West Virginia State Police, in coordination with federal immigration officials, has arrested 37 undocumented immigrants in the past 11 days, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

Cervical cancer vaccines fall at the intersection of three cultural issues that are facing strong political opposition — broad access to low-cost or free reproductive health care, access to vaccines for children, and sex education, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social.

Three West Virginia jails are being used to house immigrant detainees in a deal that has made the state’s corrections division more than $333,000 so far this year, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

WV School Board President Paul Hardesty said Wednesday that lawmakers — not education officials — are responsible for addressing the school closures and consolidations that are increasing across the state, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

Between 2021 and June 2025, Georgia spent $54.2 million on administrative costs — compared with $26.1 million on providing medical care, according to the Government Accountability Office.

State Treasurer Larry Pack on Tuesday called on Gov. Patrick Morrisey and state lawmakers to eliminate the state’s tax on overtime and tips. Pack asked officials to consider taking up the matter during a special legislative session, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social & @caitycoyne.bsky.social

West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Republicans are “unified in the belief that this is an easy choice” to fund the government with a stopgap bill that doesn’t include any contentious or political provisions.

Newly-released documents from the governor’s office verify that the company buying the state’s four long-term care hospitals won’t be required to build new facilities in the current hospital locations, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.

COMENTARY: Unfortunately, the West Virginia Legislature seems uninterested in the benefits of advancing our minimum wage and cold to the life difficulties of minimum wage workers. West Virginia’s minimum wage has been stuck at $8.75 per hour since 2016, writes Neal Barkus.

West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi ranked lowest on the 50-state scorecard produced by the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that advocates for health care improvements, reports @nhassanein.bsky.social.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers remained far apart Monday with just over 24 hours until a federal government shutdown begins, after a White House meeting with President Donald Trump and congressional leaders meant to spur negotiations, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.

The Trump administration began posting plans over the weekend that detail how hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed during a government shutdown, while others will keep working without being paid, reports @jennifershutt.bsky.social.

As dry conditions continue in West Virginia, farmers in 10 counties are eligible for emergency loan assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state officials announced Friday.

President Donald Trump said Saturday morning he will send troops to Portland, attempting an unprecedented use of U.S. military forces within the country, reports @fischler.bsky.social.

President Trump’s plans to boost the country’s struggling coal industry by investing millions into coal power plants, opening more land to mining and loosening environmental regulations are a “major victory” for West Virginia and the U.S., Gov. Morrisey said, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

This year marks the 25th anniversary for the Problem Gambling Help Network, which runs the state’s 24-hour 1-800-Gambler helpline. The network is operated by First Choice Services and funded through the West Virginia Lottery, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

West Virginia’s traditional life magazine Goldenseal will transition from a paid print publication to a free online publication, the state Department of Tourism announced Friday.

A Kanawha County judge said the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s $5 million grant to an out-of-state religious school was unconstitutional, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

Help4WV, the state’s only 24/7 call line for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, marking 10 years of assisting individuals and families affected by addiction in West Virginia, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.

Aaron Siri, a New York-based attorney, has represented federal health secretary RFK Jr. and the anti-vaccine Informed Consent Action Network. Now, Siri is representing parents in their lawsuit against the WV and Raleigh County boards of education, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

West Virginia State Police, who now have broad immigration enforcement powers through a federal program, arrested 12 individuals for immigration violations over a two day period. The arrests were made during traffic stops, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

As volunteers around the country prepared last week for Save a Life Day, an annual naloxone giveaway event, Kanawha County saw a stark reminder of the need for the opioid overdose reversal drug, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

West Virginia National Guard personnel deployed to Washington, D.C. could be there until the end of November, but there’s no definite end to the operations, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

COMMENTARY: Hulett C. Smith, who served as the governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969, is still admired for his progressive policies and significant contributions to the state. None that have followed him have even come close to the high standard he established, writes Robert Beanblossom.

Millions who buy their health insurance on Affordable Care Act marketplaces will pay higher premiums next year, reports @chatlanis.bsky.social.

