By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“It’ll just make healthcare that is already hard in the state increasingly more difficult.” — Amber Crist, chief operating officer for Cabin Creek Health Systems, on changes to the 340B drug pricing program
Pharmacist Sherry Witters looks over prescriptions at Cabin Creek Health Systems’ West Side Clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch)
By Lori Kersey
Using a federal drug discount program, Cabin Creek Health Systems offers their uninsured patients income-based prices. It writes off some or all of their prescription costs.
An early voting sign sits outside of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council building at 321 Virginia St. W in Charleston, West Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2026. (Photo by Leann Ray/West Virginia Watch)
By Henry Culvyhouse
Republicans have edged out Democrats in casting early in-person ballots, but are lagging behind in key battleground districts, according to data released by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office on Thursday.
NATIONAL
Voters mark their ballots during the first day of early voting in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Oct. 22, 2026. Experts and voting rights advocates are bracing for the potential of federal influence over the results of next week’s midterm elections. (Photo by Jack Dura/North Dakota Monitor)
By Kevin Hardy
As concerns rise about the potential for federal influence over the results of next week’s midterm elections, many voting experts and advocates remain confident that the nation’s highly localized systems of administering and counting votes will persevere.
By Ariana Figueroa
WASHINGTON — As of early Friday, more than 46 million Americans had cast ballots ahead of Election Day, eclipsing the early voting turnout of the 2022 midterms, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab.
By Shalina Chatlani
Medicaid recipients who are disabled or have a chronic illness will not have to prove they are unable to work to be exempted from new work requirements that take effect next year, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
By Jonathan Shorman
As the Trump administration waged a public legal fight with California over the ballots of suspected noncitizen voters in mid-October, behind the scenes a federal grand jury in Santa Ana issued a series of subpoenas to election officials in Los Angeles County at federal prosecutors’ urging.
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is rounding out his midterm travel blitz in the final sprint leading up to Election Day on Nov. 3.
ICYMI
Thanks for reading First Watch. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.