
By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“We need to listen to learn about all the challenges that families are facing, and we know one of the big challenges that they’re facing deals with clean water.” — Gov. Patrick Morrisey

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announces his two day water listening tour at a stop in Huntington, West Virginia on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. The governor is joined by Marshall University President Brad Smith (third from right). (Photo courtesy of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s X account)
By Caity Coyne
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Tuesday that he will be taking a brief listening tour around the state’s southern coalfields to hear about the persistent water issues residents in the region face.

Members of the West Virginia National Guard continue flood recovery and debris removal operations in Lewis and Upshur counties, July 30, 2026. (Photo by Edwin L. Wriston/U.S. Army National Guard)
By Lori Kersey
The federal government has signed off on disaster assistance to two West Virginia counties hit hard by last month’s deadly storms and flooding. The Trump administration approved $4.5 million in individual assistance for Lewis and Upshur counties, according to a news release from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Elliott Pritt, a Republican, withdrew his name from the ballot for the House of Delegates District 50 race. Pritt recently resigned from the House after being charged with enticement of a minor in Fayette County. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
By Amelia Knisely
Elliott Pritt, disgraced former Republican House member arrested last month, withdrew his name from the ballot for the November election. He was seeking reelection to the House of Delegates in Fayette County.
NATIONAL

On rare occasions property is recovered following organized retail thefts, as was the case in this handout photo, from Lowe’s, shared with North Carolina lawmakers. States across the country are strengthening penalties and expanding law enforcement efforts to combat organized theft rings. (Photo courtesy of Lowe’s/Craig Dowdle)
By Amanda Watford
From hijacked freight shipments to tampered gift cards hanging on store racks, states are responding to new forms of organized retail crime with a fresh round of legislation.
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — U.S. acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was one step closer to permanently leading the Justice Department Tuesday, after two skeptical Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans voted to advance his nomination given Blanche’s signed promise that President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is dead.
By Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday rebuked the Department of Education’s efforts to transfer its special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies.
By Sam Gauntt
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday that it will review allegations that Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio may have “engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use.”
By Jacob Fischler
WASHINGTON — The stopgap spending bill supported by an overwhelming majority of U.S. senators does not address tens of billions in expiring transportation funding, leaving states facing a massive effective budget cut starting Oct. 1.
ICYMI
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