West Virginia Watch
@WV_Watch
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Welcome to West Virginia Watch, a Charleston-based daily news outlet 🚀 launching 🚀 July 11 to cover state policy and politics. No pop-ups, no paywalls, no politicians running the show, just independent journalism. Sign up now for our newsletter:
13
89
181
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, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
4
22
111
A date has been set for a debate between Republican Patrick Morrisey and Democrat Steve Williams, both candidates for governor of West Virginia, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
1
23
73
The Democratic National Committee is sending $50,000 to West Virginia for this election cycle, targeting four state legislative races that both the national and statewide Democrats believe could be flipped back to blue, reports
@caitycoyne
.
4
20
72
COMMENTARY: It’s time for West Virginia to stop honoring Stonewall Jackson who fought to enslave Black people, writes
@Qking__
.
5
16
66
A new filing from federal attorneys says 23 coal companies owned by Gov. Jim Justice’s family shouldn’t have entered into a 2020 settlement agreement if they knew they were unable to pay, reports
@caitycoyne
.
7
54
68
Yet another blow could be coming for Gov. Jim Justice’s family business empire as attorneys for the federal government are asking a court to hold 23 of the family’s coal companies in contempt for unpaid fines dating back a decade, reports
@caitycoyne
.
3
23
67
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Williams on Thursday challenged Republican opponent Patrick Morrisey to debate “the issues facing West Virginia voters,” reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
2
24
65
WVU is wrapping up a publicly tumultuous year as national media have questioned how a land-grant university, particularly one in a poor state, can remain competitive after gutting World Languages, graduate math programs and more, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
1
26
64
COMMENTARY: If Gov. Jim Justice is running the state like he ran his own businesses, it’s no wonder so many agencies are struggling financially, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
2
32
64
The state of West Virginia spent more than $900,000 in 2023 sending a group of volunteers from the West Virginia National Guard to the southern border as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial Operation Lone Star initiative, reports
@caitycoyne
.
13
31
59
A nonprofit has partnered with Marshall University to eliminate the traditional application process for high school students in seven counties. The program is an effort to help students more easily access higher education, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
0
18
56
As financial struggles and allegations against companies owned by Gov. Jim Justice and his family continue to build, the West Virginia Democratic Party called for Justice to drop out of his race for U.S. Senate, reports
@caitycoyne
and
@LoriKerseyWV
.
3
23
51
COMMENTARY: Following the West Virginia Legislature is kind of like riding a rollercoaster, except it’s mostly lows and there’s nothing enjoyable about it, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
4
9
47
As governments in the state continue to pass legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, Rosemary Ketchum said being part of that community in West Virginia can feel like living on Mars, reports
@lorikerseywv
.
0
16
41
More than a year after taking a failed vote, workers at the Flatwoods Factory Starbucks voted last week in support of forming a union for their store, according to a Starbucks spokesperson,
@caitycoyne
reports
2
19
43
COMMENTARY: The West Virginia Department of Human Services (
@WVHumanServices
) can’t say reporters are misinforming the public when the department's communications directors refuse to speak to them to answer their questions, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
2
17
43
“We all know that some of these kids are dealing with not great home situations, and having an adult they can trust — even just one — is critical. That poster in my classroom is a sign to them. It says ‘hey, I’m here if you need me, you can trust me.’”
3
16
39
Commentary: There will always be an inherent danger to riding in a car. But advising everyone to stay out of cars is not practical, so we make it as safe as we can instead. That’s harm reduction, writes
@sydneemcelroy
.
1
21
38
Workers at a total of 38 auto parts plants, including Martinsburg Parts Distribution Center in West Virginia, will join the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
2
12
40
Two deaths, 26 days apart, highlight a dire problem in West Virginia, particularly in the state’s rural counties: there is an emergency medical services shortage spurred by tight county budgets, a worker shortage and more, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
3
31
40
For the second time in as many years, workers at the Flatwoods Factory Starbucks, on Monday filed a petition to hold a union election with the hope of becoming the first unionized Starbucks in West Virginia, reports
@caitycoyne
.
4
9
39
West Virginia Watch reporter
@ameliaknisely
, a Rand native, is an award-winning investigative reporter with 10 years of experience in journalism focusing on poverty, child welfare, public health, social services and education.
0
1
38
The news comes just days after the Board of Governors voted to slash 28 academic programs and 143 faculty positions at the state’s flagship university, reports
@ameliaknisely
.
3
24
37
COMMENTARY: Under President Joe Biden’s administration, significant investments have been made to improve West Virginia’s infrastructure and economic landscape, writes Josh Keck.
