Category: West Virginia

West Virginia Passes Law Restricting ‘Substantial’ Government Intervention in Religious Freedoms

Jim Justice, the Republican Governor of West Virginia, has signed into law a bill seeking to protect religious freedoms from unnecessary government interference. The “Equal Protection for Religion Act” was passed in the Republican-led Senate by a vote of 31-3 last week and signed into law by Justice on Thursday. The bill (pdf) prohibits the…


3 Injured in West Virginia Train Derailment That Sent Diesel Fuel, Oil Into River

Three people have been injured after an empty coal train operated by CSX Corp. derailed on March 8 after hitting a rock slide in a remote area of West Virginia. All four of the train’s locomotives and nine empty coal cars derailed in a remote area just south of Sandstone, Summers County, inside the New River National Park and…


3 Injured in Fiery Train Derailment Caused by Rockslide

SANDSTONE, W.Va.—An empty coal train hit a rockslide along tracks in West Virginia on Wednesday morning, causing a fiery derailment that injured three crewmembers, CSX Transportation said in a statement. Four locomotives and 22 empty cars derailed in Summers County near the New River, CSX said. The lead locomotive, which carried a conductor, an engineer,…


Economist: ‘Revolution’ in States’ Tax Cuts

West Virginia’s governor is expected to sign a bill that passed the state House this weekend. According to the Wall Street Journal, the bill would cut income tax rates by about 21 percent altogether. In Utah, the state legislature approved a $400 million tax cut package. Axios reports, if Utah’s governor signs it, it could save a…


West Virginia Targets Proxy Voting in Fight Over ESG

In a Jan. 25 interview with The Epoch Times, West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore outlined a new state bill intended to ensure that proxy voting for shareholders isn’t a vehicle for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles that undercut the interest of those shareholders. “ESG is obviously a nonsensical investment strategy that has been distorting…


In ESG Debate, Some See Threat to Livelihood, Traditional Values

Charlie Masters, Kentucky farmer, has watched the prices rise. Diesel fuel and nitrogen fertilizer, two of the most critical ingredients for running his Fleming County beef and produce operation, are still costlier than just two years ago. That’s partly due to recent fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. What’s behind those trends?…


Former West Virginia Lawmaker Charged in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Announces Bid for Congress

On Friday, a former West Virginia lawmaker who was charged for his involvement at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, announced that he is running for Congress. On the second anniversary of the events of Jan. 6, 2021, Derrick Evans announced his candidacy for the House of Representatives. In a video posted on social media, Evans—who…


West Virginia Law Restricting Sports by Biological Sex Is Constitutional: Judge

A West Virginia law that prohibits people from participating on single-sex sports teams that don’t match their biological sex is constitutional, a judge ruled on Jan. 5. West Virginia House Bill 3293 (pdf), or the Save Women’s Sports Bill, was passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Jim Justice in 2021. The bill states…


Democratic West Virginia State Senator Switches to Republican Party

West Virginia Democratic State Sen. Glenn Jeffries is a Democrat no more after announcing his decision to switch his affiliation to the Republican Party on Dec. 1. The move gifts the Republican Party with a majority in the West Virginia State Senate. “I have the greatest respect for the many friends and supporters I have…


Democrat West Virginia Senator Switches to Republican Party

West Virginia Democrat State Sen. Glenn Jeffries is no longer a Democrat after announcing his decision to switch his affiliation to the Republican Party on Dec. 1. The move gifts the Republican Party with a majority in the West Virginia State Senate. “I have the greatest respect for the many friends and supporters I have…