Editor’s note: Sunshine Week, March 15-21, 2015, is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Last year, a FOIA requester filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Drug Enforcement Administration asking for information about the DEA’s role in the search[Read More…]
Latest News
GOP senator cites conscience in vote against gun bill
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — A controversial bill allowing concealed carry of a weapon without a permit is headed to the governor’s desk, but some officials say they still are concerned with elements of the legislation adopted by the West Virginia Legislature. On Friday the Senate concurred with the House on changes[Read More…]
Coal production on the decline in West Virginia
WHEELING, W.Va. — Blaming both the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency as well as increasing competition from foreign miners, the president of the West Virginia Coal Association said production is steadily declining, particularly in the southern coalfields. Statistics provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration show Mountain State miners produced[Read More…]
FOIA request reveals Capehart deal details
WHEELING, W.Va. — West Liberty University has agreed not to make any legal claims against former president Robin Capehart, who will remain on the state payroll through the end of this year regardless of the outcome of the ethics complaint against him, according to his new contract with the school.[Read More…]
Kanawha prosecutor may not push Giles case
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney said Monday he’s not sure that he will move forward with the case against a former Capital High School principal if a judge doesn’t dismiss it later this week. Meanwhile, the attorney for Clinton Giles, is asking for a judge to determine[Read More…]
Freedom officials plead guilty in leak probe
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two former Freedom Industries officials pleaded guilty Monday to criminal water pollution charges related to the January 2014 chemical leak that contaminated the drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in the Kanawha Valley and surrounding communities. William E. Tis and Charles E. Herzing each entered[Read More…]
Legislature flops
An editorial from The Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After two months of struggle, the 2015 Legislature ended Saturday night with many proposals slipping down the drain. Here are some losers: ■ CHARTER SCHOOLS — A plan for private-run public schools died after a House committee voted to let the[Read More…]
WVU, Marshall bring spring practice to Greenbrier
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — The West Virginia University and Marshall University football teams both will inhabit the AdvoCare Sports Performance Center at The Greenbrier this April. As far as the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd sharing the same football field on a future regular season schedule, that was a discussion[Read More…]
Legislature improves state’s business climate
An editorial from the Charleston Daily Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Expectations were high for the first session of the 82nd Legislature. After 83 years of the state being controlled by a Democratic majority, was it reasonable for observers to expect that everything that ails the state business climate to be fixed[Read More…]
Tree slams onto house in Mercer County
BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Ronnie Herndon was working Monday on a car in front of his Simmons Avenue house when he heard a popping sound. At first, he thought a passing car was making the noise, but he learned otherwise when he looked up. A huge tree was falling toward him.[Read More…]