Leann Ray
@leannray.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief of @westvirginiawatch.com. Former news / city / FlipSide editor at the Charleston Gazette-Mail. She/her
Reposted by Leann Ray
D.C. officials have said the Guard members are alive and in critical condition.
Two National Guard members from West Virginia shot in Washington, D.C. • West Virginia Watch
President Donald Trump was briefed Wednesday afternoon on the shooting of two National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
D.C. officials have said the Guard members are alive and in critical condition.
Gov. Morrisey posted on X that the two Guard members are from West Virginia. This is a developing story and will be updated.
President Donald Trump was briefed Wednesday afternoon on the shooting of two National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C., and is “actively monitoring this tragic situation,” according to a statement from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
BREAKING: Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., officials confirm • West Virginia Watch
President Donald Trump was briefed Wednesday afternoon on the shooting of two National Guard members in downtown Washington, D.C.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Gov. Morrisey posted on X that the two Guard members are from West Virginia. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia families statewide who have a religious or philosophical objection to the state’s school vaccination requirements must be allowed to attend school, a Raleigh County judge ruled on Wednesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
WV students can attend school with religious exemption to school vaccine law, judge rules • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia families who have a religious to the state’s school vaccination requirements must be allowed to attend school, a judge ruled.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
West Virginia families statewide who have a religious or philosophical objection to the state’s school vaccination requirements must be allowed to attend school, a Raleigh County judge ruled on Wednesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
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A three-judge federal appeals panel grilled lawyers for a former White House official and The Associated Press Monday in a case that could significantly overhaul press access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Press access to Oval Office argued in case involving Trump and wire service • West Virginia Watch
A federal appeals panel grilled lawyers in a case that could significantly overhaul press access to the Oval Office and Air Force One.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A three-judge federal appeals panel grilled lawyers for a former White House official and The Associated Press Monday in a case that could significantly overhaul press access to the Oval Office and Air Force One, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
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A senior federal judge dismissed charges Monday against two public officials with long-running public disputes with President Donald Trump, saying the controversial appointment of the president’s former personal attorney as a prosecutor doomed the cases, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Judge drops James Comey and Letitia James charges, saying prosecutor served 'unlawfully' • West Virginia Watch
A senior federal judge dismissed charges Monday against two public officials with long-running public disputes with President Donald Trump.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A senior federal judge dismissed charges Monday against two public officials with long-running public disputes with President Donald Trump, saying the controversial appointment of the president’s former personal attorney as a prosecutor doomed the cases, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Anti-abortion organizations and Republican elected officials are searching for more ways to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving federal resources after congressional Republicans successfully cut off federal Medicaid funding until at least July 2026, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social.
Anti-abortion groups, lawmakers push feds for more permanent ‘defunding’ of Planned Parenthood • West Virginia Watch
Anti-abortion organizations and Republican are searching for more ways to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving federal resources.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Anti-abortion organizations and Republican elected officials are searching for more ways to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving federal resources after congressional Republicans successfully cut off federal Medicaid funding until at least July 2026, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social.
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Democratic members of Congress who released a video in mid-November telling members of the military that they are not required to follow illegal orders announced Tuesday the Federal Bureau of Investigation has asked to speak with them about the matter, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
Democrats threatened by Trump over video say they’re now being probed by the FBI • West Virginia Watch
Democratic members of Congress who released a video in mid-November telling members of the military that they are not required to follow illegal orders announced the FBI has asked to speak with them…
westvirginiawatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Democratic members of Congress who released a video in mid-November telling members of the military that they are not required to follow illegal orders announced Tuesday the Federal Bureau of Investigation has asked to speak with them about the matter, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
A coalition suing to block President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education expanded its lawsuit Tuesday to include objections to recent interagency agreements to shift the department’s responsibilities to other Cabinet-level agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Suit to block Education Department closure expanded amid agency transfers plans • West Virginia Watch
A coalition suing to block Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education expanded its lawsuit Tuesday.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A coalition suing to block President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education expanded its lawsuit Tuesday to include objections to recent interagency agreements to shift the department’s responsibilities to other Cabinet-level agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Four members of the West Virginia Legislature signed onto a national bipartisan letter this week opposing a policy under consideration by Congress that would allow the federal government to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence, reports Caity Coyne.
WV lawmakers sign national letter opposing federal preemption over AI regulation • West Virginia Watch
Four members of the West Virginia Legislature signed onto a national bipartisan letter opposing a policy under consideration by Congress that would allow the federal government to preempt state…
westvirginiawatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Four members of the West Virginia Legislature signed onto a national bipartisan letter this week opposing a policy under consideration by Congress that would allow the federal government to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence, reports Caity Coyne.
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West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice and his wife Cathy Justice immediately settled a new lawsuit seeking more than $5.1 million in unpaid federal income taxes spanning 15 years, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.
WV Sen. Jim Justice and his wife say they’ll pay $5.1 million in unpaid federal taxes • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice and his wife Cathy settled a new lawsuit seeking more than $5.1 million in unpaid federal income taxes.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:07 PM
West Virginia Sen. Jim Justice and his wife Cathy Justice immediately settled a new lawsuit seeking more than $5.1 million in unpaid federal income taxes spanning 15 years, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.
Reposted by Leann Ray
An in-patient psychiatric treatment facility for children is closing in Cabell County, decreasing the number of beds the state has available for kids experiencing severe mental health crises, reports Amelie Ferrell Knisely.
