By Leann Ray | Editor-in-chief

“This is a tragic reminder of how quickly flood waters can become deadly. If you encounter water covering a roadway, do not attempt to drive through it. Turn around and find another route. The water may be deeper, faster and more dangerous than it appears.” — Fayette County Sheriff Jeff McMullen

Many streets on Charleston, West Virginia’s West Side, including Greendale Drive, experienced severe flooding on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (Photo by Leann Ray/West Virginia Watch)

By Lori Kersey

Flooding killed at least one person Sunday in Fayette County, where storms brought several inches of rain, officials said Monday.

Protestors gather outside of Huntington City Hall as they respond in opposition to Flock Safety items listed on the Huntington City Council agenda on Monday, July 13, 2026, in downtown Huntington. (Photo by Ryan Fischer/The Herald-Dispatch)

By Caity Coyne

Residents in Huntington angered over their city council’s approval of a $2.1 million contract with Flock Safety to install license plate readers, cameras and more throughout the city are organizing a weekend-long canvassing campaign later this month to collect the signatures for their ballot initiative petition.

NATIONAL

Flock Safety license plate readers are typically mounted on tall poles, with a camera and solar panel on top. The company says its technology is used in more than 6,000 communities across 49 states in partnership with thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Photo courtesy of Flock Safety)

By Amanda Watford

Flock Safety is tightening privacy and oversight controls for its nationwide network of automated license plate readers as more communities pull back from the technology and lawmakers across the political spectrum push for new restrictions.

By Sam Gauntt

The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.

ICYMI

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