West Virginia News & Current Events

Still from the "Hey Joe" music video, featuring residents across West Virginia singing to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. (Bobby Lee Messer)

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

“Hey Joe” Delivers Musical Message to Manchin on Climate Action

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As the U.S. Senate considers President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act, environmental advocates have a musical message for …

There are hundreds of natural-gas processing facilities in the nation, and more than half of these plants would meet the Toxics Release Inventory's chemical reporting thresholds for 21 different toxic chemicals, according to the EPA. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rules: Natural-Gas Facilities to Show Air-Pollution Data

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Natural-gas processing plants in West Virginia and around the country will soon have to start publicly reporting the chemicals …

Around 32% of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year, a decline from 35% last year, according to a recent survey from GasBuddy. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Around 32% of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving this year, a decline from 35% last year, according to a recent survey from GasBuddy. (Adobe Stock)

Gas-Powered WV Drivers Pinched at the Pump This Thanksgiving

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia gas prices continue to climb, and experts say drivers can expect to shell out more money for gas through next year…

In 2020, the residential sector used 3.66 trillion Kilowatt hours of electricity, making up 96% of U.S. total electricity sales, according to data from the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Biden’s Build Back Better Act Could Help Consumers Save on Energy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Energy experts say the expanded rebates and tax credits proposed in President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act could …

Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions as part of an effort to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, that harm human health, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions as part of an effort to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, that harm human health, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Build Back Better Act’s Tax Credits Will Benefit WV Families

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Experts say the consumer rebates outlined in President Joe Biden's Build Back Better Act will help families save money as they …

A mobile billboard is crisscrossing West Virginia to encourage Sen. Joe Manchin's support of President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" plan. (David Zielonka)

'Build Back Better' Plan Gets Mobile Billboard in WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - You may spot a mobile billboard on your travels in West Virginia, and its creators hope the signage reminds people of how they …

The highest concentration of community risk for flooding related to climate change is in Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and West Virginia, according to a report by the First Street Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

WV Holds Climate Rally as Congress Inches Toward 'Build Back Better' Deal

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This weekend, environmental groups host a "Halloween Rally for Climate Action" in downtown Charleston, featuring leading climate …

A 2020 report by the Environmental Working Group identified the presence of PFAS chemicals in the tap water of dozens of U.S. cities where contamination was not previously suspected. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — A 2020 report by the Environmental Working Group identified the presence of PFAS chemicals in the tap water of dozens of U.S. cities where contamination was not previously suspected. (Adobe Stock)

EPA’s PFAS Roadmap Could Soon Improve WV Communities' Water Quality

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The federal government said it soon will begin taking steps to study and restrict the use of so-called "forever" chemicals …

Roneisha and Tia are two moms receiving guaranteed incomes as part of the Magnolia Mother's Trust. (Art by Brandi Phipps/Ms. Magazine)

Moms Pull Out of Pandemic with Guaranteed-Income Program

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Lily Böhlke for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

West Virginia mom Lucia Valentine wants lawmakers in Congress to support investments in clean energy infrastructure. (Photo courtesy of Valentine)

WV Moms Call on Manchin to Support Biden’s Climate Plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Some West Virginia families are calling on Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to support President Joe Biden's climate action plan…

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., shown with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, is a key swing vote on Biden's spending plan. (Wikimedia Commons)

Experts: Natural Gas Could Derail Biden’s Climate Action Plan

By Drew Shindell for The Conversation.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service The U.S. and European Union are working on …

West Virginia families have struggled to find and keep work, pay rent and bills, and care for kids and older relatives, and anti-poverty advocates say the pandemic has made things worse. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — West Virginia families have struggled to find and keep work, pay rent and bills, and care for kids and older relatives, and anti-poverty advocates say the pandemic has made things worse. (Adobe Stock)

“Much At Stake” for West Virginia Families in Biden’s Spending Plans

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers are slated to vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill Thursday…

Political canvassing across the country dropped dramatically during the 2020 election due to concerns over COVID-19 transmission via in-person door-knocking. (Adobe Stock)

WV Canvassers Brace for More Challenges as Pandemic Continues

LEWISBURG, W. Va. -- Political canvassers and organizers in the state are expecting they will continue to struggle with challenges to traditional …

The American Psychological Association reports 81% of Gen Z teens (ages 13-17) have experienced more intense stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.(Adobe Stock)

ARP Funds Could Help WV Schools Address Mental-Health Needs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Degrading mental health among the nation's K-12 students over the past year and a half has alarmed health professionals. Experts …

Mining employment has risen by 55,000 since a trough in August 2020 but is 96,000 below a peak in January 2019, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.(Adobe Stock)

Creating a Future for Coal-Industry Workers in Clean-Energy Economy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As lawmakers consider a $3.5 trillion-dollar budget resolution with historic investments to address climate change and spearhead …

