Ky. General Assembly bill would require law enforcement to cooperate with ICE

Ky. General Assembly bill would require law enforcement to cooperate with ICE

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues efforts to detain and deport illegal immigrants, Kentucky lawmakers are pushing to secure support from local law enforcement agencies. Senate Bill 86 would mandate that agencies cooperate with ICE in deporting illegal immigrants. “It is necessary to send a message that Kentucky stands with our federal officials in the … Read more

West Virginia Attorney General Warns Residents About Tax Refund Scams

West Virginia Attorney General Warns Residents About Tax Refund Scams

As tax season picks up, West Virginia’s attorney general is urging residents to stay alert for scams targeting taxpayers. While texting and email remain essential communication tools, scammers also use them to target potential victims. Attorney General JB McCuskey cautioned consumers to be suspicious of emails or text messages promising a tax refund. If you … Read more

Class action lawsuit filed over Wayne water crisis

Class action lawsuit filed over Wayne water crisis

Attorneys have filed a class action lawsuit in Kanawha County representing residents impacted by the Wayne water crisis. The complaint, submitted late Thursday morning by Calwell Luce diTrapano, Powell & Majestro, and Forbes Law Offices, names American Electric Power, operating as Appalachian Power, and the Town of Wayne as defendants. The lawsuit stems from vandalism … Read more

W.Va. schools announce closures, early dismissals for Friday, Feb. 6 as more snow looms

W.Va. schools announce closures, early dismissals for Friday, Feb. 6 as more snow looms

Snow is set to impact the Mountain State Friday, leading several school districts to announce closures, early dismissals, or a shift to non-traditional instruction. Counties closing schools Friday, Feb. 6 (as of 9:55 p.m. Thursday):Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pleasants, … Read more

Resolution in Senate would require governor be born in West Virginia

Resolution in Senate would require governor be born in West Virginia

Senate Joint Resolution 19, introduced by Republican Sen. Rupie Phillips, proposes adding a line to the state Constitution mandating that gubernatorial candidates be born in West Virginia. The measure would also need voter approval before it could take effect. Phillips told WCHS on Thursday that he plans to amend the resolution so that candidates must … Read more

West Virginia leaders back ICE despite judges ordering detainee releases

West Virginia leaders back ICE despite judges ordering detainee releases

Two federal judges in the Southern District of West Virginia recently determined that immigrants were held illegally in state jails, and there could be more cases. They have released four individuals, emphasizing that the law is clear: everyone in the country is entitled to due process. Last month, authorities detained over 600 people alleged to … Read more

Florida Republican proposes renaming Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump

Florida Republican proposes renaming Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump

A Republican lawmaker in Florida has introduced legislation that would rename Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, a move that has raised concerns among some South Florida Democrats about broader implications for local control. The proposal, sponsored by State Sen. Debbie Mayfield of Indialantic, would give the Florida Legislature authority to name the … Read more

House bill proposes new West Virginia State Police unit for child abuse and neglect cases

Improving West Virginia’s child welfare system has been a major focus during the 2026 legislative session, and House Bill 4601 plays a role in that effort. (WCHS) WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — Strengthening West Virginia’s child welfare system has been a key discussion point throughout the 2026 legislative session, and House Bill 4601 is part of those conversations. The proposed bill would establish a West Virginia State Police unit dedicated to investigating child abuse and neglect cases. The unit would include at least 21 retired members, with each of the state’s 21 districts contributing a minimum of one retired officer. "What I would like to see is us to be able to hire troopers to do that, not retired members, but troopers, because we hire them, we'll have them for years to come and be able to invest in them and watch them and show it," West Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Jim Mitchell said. "Then as other troopers are already seasoned, we can put those then into units like that to offer more investigative services. I think it's better as a whole for the department to hire troopers for that." Funding concerns for the proposed unit were raised during a House Judiciary meeting on Tuesday morning. Lonnie Faircloth, president of the West Virginia Troopers Association, told lawmakers he supports the bill but said the State Police would not be able to afford it. He explained that current funding levels are already strained and uncertainty remains about what funding will look like in 2027. When lawmakers asked whether there would be enough troopers to continue operating statewide, Faircloth said no. He noted the agency is currently in a testing phase and may, for the first time in years, have to turn applicants away. "From my understanding, the governor was taking funding for 30 positions last year for this, this Fiscal Year 2026," Faircloth said. WCHS-TV reached out to Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office for comment but did not receive a response. Despite the concerns, Mitchell remains hopeful, saying the department continues to add troopers and secure the equipment needed. "So far we've done well. We've been able to buy weapons, cars, been able to still hire people, still hiring people, troopers. So we're doing quite well with all of that," he said.

Strengthening West Virginia’s child welfare system has been a key discussion point throughout the 2026 legislative session, and House Bill 4601 is part of those conversations. The proposed bill would establish a West Virginia State Police unit dedicated to investigating child abuse and neglect cases. The unit would include at least 21 retired members, with … Read more

Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur Enters 2026 Primary for California Senate Seat

Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur Enters 2026 Primary for California Senate Seat

Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur announced she will run against State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) in the 2026 primary election for California’s District 16 Senate seat. Kaur was elected Vice Mayor in Dec. 2024. In a statement, Kaur said: I’ve been encouraged by community and my constituents to explore my options, which in my eyes, … Read more

Senate Delays Emergency School Funding Bill, Citing No Immediate Fiscal Crisis

Senate Delays Emergency School Funding Bill, Citing No Immediate Fiscal Crisis

Lawmakers remain divided on how quickly to move legislation intended to assist Hancock County Schools as the district works through a fiscal crisis. House members acted quickly to advance House Bill 4574, which would establish a condition-based emergency funding system for county school districts facing financial distress. Senate leaders, however, say there is no immediate … Read more