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Manchin announces he won’t be running as a third-party candidate

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin announced during an appearance in Morgantown Friday that he will not be running for president. “In the long game maybe we can make a third party viable when it has the process and opportunity, but right now it is very, very challenging and I am not going to be a deal-breaker, spoiler, whatever you want to call it. I just don’t think it’s the right time,” Manchin said. Manchin, who previously announced he would not be seeking reelection to the U.S. Senate, has been traveling the country for the last couple of months in search of the middle as part of ...

Commissioner says emergency status for jails staffing could wind down soon

CHARLESTON — West Virginia’s corrections commissioner has expressed optimism about progress in recruiting and retaining personnel. Thursday, a delegate asked when state officials will be confident enough to end a state of emergency with jails staffing that went into place in August 2022. “Do we have any hope of getting the emergency light turned off at the Capitol?” Delegate Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, asked during a meeting of the House Jails and Prisons Committee. Corrections Commissioner Billy Marshall agreed that would be symbolically important to demonstrate the ...

Additional tax bills coming for nearly 2,700 parcels in Monongalia County

MORGANTOWN — Due to a “clerical error” in Charleston, additional property tax bills will be issued for nearly 2,700 parcels tied to oil and natural gas production in Monongalia County.  Those bills will total just over $1.2 million.   The Monongalia County Commission on ...

Senate proposal expands work requirements for SNAP benefits for adults without dependents

CHARLESTON — Senators are advancing a bill that would expand requirements for work or employment training for able-bodied adults without dependents for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The bill also extends the age range for people affected to 59. The age range for current procedures is from 18 to 52. And the bill would establish requirements to report information about how the program is working to a legislative oversight committee. There’s a three-year implementation schedule for the changes. The Senate Workforce Committee advanced SB 562 on ...

Farming, gun and baby-changing bills pass out of House of Delegates

MORGANTOWN — Farming, guns and baby diapers were among the topics occupying the House of Delegates on Tuesday. SB 171 prohibits counties from enacting or enforcing agricultural ordinances that contravene or are stricter than state agricultural laws. It applies to state-registered ...