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West Virginia Watch

@westvirginiawatch.com
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Nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent journalism not hidden behind a paywall. Mountaineers are always free, and so is West Virginia Watch. westvirginiawatch.com

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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 3h
The U.S. Department of Education’s suspension this year of a comprehensive monitoring process puts billions of K-12 dollars at heightened risk of undetected waste, fraud and abuse, according to a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, reports Robbie Sequeira of @stateline.org.
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K-12 spending, absenteeism programs face risks as feds stop key monitoring, watchdog says
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 4h
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 · 18h
President Donald Trump is tapping $20 million in Homeland Security funding to pay for TV ads that heavily feature him ahead of the midterm elections, Democrats said Tuesday as the promos critics call propaganda come under bipartisan attack, reports Jonathan Shorman.
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Trump TV ads paid for with $20M in Homeland Security funds, Dems find • West Virginia Watch
President Donald Trump is tapping $20 million in Homeland Security funding to pay for TV ads that heavily feature him.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 18h
Most judges on a federal appeals court seemed inclined to allow a federal judge to continue investigating Trump officials for possible criminal contempt-of-court charges for defying a judicial order by sending more than 100 Venezuelan men to a Salvadoran prison, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
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Appeals court poised to allow contempt probe of DHS deportation flights to El Salvador • West Virginia Watch
Most judges on a federal appeals court seemed inclined to allow a federal judge to continue investigating Trump officials for possible criminal contempt-of-court charges.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 18h
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday granted, for now, the Trump administration’s request to continue rapid third-country deportation of immigrants to countries not their own, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
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US Supreme Court allows Trump to resume deportations outside immigrants’ home countries • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. Supreme Court granted, for now, the Trump administration’s request to continue rapid third-country deportation of immigrants to countries not their own.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 18h
The Trump administration must spend the $810 million that it said last week it planned to cancel, according to a report released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
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Congressional watchdog says Trump administration can’t defy lawmakers to revoke $810M • West Virginia Watch
The Trump administration must spend the $810 million that it said it planned to cancel, according to the Government Accountability Office.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 19h
Former special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday defended before a U.S. Senate panel his past investigations of President Donald Trump’s possession of classified documents and alleged role in attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
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GOP senator bungles accusation against former special counsel Jack Smith in heated hearing • West Virginia Watch
Former special counsel Jack Smith defended before a U.S. Senate panel his past investigations of Trump’s possession of classified documents and alleged role in attempts to overturn the 2020…
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21h
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.
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 23h
The three news organizations that President Donald Trump barred from entering the White House grounds earlier this month have asked a federal judge to ensure their reporters continue to have access after a temporary restraining order expires in early October, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
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News orgs banned from White House accuse Trump of First Amendment violation • West Virginia Watch
The three news organizations that Trump barred from entering the White House grounds earlier this month have asked a federal judge to ensure their reporters continue to have access after a temporary…
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 29/09/2026
A bipartisan measure to overhaul the college sports landscape got a step closer to becoming law Monday after passing the U.S. Senate, reports Shauneen Miranda.
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Major bill to set standards for college athletes’ pay passes US Senate • West Virginia Watch
A bipartisan measure to overhaul the college sports landscape got a step closer to becoming law Monday after passing the U.S. Senate.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 29/09/2026
Small businesses will once again challenge President Donald Trump’s tariffs in federal court this week as they continue to feel the squeeze of the administration’s roller coaster policy on import taxes, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
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Trump used impossible foreign labor standards as tariff workaround, small businesses say • West Virginia Watch
Small businesses will once again challenge Trump’s tariffs in federal court this week as they continue to feel the squeeze of the administration’s roller coaster policy on import taxes.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 29/09/2026
As physicians continue to navigate care for patients with complex pregnancies in states with abortion bans, a group of specialists has developed new guidelines to help providers navigate legal risks and medical challenges for their high-risk patients, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
High-risk pregnancy doctors publish new standards for care under state abortion bans
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
Five weeks before Election Day, President Donald Trump’s sprawling effort to identify and remove noncitizen voters hasn’t produced the kind of large purges that could meaningfully affect the midterm elections, reports Jonathan Shorman.