3
21
37
The USDA is pushing back against Gov. Jim Justice’s claim that its “abrupt decision” to no longer recognize a longstanding variance at the state Wildlife Center was part of a politically motivated effort to “punish” the state, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
6
21
36
From
@publicsourcepa
: After Pittsburgh’s EQT began fracking in Wetzel County, West Virginia, families reported VOC emissions and sickness. Complaints to the state Department of Environmental Protection didn't help, and now the EPA is investigating.
5
25
36
COMMENTARY: This time last year, I was concerned for the future of journalism in West Virginia, writes
@Leann_Ray
. Four journalists had been fired and I worried that this type of retaliation for honest reporting would be the new normal.
3
6
35
The Biden administration announced Monday $1 billion in funding for more than 2,700 electric and low-emission school buses across 37 states, reports
@ArianaLFigueroa
. West Virginia will receive $18.5 million for 47 school buses.
2
12
35
Financial struggles are continuing to mount for Gov. Jim Justice and his family’s business empire as The Greenbrier Hotel is set to go to public auction later this month because of a default, reports
@caitycoyne
and
@LoriKerseyWV
.
5
26
36
The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down West Virginia’s ban on transgender athletes, finding the law violates transgender students’ rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the constitution and Title IX, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
1
7
36
“They’re not just destroying education, they’re destroying a community. That should be known."
@ameliaknisely
reports.
0
12
36
West Virginia Watch is officially live! Please visit to read our articles on foster care, harm reduction, school safety, financial disclosures from West Virginia's members of Congress, and more.
0
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Nearly half of West Virginia grandparents raise their grandkids, spurring financial and mental health needs, reports
@ameliaknisely
. In one county, well over half of the grandparents who live there report they’re raising grandkids.
2
20
30
COMMENTARY: Health insurance prices are higher in West Virginia than any other state — by a lot. Roughly twice as high as our neighboring states. How is that remotely acceptable, ask
@Sam4WV
.
2
23
34
Judge sides with parks, libraries against Cabell BOE; district must continue funding the agencies, reports
@caitycoyne
.
1
13
30
Man featured in Brad Paisley music video reflects, hopes to educate on substance use disorder, reports
@caitycoyne
. Brian Simpkins, from Logan, was featured in the music video for “The Medicine Will.”
1
18
31
It's our first birthday! For a year now we've been providing news about West Virginia for free — no ads, no logins, no paywalls. Help us celebrate by subscribing to our newsletter, sharing our stories online or consider donating.
0
7
31
Dem governor candidate Williams calls for abortion ballot measure to make special session agenda ,
@ameliaknisely
reports
4
13
31
COMMENTARY: Gov. Jim Justice takes credit for “saving” the Greenbrier from bankruptcy in 2009, but now that it’s facing foreclosure says he’s not involved with the day-to-day business. The employees of The Greenbrier deserve better, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
0
10
31
ICYMI: As financial struggles and allegations against companies owned by Gov. Jim Justice and his family continue to build, the WV Democratic Party on Tuesday called for Justice to drop out of his race for U.S. Senate, reports
@caitycoyne
&
@LoriKerseyWV
.
1
10
30
COMMENTARY: It is an exhausting time to be a West Virginian who follows politics, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
2
6
27
COMMENTARY: West Virginia legislators are poised to repeat the mistakes of Virginia and Texas in their attempts to limit access to pornographic websites, writes
@RustyWilliamsWV
of
@ACLU_WV
.
2
12
29
The head of West Virginia Public Broadcasting has stepped down. The West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority on Monday accepted the resignation of Carl “Butch” Antolini during an emergency virtual meeting, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
0
15
28
For the first time in state history, spouses could soon be charged with sexual abuse against their partners if a bill passed by the state Senate on Monday is accepted and passed by the House, reports
@caitycoyne
.
0
7
27
Nearly 50 years in the making, West Virginia lawmakers on Friday completed action on a bill to remove marriage as a defense for certain kinds of sexual abuse and contact, reports
@caitycoyne
.
1
7
27
Federal funding will allow step toward daily service of Amtrak’s Cardinal line through West Virginia
0
15
26
West Virginia Watch reporter
@caitycoyne
, a San Diego, CA native, is an award-winning reporter who covered health at the Charleston Gazette-Mail, focusing on COVID-19, HIV, harm reduction, clean water access, chronic disease, abortion and the drug epidemic in West Virginia.
0
1
27
House Democrats elected Del. Sean Hornbuckle as their minority leader, marking a historic moment for the party as he is the first Black man to take on the role.
