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West Virginia Watch
First Foundation adopts mission statement, more as it moves closer to distributing opioid funds
A year after being founded and exactly seven months after holding its first meeting, the West Virginia First Foundation is, leaders hope, getting closer to establishing a process for distributing opioid settlement funds across the state. So far, no money has been allotted by the organization. Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, who sits on the First […] The post First Foundation adopts mission statement, more as it moves closer to distributing opioid funds appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy
WASHINGTON — “They were brave, they were resolute, they were ready,” President Joe Biden said Thursday at the Normandy American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, one of five along France’s northern coast where Allied troops invaded in 1944 and turned the tide in World War II. Biden and dozens of U.S. lawmakers traveled to Normandy to […] The post On 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion, Biden and Macron honor WWII veterans at Normandy appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The sale of raw milk is legal in West Virginia starting Friday. Drinking it comes with risks
As West Virginia legalizes the sale of raw milk, a multi-state outbreak of avian flu among dairy cows continues in nine states. House Bill 4911, which allows the sale of raw milk, had wide support from Republicans in both the state House of Delegates and the Senate during the regular legislative session earlier this year. […] The post The sale of raw milk is legal in West Virginia starting Friday. Drinking it comes with risks appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes
In the coming years, climate change could force Americans from their homes, not just by raising sea levels, worsening wildfires and causing floods — but also by putting insurance coverage out of reach. In places including California, Florida and Louisiana, some homeowners are finding it nearly impossible to find an insurance company that will cover […] The post States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The utility rates are high because our leaders are failing us
It’s been quite a year, and I don’t mean just 2024. This week climate scientists released data showing that May was the hottest month on record. More than that, it marked one year of each month being hotter than the last, the first time that has ever happened. The world is getting hotter and natural […] The post The utility rates are high because our leaders are failing us appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Judge allows Justice briefing on state’s handling of Boone County 14-year-old’s death to continue
A press briefing where Gov. Jim Justice and other state leaders have promised to release details of an investigation into the state’s handling of a 14-year-old Boone County girl’s death last month will continue as scheduled, according to a judge’s order issued Wednesday and reported by WCHS. Boone County Circuit Judge Stacy Nowicki-Eldridge also directed […] The post Judge allows Justice briefing on state’s handling of Boone County 14-year-old’s death to continue appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Swope challenges election results in Mingo County
A West Virginia state senator who lost his seat in last month’s primary election has filed a challenge to the election results. Sen. Chandler Swope, R-Mercer, filed the challenge with the Mingo County Commission. In a notice filed Wednesday, Swope said he intends to challenge all votes cast in seven precincts and wants to examine […] The post Swope challenges election results in Mingo County appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Budget Committee debated the cause of the insurance crisis plaguing homeowners around the country at a Wednesday hearing, with Democrats identifying climate change as the ultimate driving force of rising premiums and Republicans pointing to high government spending and inflation. Homeowners insurance premiums have skyrocketed in recent years, following billions in […] The post U.S. Senate panel divided over climate as cause of rising insurance premiums appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead
WASHINGTON — An attempt to reinforce Americans’ access to contraception failed Wednesday when U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill from advancing toward final passage. The 51-39 procedural vote required at least 60 senators to move forward, but fell short after GOP lawmakers said the measure was too broad as well as unnecessary. Alaska Sen. Lisa […] The post U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Progressive lawmakers and organizers on Wednesday urged U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to testify before Congress about two flags sympathetic to insurrectionists that were displayed outside his two homes. With the Supreme Court as their backdrop, […] The post Progressives urge Alito recusal from Jan. 6 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
As mpox cases rise, experts urge complete, 2-part vaccinations
The number of U.S. mpox cases has more than doubled compared with last year, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been urging clinicians across states to encourage vaccinations for those at risk. As of May 25, the nation had seen a roughly 150% increase in cases of the disease formerly known […] The post As mpox cases rise, experts urge complete, 2-part vaccinations appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Tax cut trigger likely to be hit in August; could total $18M revenue drop for FY 2025
As August approaches, state leaders are still uncertain about what the impact could be of the impending trigger that could — depending on revenue collections — bring an end to the state’s personal income tax and, in turn, a budget deficit of unknown proportions. Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, said, based on recent revenue […] The post Tax cut trigger likely to be hit in August; could total $18M revenue drop for FY 2025 appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Senate Dems decry limits on abortion access, House Dems unveil contraception bill
WASHINGTON — The national debate over whether laws or patients should determine abortion access dominated a U.S. Senate committee hearing Tuesday, when a panel of six experts testified about the complicated nature of treating pregnancies and miscarriages. The two-hour hearing in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee was at times genuine and heartfelt. At […] The post U.S. Senate Dems decry limits on abortion access, House Dems unveil contraception bill appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House GOP spotlights immigration effects on schools as Biden issues asylum order
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Tuesday argued that migrants coming from the southern border and into K-12 schools have strained resources and teacher-student ratios while leaving a “staggering” financial impact throughout the United States. The hearing in the U.S. House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education came the same day as President […] The post U.S. House GOP spotlights immigration effects on schools as Biden issues asylum order appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states
Dairy farmers throughout the country are on guard and the federal government is mobilizing after an outbreak among cattle herds of highly pathogenic avian influenza — once thought to be confined to poultry flocks. What’s more, the virus, also known as H5N1 or bird flu, was diagnosed in a third dairy farmworker last week, marking […] The post Bird flu’s spread from poultry to cattle to humans provokes worry among feds, states appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday issued an executive order that will allow him to partially suspend asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border when daily unauthorized crossings reach a threshold of 2,500 migrants. “I’ve come here today to do what Republicans in Congress refuse to do, take the necessary steps to secure our border,” […] The post Executive order limiting asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border signed by Biden appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money
With college costs rising and some students and families questioning the return on investment of a four-year degree, a few pioneering state universities are exploring programs that would grant certain bachelor’s degrees in three years. The programs, which also are being tried at some private schools, would require 90 credits instead of the traditional 120 […] The post Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The Hope Scholarship will continue to hurt West Virginia public schools
West Virginia public schools need money, that’s no secret. Many schools are struggling to figure out what they’re going to do when they lose the temporary federal pandemic funding, which ends in September. For the 2024-2025 school year, there will be $392 million less in funding statewide for public schools. Schools are desperate to fill […] The post The Hope Scholarship will continue to hurt West Virginia public schools appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies
WASHINGTON — A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would eliminate pay deductions for chicken producers, Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday. Under the current poultry payment system, an incentive-based arrangement known within the industry as a tournament system, farmers who raise poultry earn a base payment from the companies that buy the product […] The post USDA aims to aid small farmers by barring pay deductions from poultry companies 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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