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Leann Ray

@leannray.bsky.social
1.5K followers 212 following 57 posts

Editor-in-chief of @westvirginiawatch.com. Former news / city / FlipSide editor at the Charleston Gazette-Mail. She/her

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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 30/09/2026
West Virginia Drug Czar Dr. Stephen Loyd has resigned from his role after about two years on the job, he confirmed to West Virginia Watch Tuesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social and @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV Drug Czar Loyd resigns from Morrisey administration after leading state’s opioid response
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 01/10/2026
The state will allocate $1.1 M of its federal Rural Health Transformation program funds to Community Care of West Virginia, a federally qualified health center, and another $3.2 million for other investments to rural hospitals in the state, reports Lori Kersey.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey announces more than $8 million in Rural Health Transformation grants for WV • West Virginia Watch
The state will allocate $1.1 million of its federal Rural Health Transformation program funds to Community Care of West Virginia.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 01/10/2026
Child victims in a gruesome abuse case have been awarded $4.4 million in a settlement with the state Department of Human Services due to Child Protective Services failures in the case, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV pays $4.4M in historic child abuse case after CPS didn’t rescue kids from slave-like conditions
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 01/10/2026
COMMENTARY: The ACLU of West Virginia announced a lawsuit last week over the unconstitutional underfunding of public schools. I’m not exaggerating when I say this may be the most important case we have filed in my 10 years with this organization, writes Eli Baumwell of ACLU-WV.
westvirginiawatch.com
The promise of a free education is fundamental to our democracy
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 01/10/2026
Janie Cole is leaving her role as commissioner of the Bureau for Family Assistance in the Morrisey administration, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Bureau for Family Assistance commissioner latest to exit Morrisey administration • West Virginia Watch
Janie Cole is leaving her role as commissioner of the Bureau for Family Assistance in the Morrisey administration.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 29/09/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey is hoping to finally get the state’s Military Hall of Fame up and running, but his administration's draft rules for its operation face legal scrutiny, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey’s plan for West Virginia Military Hall of Fame faces legal scrutiny
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 29/09/2026
Advocates for West Virginia children with autism are calling on state officials to address a significant shortage of behavioral therapists who provide services, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Children with autism struggling to access therapy; advocates call on WV leaders to address Medicaid • West Virginia Watch
Advocates for West Virginia children with autism are calling on state officials to address a significant shortage of therapy workers.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/09/2026
The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia on Friday filed a lawsuit with the state’s highest court in an attempt to require state lawmakers to “correct the school funding formula,” the organization said Friday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
ACLU-WV files lawsuit over West Virginia school aid formula  • West Virginia Watch
The ACLU of West Virginia on Friday filed a lawsuit in an attempt to require state lawmakers to “correct the school funding formula."
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
From @floodlightnews.org: Across much of the U.S., people have little way to know when the air they breathe turns dangerous.
westvirginiawatch.com
America’s air monitors are disappearing. So is your power to expose polluters.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
New federal rules likely will force three dozen states to reduce their annual Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by a total of more than $50 billion — potentially shrinking the number of providers willing to see Medicaid patients, according to a new analysis, reports @chatlanis.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Doctors and hospitals to see lower Medicaid payments in three dozen states
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/09/2026
A handful of women from Recovery Point Charleston helped distribute naloxone during Save a Life Day, an annual event that aims to lessen the stigma surrounding the drug, which blocks the effects of opioids, and get the medication into the hands of as many people as possible, reports Lori Kersey.
westvirginiawatch.com
During Save a Life Day, naloxone access is personal for women in recovery
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/09/2026
We don’t have a paywall. During an election year, that’s more important than ever. Your support ensures our journalism stays free and accessible for everyone in West Virginia. Could you chip in today?
