West Virginia Watch
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The West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday approved two bills meant to help the state in the application process for the five-year, $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
WV House passes bills aimed at helping state’s chances for Rural Health Transformation funds • West Virginia Watch
The West Virginia House approved two bills meant to help the state in the application process for the Rural Health Transformation Program.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday approved two bills meant to help the state in the application process for the five-year, $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Dozens of U.S. House Democrats and leaders of several caucuses rallied Tuesday morning outside U.S. ICE headquarters in the nation's capital, demanding the resignation, firing or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
US House Democrats call for Kristi Noem’s firing in rally outside ICE headquarters • West Virginia Watch
Dozens of U.S. House Democrats rallied outside ICE headquarters demanding the resignation, firing or impeachment of Kristi Noem.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Dozens of U.S. House Democrats and leaders of several caucuses rallied Tuesday morning outside U.S. ICE headquarters in the nation's capital, demanding the resignation, firing or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
West Virginia teachers who are pregnant or new mothers could access their county’s voluntary sick leave bank when needed, according to a bill that’s being considered in the House of Delegates, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Bill says WV teachers who are pregnant, new mothers would have access to donated sick days • West Virginia Watch
The House is considering a bill that would allow teachers who are pregnant or new mothers could access the voluntary sick leave bank.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
West Virginia teachers who are pregnant or new mothers could access their county’s voluntary sick leave bank when needed, according to a bill that’s being considered in the House of Delegates, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
The U.S. House cleared a government funding package Tuesday, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump, who is expected to quickly sign it and end the partial shutdown that began this past weekend, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
US House sends funding bill to Trump, setting up immigration enforcement debate • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. House cleared a government funding package Tuesday, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The U.S. House cleared a government funding package Tuesday, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump, who is expected to quickly sign it and end the partial shutdown that began this past weekend, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
Expanded exemptions for parents are likely to drop both Mississippi and West Virginia from the top national rankings they held before the pandemic, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data, reports Tim Henderson of @stateline.org.
States that once led in child vaccination fall as they expand exemptions • West Virginia Watch
States that were leaders in childhood vaccination before the pandemic are among those losing ground as exemptions take hold.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Expanded exemptions for parents are likely to drop both Mississippi and West Virginia from the top national rankings they held before the pandemic, according to a Stateline analysis of federal data, reports Tim Henderson of @stateline.org.
COMMENTARY: When female firefighters develop cancers such as ovarian, uterine, breast or cervical — conditions linked to toxic exposures — West Virginia law provides no protection, writes Jordan Cade.
West Virginia must close the cancer coverage gap for women firefighters • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia worker compensation law recognizes certain cancers contracted by male firefighters, but ignores women exposed to the same conditions as colleagues.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
COMMENTARY: When female firefighters develop cancers such as ovarian, uterine, breast or cervical — conditions linked to toxic exposures — West Virginia law provides no protection, writes Jordan Cade.
West Virginia is spending more than $62 million putting hundreds of foster children in out-of-state facilities across the country. Some children are more than 2,000 miles from home in states like California and Washington, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
West Virginia spends $62M sending foster kids out of state; Morrisey wants $6M to bring them home • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia is spending more than $62 million putting hundreds of foster children in out-of-state facilities across the country.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
West Virginia is spending more than $62 million putting hundreds of foster children in out-of-state facilities across the country. Some children are more than 2,000 miles from home in states like California and Washington, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
A federal judge late Monday blocked the termination of temporary protections for roughly 350,000 Haitians from taking effect, a move that prevents the Trump administration from acting to deport them as litigation continues, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Temporary legal status allowed for now for 350,000 Haitians as judge blasts Kristi Noem • West Virginia Watch
A federal judge late Monday blocked the termination of temporary protections for roughly 350,000 Haitians from taking effect.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
A federal judge late Monday blocked the termination of temporary protections for roughly 350,000 Haitians from taking effect, a move that prevents the Trump administration from acting to deport them as litigation continues, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Democrats have filed to run for at least 85 of the 100 seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates and 17 of the 19 seats up for grabs in the Senate this year, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Surge of Democrats, women file to run for office in West Virginia’s 2026 primary election • West Virginia Watch
Democrats have filed to run for at least 85 seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates and 17 of the 19 seats up for grabs in the Senate.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Democrats have filed to run for at least 85 of the 100 seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates and 17 of the 19 seats up for grabs in the Senate this year, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
The U.S. Department of Education exhausted millions in taxpayer dollars trying to eliminate a chunk of its Office for Civil Rights, a government watchdog found in a report released Monday, Shauneen Miranda.