0
7
27
West Virginia Watch Deputy Editor
@LoriKerseyWV
, a Sissonville native and award-winning journalist, has more than 10 years of experience covering news in WV. She worked at the Charleston Gazette-Mail as both a reporter and editor, most recently covering city government.
0
2
27
More than 100 people showed up to the West Virginia Capitol on Sunday to urge lawmakers to restore funding to a program that provides necessary services to adults and children with disabilities, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
0
17
24
Despite a resounding lack of evidence showing that secondhand exposure to fentanyl is likely to cause any sort of overdose or physical harm in most cases, the WV House advanced a bill to create felonies for exposing anyone to the drug, reports
@caitycoyne
.
9
14
25
The West Virginia Democratic Party on Tuesday called for an investigation in the state DOT after recent allegations that Secretary Jimmy Wriston awarded millions of dollars in state and federal road contracts to an engineering firm that employs his son.
5
10
19
COMMENTARY: Any time you cut unemployment, you’re hurting people. It seems like the members of West Virginia’s Legislature have never been on unemployment. As someone who has been, let me tell you about it, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
2
9
24
Voters in the Democratic primary will have the choice between three very different candidates — a progressive mayor, a self-described populist and an infamous former coal operator, reports
@caitycoyne
.
7
12
24
COMMENTARY: Then WVU sent out a news release about Gee finally addressing all of the “misrepresentations” in prepared statements to the faculty senate and it really threw a wrench into this completed column that I’ve now had to rewrite, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
3
13
25
"It doesn’t have to be this way," said a national harm reduction expert who successfully changed Florida’s laws banning syringe service programs, reports
@caitycoyne
.
0
11
22
An adult resident of Monongalia County has tested positive for measles, the state’s first known case of the disease since 2009, officials say.
@LoriKerseyWV
reports.
5
19
20
Express Scripts, the company that handles drug transactions for PEIA — in some cases — paid itself more than 100 times as much for the most expensive class of drugs than it could have paid, according to pricing data obtained by the
@OhioCapJournal
.
4
15
21
COMMENTARY: WVU'S pending decision to slash formal language learning programs on its campus is harmful to the economy, culture and people of the Mountain State. But the harm extends beyond West Virginia, writes Owen Silverman Andrews and Scott Cooper.
0
8
23
WVU is considering cutting 32 majors. Some students may need to change majors in order to remain a Mountaineer; others say they’ll likely be forced to pursue higher education elsewhere.
@ameliaknisely
reports.
1
10
22
Parents, child care providers and advocates went to the West Virginia Capitol on Sunday to ask lawmakers to address the state’s child care funding issues, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
1
11
23
COMMENTARY: A debate really gives voters a chance to see how a candidate’s mind works — sure, they’ve probably prepped ahead of time with what they think they’ll be asked, but they have to think on their feet, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
2
17
23
Taya Sullivan is a freshman at WVU, double majoring in neuroscience and Spanish. She also has a campus job in a linguistics lab. Next semester, both her Spanish major and her job will be gone.
@espovich
reports.
0
12
22
Gov. Jim Justice distanced himself from the family business empire and doubled down on claims that the challenges are the result of political attacks against him, reports
@caitycoyne
.
4
16
21
Gov. Jim Justice mum on latest foster care concerns as Republicans demand change in ‘broken system,' reports
@AmeliaKnisely
. Some lawmakers say the governor isn’t transparent about what’s going on in the state’s overwhelmed foster care system.
1
15
22
Some West Virginia Democrats say the re-energized national party and buzz around the presidential campaign could help them down the ballot as they look to win tough races in the red state,
@Ameliaknisely
and
@Lorikerseywv
report
2
6
20
‘This is not sustainable’: Charleston soup kitchen looks for new permanent location, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
2
15
20
COMMENTARY: If punishment were a successful deterrent to poverty, there would be no poor people in West Virginia, writes Eli Baumwell, advocacy director for ACLU-WV.
0
8
20
Hundreds of children in West Virginia foster care live out of state in group homes. When they age out of the system, many of the teens — specifically those with disabilities — are ending up in psychiatric hospitals, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
0
16
20
COMMENTARY: That woman I was before who could not name a single member of the board of education? She’s gone. Now, along with an entire community, I can name the members with ease, writes Anna Chenoweth.
2
14
21
Birth to Three has seen a 15% increase in the number of children being served over the past eight years. As the need has climbed, the pay rate for Birth to Three practitioners hasn’t — pay rates were last increased in 2003, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
4
12
20
A financial deficit drove an ‘accelerated’ timeline of changes at the state’s largest public university, which will no longer offer majors in foreign languages to future students, reports
@ameliaknisely
.
