The West Virginia Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Lawmakers approved a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 by a 33-1 vote after four days of consideration and three readings. Current law prohibits anyone under 21 from carrying a deadly weapon without a … Read more
The West Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed legislation that would revise a state law governing the confidentiality of certain court files and law-enforcement records. House Bill 4468, sponsored by Delegates Elias Coop-Gonzalez, R-Randolph; JB Akers, R-Kanawha; Joe Parsons, R-Jackson; and Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, seeks to repeal a law that currently restricts access to … Read more
Lawmakers at the State Capitol are renewing efforts to expand early childhood education, with a proposal aimed at making pre-kindergarten accessible to every four-year-old in Kentucky. Supporters of the “pre-K for all” initiative say early education plays a critical role in preparing children for kindergarten. They point to research showing that age four is a … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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