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WV will need to replace at least 3% of its water lines under newly proposed lead rule
A new federal proposal released Thursday would, if adopted, require West Virginia to replace at least 3% of its water service lines that are suspected to contain lead. The proposal gives all water systems in the country 10 years to find and replace at least 9.2 million lead service lines. It’s the largest update to […]
WV residents in flood-prone areas urged to work with county governments for mitigation grants
West Virginians living in areas that are at risk for flooding or other natural disasters are being urged by the state Emergency Management Department to work with their local governments to apply for federal hazard mitigation grant funds. The grants are available through the Federal Emergency Management Association and were created to help localities invest […]
The veterinarian shortage is serious in WV. Agricultural leaders hope a new program can help.
An ongoing shortage of veterinarians and their support staff in West Virginia is complicating care for both domestic and farm animals across the state, but agricultural and animal science experts are hopeful that a new, first-of-its-kind program can help fill the gap. With support from the state Department of Agriculture and through a partnership between […]
Man featured in Brad Paisley music video reflects, hopes to educate on substance use disorder
It was nothing short of chance that landed Brian Simpkins, a Logan County native, on computer and television screens across the country earlier this year as part of West Virginia native and country music star Brad Paisley’s new single, “The Medicine Will.” The 40-year-old works at least 360 days a year. While he loves to […]
WV to apply for federal infrastructure resilience grants as climate change increases risk
As climate change is expected to increase flood risk and other hazards for residents across West Virginia, the state is preparing to apply for federal pots of money to help mitigate wreckage and, hopefully, reduce the potential loss of life. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant fund was started by the Federal Emergency […]
Judge sides with parks, libraries against Cabell BOE; district must continue funding the agencies
Cabell County Circuit Judge Gregory Howard issued a ruling Friday in favor of the Cabell County Public Library and the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District in their lawsuit against the Cabell County Board of Education. In light of the ruling, the school district must continue to fund both the libraries and the parks under […]
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 […]
Manchin will not seek reelection to U.S. Senate in 2024, will hit road to ‘unite the middle’
Flanked by two bald eagle statues and several American flags, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection to the U.S. Senate. Instead, he said in the pre-recorded video, he will be touring the country in an effort to “unite the middle.” “I believe in my heart of hearts that I’ve […]
How much money could your local government receive from opioid settlement funds this year?
At its inaugural meeting on Monday, leadership with the West Virginia First Foundation announced that a portion of the settlement funds from opioid litigation is expected to be distributed to localities across the state by the end of this year. Using percentages listed for each municipality and county in the foundation’s memorandum of understanding, West […]
WV First Foundation holds inaugural meeting; executive director not yet named
The West Virginia First Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded earlier this year to distribute money from the state’s ongoing opioid litigation, is officially up and running after members convened for the first time on Monday. The organization is still without an executive director, but Attorney General Patrick Morrisey — who will eventually select the […]
Despite no public or official announcement, the WV First Foundation is reportedly meeting next week
The West Virginia First Foundation — a nonprofit organization started earlier this year to distribute an expected $1 billion in opioid settlement funds — is reportedly holding its first meeting on Monday. No details, however, have been officially released concerning the meeting, where it will be or what it will entail. According to reporting in […]
The League of Women Voters in WV releases scorecard for 2023 Regular Session
For the first time this year, the League of Women Voters of West Virginia created and released a scorecard to analyze key votes from legislators in the 2023 Regular Session. Only 11 legislators — all Democrats — scored higher than 50% on priority issues set by the League, according to the scorecard. Those priorities — […]