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Trump thwarted in hunt for rare noncitizen voters as midterms near • West Virginia Watch
Trump’s effort to identify and remove noncitizen voters hasn’t produced the kind of large purges that could meaningfully affect the midterm elections.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
The challenges and dire threats surrounding the unchecked growth of artificial intelligence appear unlikely to move Congress or President Donald Trump to act as the U.S. Senate enters its last week before the midterms, reports David Lightman.
westvirginiawatch.com
‘Dumbfounds us all’: Congress struggles with policies rippling from AI development • West Virginia Watch
The challenges and dire threats surrounding the unchecked growth of AI appear unlikely to move Congress or Trump to act as the U.S. Senate enters its last week before the midterms.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
The Trump administration has, once again, infuriated lawmakers from both political parties by using a controversial maneuver to cancel funding previously approved by Congress, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Trump administration revokes $810M approved by Congress for refugee aid and more • West Virginia Watch
The Trump administration has infuriated lawmakers by using a controversial maneuver to cancel funding previously approved by Congress.
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 28/09/2026
COMMENTARY: As we descend into the panopticon era of technofascism, one of the biggest proponents of this descent is the installation of the Flock cameras we’re seeing in our communities, writes Aaron Hamler.
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FAFO: Flock around and find out
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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.
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America’s air monitors are disappearing. So is your power to expose polluters.
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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.
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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 · 25/09/2026
An appeals panel Friday seemed inclined to agree that more than 100 Venezuelan men the Trump administration sent to a brutal prison in El Salvador are entitled to due process hearings to challenge their removal, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Venezuelan men shipped to brutal prison under Alien Enemies Act ask court for due process • West Virginia Watch
An appeals panel seemed inclined to agree that Venezuelan men the Trump administration sent to a prison in El Salvador are entitled to due process hearings.
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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?
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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 · 25/09/2026
Tens of thousands of Americans continue to lose access to food assistance each month, even as Congress debates slowing down major cuts to federal food stamps, reports Kevin Hardy of @stateline.org.
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More Americans lose SNAP as Congress weighs food stamps’ future
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/09/2026
The Trump administration Thursday made an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow for rapid third-country deportations of noncitizens to continue, after an appeals court blocked the policy last week, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to permit quick third-country deportations • West Virginia Watch
The Trump administration made an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow for rapid third-country deportations of noncitizens to continue.
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 25/09/2026
Despite skyrocketing fuel prices and sinking approval ratings for President Trump’s conflict in Iran ahead of the November midterms, Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ efforts Thursday to check the president’s unfettered military action in the Middle East, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
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Democrats gain 4 in US Senate GOP on Iran war resolution, but vote falls short • West Virginia Watch
Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ efforts Thursday to check the president’s unfettered military action in the Middle East.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration appeared to disappoint senators from both political parties Thursday with how she answered questions about medication abortion access during her confirmation hearing, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
FDA nominee faces skepticism on vaccines from Republican senators at confirmation hearing • West Virginia Watch
Trump’s nominee to lead the FDA appeared to disappoint senators with how she answered questions about medication abortion access during her confirmation hearing.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
Government investigators Thursday released a report that found the Department of Homeland Security wasted more than $20M in federal funding in its rapid expansion of immigration detention, including warehouse purchases strongly opposed in numerous communities, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Millions of dollars of waste found in Trump administration push for immigration detention • West Virginia Watch
Investigators found that Homeland Security wasted more than $20 million in federal funding in its rapid expansion of immigration detention.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
The mistrial in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial earlier this month places her future in doubt, three years after she killed her three children. But one potential outcome is a state legislative push to boost mental health support for new mothers, reports@sofiaresnick.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Lindsay Clancy case could spur legislative action on postpartum depression, psychosis
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has issued a state of emergency for two counties in Southern West Virginia after heavy rains this week caused flash flooding, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Morrisey declares state of emergency for Boone, Lincoln counties after flooding • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey has issued a state of emergency for two counties in West Virginia after heavy rains this week caused flash flooding.
