City of Inez Partners With Martin County Deputies for Dedicated Police Patrols

City of Inez Partners With Martin County Deputies for Dedicated Police Patrols

INEZ, Ky. — Dedicated police patrols are set to return to the City of Inez through a new agreement with the Martin County Sheriff’s Department. Several years ago, Inez dissolved its municipal police department. Under the new arrangement, a deputy from the sheriff’s department will be specifically assigned to patrol the city, providing an added … Read more

West Virginia Lawmakers Consider Reinstating Death Penalty in Child Victim Cases

West Virginia Lawmakers Consider Reinstating Death Penalty in Child Victim Cases

Lawmakers in West Virginia are considering legislation that would reinstate the death penalty in certain cases involving child victims, potentially reversing the state’s decades-old ban on capital punishment. Senate Bill 1068 would amend and reenact sections 61-2-2 and 61-8B-3 of state code related to murder and sexual assault. It also proposes adding three new sections … Read more

Kanawha County Commission Reviews Agency Requests as Budget Vote Approaches

Kanawha County Commission Reviews Agency Requests as Budget Vote Approaches

As the Kanawha County Commission moves closer to finalizing its annual budget, commissioners continue working through a $700,000 deficit that is shaping how they decide to allocate funding. “From all of the budget requests we’ve received from our internal offices or elected officials and our external offices, things like the humane association, that total, if … Read more

W.Va. Health Officials Urge Lawmakers to Approve Rural Health Transformation Funds

W.Va. Health Officials Urge Lawmakers to Approve Rural Health Transformation Funds

State health leaders are calling on lawmakers to authorize the use of federal funding aimed at strengthening rural health care across West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Health said nearly $500 million was allocated to the state in late 2025 through the Rural Health Transformation Program, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill funding … Read more

Different Bills Advance to Let 18- to 20-Year-Olds Conceal Carry Without Permits

Different Bills Advance to Let 18- to 20-Year-Olds Conceal Carry Without Permits

The West Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates have each approved separate versions of legislation that would allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a permit. House Bill 4106 passed Tuesday in an 87-9 vote. “It waives safety training and also background checks for 18, 19, 20-year-olds,” Del. Sean … Read more

Deportation proceedings end for Narciso Barranco, father of 3 U.S. Marines

Deportation proceedings end for Narciso Barranco, father of 3 U.S. Marines

A federal immigration judge has dismissed the deportation case against Narciso Barranco, an Orange County father of three U.S. Marines whose violent arrest outside a Santa Ana IHOP last summer drew protests and nationwide attention. Barranco, 49, lives in Tustin and has resided in the United States for more than 30 years. Authorities placed him … Read more

West Virginia Secretary of State refuses DOJ request for unredacted voter data

West Virginia Secretary of State refuses DOJ request for unredacted voter data

Kris Warner announced that West Virginia will not provide unredacted voter registration records to the U.S. Department of Justice, citing state privacy laws. The DOJ has asked nearly all states to submit detailed election records, including voter registration lists containing driver’s license numbers, birth dates, home addresses and Social Security numbers. Warner sent a letter … Read more

West Virginia rejects DOJ request for unredacted voter registration records

West Virginia rejects DOJ request for unredacted voter registration records

West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner confirmed the state will not hand over registered voters’ personal information to the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ has asked nearly all states to provide election records and data, including voter registration lists that contain driver’s license numbers, dates of birth, addresses and Social Security numbers. On … Read more

State school board eases takeover of Logan County Schools

State school board eases takeover of Logan County Schools

The West Virginia Board of Education is restoring some authority to Logan County Schools after assuming control in October 2022. The decision follows a six-month progress report from Dr. Sonya White, who was appointed Logan County superintendent in 2025. Her update highlighted improvements across the school system. According to a news release from the West … Read more

Kentucky auditor flags millions in questionable state spending

Kentucky auditor flags millions in questionable state spending

State Auditor Allison Ball released a report outlining millions of dollars in questionable spending by executive branch agencies during fiscal year 2025, including $39 million on advertising and $7.4 million on out-of-state travel. “It is clear that some executive branch agencies are spending tax dollars extravagantly and this needs to stop,” Auditor Ball said. “Public … Read more