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 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
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
The Lake County Council has unanimously approved an Economic Revitalization Area for a new John Deere distribution center planned southwest of Interstate 65 and Indiana 2. The approval, announced during a special Thursday meeting, clears the way for a 1.2-million-square-foot facility expected to generate $7.2 million in new property tax revenue for Lake County over … Read more
A U.S. District Court judge on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of a Venezuelan national who had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a Jan. 13 traffic stop on Interstate 77 in West Virginia. Judge Joseph Goodwin ruled that the federal government failed to justify the detention of Antony Segundo Larrazabal-Gonzalez and … Read more
Faith leaders, nursing home workers, hotel staff, and airport employees gathered at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport on Wednesday to call on the Trump administration to extend Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is set to expire on February 3. Rally and Vigil The group marched outside the airport, holding signs and chanting, before ending with … Read more
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid by a man during a town hall event on Tuesday, but she refused to leave immediately and continued speaking, emphasizing her determination not to be intimidated. The suspect, identified by police as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, was apprehended on the spot and booked into Hennepin County … Read more
The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday requiring certain opioid treatment programs to offer long-acting reversible contraceptives. House Bill 4196 mandates that patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment at licensed facilities be offered long-term birth control as part of the program’s services. The legislation also requires programs to provide non-coercive counseling … Read more
Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed two individuals to fill vacancies in the West Virginia Legislature. Trenton Barnhart of Pleasants County was appointed to the 3rd District of the West Virginia Senate, replacing State Senator Donna Boley, who retired earlier this month after 41 years of service. Barnhart has served in the West Virginia House of … Read more
A Kern County Supervisors meeting turned contentious Tuesday as public comments focused on a proposed county charter. One speaker strongly opposed the initiative, stating, “No to the Kern County charter initiative. While it’s presented as a plan to improve efficiency, this charter actually centralizes power in a small group of leaders, reducing transparency and limiting … Read more