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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.
Senators approved requiring public school classrooms to display a Revolutionary-era Bible — known as the Aitken Bible — as a resource while teaching social studies, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Senate approves putting Revolutionary War era Bible in West Virginia classrooms; bill moves to House • West Virginia Watch
Senators approved requiring public school classrooms to display a Revolutionary-era Bible as a resource while teaching social studies.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Senators approved requiring public school classrooms to display a Revolutionary-era Bible — known as the Aitken Bible — as a resource while teaching social studies, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
As Democrats in Congress call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms in light of ICU nurse Alex Pretti’s shooting death in Minneapolis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito told reporters Thursday she can agree with some of their demands, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Capito ‘frustrated’ over possible partial shutdown nearing, says funding for DHS is ‘critical’ • West Virginia Watch
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito told reporters Thursday she can agree with some of Congressional Democrats' calls for ICE reform.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
As Democrats in Congress call for Immigration and Customs Enforcement reforms in light of ICU nurse Alex Pretti’s shooting death in Minneapolis, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito told reporters Thursday she can agree with some of their demands, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Americans feel their health care costs are going up faster than other household expenses, hold President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans responsible and say the issue will factor into their votes in this year’s midterm elections, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Rising health costs could shift midterm voters toward Democrats, survey shows • West Virginia Watch
Americans feel their health care costs are going up faster than other expenses, hold Trump and congressional Republicans responsible.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Americans feel their health care costs are going up faster than other household expenses, hold President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans responsible and say the issue will factor into their votes in this year’s midterm elections, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
West Virginians would be prohibited from getting close to first responders while they’re performing their duties if they’ve issued a warning, according to a bill passed by the Senate on Thursday, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
WV Senate passes law enforcement safety bill; Democrat says it could ban filming immigration agents • West Virginia Watch
The Senate a bill that would prohibit people from getting close to first responders while they’re performing their duties if they’ve issued a warning.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:45 PM
West Virginians would be prohibited from getting close to first responders while they’re performing their duties if they’ve issued a warning, according to a bill passed by the Senate on Thursday, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
COMMENTARY: For generations, West Virginians have been talked about — rarely talked with. West Virginia is defined not by what has been taken from us, but by the resilience, creativity and care we show one another in the face of challenge, writes Ellen Allen.
Echoes of Resilience: Mountain Voices on Health and Justice will tell West Virginians' stories • West Virginia Watch
Too often, our state is reduced to a political talking point, a cautionary tale, or dismissed outright as a “lost cause.”
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:01 PM
COMMENTARY: For generations, West Virginians have been talked about — rarely talked with. West Virginia is defined not by what has been taken from us, but by the resilience, creativity and care we show one another in the face of challenge, writes Ellen Allen.
As lawmakers convene for this year’s state legislative sessions, immigration has surged to the top of the agenda. Across the country, dozens of bills touching on immigration enforcement, civil rights and the role of federal agents have been introduced this month, reports @amandavhernan.bsky.social.
State lawmakers stand ready to help ICE — or impede it • West Virginia Watch
As lawmakers convene for this year’s state legislative sessions, immigration has surged to the top of the agenda.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:03 PM
As lawmakers convene for this year’s state legislative sessions, immigration has surged to the top of the agenda. Across the country, dozens of bills touching on immigration enforcement, civil rights and the role of federal agents have been introduced this month, reports @amandavhernan.bsky.social.
The U.S. Senate was unable to advance a funding package Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown as Democrats press for restrictions on immigration enforcement, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social and @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
US Senate fails to advance spending package, with partial shutdown looming Friday night • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. Senate was unable to advance a funding package Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The U.S. Senate was unable to advance a funding package Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown as Democrats press for restrictions on immigration enforcement, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social and @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
COMMENTARY: You may have heard of the “garbage wars” of the late 1980s and early 1990s and think of them as the past, but the 2020s bring a new era of “garbage wars” across our country in the form of so-called “advanced, or chemical, recycling," writes Morgan King.
Garbage Wars 2.0: More false promises of economic development in West Virginia • West Virginia Watch
You may have heard of the “garbage wars” of the late 1980s and early 1990s and think of them as the past, but they're still ongoing.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
COMMENTARY: You may have heard of the “garbage wars” of the late 1980s and early 1990s and think of them as the past, but the 2020s bring a new era of “garbage wars” across our country in the form of so-called “advanced, or chemical, recycling," writes Morgan King.
Senators won’t move as quickly as the House of Delegates on a bill that would create an emergency school fund for West Virginia’s financially-strapped public schools. There are concerns in the Senate that the measure could create a “bailout” for schools, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Emergency school funding bill held up in Senate for fear of creating a ‘bailout’ fund • West Virginia Watch
Senators won’t move as quickly as the House on a bill that would create an emergency school fund for financially-strapped public schools.
westvirginiawatch.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Senators won’t move as quickly as the House of Delegates on a bill that would create an emergency school fund for West Virginia’s financially-strapped public schools. There are concerns in the Senate that the measure could create a “bailout” for schools, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.