The West Virginia Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting held its seventh public hearing at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office meeting room in Martinsburg, Aug. 17. (WV Legislature)

WV Legislature Holds Sept. Public Hearings on Redistricting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginians have two more chances to speak up in-person on the redistricting process at public hearings coming up this month …

From 1995 to 2010, West Virginia faced 75 Federal Emergency Management Agency-declared disasters, with at least one disaster occurring in all 55 counties. (Adobe Stock)

WV Groups Gather to Discuss Climate Change Risks, Strategies

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Climate Alliance, a new coalition of 20 state and local organizations, hosts a virtual forum tonight to …

Radio telemetry can identify radio-tagged animals 10 or miles away. (West Virginia Department of Commerce)

WV Using Radio Technology to Track Wildlife Migratory Patterns

UNION, W.Va. -- West Virginia researchers are utilizing old-school radio technology to study the migratory patterns of wildlife in remote areas of …

Nearly 40% of West Virginia students in grades 3 through 8 did not meet grade-level standards in math. (Kostiantyn/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit Aims to Help Kids Get Caught Up After COVID Year

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - American kids are returning to school an average of four to five months behind in their learning, according to a new study…

A 2021 Gallup poll found small business is the most trusted institution in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Some WV Small Businesses Express Support for Voting Rights

PARSONS, W.Va. -- Some West Virginia small business owners are turning their focus to voting rights. They hope to increase community engagement on …

National historical parks, like Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, could soon reduce their backlog of deferred maintenance by using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act. (Adobe Stock)

WV Parks Expect Upgrades Soon from Great American Outdoors Act

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. -- West Virginia's national parks and historic sites will soon get a much-needed makeover as workers replace bridges, fix roads …

Supporters of the 30 Million Solar Homes Initiative say over the next five years, it would create $69 billion in electric-bill savings. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Solar Homes Would Benefit Rural Economies

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A report outlines how federal efforts to bring solar energy to one in four American households could bring clean energy to …

Tens of millions of families have been sent the first payment of the expanded child tax credit. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Tens of millions of families have been sent the first payment of the expanded child tax credit. (Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit Helping WV Families Pay for Transportation, Food

WHEELING, W.Va. -- An estimated 346,000 West Virginia children, 93% of all kids in the state, live in households that likely received their first …

Across the country on July 17, communities held "Good Trouble" vigils to honor the memory of the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis. (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Congress, Office of Nancy Pelosi)

West Virginians Hold Candlelight Vigil to Remember John Lewis

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Advocacy groups held a candlelight vigil in Charleston over the weekend, marking the one-year anniversary of the passing of …

The 2020 election cycle saw more than $1 billion in "dark money" spending at the federal level, according to opensecrets.org. (Adobe Stock)

West Virginians Want "Dark Money" Out of Politics

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In the last two months, two polls have found West Virginia voters have concerns about so-called "dark money" in politics…

In a new poll, 22% of rural voters think raising taxes on those earning over $400,000 a year could hurt the economy, while 51% believe it would help it. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — In a new poll, 22% of rural voters think raising taxes on those earning over $400,000 a year could hurt the economy, while 51% believe it would help it. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: Rural Voter Majority Supports Tax Increases on Wealthy

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The latest poll by Americans for Tax Fairness found rural voters overwhelmingly support the idea of corporations and the wealthy …

Topography makes the Mountain State one of the most flood-prone regions in the country. (Wikimedia Commons/June 2016 U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Penni Harris)

Is WV Prepared 5 Years after Devastating Floods?

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Deadly flooding five years ago continues to haunt many West Virginia communities, and advocates called on the state to update …

West Virginia's Cheat River flows from five major tributaries, known as the "Forks of the Cheat," which originate in the Monongahela National Forest. (Adobe Stock)

Ongoing Restoration Key to Improving Cheat River Water Quality

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- June has been National Rivers Month, and in West Virginia, conservation groups are celebrating the results of decades-long …

The newest edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book explores how America's child population fared during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Poverty Continues to Stall Progress on WV Kids' Well-Being

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- New survey data offer a clear picture of how West Virginia kids and families are faring. The Mountain State ranks 44th in the …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

West Virginia received a "D" grade on statewide infrastructure in a 2021 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers. (Adobe Stock)

WV Groups: Corporate Taxes Should Fund American Jobs, Families Plan

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Former West Virginia Lt. Gov. Jeff Kessler and the Huntington-based Service Employees International Union Local 1199 are among …

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., speaks at a breakfast discussion in 2017. <br />(Flickr/Third Way Think Tank/license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/) — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., speaks at a breakfast discussion in 2017.
(Flickr/Third Way Think Tank/license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/)

Manchin’s Stance on Voting Bill Called Betrayal to WV Black Voters

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Black West Virginians are voicing disappointment and anger over Sen. Joe Manchin's - D-W.Va. - staunch opposition to the For the …