Trump has scaled back a Biden-era program that aimed to close the digital divide, especially in rural areas, reports @amelianews.bsky.social and @maddyfitz.bsky.social.

In Jackson County, some children don’t have a bed to sleep in. They’ll sleep on couches, on the floor or doubled up with siblings. Former House of Delegates member Steve Westfall decided to do something about it. @amelianews.bsky.social reports.

From @georgiarecorder.com: The top vaccine advisory committee at the CDC voted Friday to change long-standing recommendations around COVID-19 vaccine access for children and adults, though a proposal to require prescriptions for all individuals seeking the shot narrowly failed.

The state of West Virginia has pushed back closing on the sale of its four long-term care facilities to Oct. 31. The hospitals, many of which are deteriorating, typically serve elderly patients using Medicaid, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

At least 17 states have taken steps to ensure broader access to the COVID-19 vaccine since last month, when the federal government significantly restricted eligibility for the shot, reports @chatlanis.bsky.social.

West Virginia First Foundation chair Matt Harvey announced Thursday that he will be resigning from the organization’s board as he awaits confirmation to a federal post.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey is asking for public input on West Virginia’s application for millions of dollars in federal funding meant to target rural health, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

Rural hospitals are less likely to offer obstetric services after they’ve been acquired by a larger health system, leading to mixed outcomes for mothers and babies, according to new research, reports @acvollers.bsky.social.

COMMENTARY: If you scroll through social media, you’ll see our members of Congress and special interest groups practically begging West Virginians to believe that the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is good for us. But West Virginians know a bad deal when we see one, writes Kelly Allen.

The Raleigh County judge overseeing a lawsuit in a legal battle over West Virginia’s mandatory school vaccination requirements has ordered the state’s newly appointed health officer to testify next month, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

DEP is holding a public hearing on Thursday for community members in Mingo and Logan counties to share thoughts and concerns regarding a pending permit application to construct two data centers and connected natural gas plants near Gilbert, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.

From the @utahnewsdispatch.com : Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray announced that his office has filed charges against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, accused of shooting and killing conservative influencer Charlie Kirk during a crowded outdoor speaking event.

Marshall University President Brad Smith and his wife, Alys Smith, have donated $50 million to a university program designed to eliminate student debt, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

New from me today:

President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday it will redirect $495 million in additional funding to historically Black colleges and universities as well as tribal colleges, reports Shauneen Miranda.

After funding doubts, the state’s Family Treatment Courts received a $1 million grant to continue over the next year. But long-term funding is still in question as the courts will need a financial investment from lawmakers in the successful judicial program, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

COMMENTARY: Nothing can really change for Appalachia’s people — no matter how many government programs or anti-poverty initiatives — until we break the pattern of absentee land ownership that has defined and damaged our region for more than a century, writes Jim Branscome.

A West Virginia woman is celebrating this week after winning $1 million by playing the West Virginia Lottery’s Powerball, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.

Funding for 17 research projects at West Virginia University has been cancelled or suspended, including federal research dollars axed by President Donald Trump. The Republican president cancelled billions of dollars in research money for universities, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

West Virginia Democratic lawmakers kicked off their statewide tour Thursday in Huntington, fielding questions from local residents concerned about paying their bills, their local schools and health insurance, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

The state released the results of its foster care “listening tour,” and the findings reiterated many problems already well-known in West Virginia’s troubled system — like the need for expanded access to child mental health care and improved communication, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey unveiled a new comprehensive energy plan for West Virginia on Wednesday, which will largely rely on doubling down on and increasing power generated from the state’s nonrenewable energy sources like coal and natural gas, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.

A former West Virginia health officer testified Thursday that the state’s compulsory vaccination law, as it’s written without religious or philosophical exemptions, is the best way to protect the state’s public health goals, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

For the first time since the COVID-19 vaccine was released, this year a federal health agency put new restrictions on who can get the shot, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.

Shepherdstown is about to add a new tradition to its long history. On Sept. 20, the town will host its first-ever Constitution Day parade — the “We the People” parade, reports Mike Chalmers.