1
11
20
WVU will lose 10 academic minors, English Language Learning Institute for international students, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
. Faculty who teach English as a Second Language say the Academic Transformation could unfairly hurt international students.
1
10
20
A federal judge says Child Protective Services failed to respond and perform an adequate investigation in a high-profile case where Kanawha County children were found last fall locked in a shed without access to water or a toilet, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
5
13
19
COMMENTARY: If Justice expects transparency in his administration, then he needs to lead by example, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
3
8
20
COMMENTARY: West Virginians are at greater risk of pipeline explosions, environmental pollution, and climate catastrophe than we were a week ago, writes
@MorganKing513
.
8
14
19
State says no docs exist showing CPS responded to calls about Sissonville kids found locked in shed, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
. More than a month later, law enforcement found the kids in ‘devastating’ conditions.
1
11
19
The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has filed a lawsuit against a county commissioner it says violated the First Amendment by blocking a constituent from accessing his social media account because of her views, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
0
7
17
As a bill that would loosen West Virginia’s school vaccine requirements heads to the desk of Gov. Jim Justice, some medical professionals are urging him not to sign the legislation into law, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
5
9
18
Cabell County libraries and parks are bracing for funding cuts — and even litigation — if their local school board moves forward with a proposed levy that would drastically reduce how much the programs would receive, reports
@ameliaknisely
.
2
10
18
WVU paid more than $230K for Coben to fly on private jet to Charleston for governor-appointed job, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
1
7
18
10 years after the West Virginia water crisis: A look at what happened then and legislative efforts to rollback regulations since 2014.
@caitycoyne
and
@LoriKerseyWV
report.
0
11
19
Today is Democracy Day — are you registered to vote? A West Virginia coalition wants to make sure everyone knows the answer to that question sooner rather than later, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
1
20
19
COMMENTARY: Warner's election comments endanger our democracy, writes
@EliACLUWV
of
@ACLU_WV
.
0
7
19
COMMENTARY: Lawmakers should consider red flag law before campus carry goes into effect in West Virginia, writes
@Leann_Ray
.
3
1
18
The city of Dunbar will pay $2 million to the family of a 34-year-old man who died last year after his family says officers slammed his head against pavement using a professional wrestling move, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
.
2
9
16
West Virginia leaders are expanding their support for young adults who are aging out of foster care and in need of housing, education and employment support as they transition to independent living, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
1
6
18
The six people elected include three physicians, a hospital administrator, a community corrections official and a city mayor. But what the board so far does not include are any women or people of color, reports
@LoriKerseyWV
5
7
18
WV media outlets — our content is FREE to republish with a link back to us. We'll be reporting from the Capitol during the entire 60-day legislative session that begins tomorrow.
0
8
18
COMMENTARY: It’s tempting to think of the so-called Kanawha Textbook Wars as a relic from the past, but this Banned Books Week, we should ask ourselves just how far we’ve come since 1974, writes
@EliACLUWV
of
@ACLU_WV
.
0
10
16
Multiple employees at a state-run hospital have been charged with crimes this year, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
. The charges, which include murders, have raised concerns about the employee screening process at Sharpe Hospital in Weston.
0
14
16
Patrick Morrisey and Steve Williams, the Republican and Democrat seeking to be West Virginia’s next governor, on Wednesday laid out their plans for how they would tackle some of the state’s pressing issues, reports
@AmeliaKnisely
.
0
11
17
The West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would allow the state’s Medicaid recipients to get dentures without it counting against the $1,000 annual cap on dental care services.
0
5
17
“Pro-life” is a strange label to adopt for a Legislature that welcomes so much death, writes
@EliACLUWV
of
@ACLU_WV
.
3
10
16
By the time their rally was over, nearly 50 people had gathered to protest conditions in West Virginia’s jails — some of the nation’s deadliest, reports
@elliepheffernan
.
0
9
16
COMMENTARY: Gov. Jim Justice can’t in the same breath say he tells people he wants them to be transparent, and then say whether they talk to the media or not is “their prerogative," writes
@Leann_Ray
.
0
8
17
West Virginia has removed 118,000 residents from Medicaid and CHIP since its eligibility review began this spring. About 13,000 West Virginians are losing their health care coverage every month, writes
@ellensueallen
.
0
9
16
We're thankful for all the news outlets that run our stories:
@Register_Herald
,
@CumberlandTN
,
@TimesWV
and
@HampshireReview
. Remember our stories are free for any news outlet to publish in print and online. 🗞️ 📰 💻
0
3
16