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm addresses reporters at the White House earlier this year. (Cameron Smith/Wikimedia Commons)

Energy Secretary Tours West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Clean-energy supporters say U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm's visit to the state on Friday signals the administration's …

Wildlife crossings can help reduce animal-vehicle collisions, which cause more than 200 human fatalities and more than 26,000 injuries each year. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Crossings Reduce Collisions, Impact of Roads in Natural Areas

Charleston, W.Va. - Wildlife crossings such as green bridges or other structures that allow animals to cross roadways safely have been shown to …

Seniors experiencing social isolation are at increased risk of dementia, depression, acute and chronic illness, and pre-mature death.(Adobe Stock)

Report: More WV Seniors Isolated; Face Poverty, Lack of Support

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A new America's Health Rankings report shows West Virginia is among the top three states in the nation with the highest number …

There are more than 100 McDonald's restaurants in West Virginia. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — There are more than 100 McDonald's restaurants in West Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

WV Veterans Groups Urge $15 Hourly Wage at McDonald's

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - McDonald's workers in West Virginia, many of whom are military veterans, are rallying today in Charleston to demand a $15 minimum …

Seven in 10 women don't know drinking alcohol increases breast cancer risk, according to a new survey by MDVIP/Ipsos. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Women Need More Health Info, Support from Doctors

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's National Women's Health Week, and a new survey finds many women feel they're in the dark about basic health-risk factors…

According to data from the National Partnership for Women and Families, both parents work in 64% of all West Virginia households. (Adobe Stock)

Paid Leave Could Mean Fewer WV Women Exiting Workforce

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Nearly 60% of West Virginia workers lack access to any form of time off, either paid or unpaid. Kelly Allen, executive director …

Clean-energy experts say West Virginia needs help transforming its 91% coal-fired energy supply to renewables. (Adobe stock)

Federal Jobs Funding Could Propel WV Shift Away from Coal

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia clean-energy supporters say President Joe Biden's climate-action goals and jobs plan give the state a unique …

West Virginia's forests support more than 35% of the world's cerulean warblers, an endangered species. (Wikimedia Commons)<br /><br /> — West Virginia's forests support more than 35% of the world's cerulean warblers, an endangered species. (Wikimedia Commons)

WV Groups Applaud Landmark Wildlife Recovery Act

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - As the nation faces what scientists call a mass extinction crisis, West Virginia environmental groups are hailing Congress's new …

The American Rescue Plan ensures West Virginians have the option to buy health care for less than 8.5% of their income. (Adobe stock)

WV Bill, American Rescue Plan Bolster Medicaid for Mountaineers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - April is Medicaid Awareness Month, and West Virginia health-care groups are hailing how the American Rescue Plan and a new state …

A national poll finds supporters of the "For the People Act" in Congress believe it would make voting easier and more secure. (Adobe Stock)

WV Groups Call on Manchin to Support 'For the People Act'

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A coalition of pro-democracy groups in West Virginia is urging U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to support the …

Opponents of a West Virginia bill that would limit needle-sharing programs say it would increase diseases and taxpayer costs for treatment. (Adobe stock)

Groups Push to Reject WV Bills Seen as Punitive

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Advocates for impoverished people are urging West Virginia lawmakers to oppose two bills being heard in a House committee …

To relieve overcrowding, a West Virginia bill would help inmates get access to classes required for reentry before, rather than after, parole starts. (Adobe stock)

WV Groups See Bill as Politicizing Parole Hearings

CHARLESTON, W.V. -- Criminal-justice advocates in West Virginia urged lawmakers to oppose a new bill they say would politicize parole hearings…

This feeder line in Monongalia County is part of the larger Mountain Valley Pipeline under construction to bring gas from West Virginia to Virginia. (Jim Kotcon)

Report Questions Mountain Valley Pipeline's Financial Viability

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline may not be needed because natural-gas demand in the Southeast is expected to decline over …

A West Virginia bill would charge some former drug offenders $50 a month in fees for extended supervision for up to 10 years. (Adobe stock)

WV Groups See Criminal Reform Bill as Regression to ‘War on Drugs’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Criminal-justice advocates are urging West Virginia lawmakers to oppose a bill heading to the Senate that would add up to 10 …

A survey shows more than 27% of West Virginia households with children have "sometimes" or "often" gone without food during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

WV Groups: Passage of American Rescue Plan Critical for Recovery

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With the U.S. Senate on the verge of voting on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan, advocates for West Virginia …

Chemicals held in oil and gas storage tanks include radioactive substances, which experts say are harmful to human health. (Adobe Stock)

WV Bills to Relax Water Protections Seen as “Dangerous”

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With memories of the 2014 Elk River chemical spill still fresh, West Virginia environmental groups are pushing state lawmakers …

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