By MAX GARLAND Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Small farmers and farming organizations are meeting with state lawmakers today on various bills that could jump-start local farming businesses, ranging from processing more rabbit meat to tax credits for food bank donations. The third annual Local Food and Farms Day, beginning[Read More…]

By JOSELYN KING The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register WHEELING, W.Va.  — A measure unanimously passed by the West Virginia Senate Wednesday would eliminate the state mandate that public school calendars contain 180 “separate”days of classroom instruction and instead allow school districts to “bank” extra hours into each school day to make up for[Read More…]

By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would disqualify striking workers from receiving unemployment benefits under certain circumstances passed through the West Virginia Senate by a 22-11 vote following much debate. Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan said SB 222 clarifies that workers who voluntarily go on strike are[Read More…]

By LACIE PIERSON The Herald-Dispatch HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University President Jerome “Jerry” Gilbert reiterated his disapproval of proposed cuts in state dollars to Marshall and West Virginia University on Wednesday. In the Memorial Student Center, Gilbert told members of Marshall’s Board of Governors he planned to continue to voice his[Read More…]

By JAKE JARVIS Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House Education Committee considered on Wednesday a bill that would give public colleges in the state greater flexibility when deciding who to lay off if a staff reduction is needed. The committee’s substitute for HB 2542, which the committee members approved[Read More…]

By DANYEL VANREENEN The Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va.  — Gathering to discuss issues pertaining to the racing industry, Jill Upson, R-Jefferson, led the first Women’s Caucus of the 83rd Legislature on Wednesday. This year, Upson said the Caucus was especially significant because it was the first year female Senators joined their[Read More…]

By RUSTY MARKS The State Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill Wednesday, Feb. 22 that would expand the criteria for calling a Silver Alert for a missing senior. A Silver Alert is issued when an elderly person goes missing and relatives[Read More…]

By ANDREA LANNOM The Register-Herald CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House Government Organization Committee advanced a bill that would maintain a centralized fleet system to help get a handle on state vehicles, sending it on to the Committee on Finance. Much discussion has taken place recently about state vehicles. Last week, HB[Read More…]

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia has reported influenza activity as “widespread” for the week ending Feb. 18. Howard Gamble, administrator of the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department, said, “Although we are showing an increase in flu activity, it is not too late to get your seasonal flu vaccination.”[Read More…]