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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.
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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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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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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 24/09/2026
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly indicated during a Wednesday hearing he may order the Trump administration to reinstate White House press passes for reporters from three news organizations who had their credentials revoked this weekend, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Judge skeptical of White House ban of 3 news outlets but holds off on ruling for now • West Virginia Watch
A judge indicated he may order the Trump administration to reinstate White House press passes to news organizations who had their credentials revoked.
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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.
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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 · 23/09/2026
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee used a hearing to continue voicing opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, which the top Democrat on the panel called a distraction from cost-of-living issues voters are more concerned about, reports Shauneen Miranda.
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US Senate Republicans spotlight trans athletes issue as midterms approach • West Virginia Watch
Republicans on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee used a hearing to voice opposition to trans athletes competing in women’s sports.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 23/09/2026
Medicaid enrollees from five states and leading medical organizations filed a lawsuit Friday challenging new Medicaid work requirements, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social @nhassanein.bsky.social.
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Medical groups, patients sue Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 23/09/2026
Education experts and advocates on Tuesday urged Congress to repeal an incoming national school voucher program over concerns that it will divert critical funds away from public schools to private institutions, reports Shauneen Miranda.
westvirginiawatch.com
Democrats, experts call for revocation of school voucher program under adoption by states • West Virginia Watch
Education experts urged Congress to repeal a school voucher program over concerns that it will divert funds away from public schools.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 23/09/2026
U.S. Senate Democrats believe they could pick up as many as six seats following this November’s midterm elections, despite Republicans having better fundraising numbers and break-even polling in several states, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.
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GOP’s ‘rubberstamp’ of Trump puts US Senate in play, Dem campaign chair says • West Virginia Watch
U.S. Senate Democrats believe they could pick up as many as six seats following this November’s midterm elections.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 23/09/2026
Federal officials charged a Utah letter carrier Tuesday with throwing 300 primary ballots in a church parking lot dumpster, an incident that a top U.S. Justice Department official said made the case for stricter regulations of voting, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
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Trump DOJ uses case of Utah letter carrier to highlight allegations of voting fraud • West Virginia Watch
Federal officials charged a Utah letter carrier with throwing 300 primary ballots in a church parking lot dumpster.
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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...
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
A New Hampshire federal judge seemed skeptical during a hearing that a civil rights group could continue with a challenge to block Trump’s second attempt to redefine the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
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Judge suggests Trump’s most recent birthright citizenship orders may require new lawsuit • West Virginia Watch
A New Hampshire federal judge seemed skeptical during a hearing that a civil rights group could continue with a challenge to block Trump’s second attempt to redefine the constitutional right to…
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
President Donald Trump faces a “big decision” to make a deal with Iran or “annihilate” the country, he told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
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‘Drive them into hell’: Trump ponders destruction of Iran at United Nations • West Virginia Watch
Trump faces a “big decision” to make a deal with Iran or “annihilate” the country, he told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
Women giving birth in rural communities were more likely than peers in urban areas to receive oral opioid prescriptions for pain upon leaving the hospital after a cesarean section, according to a new analysis of data from half a million C-sections, reports @nhassanein.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Rural women who got C-sections more likely to be prescribed opioids at home, study finds
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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 22/09/2026
COMMENTARY: Mingo tests whether Hope is a universal opportunity or an equal allocation only some families can convert into meaningful choice, writes Robert B. Miller.
westvirginiawatch.com
A promising name for a program is not a school
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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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West Virginia Watch @westvirginiawatch.com · 21/09/2026
Diesel prices hit a record average of $6.51 a gallon Monday, and some in President Donald Trump’s own party are breaking their support for the ongoing war in Iran that has driven fuel prices to staggering levels in the United States and across the globe, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
westvirginiawatch.com
Diesel prices shoot upward as top farm-state GOP senator begs Trump for export embargo • West Virginia Watch
Diesel prices hit a record average of $6.51 a gallon Monday, and some in Trump’s own party are breaking their support for the war in Iran.
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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 · 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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