By Charles Young, WV News CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The $1 billion dollar broadband internet expansion plan recently announced by state officials will exclusively benefit West Virginians who do not currently have internet access, Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael said Wednesday. Speaking during a virtual roundtable session organized by the West Virginia Press[Read More…]

By Steven Allen Adams, The Intelligencer CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s unemployment rate quickly recovered from the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown of non-essential businesses and the reduction in workforce during the course of the pandemic. It’s now at lows not seen in 14 years. According to WorkForce West Virginia, the seasonally[Read More…]

See samples of roundtable coverage CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The office of West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia Press Association today hosted a ZOOM roundtable discussion of the state’s recently announced $8 billion broadband strategy. Media representatives from newspapers, radio, television and online organizations participated in the call. Samples[Read More…]

By David Beard, The Dominion Post CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Senate spent just over two hours debating the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine exemption bill, HB 335, and barely passed it with a 17-16 vote. HB 335 says an employer that requires vaccination for hiring or continued employment must grant certain exemptions, based[Read More…]

By Steven Allen Adams, The Journal CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The fifth time was the charm Tuesday, as the West Virginia Senate passed a bill drawing new borders for the 17 state senatorial districts after days of delays and internal disagreements on maps. Senate Bill 3034, dividing the state into senatorial[Read More…]

Statement on HB 335, COVID Immunization Requirements CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, has issued the following statement regarding HB 335, Relating to COVID-19 immunizations requirements for employment in the public and private sectors: On the Senate floor (Tuesday), West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair,[Read More…]

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Democratic Caucus of the West Virginia State Senate has issued the following statement regarding redistricting: After a long and tedious redistricting process, today we passed a West Virginia Senate district map. We want to thank the Redistricting Committee Chairman Trump, committee staff, and our committee membership: Senator[Read More…]

By Mike Tony, Charleston Gazette-Mail CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new program enabling owners of small forestlands to prosper from improving forest health while slowing climate change is launching in West Virginia. The Family Forest Carbon Program, which pays family and individual small forest owners to implement practices that increase the[Read More…]