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West Virginia Watch
VA secretary says agency will cooperate with investigation into veterans crisis line
WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough sought to defend the veterans crisis line Wednesday in a letter to the Kansas senator who has raised concerns with how some veterans are treated after calling it. McDonough wrote in the three-page letter to Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran that the VA “takes any allegations […] The post VA secretary says agency will cooperate with investigation into veterans crisis line appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by congressional watchdog agency
WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office plans to investigate multiple whistleblower allegations of “gross mismanagement” at the Department of Veterans Affairs veterans crisis line, following a request from Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran, States Newsroom has learned. Moran, ranking member on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the VA secretary this week […] The post VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by congressional watchdog agency appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Ohio voted on abortion. Next year, 11 more states might too.
UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — As activists parse the results of last Tuesday’s vote to protect abortion rights in Ohio, Jamie Corley is already well on her way to putting a similar measure in front of Missouri voters next year. Corley, a former Republican congressional staffer, filed not one, but six potential ballot measures in August […] The post Ohio voted on abortion. Next year, 11 more states might too. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Multiple employees at a state-run hospital have been charged with crimes this year
Standing before lawmakers, the state’s new secretary of health facilities fielded a question about the latest employee issue at William R. Sharpe Jr., Hospital: a nurse had been arrested last week and charged with murder for an incident that didn’t occur at the facility. “Sharpe seems to be in the news all the time,” Secretary […] The post Multiple employees at a state-run hospital have been charged with crimes this year appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
U.S. House passes stopgap spending bill in bipartisan vote, in crucial test for new speaker
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House took a broadly bipartisan vote Tuesday to fund the government into the new year, though the measure must pass the Senate by the end of the week if Congress is going to avoid a partial government shutdown. The 336-95 House vote was the first major legislative test for Speaker Mike […] The post U.S. House passes stopgap spending bill in bipartisan vote, in crucial test for new speaker appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Tuberville blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by U.S. Senate panel
WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Senate Committee on Rules and Administration approved a resolution meant to bypass Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of hundreds of U.S. military nominees as he continues to protest a Pentagon abortion policy. The Rules Committee voted 9-7 along party lines to, in essence, temporarily change a Senate floor process to allow […] The post Tuberville blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by U.S. Senate panel appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to fight at U.S. Senate hearing
WASHINGTON — Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a physical fight at a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday intended to showcase how labor unions are making families’ lives better. The tense confrontation at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing stemmed from acrimonious posts on social […] The post Oklahoma senator challenges Teamsters president to fight at U.S. Senate hearing appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Congress nears another government shutdown deadline on Friday at midnight
WASHINGTON — Congress on Monday appeared to be on the edge of approving another short-term government funding bill this week, though several hurdles remain if lawmakers want to stave off a partial government shutdown when the current funding law expires at the end of the week. Democratic leaders and President Joe Biden expressed some skepticism […] The post Congress nears another government shutdown deadline on Friday at midnight appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
County agencies oppose PEIA rate hikes during public meeting in Charleston
During a public hearing in Charleston Monday evening, more than a dozen people spoke against proposed health insurance premiums hikes for state and local government workers. About 50 people attended the Public Employees Insurance Agency’s public hearing at the Culture Center. PEIA is proposing to increase premiums for state...
U.S. Supreme Court unveils new ethics code, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court released a new ethics code Monday, just days before the Democrat-led U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary again attempts to subpoena two high-profile GOP donors following revelations that justices accepted undisclosed luxury trips and engaged in other potential conflicts of interest. Despite the headlines and the committee’s springtime request […] The post U.S. Supreme Court unveils new ethics code, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
‘Nationwide gun emergency’ discussed by U.S. House Democrats at roundtable meeting
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats held a Monday roundtable forum on changing U.S. gun laws following a recent mass shooting in Maine, where 18 people were killed. The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, invited witnesses to discuss gun violence solutions, and said that the gun industry lobby, the National Rifle […] The post ‘Nationwide gun emergency’ discussed by U.S. House Democrats at roundtable meeting appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Manchin for president … of the United States or West Virginia University?
Last week in a pre-recorded video, Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginia’s last remaining Democrat in Congress, announced that he will not seek reelection for his U.S. Senate seat that he’s held for the last 13 years. Sitting in front of a very presidential looking red background with a bald eagle statue on each side of […] The post Manchin for president … of the United States or West Virginia University? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
‘A massive problem’: School districts misspent millions in COVID-19 relief money, audit shows
The state department of education failed to adequately monitor school districts’ use of millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds, and more misuse of the money is likely to emerge as spending reviews continue. A state audit, which reviewed only a sample of purchases made since 2020, found that the West Virginia Department of […] The post ‘A massive problem’: School districts misspent millions in COVID-19 relief money, audit shows appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
DHHR faces Jan. 1 deadline to split into 3 new departments, address vacancy issues
State health department leaders, tasked with splitting the behemoth department by the start of the new year, are working to fill vacancies while also eliminating unnecessary positions. State lawmakers earlier this year mandated that the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources split into three agencies in an effort to improve department outcomes and […] The post DHHR faces Jan. 1 deadline to split into 3 new departments, address vacancy issues appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
States lose track of thousands of foster children each year
Sharday Hamilton, a 28-year-old advocate for foster youth, homeless youth and runaways, still bears her own scars from running. There’s one near her left knee. She got it as a little girl, running away from her foster mother, who was trying to hit her with a bag of frozen food but who sometimes used a skillet or a baseball bat. There are the burns she suffered when she was forced to sit on a hot stove.
In rural Clay County, families fight to avoid losing beloved schools
CLAY COUNTY, W.Va. — Breakfast with Santa. A clothing drive for your neighbors. Community movie night. Your son’s birthday party. No matter the occasion, if you’re hosting an event in Bomont, West Virginia, there’s a good chance you’ll hold it at H.E White Elementary School. Aside from a nearby Methodist church, this school is the […] The post In rural Clay County, families fight to avoid losing beloved schools appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
CPS investigating 68% of child abuse and neglect referrals in required timeframe, DHHR leader says
Child protective services workers are responding to around 68% of abuse and neglect referrals in the required timeframe, according to state health department leaders, revealing some children may remain in dangerous situations. The rate marks an improvement for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources after a 2018 state audit found the state’s […] The post CPS investigating 68% of child abuse and neglect referrals in required timeframe, DHHR leader says appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
‘This is not sustainable’: Charleston soup kitchen looks for new permanent location
After suspending services at a downtown church, Charleston’s only soup kitchen is continuing to serve meals from a food truck. But as winter approaches, Manna Meal leaders say the program needs a new permanent indoor dining space. “This is not sustainable,” Manna Meal director Amy Wolfe said of serving food. “Even though it’s a solution, […] The post ‘This is not sustainable’: Charleston soup kitchen looks for new permanent location appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Lawmakers take November interims to Wheeling; meetings to run from Sunday to Tuesday
November is here and so is another round of legislative interims. Lawmakers will be taking the three days of meetings on the road this week, congregating in Wheeling, where they are scheduled to discuss local issues and initiatives as well as state policies. These meetings are held regularly throughout the year when the Legislature is […] The post Lawmakers take November interims to Wheeling; meetings to run from Sunday to Tuesday appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Veterans’ health care coverage expanded by Biden administration
Ahead of Veterans Day, Biden administration officials said Friday the Department of Veterans Affairs will expand health care coverage for certain groups of veterans and their families and create new programs meant to make care more accessible. The VA will make coverage of certain toxic burn pit-related conditions available sooner than anticipated. Family members of […] The post Veterans’ health care coverage expanded by Biden administration 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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