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West Virginia Watch
With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson committed Friday to following the topline spending agreement he struck with Democrats less than a week ago, following a day of speculation that he was preparing to walk away from the deal. “Our top line agreement remains,” Johnson said in a statement to reporters just off the House […] The post With partial government shutdown a week away, Johnson says he’ll stick to spending deal appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Legislature adjourns early for the weekend; Senate defends process for fast track bills
The West Virginia Legislature wrapped early on its first Friday, continuing what has been a relatively calm three days under the dome. So far, business handled by both chambers during the regular session has centered on bills rolled over from last year and a few expected initiatives, including proposals spurred from interim meetings and a […] The post Legislature adjourns early for the weekend; Senate defends process for fast track bills appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
There’s a new pill for postpartum depression, but many at-risk women face hurdles
The first pill for postpartum depression approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now available, but experts worry that minority and low-income women, who are disproportionately affected by the condition, won’t have easy access to the new medication. About 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, federal data shows. Suicide and drug […] The post There’s a new pill for postpartum depression, but many at-risk women face hurdles appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia’s child care desert becomes a priority for business-minded governor and lawmakers
West Virginia has a shortage of affordable child care providers, a longstanding problem made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s pro-business push has forced more politicians, including the governor, to recognize child care as a crucial need that warrants government attention and funding. Data shows that more than 26,000 kids in the state can’t […] The post West Virginia’s child care desert becomes a priority for business-minded governor and lawmakers appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Biden announces plan to cancel some student loan balances under $12,000
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Friday that some federal student loan borrowers will have their loans cancelled under the Department of Education’s new repayment plan. Starting next month, people who took out under $12,000 in federal student loans and have been repaying those loans for 10 years will get their remaining student loan balance […] The post Biden announces plan to cancel some student loan balances under $12,000 appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia: So pro-life we’ll kill you
“Pro-life” is a strange label to adopt for a Legislature that welcomes so much death. Legislative session after legislative session, I have listened to those in power under the gold dome call themselves “pro-life.” And yet, they’ve done much more to hasten people’s demise than prolong their lives. Recent talk of bringing back the death […] The post West Virginia: So pro-life we’ll kill you appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
New turmoil over possible shutdown in D.C. amid warnings of a WIC food program shortfall
WASHINGTON — Meetings on Thursday between U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and conservative lawmakers led to speculation he was about to walk away from the bipartisan spending agreement he signed off on just this past weekend — a decision that would greatly increase the chances of a partial government shutdown next week. Also Thursday, Biden […] The post New turmoil over possible shutdown in D.C. amid warnings of a WIC food program shortfall appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
House Health takes on transparency for First Foundation, CPS investigations
The private nonprofit entrusted with allocating millions of state dollars earned from court settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors may soon, by state code, be obligated to adhere to open meeting laws and the Freedom of Information Act. On Thursday, members of the House Committee on Health and Human Resources unanimously advanced House Bill 4593, […] The post House Health takes on transparency for First Foundation, CPS investigations appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
AARP: Social Security tax cut ‘step in the right direction’
A representative of an organization that supports the interests of older West Virginia residents called Gov. Jim Justice’s proposal to eliminate state tax on Social Security benefits “a step in the right direction.” AARP West Virginia spokesman Tom Hunter said the organization has been advocating for the tax break for years. “Taxing Social Security undermines […] The post AARP: Social Security tax cut ‘step in the right direction’ appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Country music singer ‘Jelly Roll’ pleads with Congress to act on fentanyl crisis
WASHINGTON — Country music star Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord stepped out of the recording studio and into a Capitol Hill hearing room on Thursday to urge Congress to take action to curb both the supply of illicit fentanyl and the demand for it. “I could sit here and cry for days about the caskets I’ve […] The post Country music singer ‘Jelly Roll’ pleads with Congress to act on fentanyl crisis appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
