Dorothy Abernathy, The Associated Press bureau chief for West Virginia and Virginia, shares the 10 things you need to know Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items, upcoming events and stories in West Virginia newspapers. 1. ‘BIRDMAN’ WINS TOP OSCAR The movie that epitomizes[Read More…]
Month: February 2015
At the Capitol: Feb. 16-20
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Outside events – including brutal winter weather and a catastrophic oil train derailment in nearby Fayette County – overshadowed the sixth week of the 2015 regular session of the Legislature. Monday’s derailment near Mount Carbon, about 30 miles from the state Capitol, caused numerous tank cars – each carrying 30,000 gallons[Read More…]
House passes bill for veterans program fund
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – West Virginia’s House of Delegates today (Friday, Feb. 20) passed H.B. 2646 which creates the West Virginia Veterans Program Fund. A House spokesperson said, specifically, the bill legalizes and regulates the sale of class three fireworks. Fireworks that fall under the class-three category currently are not available[Read More…]
Parents want science not propaganda: Too bad the left isn’t listening
By T.L. “Terry” Headley MBA, MAT, MA, BA ONA, W.Va. I have been following the controversy over science content standards for West Virginia schools with a great deal of interest. And it seems clear that one side of this argument wants to use the school system to indoctrinate our children while the other side wants[Read More…]
Paid sick time bill introduced
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, and five of his fellow Democrats introduced legislation today creating the Earned Sick Time Act. Senate Bill 528 (SB 528) creates the Earned Sick Time Act in order to allow all employees to earn sick time at a rate of one hour[Read More…]
Ohio governor touts budget measure in Charleston
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ohio Gov. John Kasich met with West Virginia lawmakers Thursday to drum up support for a federal balanced budget. Kasich has been touring states to generate support to pass a resolution calling for an Article V Convention to write a federal balanced budget amendment. Kasich’s visit to[Read More…]
Feds say speed not factor in W.Va. derailment
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Federal investigators still don’t know what caused a CSX train carrying crude oil from the Bakken oilfields to derail Monday, but speed wasn’t a factor, confirmed Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Kevin Thompson. Thompson said the 109-car train was traveling 33 miles per hour en route to a[Read More…]
Public speaks out against welfare drug testing
CHARLESTON, W.Va, — The House of Delegates held a public hearing Thursday on whether those receiving public assistance should be required to pass a drug test. House Bill 2021 restricts those convicted of drug crimes from receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, also known as TANF, but gives them[Read More…]
Booming oil shipments raise safety concerns
An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the problems with the oil boom on the American plains is how to move that product to market, especially to the densely populated Eastern United States. Northwestern North Dakota is now producing more than a million barrels a day, and[Read More…]
House packed for hearing on prevailing wage bill
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Construction workers packed the House chamber galleries early Thursday morning, Feb. 19, for a public hearing on the prevailing wage bill. SB 361 began as a bill to fully repeal prevailing wage for state construction projects. Following widespread opposition, it was revamped to set a method to[Read More…]