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West Virginia Watch
Emily Calandrelli will be first West Virginia woman to travel to space
Emily Calandrelli, an engineer, will be the first woman from West Virginia to be an astronaut to travel to space. She’ll make the journey through a private flight company. The West Virginia University alumna, Emmy-nominated television host and mother announced the news on Tuesday. “I studied as an aerospace engineer for a decade, and it […] The post Emily Calandrelli will be first West Virginia woman to travel to space appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Two decades without a state pay raise, Birth to Three program faces worker shortage
When Kay and Jeremy Rutkowski brought a baby girl in state foster care home from the hospital in 2021, they were told she’d never be able to walk. A social worker referred the parents, who lived in Inwood, West Virginia, to Birth to Three, a free program that offers a range of in-home services to […] The post Two decades without a state pay raise, Birth to Three program faces worker shortage appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals
As part of President Joe Biden’s initiative to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes in underserved communities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced new policy proposals that would require hospitals to adhere to more rigorous maternal care standards or risk losing their ability to participate in Medicare. According to the proposed […] The post Proposed first-ever federal standards for maternal care met with mixed response from hospitals appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
What’s the point of a surplus if West Virginians are suffering from lack of child care providers
Gov Jim Justice announced recently that the state’s revenue collections for fiscal year 2024 were about $826 million above estimates. The governor often brags about state surpluses and more money coming in than estimated — meanwhile, West Virginians are suffering because state agencies are underfunded. There are many examples of this, but because Justice wants […] The post What’s the point of a surplus if West Virginians are suffering from lack of child care providers appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Justice thanks God, calls to ‘stop the violence’ following Trump assassination attempt
Following what’s being treated as an assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump over the weekend, Gov. Jim Justice called on West Virginians to “stop the hate” during a live address on Monday. In his remarks, Justice — who described Trump as a “really personal friend” — said he wanted to see an end to […] The post Justice thanks God, calls to ‘stop the violence’ following Trump assassination attempt appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Some police officers leave big cities for smaller towns to avoid heightened scrutiny
Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the police murder of George Floyd, many big-city law enforcement agencies are struggling to fill their ranks. Departments have tried offering hiring bonuses, expediting background checks and increasing salaries. Some have dropped bans on visible tattoos, lowered physical fitness exam requirements and expanded eligibility to […] The post Some police officers leave big cities for smaller towns to avoid heightened scrutiny appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia Dem candidates spend little as summer campaigns kick off
The first campaign finance reports since May’s primary election were filed this week, showing that Republicans in nearly all contested state-level races are vastly outspending and outraising their Democratic opponents. The reports cover a two-month period between April 29 and June 30, meaning they include about two weeks of information before the May 14 primary, […] The post West Virginia Dem candidates spend little as summer campaigns kick off appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
FBI identifies shooter in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally
The FBI said early Sunday it had identified the man who shot former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. State voter records show Crooks was a registered Republican, and a Federal Election Commission filing showed he made a $15 donation on Jan, […] The post FBI identifies shooter in assassination attempt on Trump at Butler rally appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed
BUTLER — Former President Donald Trump is recovering Saturday after a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler that left a rally-goer and the gunman dead, authorities said. Two people were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., several loud pops […] The post Trump ‘safe’ after shooting at campaign rally in Butler; one spectator and suspected gunman killed appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states’ ballots?
This special report was written with contributions from States Newsroom’s 39 state news outlets. WASHINGTON — The Electoral College could help Democrats avoid a complicated situation in the event President Joe Biden withdraws from the race after his name is printed on ballots. States Newsroom reporters and editors in the network’s 39 states explored how […] The post If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states’ ballots? appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might
For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax won’t pay the bills for much longer. At the same time, many cities have seen their […] The post Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Mental health, addiction drive homelessness in West Virginia, study finds
Many homeless people in West Virginia are long-term residents of the state, a comprehensive study of homelessness released earlier this week found. When people experiencing homelessness move here, it is often for services or to be near loved ones. The study, completed by the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute for the Department of Human […] The post Mental health, addiction drive homelessness in West Virginia, study finds appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
West Virginia appeals to U.S. Supreme Court over transgender sports ban
The state of West Virginia is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a lower court’s ruling against its transgender sports ban. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, along with the state of Idaho and the Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a briefing before the high court asking it to take up the Fourth Circuit Court […]
U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted Wednesday to advance an appropriations bill for the federal Department of Labor that contains a provision to block the implementation of a newly finalized rule meant to limit coal miners’ exposure to dangerous silica dust. The bill previously passed a subcommittee and, on Wednesday, passed the full Appropriations Committee […] The post U.S. House committee advances bill that would halt application of new silica dust rule appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Republicans want to kill the Dept. of Ed and privatize education. Billionaires are helping them.
Originally published by The 19th In the fall, the Department of Education will mark 45 years since its inception, but that anniversary could be its last if Donald Trump gets his way. The federal agency is one of several he’s vowed to slash if reelected president. “We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, […] The post Republicans want to kill the Dept. of Ed and privatize education. Billionaires are helping them. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Dear WV cities: Just because the Supreme Court says you could doesn’t mean you should
Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass v. Johnson that cities can charge people with crimes for sleeping in public, even when they have nowhere else to go. The ruling partially reversed the 2018 case Martin v. City of Boise, which had held that cities had to offer sufficient housing alternatives before criminalizing […] The post Dear WV cities: Just because the Supreme Court says you could doesn’t mean you should appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
Cabell school board restores levy funding to parks, library
A school levy that Cabell County voters rejected in May will get one more chance this fall, this time with funding fully restored to the county’s parks and libraries. The Cabell County Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved restoring its excess levy call to include $575,979 to the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation Department […]
State seeks conclusion of suit alleging mistreatment of foster kids, wants to avoid ‘costly’ trial
The state Department of Human Services is seeking a conclusion in a years-long lawsuit over West Virginia’s overwhelmed foster care system. The agency vowed that it has made improvements that dispute the lawsuit’s allegations of mistreatment of vulnerable kids in the state’s care. There are more than 6,100 children in West Virginia foster care — […] The post State seeks conclusion of suit alleging mistreatment of foster kids, wants to avoid ‘costly’ trial appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
‘Compounded’ weight-loss drugs are a growing problem for state regulators
Anna Wysock’s “aha” moment arrived in an Ohio amusement park, as she got ready to ride a roller coaster with her 7-year-old son: The safety bar across her lap would only click into place once. The attendant told her it had to click twice, or she couldn’t ride. She was mortified. “I had to do […] The post ‘Compounded’ weight-loss drugs are a growing problem for state regulators appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WV city leaders consider implications of ruling on homeless camping bans
Days after the United States Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city’s public camping ban targeting homeless people, a Morgantown councilwoman called for the city to consider expanding its own camping ban. Councilwoman Louise “Weez” Michael’s comments came during the regular July 2 meeting of city council. Morgantown has an ordinance banning camping or temporary lodging […] The post WV city leaders consider implications of ruling on homeless camping bans 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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