DeSantis and Haley trade accusations at Iowa debate while Trump holds separate town hall
DES MOINES — With five days until the Iowa Republican caucuses, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley competed Wednesday night in a CNN-hosted debate, while at a separate Iowa event former President Donald Trump called for mass deportations and dismissed accusations that he represents a threat to democracy. DeSantis and Haley […] The post DeSantis and Haley trade accusations at Iowa debate while Trump holds separate town hall appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
With abortion on the 2024 ballot, campaigns could see millions in funding from familiar players
Before the Dobbs ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022, abortion was rarely an issue of such significance in elections that individuals and national political action committees poured millions of dollars into ballot questions and gubernatorial and judicial races. But since Dobbs triggered the fall of Roe and abortion access became a central […] The post With abortion on the 2024 ballot, campaigns could see millions in funding from familiar players appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Justice’s final State of the State touts his accomplishments, calls for tax cuts with tight budget
In a speech that was more a victory lap than agenda setting, Gov. Jim Justice had limited directives for the Republican-led Legislature during his final year in office. He touted growing businesses, cutting taxes and protecting unborn children. His longest verbal request of lawmakers focused on high school sports, as he asked the Republican-led body […] The post Justice’s final State of the State touts his accomplishments, calls for tax cuts with tight budget appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Another stopgap spending bill in the works as Congress struggles to avert shutdown
WASHINGTON — Congress on Wednesday appeared to be on track to pass a third deadline extension for at least some of the government funding bills that were supposed to become law more than three months ago — putting off a potential government shutdown. The move, while not final, would give the Republican House, Democratic Senate […] The post Another stopgap spending bill in the works as Congress struggles to avert shutdown appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Regular session kicks off with Senate consideration of 36 fast track bills
Lawmakers in the 84th Legislature gaveled in Wednesday for the start of the 60 day regular session, immediately considering dozens of bills that nearly became law last year. The first day of the 2024 session came with a tonal shift compared to 2023, when lawmakers repeatedly suspended rules in both chambers to push legislation through. […] The post Regular session kicks off with Senate consideration of 36 fast track bills appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Which states will join the new summer meal program for low-income kids? Here’s the list.
WASHINGTON — Children from low-income families in 35 states, four tribes and all U.S. territories will now receive permanent food assistance during the summer months when schools are closed, leaving children in 15 states excluded from the benefits. Low-income families will now receive $40 each month for each eligible school-aged child, up to $120, to […] The post Which states will join the new summer meal program for low-income kids? Here’s the list. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Immigration negotiations in Congress center on parole, asylum policy
WASHINGTON — A deal on changes to immigration policy remained elusive on Tuesday for top U.S. Senate negotiators. Those leading the talks — Sens. James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut and Kyrsten Sinema, independent of Arizona — have worked for weeks to strike a deal between the White House and Senate […] The post Immigration negotiations in Congress center on parole, asylum policy appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
The 2024 legislative session starts today. Here’s what lawmakers say they’re working on
The West Virginia Legislature will gavel in Wednesday for what will be the last regular session of Gov. Jim Justice’s eight years in office. The state will learn more about Justice’s priorities for the upcoming session during his State of the State address Wednesday evening. Justice is running for U.S. Senate. House and Senate leaders […] The post The 2024 legislative session starts today. Here’s what lawmakers say they’re working on appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Isn’t it time for the West Virginia Legislature to face the truth about Sharpe Hospital?
During the 2023 legislative session, the West Virginia Legislature enacted House Bill 2006 that split the Department of Health and Human Resources into three agencies amid criticism of mismanagement, nonfeasance and retaliation. The bill required DHHR to create a “long-term sustainability plan for each state health facility” by Dec. 1, 2023. The deadline has passed […] The post Isn’t it time for the West Virginia Legislature to face the truth about Sharpe Hospital? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday seeking immunity from charges that he schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and knowingly fed lies to supporters who turned violent on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump, who is leading polls in the 2024 Republican presidential primary field, watched while his attorney D. […] The post Three-judge federal panel grills Trump lawyer on claim of presidential immunity 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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