Psychiatric treatment facility for children to close in Cabell, reducing state’s options for kids • West Virginia Watch
An in-patient treatment facility for children is closing in Cabell County, decreasing the number of beds the state has available for kids experiencing severe mental health crises.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
An in-patient psychiatric treatment facility for children is closing in Cabell County, decreasing the number of beds the state has available for kids experiencing severe mental health crises, reports Amelie Ferrell Knisely.
Reposted by Leann Ray
President Trump signed into law Wednesday a bill compelling the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom he shared a well-documented friendship, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social
Trump signs bill requiring DOJ release of Epstein files • West Virginia Watch
Trump signed into law Wednesday a bill compelling the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against Jeffrey Epstein.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
President Trump signed into law Wednesday a bill compelling the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom he shared a well-documented friendship, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social
Reposted by Leann Ray
From @kffhealthnews.org: The Trump administration announced in June that private health insurers had pledged to improve prior authorization. In the meantime, insurance denials continue to harm patients. Story by @laurenmsausser.
W.Va. man dies months after his health insurance repeatedly denied cancer treatment • West Virginia Watch
Eric Tennant’s doctors recommended histotripsy, which would potentially destroy a cancerous tumor in his liver. But by the time his insurer approved the treatment, Tennant was no longer considered a…
westvirginiawatch.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
From @kffhealthnews.org: The Trump administration announced in June that private health insurers had pledged to improve prior authorization. In the meantime, insurance denials continue to harm patients. Story by @laurenmsausser.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The U.S. House approved legislation Wednesday that would revoke part of a law Congress approved just last week, which for the first time allows senators to sue the federal government if their data is subpoenaed without their knowledge, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
US House votes to cancel big payouts for senators’ 'Arctic Frost' phone subpoenas • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. House approved legislation Wednesday that would revoke part of a law which allows senators to sue the federal government if their data is subpoenaed without their knowledge.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The U.S. House approved legislation Wednesday that would revoke part of a law Congress approved just last week, which for the first time allows senators to sue the federal government if their data is subpoenaed without their knowledge, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
There are more than 13,000 students experiencing homelessness in West Virginia, according to data from the West Virginia Department of Education. A separate document from the department said the number of homeless students for the 2024-25 school year was 15,101, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
There are more than 13,000 homeless students in WV, and statehouse efforts to help them stalled • West Virginia Watch
Cheyenne Baker had been a straight-A student, but a difficult family life forced her to leave her home and end up homeless.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
There are more than 13,000 students experiencing homelessness in West Virginia, according to data from the West Virginia Department of Education. A separate document from the department said the number of homeless students for the 2024-25 school year was 15,101, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The agency that distributed nearly half of all clean syringes provided to drug users in West Virginia last year will end its syringe service program next month, officials confirmed to West Virginia Watch on Wednesday, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social and @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
‘We're going to lose this tool’: Cabell health department to end syringe distribution after 10 years • West Virginia Watch
The agency that distributed nearly half of all clean syringes provided to drug users in West Virginia last year will end its syringe service program next month.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The agency that distributed nearly half of all clean syringes provided to drug users in West Virginia last year will end its syringe service program next month, officials confirmed to West Virginia Watch on Wednesday, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social and @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is facing increasing pressure from abortion opponents and advocates over how it regulates a drug that has become central to abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned three years ago, reports @sofiaresnick.bsky.social.
FDA’s abortion-pill safety review under growing scrutiny • West Virginia Watch
The FDA is facing increasing pressure from abortion opponents and advocates over how it regulates abortion medication.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is facing increasing pressure from abortion opponents and advocates over how it regulates a drug that has become central to abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned three years ago, reports @sofiaresnick.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Two leading Democrats on a U.S. House panel called on the head of an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for protecting workers’ benefits to take action to address improper health insurance claim denials, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Trump administration urged by US House Dems to act on health insurance claim denials • West Virginia Watch
Two Dems called on the head of an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor to take action to address improper health insurance claim denials.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Two leading Democrats on a U.S. House panel called on the head of an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for protecting workers’ benefits to take action to address improper health insurance claim denials, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia farmers whose crops or commodities were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding to aid their individual recovery, according to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
More funds to come for farmers in WV and beyond impacted by natural disasters in 2023-2024 • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia farmers whose crops were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
West Virginia farmers whose crops or commodities were affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 will soon be able to access more federal funding to aid their individual recovery, according to a news release from the state Department of Agriculture, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, reports @maddyfitz.bsky.social.
Data center growth drives locals to fight for more say • West Virginia Watch
Communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say in where and how data centers are built.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, reports @maddyfitz.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announcing six total inter-agency agreements signed with other departments that will transfer several of its responsibilities to those agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
BREAKING: Trump administration unveils plan to try to dismantle Department of Education • West Virginia Watch
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:13 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announcing six total inter-agency agreements signed with other departments that will transfer several of its responsibilities to those agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
US House nears vote requiring release of Epstein files • West Virginia Watch
The House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of files from the case against Jeffrey Epstein.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
More than 60 members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus Tuesday sent a letter to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raising “extreme concerns” about the treatment of pregnant immigrants in detention, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women • West Virginia Watch
Members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus sent a letter to the head of ICE raising concerns about the treatment of pregnant immigrants.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
More than 60 members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus Tuesday sent a letter to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raising “extreme concerns” about the treatment of pregnant immigrants in detention, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles, the company announced Tuesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
WV Toyota plant to add 80 jobs, increase hybrid vehicle production, officials say • West Virginia Watch
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles, the company announced Tuesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation Monday with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Border patrol agent training facility could expand in Harpers Ferry under Moore’s new bill • West Virginia Watch
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation Monday with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.