College students who are considering their potential futures in West Virginia traveled to the state Capitol on Monday, where they met with lawmakers and shared their growing concerns over the state’s approach to data center development, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Some states are scaling back their data center incentives as the facilities contribute to increasing electric bills and raise environmental concerns.
via @stateline.org
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/data...
Residents from communities across West Virginia where data center developments are being proposed arrived at the state Capitol on Thursday with a message for their lawmakers: Community wellbeing must take priority over data center business interests, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
A bill to keep the public from accessing certain information about political donors could soon become law after the West Virginia House of Delegates passed it on Friday, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
The WV House of Delegates approved new rules this week for how certified data centers will operate in WV.
Lawmakers voted down amendments to return some power back to local residents, increase transparency and require guardrails for data center water usage
westvirginiawatch.com/2026/02/18/w...
One time I was added to a “bitches who don’t know shit” list and I wanted to respond “girl you are so right”
Journalist Beth Macy raises $350,000 for congressional bid in 24 hours.
She wrote "Dopesick." cardinalnews.org/2025/11/20/m...
The agency that distributed nearly half of all clean syringes provided to drug users in West Virginia last year will end its syringe service program next month, officials confirmed to West Virginia Watch on Wednesday, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social and @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Walking along the downtowns of Thomas and Davis, West Virginia, over Halloween weekend, fake cobwebs and fall decorations were overshadowed by white and blue signs hanging in the windows of numerous businesses, all reading “No Data Center Complex in Tucker County.” @caitycoyne.bsky.social reports.
Hundreds of people marched 2 miles this morning from the federal courthouse in Charleston, WV to the state capitol as part of the No Kings protests.
Marchers chanted “No kings, no KKK, no fascist USA” as they walked. Dozens of people honked as they drove by and others parked to join the march.
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And, in case it needs to be said, this was an absolutely peaceful protest from everything I could tell. People of all ages were there, not an ounce of aggression — just a ton of frustration.
Roughly 1,000 are at the WV State Capitol for the “No Kings” protest in Charleston.
Chants included calls to “Ditch Morrisey,” “Impeach Trump,” “F*ck Elon,” “No Kings in America” and more.
Largest crowd I’ve seen at a protest here since the teachers strikes in 2018 and 2019.
Some shots:
As a little known company has proposed a data center and natural gas plant in Tucker County — known for its natural wonder and outdoor recreation — residents are left with questions, mounting concerns and few answers, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
The Kanawha-Charleston Board of Health voted down an amendment to its clean indoor air regulations on Thursday that would have permitted casinos in the county to allow indoor cigarette smoking in 10% of the square footage of their establishment, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
ICYMI: As Huntington and Cabell County are attempting to appeal a 2022 federal ruling, the state Supreme Court on Monday declined to answer a certified question from the federal appeals court on a crucial aspect of the case, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
A federal judge ordered the “full restoration” of services at NIOSH's Respiratory Health Division, ending a reduction in force that robbed coal miners nationwide who rely on the program of options to prevent further illness and injury, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
buff.ly/g9Aqet0
The death toll from the floods that hit Kentucky over the last week has risen to six, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday.
via @kentuckylantern.com
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/six-...
An executive order President Donald Trump signed Tuesday to block state-level renewable-energy initiatives set off alarm bells among climate advocates, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Trump calls for more coal as his administration delays new black lung protection for miners.
Long awaited silica rule was to take effect April 14.
It's now delayed until August.
@caitycoyne.bsky.social @westvirginiawatch.com kentuckylantern.com/2025/04/09/t...
As President Trump signed several executive orders this week meant to bolster America’s struggling coal industry, miners in Central Appalachia who are responsible for digging up that coal are being left with fewer resources to protect them, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Another nail was hammered into the coffin of Certificate of Need repeal on Friday, as the West Virginia House of Delegates overwhelmingly voted down — after a drawn out “fiasco” over rules and procedure — a motion to discharge House Bill 2007, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
ICYMI: The West Virginia House of Delegates is considering a bill that would allow the Legislature to write its own rules for disclosing public records, but House Speaker Roger Hanshaw said the intent is not to hide records, reports @amelianews.bsky.social and @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
The West Virginia Senate passed a bill Wednesday that, if adopted as law, will ban all diversity, equity and inclusion practices and policies in state government and schools, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
London Donahoe was 6 when the 2014 Elk River chemical leak unfolded. He doesn’t remember much, but he does know that because of that action by the Legislature, he was able to grow up under policies that better protected him from potential disasters, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
The hidden danger hanging over planning for a state budget is the uncertainty of federal dollars, particularly Medicaid.
The West Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a bill that would have allowed businesses and corporations in the state to directly donate up to $2,800 — and potentially more, according to statements — to political candidates, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Del. Dillon spoke on how most constituents in WV can’t afford to part with $2,800 and are struggling to stay afloat.
“And yet, we’re going to open up new avenues for people who have ample resources, virtually unlimited resources, to influence our elections?”
westvirginiawatch.com/2025/03/13/w...
The Senate Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health advanced a bill that, if adopted, will incentivize residents to report drug activity to law enforcement with monetary rewards funded by a new excise tax on harm reduction tools, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
