By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“To put an aide in every classroom and train those aides to be able to instruct using the science of reading has been a game changer. We’re reaching kids at an earlier level, which is what we want to do. Instead of waiting until third grade, which is why we call it the Third Grade Success Act.” — Senate Education Chair Amy Grady, R-Mason
Gov. Jim Justice ceremoniously signs the Third Grade Success Act, lawmakers’ 2023 landmark education bill, into law on March 21, 2023, at Leon Elementary School in Leon, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Jim Justice)
By Amelia Ferrell Knisely
A major and final piece of West Virginia lawmakers’ 2023 hallmark education legislation goes into effect this school year when schools are required to retain third graders whose reading and math abilities aren’t at grade level.
House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, has requested a special session on Aug. 10 for House members to consider action on expelling Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
By Amelia Ferrell Knisely
West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw hand delivered a letter to Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office Friday morning requesting a special session for members to vote on expelling Del. Elliott Pritt.
Flood waters cover vehicles on E Main Street in Buckhannon, West Virginia on Thursday, July 24, 2026, two days after severe storms hit the state. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey)
By Lori Kersey
The National Weather Service has confirmed at least three tornadoes touched down in West Virginia during Tuesday’s storms.
Floodwaters surround houses and vehicles in North Central West Virginia on July 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia National Guard)
By Lori Kersey
West Virginia State Police have released the names of two people who died as a result of flooding in North Central West Virginia earlier this week.
NATIONAL
A nurse vaccinates a child at the Latino Community Development Agency on July 9, 2026, in Oklahoma City. As vaccination rates decline nationwide, measles cases have surpassed 2025 to the highest since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. (Photo by Courtney Bell/Oklahoma Voice)
By Tim Henderson
Measles cases this year have surpassed all of 2025 to become the worst since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with cases now in 44 states and the District of Columbia, according to a federal report released Friday.
By David Lightman
WASHINGTON — Political party poll watchers are showing up more and more, usually outside polling places.
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump reignited his tariff agenda Friday by imposing new import taxes on products from dozens of top U.S. trading partners, immediately replacing temporary global tariffs he levied after the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major blow to his sweeping “Liberation Day” duties.
By Sam Gauntt
A group of current and former U.S. Department of Agriculture employees are calling on the Trump administration to halt the mandated relocation of more than 2,500 employees from its Washington, D.C., headquarters to five regional offices across the country.
By Sam Gauntt
WASHINGTON — The Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday that South Carolina should hold the party’s first primary in the 2028 presidential election cycle.
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.