US Education Department paid up to $38M to civil rights workers on leave, watchdog says • West Virginia Watch
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education exhausted millions in taxpayer dollars trying to eliminate a chunk of its Office for Civil Rights, a government watchdog found in a report released…
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM
The U.S. Department of Education exhausted millions in taxpayer dollars trying to eliminate a chunk of its Office for Civil Rights, a government watchdog found in a report released Monday, Shauneen Miranda.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body cameras would be given to federal immigration agents across the country, starting in Minneapolis, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Noem: Body cameras to be deployed to immigration agents, starting in Minneapolis • West Virginia Watch
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body cameras would be given to federal immigration agents across the country.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body cameras would be given to federal immigration agents across the country, starting in Minneapolis, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
The U.S. House is expected to vote as soon as Tuesday on the government funding package that will end the ongoing partial government shutdown once it becomes law, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social and @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Trump urges US House to avert ‘another long, pointless and destructive’ shutdown • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. House is expected to vote as soon as Tuesday on the government funding package that will end the ongoing partial government shutdown.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The U.S. House is expected to vote as soon as Tuesday on the government funding package that will end the ongoing partial government shutdown once it becomes law, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social and @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
A federal judge on Monday closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed last summer after Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any health care appointments for one year, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump administration over serving Medicaid patients • West Virginia Watch
A judge closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed after a law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any appointments.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
A federal judge on Monday closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed last summer after Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any health care appointments for one year, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy that prevented members of Congress from making unannounced oversight visits at facilities that hold immigrants, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Judge blocks DHS policy to keep House Dems from visiting detention facilities unannounced • West Virginia Watch
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy that prevented members of Congress from making unannounced oversight visits at facilities that hold immigrants.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy that prevented members of Congress from making unannounced oversight visits at facilities that hold immigrants, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
The town of Oceana, in Wyoming County, West Virginia, is set to receive $2.6 million in federal funds that will allow the community to rebuild a community pool that was severely damaged in last February’s flooding, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Oceana, WV to receive $2.6 million in FEMA funds to rebuild public pool damaged in 2025 floods • West Virginia Watch
Oceana is set to receive $2.6 million in federal funds that will allow the community to rebuild a pool that was severely damaged by flooding.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The town of Oceana, in Wyoming County, West Virginia, is set to receive $2.6 million in federal funds that will allow the community to rebuild a community pool that was severely damaged in last February’s flooding, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
The Senate is advancing a GOP-backed bill that strikes out many current requirements for West Virginia private schools in an effort to give them freedom from governmental oversight, including making standardized testing optional, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Senate bill seeks to give West Virginia private schools ‘freedom from government oversight' • West Virginia Watch
The Senate is advancing a GOP-backed bill that strikes out many current requirements for West Virginia private schools.
westvirginiawatch.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:28 PM
The Senate is advancing a GOP-backed bill that strikes out many current requirements for West Virginia private schools in an effort to give them freedom from governmental oversight, including making standardized testing optional, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
The nation’s capital will host an autorace through its streets this summer, President Donald Trump said Friday, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Start your engines: Trump greenlights IndyCar race around D.C. monuments • West Virginia Watch
The nation’s capital will host an autorace through its streets this summer, President Donald Trump said Friday.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The nation’s capital will host an autorace through its streets this summer, President Donald Trump said Friday, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
COMMENTARY: In reflecting on the countless losses of 2025 on a national, state and personal level, I wonder if perspective can be unearthed. I think that we, as West Virginians, are called to not only unearth a clear perspective, but to take a deep breath and embrace it, writes Kathleen M. Jacobs.
