By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“It’s exhausting to think that we’ve taken care of this land for a hundred years in the family, we’ve paid taxes on it and they’re allowed to come and bulldoze through it.” — Lisa Boyer, Jefferson County resident
Along the Shenandoah River in Jefferson County, West Virginia, a roadside sign delivers a pointed message about the proposed Valley North transmission line, which has become the focus of a growing grassroots opposition movement. (Photo by Mike Chalmers for West Virginia Watch)
By Mike Chalmers
The proposed Valley North Project would span approximately 260 miles, carrying new 765-kilovolt transmission lines from the coal-fired John E. Amos Power Plant in Putnam County, West Virginia, to Frederick County, Maryland — a colossal infrastructure undertaking that could cut through 20 West Virginia counties and gobble up nearly 7,000 acres of farmland, forests, and residential property along the way.
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, shown speaking in a legislative interim meeting, has subpoenaed at least six environmental groups. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
By Henry Culvyhouse
The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office subpoenaed at least six environmental groups, asking for records regarding climate change, in a move at least one advocated called a “fishing expedition intended to stifle our collective voice.”
NATIONAL
Members of the Colorado House of Representatives work on the floor during session in May 2022. Colorado has among the nation’s highest rates of women serving in the state legislature. (Pema Baldwin for Colorado Newsline)
By Kevin Hardy
A record number of women are running for state legislative seats this November, more than two-thirds of whom are Democrats.
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Fewer than 5% of U.S. House races are seen by a top political analysis as truly competitive heading into November’s midterm elections, giving relatively few voters the ability to determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years.
By Jonathan Shorman
The U.S. Department of Justice is stepping up its legal campaign over the midterm elections, suing Alaska over its U.S. Senate election and appealing a lawsuit against suspected noncitizen voters in California.
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.