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West Virginia Watch
U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […] The post U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
New voter registration rules threaten hefty fines, criminal penalties for groups
ORLANDO, Fla. — On a sticky Sunday afternoon in late May, Mark Wendell ambled through Loch Haven Park, a mossy, oak-covered green space wedged between a trio of lakes and the Orlando Science Center. Among the two dozen food and vendor tents lining the sidewalks at the Orlando Fringe theater and arts festival was People […] The post New voter registration rules threaten hefty fines, criminal penalties for groups appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt’s efforts to pass legislation that would block Medicaid funding from going to states that ban in vitro fertilization were unsuccessful Wednesday when Democrats blocked the bill from advancing. Britt, who introduced the legislation earlier this year alongside Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, said during brief debate the bill […] The post Republican IVF bill fails in U.S. Senate appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans voted Wednesday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with Department of Justice officials. The GOP lawmakers maintain the audio is valuable for their monthslong impeachment inquiry into Biden. House Republicans brought the contempt citation […] The post U.S. House GOP votes to hold attorney general in contempt in dispute over audio recording appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears
WASHINGTON — When Lauren Miller flew from her home state of Texas to Colorado two years ago she felt a moment of relief when the plane took off — not because she had been delayed for hours or because she needed a vacation, but because she was about to meet with doctors who would be […] The post State abortion bans forcing interstate travel, U.S. Senate panel hears appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Second foster care leader in West Virginia to exit in last two weeks
Jeff Pack, head of the state’s foster care system within the Department of Human Services, will transition into another government role, according to the governor. Pack is the second foster care leader to announce they’ll exit their role in the last two weeks as DoHS has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of and communication […] The post Second foster care leader in West Virginia to exit in last two weeks appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Environmental concerns prompt relocation of Paden City students
Students at a Wetzel County school will be relocated for the upcoming academic year because of environmental concerns with the school’s location. In a letter to faculty and staff Wednesday, Wetzel County Superintendent Cassandra Porter wrote that due to health concerns about Paden City High School being located on top of an Environmental Protection Agency […] The post Environmental concerns prompt relocation of Paden City students appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections
WASHINGTON — Ashly Trejo Mejia is eager to attend medical school, but she’s not sure she can pursue that dream because of an upcoming court decision that could end the Obama-era program meant to temporarily protect immigrants like her who were brought into the country illegally as children. “You’re frozen in time,” she said. The […] The post Immigrant advocates, congressional Dems press Biden for permanent protections appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats echoed Senate colleagues Tuesday in calling for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to recuse themselves from Jan. 6 cases, and for congressional Republicans to support passing an enforceable ethics code for the entire bench. Reps. Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight […] The post Pair of U.S. House Dems add to chorus calling for Alito, Thomas recusals appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Kyneddi Miller presser was long on words, short on accountability
The Governor’s Reception Room at the West Virginia Capitol is designed to project a sense of importance. White columns and paneling contrast with herringbone wood floors, lit by large, draped windows, adorned with state and American flags perfectly angled for presentation. The staging of a podium manned by a lawyer in a suit, and the […] The post Kyneddi Miller presser was long on words, short on accountability appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges
President Joe Biden on Tuesday touted his administration’s efforts to reduce gun violence as the second anniversary of bipartisan gun safety legislation he signed into law approaches. “Never give up on hope,” Biden said during an annual conference hosted by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. The post Biden touts gun safety record to advocates, as son found guilty on felony charges appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV among 42 states settling with pharmaceutical company over talc powder marketing
West Virginia is one of 42 states that have reached a $700 million settlement agreement with Johnson & Johnson over allegations about the company’s marketing of baby powder and body powder products that contained talc, which allegedly causes cancer. West Virginia will get nearly $6 million if a judge approves the proposed agreement. The post WV among 42 states settling with pharmaceutical company over talc powder marketing appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Tuesday released their framework for a new five-year farm bill that will set the policy and funding levels for key food, agriculture and conservation programs. The top Republican on the committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, laid out GOP priorities with reporters during a Tuesday morning briefing prior to publication of the framework. The post U.S. Senate Republicans outline their farm bill framework appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East
A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers has launched an effort to spur planning for what the Gaza Strip will look like the “day after” the Israel-Hamas war, even as agreement over a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal remains elusive. The post Bipartisan U.S. House caucus planning for post-war Middle East appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
DeVaughn, Jones to headline state’s Juneteenth celebration Saturday
Grammy nominated R&B artists Raheem DeVaughn and Glenn Jones will headline West Virginia’s annual Juneteenth celebration this weekend. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) The event – hosted by the state Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs and FestivALL Charleston – is scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the State Capitol Complex. It’s free and open to the public. The post DeVaughn, Jones to headline state’s Juneteenth celebration Saturday appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV ranks near bottom of country for education outcomes as childhood poverty increases, data shows
One quarter of children in West Virginia live in poverty, and new data shows the number has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kids Count Data Book ranked West Virginia 47th out of 50 states for children’s economic well-being. The data, released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, sought to analyze how kids are […] The post WV ranks near bottom of country for education outcomes as childhood poverty increases, data shows appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum
EL PASO, Texas — Seventeen-year-old Karina Parababire gently rocked her three-month-old daughter as they waited in a migrant shelter before a Friday night bus ride to Chicago. “I want my daughter to have everything that I didn’t have,” Parababire, who traveled up the extremely dangerous route of the Darien Gap while pregnant, said in Spanish. […] The post On the U.S.-Mexico border, hopes and fears after Biden’s order limiting asylum appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
A new West Virginia law expanded raw milk sales. Finding farm insurance might be a hurdle.
Ripley farmer Michael Overholt grew up on a dairy farm drinking raw milk. Now, as a homesteader with 10 cows, he has provided raw milk to customers through a herd share program since 2018. “The choice for us was a very natural choice,” Overholt said of unpasteurized milk. “A lot of it simply had to […] The post A new West Virginia law expanded raw milk sales. Finding farm insurance might be a hurdle. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Children shouldn’t have to die for West Virginia lawmakers to take action
Last week, Gov. Jim Justice’s administration gave an update on a horrible case out of Boone County where a 14-year-old girl died after several state agencies failed her. Justice said during an earlier press briefing that Child Protective Services had “no idea” about the child, who was found in a skeletal state. Then he walked […] The post Children shouldn’t have to die for West Virginia lawmakers to take action appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts
WASHINGTON — Economists across the ideological spectrum raised doubts about the cost and workability of former President Donald Trump’s proposal over the weekend to exempt tips from federal taxes if he wins in November. During a campaign rally Sunday in Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands work in the hospitality industry, Trump promised service workers […] The post Trump floats plan to end taxes on tips, though experts raise doubts 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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