songs and podcasts. We just launched in July, but let’s look at what the […] The post Your 2023 West Virginia Watch Wrapped appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Now at Garnet, Manna Meal looks to buy property or lease long-term
A Charleston soup kitchen has a roof over its head again after serving meals outdoors from a food truck for most of November, but the former Garnet Career Center will likely not be a forever home for Manna Meal, leaders said Monday. Amy Wolfe, Manna Meal’s executive director, said the...
Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War would receive Congressional Gold Medal under push by lawmakers
WASHINGTON — Members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation are leading a bipartisan effort to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency recruited the Hmong people as soldiers to help combat communism’s spread through Southeast Asia. The Hmong, who lived and worked as […] The post Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War would receive Congressional Gold Medal under push by lawmakers appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
White House points to defense spending in states in new plea for Ukraine aid
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is warning Congress that without more funding for Ukraine, the United States will no longer be able to provide that country with military assistance — and emphasizing the multiple states from Arkansas to Michigan to Pennsylvania where businesses already have benefited from earlier aid. Cutting off U.S. funding would not […] The post White House points to defense spending in states in new plea for Ukraine aid appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
In face of threats, election workers vow: ‘You are not disrupting the democratic process’
Hundreds of election workers in Washington state’s second-largest county were busy opening mail-in ballots earlier this month when one of them came across a plain white envelope. As she cut it open, white powder leaked out. She carefully took off her gloves, put them down, backed away and called her supervisor. Workers evacuated the building […] The post In face of threats, election workers vow: ‘You are not disrupting the democratic process’ appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WVU will lose 10 academic minors and English Language Learning Institute for international students
West Virginia University will lose 10 academic minors amid campus changes due to a budget crunch. The majority of the program loss involves foreign languages as the university’s Board of Governor voted to eliminate the World Languages Department. The university will also dissolve its English Language Learning Institute, which helps international students learn English before […] The post WVU will lose 10 academic minors and English Language Learning Institute for international students appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Congress is haggling over border security: Where does it stand?
WASHINGTON — As Congress negotiates the White House’s $106 billion supplemental aid request for Israel, Ukraine and U.S. border security, fights over immigration policy have tied up the request. The White House sent its proposal that includes nearly $14 billion in supplemental border security funding to Congress in late October, but it will likely look […] The post Congress is haggling over border security: Where does it stand? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Sandra Day O’Connor, who made history as the first woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93
WASHINGTON — The first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court is dead at 93. Sandra Day O’Connor, a groundbreaking justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, died Friday in Phoenix, Arizona of complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness, according to an announcement from the court. President Ronald Reagan nominated […] The post Sandra Day O’Connor, who made history as the first woman on the Supreme Court, dies at 93 appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
New York Republican George Santos expelled by U.S. House in bipartisan vote
WASHINGTON — New York Republican George Santos on Friday became the sixth lawmaker in history and the first member of the GOP to be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives. The 311-114 bipartisan vote, which required two-thirds support, followed months of scandal that culminated in a federal criminal indictment and a damning report from […] The post New York Republican George Santos expelled by U.S. House in bipartisan vote appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Republicans Miller, Morrisey push back on proposed federal protections for LGBTQ foster kids
West Virginia Republicans have spoken out against a proposed rule change for how child welfare agencies must manage the cases of LGBTQ children, which could include required access to gender affirming care. On Thursday, Congresswoman Carol Miller, R-W.Va., joined dozens of other Republicans in Washington, D.C., to introduce the bill...
Abortion opponents push state lawmakers to promote unproven ‘abortion reversal’
Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortions. Anti-abortion organizations are pushing state lawmakers to promote a controversial and unproven “abortion reversal” treatment — flouting the objections of medical professionals who point out it is not supported by science. In the past several years, Republican lawmakers in at […] The post Abortion opponents push state lawmakers to promote unproven ‘abortion reversal’ appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
To tackle the HIV syndemic, we need to think bigger
For the past 35 years, Dec. 1 has been recognized as World AIDS Day and serves as a reminder of our collective action to end the stigma around HIV and honors the lives we’ve lost over decades of struggle. As World AIDS Day is recognized across the globe, I urge communities across Appalachia to recognize […] The post To tackle the HIV syndemic, we need to think bigger appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Manna Meal to resume indoor service in downtown Charleston
After serving meals outside from a food truck for more than two weeks, Charleston’s only soup kitchen will resume indoor service this weekend at a new location. Beginning Saturday, Manna Meal will serve breakfast and lunch from the former Garnet Career Center in downtown Charleston, the nonprofit announced Thursday. “This move is a reflection of […] The post Manna Meal to resume indoor service in downtown Charleston appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV will need to replace at least 3% of its water lines under newly proposed lead rule
A new federal proposal released Thursday would, if adopted, require West Virginia to replace at least 3% of its water service lines that are suspected to contain lead. The proposal gives all water systems in the country 10 years to find and replace at least 9.2 million lead service lines. It’s the largest update to […] The post WV will need to replace at least 3% of its water lines under newly proposed lead rule appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Six correctional officers from Southern Regional Jail charged in relation to inmate’s death
Six more former Southern Regional Jail correctional officers are facing federal charges for an assault that led to the death of a man there last year. A grand jury on Thursday indicted Mark Holdren, 39; Cory Snyder, 29; Johnathan Walters, 35; Jacob Boothe, 25; Ashley Toney, 23 and Chad Lester, 33, on federal charges related […] The post Six correctional officers from Southern Regional Jail charged in relation to inmate’s death appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
GOP senators walk out of vote on subpoenas in U.S. Supreme Court ethics inquiry
WASHINGTON — South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham and Republican colleagues stormed out of a Democratic-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Thursday to authorize subpoenas for two high-profile GOP operatives as part of an ethics probe into undisclosed financial ties to U.S. Supreme Court justices. The panel voted 11-0 to subpoena billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow […] The post GOP senators walk out of vote on subpoenas in U.S. Supreme Court ethics inquiry appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Democrats split on placing conditions on military aid to Israel
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress are divided on whether to set guardrails on additional military aid to Israel as that country responds to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks with airstrikes and a ground war in Gaza. It’s not yet clear what those conditions would be or how they would affect congressional support for aid […] The post Democrats split on placing conditions on military aid to Israel 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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