By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief
“When you weigh $160 million for Hope Scholarship is what we think for this current year versus the $2.4 billion we spend on public schools, we’re spending a lot of money on public schools. So I don’t think Hope has a big impact on them, but it does have a teeny bit.” — West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack addresses reporters about his 2026 legislative priorities during a news conference Nov. 17, 2025, in Charleston, West Virginia. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch)
By Henry Culvyhouse
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack defended the Hope Scholarship program Tuesday, stating that while it may contribute “a teeny bit” to declining enrollment, demographic changes are more at play in the trend.
West Virginians who get their healthcare coverage through healthcare.gov will have the option of plans from Peak Health and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2027. (Photo by Leann Ray/West Virginia Watch)
By Lori Kersey
A new health insurance company will join West Virginia’s health insurance marketplace for 2027, as another company exits.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks to an audience in Bluefield, West Virginia, about the Rural Health Transformation Program in November 2025. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey)
By Lori Kersey
The state of West Virginia will contribute millions of federal health dollars to help those in substance abuse recovery return to work, expand breast cancer screenings and more, Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office has announced recently.
The early voting sign outside of the Kanawha County Courthouse at 409 Virginia St E in Charleston, West Virginia on Friday, May 8, 2026. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch)
By Henry Culvyhouse
Democratic turnout exceeded Republican turnout in the first four days of early voting, according to numbers released by the West Virginia Secretary of State.
NATIONAL
General Manager Brian Horak walks down an aisle at Post 60 Market in Emerson, Nebraska. A new national report shows how everyday costs have increased for Americans. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline)
By Kevin Hardy
Americans’ growing frustration over high prices has defined many political campaigns ahead of November’s midterm elections.
By Jonathan Shorman
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to every state ahead of Election Day, expanding a longstanding practice that’s spurred concern this year among Democrats and voting rights advocates because of President Donald Trump’s push to influence elections.
By Ariana Figueroa and Shauneen Miranda
WASHINGTON — Tens of millions of Americans have already made their way to the ballot box as early voting is underway in a midterm election that will determine control of the House and the Senate, possibly flipping one or both from Republicans to Democrats.
ICYMI
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