CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the middle of Wednesday morning’s meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, Delegate John Shott, the chairman, made an announcement. The committee had just passed its first bill of the morning, and was about to begin discussion of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, one of the most controversial[Read More…]
Month: February 2016
Teamsters to sue ahead of WV right-to-work vote
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the full House of Delegates prepares for a vote on the right-to-work bill on Thursday, the Teamsters Union announced it will file a lawsuit seeking full copies of redacted emails concerning a disputed-West Virginia University study of right-to-work laws. The study, by WVU professor John Deskins, makes[Read More…]
January figures show no hope for WV turnaround
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s tax collections in January were not as bad as prior months but provided no real signs of hope for an economic turnaround, state Revenue officials said Wednesday. “We have not veered off of our path, for the most part,” Deputy Revenue Secretary Mark Muchow said.[Read More…]
WV Senate fails to temper ‘prevailing wage’ repeal
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Legislation to repeal West Virginia’s 81-year-old Prevailing Wage Act (HB 4005) is one 18-16 vote away from heading to the governor, after the Senate rejected Wednesday, on party-line 18-16 votes, amendments intended to temper the repeal. That included an amendment by Sen. Herb Snyder, D-Jefferson, to replace the[Read More…]
The Associated Press shares 10 things to know Thursday, Feb. 4
Dorothy Abernathy, regional media director of The Associated Press, shares 10 things you need to know Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Look for full stories on these late-breaking news items and much more in West Virginia newspapers. 1. LEADERS SEEK RECORD $9 BILLION IN FUNDS FOR SYRIA They are meeting in[Read More…]
Two historic bridges being replaced in Bramwell
BRAMWELL, W.Va. — A Mercer County town noted for its historic structures is becoming a busy place as work to replace two memorial bridges gets underway. Backhoes and trucks were running in the town of Bramwell as workers prepared to replace the Yon-Peraldo Memorial Bridge and the Durhing Street Pony[Read More…]
CDC guidelines needed for opioid prescriptions
An editorial from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Common sense would certainly dictate that those individuals who have survived an opioid-related overdose should not be prescribed additional opioid medicines. So much for common sense. A recent study published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine found that more than[Read More…]
WV school chief speaks bluntly about teacher crisis
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a very direct address, state Superintendent Michael Martirano told business and political officials Tuesday morning that more needs to be done to attract qualified teachers to West Virginia schools. During his speech, which was given as part of the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Groundhog Day[Read More…]
WV House, Senate panels at odds on Turnpike tolls
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two legislative committees are taking opposing positions on the question of West Virginia Turnpike tolls: Should they stay or should they go? The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday began consideration of a bill that would keep tolls on the Turnpike after the current round of 30-year bonds[Read More…]
Boone County schools might ax nearly 80 jobs
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Boone County Schools superintendent is recommending that the school board cut about 77 positions, a move he said is necessary because of declining tax revenue and dropping enrollment. “You hate that this is occurring,” John Hudson said, “but some things you cannot control.” Hudson said the[Read More…]
