By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief

“For transparency sake, especially when it comes to these terrible and tragic incidents with children, that’s why this is necessary. I would like to see more information disclosed, and I would also like to see it in a more timely manner.” — Del. Laura Kimble, R-Harrison, a co-sponsor of the 2025 legislation creating the Critical Incident Review Team

West Virginia lawmakers mandated the creation of the Critical Incident Review Team in 2025 to scrutinize the cause of child deaths in the state’s foster care system. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)

By Amelia Ferrell Knisely

A team tasked with reviewing deaths of children in West Virginia foster care have published their first report. State lawmakers mandated the creation of the team as part of foster care reform efforts.

NATIONAL

An aerial view shows a data center situated near single-family homes in Stone Ridge, Va. New York became the first state to halt the construction of new data centers Tuesday, following an executive order from Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

By Alex Brown

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, issued an executive order Tuesday that puts a moratorium on the construction of large-scale data centers.

By Ariana Figueroa

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to resume traffic stops Wednesday, reversing a one-day pause on the policy after officers killed two immigrants who were in their vehicles in Texas and Maine.

By Jennifer Shutt

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans released their latest budget resolution Wednesday, the first step in a long and complicated process that could allow Congress to approve a third party-line bill.

By Jennifer Shutt

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t appear to secure the support needed to take over the public health agency during a lengthy and often tense confirmation hearing Wednesday.

By Ashley Murray

WASHINGTON — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche vowed Wednesday to lawmakers on Capitol Hill that if he is confirmed for the top post, the Justice Department would not oppose an effort in Congress to permanently ban a controversial “anti-weaponization” fund.

COMMENTARY

cutline (Photo by Name/Newsroom)

By Danny Murphy

For decades, America’s response to crime has largely been measured by the number of prison beds it could fill. Politicians competed to be “tough on crime,” while correctional systems focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Yet, despite spending billions of taxpayer dollars on incarceration, many states continue to struggle with high recidivism rates and revolving prison doors.

ICYMI

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