How eminent domain is blighting farmers in path of gas pipeline

Compulsory purchase – or the threat of it – of property on the route of a pipeline for fracked natural gas has left a slew of grievances and lawsuits in West Virginia and Virginia

In July 2015, Neal Laferriere and his wife, Beth, purchased a home in Summers county, West Virginia. The first time they visited the property after purchasing it, they found stakes outlining what they would later find out to be the route for a gas pipeline.

About two years later, representatives for the Mountain Valley pipeline approached the Laferriere family over the land rights to their property. “The land agent was saying if we don’t come to the table they would just take it via eminent domain,” Laferriere told the Guardian.

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Workman to stand trial on impeachment Monday despite constitutional issues

Margaret Workman, chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, made state history by being elected as the first woman justice. She might history again if the Senate takes up the trial on the articles of impeachment adopted by the House of Delegates.

Democrats respond to Warner over settlements

Democrats in the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Secretary of State's office Tuesday responded to each other over the settlements of nearly $1 million for four former employees who were terminated when the secretary took office. Democrats called the firings by Secretary of State Mac Warner political and called upon Republicans to consider impeachment of the first-term secretary for overspending.

Shotgun-toting senator shoots anti-Obamacare lawsuit in new ad for re-election bid

Invoking the same colorful imagery he used in his 2010 re-election bid, West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin released a new ad Monday literally taking aim with a shotgun at the most recent lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, which would dismantle protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. "I haven't changed," Manchin asserts in the ad.

Manchin Participates in Pre Existing Conditions Forum at Huntington

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin participated in a roundtable discussion Friday in West Virginia with religious, business and community leaders and West Virginians with pre-existing conditions. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and Huntington Fire Chief Jan Rader were both in attendance.

West Virginia gov taps ex-speaker, congressman to high court

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, center, shakes hands with West Virginia Great Barrel Co. managing partners Tom Crabtree, left, and Philip Cornett following the announcement Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in Charleston W.Va., that a barrel-making facility will be constructed in White Sulphur Springs.

Natural gas called ‘best hope’ for West Virginia at…

The incoming president of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia doesn't like what is ahead for natural gas prices. "This year's not too bad actually," said Brett Loflin, vice president of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia.

Joe Manchin to bring thousands of publiccomments to Brett Kavanaugh meeting

Sen. Joe Manchin will become the first Congressional Democrat to meet with Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, this week. The West Virginia Democrat told WAJR that he has more than 2,000 inquiries from residents of his state, and is fielding more.

Women’s veterans celebration held in Logan

Craig Hudson/HD Media Janet Williams and Junior Moore, both members of VFW Post 5578 in Madison, banter as they and other members wait to present arms in an opening ceremony during the first West Virginia Women Veterans celebration at the Chief Logan Lodge on Friday, July 27, 2018, in Logan.

Judge Kavanaugh fit to serve on the United States Supreme Court

On July 9, President Donald Trump announced his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court, and in the coming months, the Senate will vote on this important nomination. As a senator, I take my responsibility to evaluate presidential nominees very seriously.

Berkeley County Sheriff’s Dept. hosts human trafficking training

Human trafficking doesn't just happen internationally - it's happening here in West Virginia and affects all ages and genders, according to the West Virginia Attorney General's office. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office, in coordination with the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, will offer law enforcement professionals intense training to target and reduce human trafficking.

Out-of-state money floods U.S. Senate primary in W.Va. as special interests seek to buy election

Anyone who thinks elections in the U.S. can't be bought needs to take a closer look at campaign contributions and expenditures in last May's West Virginia Senate primary elections. If they weren't bought, it was not for a lack of trying.