westvirginiawatch.com
Donate • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia Watch is a free, nonprofit news outlet that depends on support from people like you so we can produce outstanding journalism without paywalls, subscription fees or advertising.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
Questions from West Virginia Supreme Court justices seemed to indicate that Dems face an uphill battle in their challenge of a GOP appointment to the House last year to replace the man elected after he was charged with making violent threats towards other members, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Justices consider state Democrats’ challenge of 2025 appointment to WV House seat • West Virginia Watch
Questions from West Virginia Supreme Court justices on Tuesday seemed to indicate that state Democrats face an uphill battle in their challenge of a GOP appointment to the House of Delegates last…
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
WV Supreme Court considers lawmakers’ power over public education rules @amelianews.bsky.social reports westvirginiawatch.com/2026/09/22/w...
westvirginiawatch.com
WV Supreme Court considers lawmakers’ power over public education rules  • West Virginia Watch
The West Virginia Supreme Court is considering whether the Legislature has the ultimate authority over school board policies that govern public schools.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
A vast and growing network of artificial intelligence-driven Flock cameras could violate constitutional privacy rights, U.S. senators on a Judiciary Committee subcommittee said during a Wednesday hearing, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Flock surveillance cameras raise constitutional questions, bipartisan US senators say • West Virginia Watch
A growing network of AI-driven Flock cameras could violate constitutional privacy rights, U.S. senators said during a Wednesday hearing.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly early Thursday issued an order that temporarily blocks President Donald Trump’s ban of three news organizations from the White House, reports @janenorman.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Federal judge orders White House must restore press passes to 3 banned news outlets • West Virginia Watch
A judge early Thursday issued an order that temporarily blocks President Donald Trump’s ban of three news organizations from the White House.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
Amy Summers, a former member of West Virginia House leadership, released a children’s book that draws on her personal life on the farm along with her time as a lawmaker trying to reform the state’s troubled foster care system, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Former House leader Amy Summers writes children’s book with goal of helping harmed kids
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
COMMENTARY: For many West Virginians, work isn’t an abstract political talking point. It is how they survive. That is why the new Medicaid work reporting requirements coming Jan. 1, 2027, deserve more than a debate about whether people should work, writes Ellen Allen.
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginians don’t need to be taught the value of work
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 17/09/2026
As West Virginia continues to announce recipients of its federal Rural Health Transformation program funding, a state lawmaker this week raised concerns about one organization set to receive a grant of more than $1 million, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginia lawmaker raises concerns over Rural Health grant recipient
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 17/09/2026
COMMENTARY: Typically in opinion pieces you want to use more words to flesh out your own arguments and give less airtime to your opponents’ points. But sometimes you’re just mad, just like the 70% of Americans who oppose data center construction in their communities, writes Quenton King.
westvirginiawatch.com
Talking points from data center supporters don’t stand up to the facts in West Virginia
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 17/09/2026
After the lack of details on child welfare deaths drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, the Morrisey administration released more information about how children are dying in West Virginia, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey administration reveals more details on child deaths but key CPS information still missing • West Virginia Watch
After the lack of details on child welfare deaths drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, the Morrisey administration released more information about how children are dying in West Virginia.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 17/09/2026
The state of West Virginia will distribute $855,400 of its federal Rural Health Transformation funds to the West Virginia Health Information Network to strengthen “health data infrastructure and improve the secure exchange of health information” across the state, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
State to allocate $855.4K in Rural Health funds to West Virginia Health Information Network • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia will distribute $855,400 of its federal Rural Health Transformation funds to the West Virginia Health Information Network.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 17/09/2026
Republican Rep. Riley Moore and Ace Parsi, his Democratic opponent in the November general election, have agreed to a debate on live radio next month, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginia congressional candidates Moore, Parsi to debate next month • West Virginia Watch
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., and Ace Parsi, his Democratic opponent in the November general election, have agreed to a debate next month.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 18/09/2026
The West Virginia Department of Tourism is correcting widespread financial mismanagement, including inappropriate cash-handling activities, that occurred within the Department of Arts, Culture and History, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
‘Cash flying out the door’: Audit reveals many financial, inventory missteps in WV arts department • West Virginia Watch
The Department of Tourism is correcting widespread financial mismanagement that occurred within the Department of Arts, Culture and History.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/09/2026
Organizers opposing a controversial “advanced recycling” facility planned for eastern Kanawha County will host a community meeting about the project this week, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Community meeting planned about controversial plant planned for Kanawha County
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/09/2026
COMMENTARY: Residents largely see data centers as bad neighbors — emitting air and noise pollution, gobbling up huge tracts of land and water and raising utility costs, all while creating few if any permanent jobs for locals, writes Kelly Allen.
