West Virginia

W.Va. Teacher Walkouts, School Closures Continue Despite Governor's Deal With Unions

10:52pm February 28, 2018

by Dave Mistich

After Gov. Jim Justice and union leaders announced an agreement had been made to end the teacher strike, uncertainty forced all of the state's counties to call off school yet again.

President Trump praised the 2017 opening of this mine in Friedens, Pa., which created around 100 jobs.

Coal Jobs Have Gone Up Under Trump, But Not Because Of His Policies

5:00am February 23, 2018

by Jennifer Ludden

The number of U.S. coal jobs rose slightly during the president's first year in office. But energy analysts credit short-term market forces and say they won't stop long-term decline.

Jennifer Hanner, a first-year teacher from Harts, W.Va., holds a sign Thursday at the Capitol in Charleston. Teachers statewide went on strike Thursday over pay and benefits.

West Virginia's Teachers Walk Off The Job, Protesting Low Pay And Benefit Cuts

8:34pm February 22, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Teachers formed picket lines and descended on the state Capitol to demand higher salaries and better insurance. The state has some of the lowest teacher pay in the country.

A House commerce committee investigation found that two drug wholesalers had sent more than 20 million pain pills to two pharmacies in the small town of Williamson, W.Va., seen in 2016.

Drug Distributors Shipped 20.8 Million Painkillers To West Virginia Town Of 3,000

6:54pm January 30, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Other towns were similarly inundated, in a state that now has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths. In 2008, one wholesaler provided 5,624 pills for every man, woman and child in Kermit, W.Va.

Terry Lilly, then 36, of Charleston, W.Va., almost a year ago when he was first interviewed by NPR's Sarah McCammon.

After Drug Treatment, Men In Recovery Work To Live A 'Normal Life'

11:05pm December 26, 2017

by Sarah McCammon

For NPR's "Kitchen Table" series exploring issues from the 2016 presidential campaign, we revisit Huntington, W. Va., and follow up with three men in recovery from opioid addiction.

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Philip Alston, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, is leading a mission to investigate poverty in the U.S.

The U.N. Looks At Extreme Poverty In The U.S., From Alabama To California

3:59pm December 12, 2017

One sign of the poverty they're investigating — the recent (and surprising) reemergence of hookworm in Lowndes County, Ala.

President Trump talks with West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice before Justice spoke during a rally Thursday in Huntington, W.Va. Justice said at the rally that he intends to switch parties and rejoin the Republicans.

West Virginia Governor Announces He'll Switch To GOP At Trump Rally

9:37pm August 03, 2017

Appearing with the president Thursday night, Gov. Jim Justice announced he'll flip to the GOP: "I can't help you any more being a Democrat governor," he told the crowd.

A reporter in West Virginia was arrested and charged with a crime on Tuesday after he repeatedly attempted to ask a question of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

National

West Virginia Reporter Arrested For Yelling Question At HHS Secretary

4:10pm May 10, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

Dan Heyman of the Public News Service was attempting to question Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about pre-existing conditions. Heyman was handcuffed and charged with a misdemeanor.

West Virginia State University Says It Is Suing Dow Chemical For Contamination

6:28pm April 27, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The school alleges the chemical manufacturing giant is responsible for the elevated levels of three likely carcinogens in its groundwater. Its lawsuit asks that the company provide for their removal.

Vice President Mike Pence is seen at a rally in January in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall before the start of the 44th annual March for Life.

VP Pence On Obamacare Repeal Failure: 'Congress Just Wasn't Ready'

7:20pm March 25, 2017

by Brakkton Booker

The Vice President was in West Virginia a day after the GOP's Affordable Care Act repeal efforts were scrapped. He joked that maybe some WWE superstars were needed on Capitol Hill.