By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“I think the Washington Center, ironically, seems to be exactly what it complains that higher education has become. It was created in Charleston, and it was imposed on the university, so it’s a big government mandate.” — Erik Herron, a professor of political science at West Virginia University
Woodburn Hall on the downtown campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Lexi Browning/West Virginia Watch)
By Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Only one student has registered for courses at West Virginia University’s new Washington Center, an academic program mandated by Republican lawmakers for the campus.
NATIONAL
A man gets a checkup at a mobile health clinic in Parlier, Calif. A new report details preliminary Obamacare insurer premium rate increases. (Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local)
By Nada Hassanein
Health insurance premiums are likely to grow more expensive next year for those who buy Marketplace plans, after increases this year.
COMMENTARY
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner has been sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for refusing to turn over voter records. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch)
By Neal Barkus
It is hard to keep track of the various ways in which the Trump administration is attempting to inject itself into the election process. There has been an executive order designed to create a national voter list for mail ballots and one requiring proof of citizenship to vote. All these efforts seem a frenetic and somewhat desperate attempt to stave off an embarrassing mid-term election in November. Here I focus on only one of these efforts.
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.