Losing everything in a time of mounting losses: How a waterline break put everything in perspective • West Virginia Watch
In reflecting on the countless losses of 2025 on a national, state and personal level, I wonder if perspective can be unearthed.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:03 PM
COMMENTARY: In reflecting on the countless losses of 2025 on a national, state and personal level, I wonder if perspective can be unearthed. I think that we, as West Virginians, are called to not only unearth a clear perspective, but to take a deep breath and embrace it, writes Kathleen M. Jacobs.
President Donald Trump’s new Federal Reserve chair pick likely faces headwinds in the U.S. Senate, as a key lawmaker opposes the administration’s ongoing criminal probe of current Fed leader Jerome Powell, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Trump to nominate former Fed governor to replace Powell as chair • West Virginia Watch
Trump’s new Federal Reserve chair pick likely faces headwinds as a key lawmaker opposes the administration’s ongoing criminal probe of Jerome Powell.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:30 PM
President Donald Trump’s new Federal Reserve chair pick likely faces headwinds in the U.S. Senate, as a key lawmaker opposes the administration’s ongoing criminal probe of current Fed leader Jerome Powell, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
COMMENTARY: New research affirms what the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy has been warning for years: reducing tax rates doesn’t strengthen economies or raise households’ incomes, writes Kelly Allen.
New study finds WV to be only state worse off than it was 50 years ago — more tax cuts won’t help • West Virginia Watch
New research affirms what the WVCBP has been warning for years: reducing tax rates doesn’t strengthen economies or raise households’ incomes.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:00 PM
COMMENTARY: New research affirms what the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy has been warning for years: reducing tax rates doesn’t strengthen economies or raise households’ incomes, writes Kelly Allen.
The federal government hurtled Friday toward a partial shutdown this weekend, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new constraints on immigration enforcement, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
With US Senate still tied up over spending deal, partial shutdown begins at midnight • West Virginia Watch
The federal government hurtled Friday toward a partial shutdown this weekend, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new…
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The federal government hurtled Friday toward a partial shutdown this weekend, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new constraints on immigration enforcement, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
The U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of documents Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports Shauneen Miranda.
DOJ releases 3 million pages of Epstein files, taking in 180,000 images and 2,000 videos • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of documents Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:14 PM
The U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of documents Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports Shauneen Miranda.
After more than 900 public comments were submitted regarding proposed rules for how the West Virginia Department of Commerce will certify microgrids and high impact data centers in the state, a legislative committee approved several changes to the proposals, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
WV lawmakers approve changes to microgrid, data center rules; vote down public transparency measure • West Virginia Watch
The joint Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee approved several changes to microgrid proposals during a meeting Wednesday.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
After more than 900 public comments were submitted regarding proposed rules for how the West Virginia Department of Commerce will certify microgrids and high impact data centers in the state, a legislative committee approved several changes to the proposals, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
For decades, government funding was withheld from historically Black public colleges and universities, such as Tennessee State University. States across the South have grappled with the question: What could be possible if those debts were repaid?
The Debt: What Tennessee Owes Its HBCU • West Virginia Watch
For decades, government funding was withheld from historically Black public colleges and universities, such as Tennessee State University.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:54 PM
For decades, government funding was withheld from historically Black public colleges and universities, such as Tennessee State University. States across the South have grappled with the question: What could be possible if those debts were repaid?
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is preparing a response should the Trump administration surge federal immigration agents into the commonwealth, he said Thursday in Washington, D.C., reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro says he’s readying for federal immigration crackdown • West Virginia Watch
Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro is preparing a response should the Trump administration surge federal immigration agents into the commonwealth.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is preparing a response should the Trump administration surge federal immigration agents into the commonwealth, he said Thursday in Washington, D.C., reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.