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginia should end tax breaks for unpopular data centers
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/09/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that the state will contribute $291,403 of its federal Rural Health Transformation funds to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to help expand the capacity of nursing education and address nursing shortages across the state, reports Lori Kersey.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV to allocate nearly $300,000 in Rural Health Transformation funds to expand nursing workforce • West Virginia Watch
The state will contribute $291,403 of its federal Rural Health Transformation funds to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/09/2026
Republican candidate Chris Clagett, who is running in Berkeley County for a seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates, posted several racist posts on social media that targeted Black women and Muslims, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV Republican House candidate under fire for comments about Black women, Muslims • West Virginia Watch
Republican candidate Chris Clagett posted several racist posts on social media that targeted Black women and Muslims.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
The organizers of Save a Life Day — an annual naloxone distribution planned for Thursday — aim to keep promoting harm reduction, even after the Trump administration shifted federal funding away from some supplies that make drug use safer, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Save a Life Day organizers continue focus on harm reduction despite federal funding changes
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 14/09/2026
A Charleston women’s clinic has launched an ad campaign letting West Virginia residents know that despite the state’s near total ban on abortion, they still have options, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Women’s Health Center of West Virginia launches campaign about abortion pills • West Virginia Watch
A women’s clinic has launched an ad campaign letting residents know that despite the state’s near total ban on abortion, they still have options.
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 14/09/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has requested federal disaster assistance for three counties affected by heavy rains and flooding last month, reports lkersey@westvirginiawatch.com.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey requests major disaster declaration for three WV counties • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has requested federal disaster assistance for three counties affected by heavy rains and flooding last month.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 14/09/2026
West Virginia lawmakers try to find compromise on controversial anti-child abuse bill westvirginiawatch.com/2026/09/14/w...
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginia lawmakers try to find compromise on controversial anti-child abuse bill  • West Virginia Watch
A group of West Virginia lawmakers spent the summer reworking a controversial piece of anti-child abuse legislation that sent the House of Delegates into chaos this year during debate over protecting…
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 15/09/2026
West Virginia localities spent nearly $10 million more of the opioid settlement funds they received between 2024 and 2025 than in the year previously, with a bulk of that spending going toward law enforcement, jail bill payments and support for EMS, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV local govs spent most opioid settlement funds on police, jail bills, EMS in fiscal year 2024-2025
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 15/09/2026
The number of West Virginia’s foster children is trending slightly downward but the state continues to send hundreds of children out of state, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Number of West Virginia foster children decreasing, but hundreds of kids still going out of state • West Virginia Watch
The number of West Virginia’s foster kids is trending slightly downward but the state continues to send hundreds of children out of state.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 15/09/2026
Researchers are especially excited about the potential of mRNA vaccines, which use synthetic genetic instructions to teach a person’s immune system how to recognize and destroy unique proteins found on cancer cells, reports@sofiaresnick.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Misinformation, hesitancy could blunt impact of new cancer vaccines
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 15/09/2026
There was good news at the state Capitol on Tuesday: a competitive college scholarship is having great success at recruiting and retaining passionate public school teachers in West Virginia, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
State-funded college scholarship successfully tackling WV teacher shortage • West Virginia Watch
A competitive college scholarship is having great success at recruiting and retaining passionate public school teachers in West Virginia.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/08/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has tied continued delays with the school clothing allowance program to a looming shortfall in the federal funding that pays for the program. School has started around West Virginia while that program continues to be held up, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Some lawmakers frustrated by Morrisey’s hidden details of federal TANF spending
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/08/2026
Fentanyl seizures decreased by 39% during the first year of the second Trump administration after ICE shifted the Department of Homeland Security’s criminal investigations arm to conducting immigration enforcement, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Fentanyl seizures plummeted as Trump administration shifted focus to immigration • West Virginia Watch
Fentanyl seizures decreased by 39% during the first year of the second Trump administration according to a report published Friday.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/08/2026
