West Virginia Press Association Staff Report CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Work continued Monday to finalize the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, as the Senate Finance Committee heard presentations from the offices of the Attorney General, State Auditor, and Secretary of State.  First to present was West Virginia Attorney General[Read More…]

By Damian Phillips, The Exponent Telegram CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia is currently one of only 10 states that assesses personal income taxes on Social Security benefits, but that may be changing. During his 2024 State of the State address, Gov. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., proposed eliminating the tax on those[Read More…]

By Esteban Fernandez, Times West Virginian MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — There is no legacy romanticized more than that of Martin Luther King Jr.’s, which is why the key theme that emerged out of Monday’s Unity Breakfast honoring the civil rights leader was action over platitudes. “It’s a disservice to his legacy[Read More…]

By Roger Adkins, Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With lawmakers now in the second week of the 2024 legislative session, several proposed bills have cleared three readings in the Senate and have moved to the House of Delegates. Here are explanations of some of those bills. Senate Bill 143 SB[Read More…]

By Toni Milbourne, The Journal CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Members of the Jefferson County Fire and Rescue Association hosted a public meeting, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Commission, to discuss a proposed fire levy draft to bring before the voters of the county. The association came before the commission[Read More…]

By Steve Keenan, The Register-Herald GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – At the historic Bank of Glen Jean building Thursday, interested parties gathered to explore what structures the National Park Service proposes to demolish and remove in coming months. NPS staff members from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve hosted[Read More…]

By Charles Young, WV News CHARLESTON, W.Va. — During his recent State of the State address, Gov. Jim Justice said the presence of West Virginia National Guard members in the state’s jails and prisons would soon be phased out. This will be fully accomplished by “end of summer 2024,” according[Read More…]

By Ainsley Hall, The Journal MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Kamryn Perry, a seventh-grade student at Martinsburg South Middle School, won the middle school division of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Poster Contest. This year was the 40th annual contest, where students submitted their artwork that focuses on King’s[Read More…]

By Mike Tony, Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “Unacceptable.” The staff of the West Virginia Public Service Commission used that word five times in an 18-page memorandum issued Jan. 4 to describe water utility oversight of fire hydrants throughout the state. The PSC staff found widespread failure of water utilities to look[Read More…]

West Virginia Press Association Staff Report CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Senate Finance Committee, on Thursday, began their deliberation of Gov. Jim Justice’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal. On-hand to provide an overview and answer committee member’s questions regarding the proposal was the state’s Acting Revenue Secretary Larry Pack. “The[Read More…]