Despite federal funding cuts affecting state humanities councils across the country, the Folklife Apprenticeship program by the West Virginia Humanities Council will go on this year, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship program accepting applications
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/08/2026
The Department of Homeland Security is planning to drastically increase the fee for hiring high-skilled foreign workers within the United States to $100,000, according to a preview of a proposed rule published Monday, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Trump administration plans $100,000 visa fee for high-skill foreign workers • West Virginia Watch
The Department of Homeland Security is planning to drastically increase the fee for hiring high-skilled foreign workers within the U.S.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/08/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey and a Kanawha County delegate are each calling for a close review of recent crashes at an interstate spot in Charleston after multiple vehicles recently fell off of the road or dangled off of the edge, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Gov. Morrisey, Kanawha delegate call for roads review after numerous vehicles fall off interstate • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey and a Kanawha County delegate are each calling for a close review of recent crashes at an interstate spot in Charleston after multiple vehicles recently fell off of the road or…
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/08/2026
A federal district judge is chastising the Trump administration for sowing confusion and “creating” an emergency by noticing a rule Friday that the U.S. Postal Service will eventually require federally regulated mail-in ballot voting envelopes and state data, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Postal Service moves ahead with mail ballot rule amid court battle • West Virginia Watch
A federal district judge is chastising the Trump administration for sowing confusion and “creating” an emergency by noticing a rule Friday that the U.S. Postal Service will eventually require…
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Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/08/2026
President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027, reports Shauneen Miranda.
westvirginiawatch.com
Trump, McMahon promote school voucher program as students return to class • West Virginia Watch
President Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/08/2026
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey has asked state school officials to intervene after his office learned of a Kanawha County Schools policy regarding the Hope Scholarship and students with disabilities, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
AG McCuskey takes issue with Kanawha County policy on Hope Scholarship and special ed students
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/08/2026
More than 54,000 children have received school clothing allowance funds as of Monday while the Morrisey administration continues to vet applications during the school year, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey: 54K received school clothing allowance so far, including low-income kids who didn’t apply • West Virginia Watch
More than 54,000 children have received school clothing allowance funds as of Monday while the administration continues to vet applications
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/08/2026
Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed William “Bill” Vest of Oak Hill, West Virginia, to fill the House of Delegates seat previously held by Del. Elliott Pritt, who was indicted last week on three federal charges, including the alleged sexual exploitation of a child, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Longtime corrections officer appointed to WV House following Pritt’s arrest for alleged sex crimes • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed William “Bill” Vest of Oak Hill to fill the House of Delegates seat previously held by Del. Elliott Pritt.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 13/08/2026
A Kanawha County chemical plant where two employees died and four others were critically injured in April after a highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas was released did not require workers to wear respirators, according to a report by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV chemical plant didn’t require workers to wear respirators during deadly incident, CSB report says • West Virginia Watch
A chemical plant where two employees died and four others were critically injured in April did not require workers to wear respirators.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 13/08/2026
DEP issued a finalized air quality permit on Wednesday to Clean-Seas West Virginia, allowing the out-of-state company to move forward with the construction of a controversial “advanced recycling” plant in eastern Kanawha County, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
WV DEP approves air quality permit for plastic pyrolysis facility in Belle despite local resistance • West Virginia Watch
DEP issued a finalized air quality permit to Clean-Seas,, allowing the company to move forward with the construction of a controversial plant in Kanawha County.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 14/08/2026
The United Mine Workers of America made an “urgent demand” of the federal government on Thursday for the “immediate, uncompromised” enforcement of previously approved policies and rules that would protect coal miners from incurable black lung disease, reports Caity Coyne.
westvirginiawatch.com
UMWA calls for ‘immediate’ enforcement of silica rule as black lung hits new high in WV, Appalachia
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 14/08/2026
COMMENTARY: Over the last several weeks, West Virginia residents and lawmakers have learned much about the state’s school clothing voucher program and — judging by what I’ve seen — most seem to have concluded it’s an important program that offers families vital economic support, writes Kelly Allen.
westvirginiawatch.com
Support for school clothing vouchers should extend to other safety net programs, too
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