Problems increase for GOP from ex-con candidate

Republican Don Blankenship doesn't care if his party and his president don't think he can beat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this fall. This former coal mining executive, an ex-convict released from prison less than a year ago, is willing to risk his personal fortune and the Republican Party's golden opportunity in West Virginia for the chance to prove them all wrong.

Ex-con candidate compounding GOP woes in West Virginia Source: AP

Republican Don Blankenship doesn't care if his party and his president don't think he can beat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this fall. This former coal mining executive, an ex-convict released from prison less than a year ago, is willing to risk his personal fortune and the Republican Party's golden opportunity in West Virginia for the chance to prove them all wrong.

Ex-con candidate compounding GOP woes in West Virginia

In this Jan. 18, 2018, file photo, former Massey CEO and West Virginia Republican Senatorial candidate, Don Blankenship, speaks during a town hall to kick off his campaign in Logan, W.Va. Blankenship doesn't care if his party and his president don't think he can beat Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin this fall.

‘It’s very humbling,’ Huntington fire chief says of making Time 100 list

A West Virginia fire chief is joining other global leaders, advocates, artists, scientists, activists and entrepreneurs on the Time 100 list for 2018. "But I think that the bigger picture here is that the world is actually paying attention to all the positive things Huntington, West Virginia is doing to turn the tide in this epidemic."

GOP Senate hopefuls set to debate April 23

Six months ago, no one predicted the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate during the May 8 primary election would be anything but a two-person race between current U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

As Teacher Rebellion Catches Fire, Oklahoma’s GOP Governor…

As teachers in the historically red states of Oklahoma , Kentucky , and Arizona are following in the footsteps of educators in West Virginia and turning out in droves to demand higher pay, reliable pensions, and greater government investments in the public school system, s ome Republican state leaders are sticking to their narrative that teachers are simply asking for too much-a strategy that could backfire during the November midterm elections. Her comments followed fiery remarks by Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, who last month said that educators who were protesting legislation that would slash their retirement benefits were "ignorant," "remarkably selfish," and "throwing a temper tantrum."

Teachers in two states shut schools over pay

Thousands of teachers in Oklahoma and Kentucky walked off the job Monday morning, shutting down school districts as they protested cuts in pay, benefits and school funding. The state Capitol in Kentucky filled with teachers protesting pension changes and demanding increased school funding.

Oklahoma teachers who just got raises rally for more funding

But some teachers are saying the legislation signed by Gov. Mary Fallin last week was not enough. The measure increases taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 Passage followed threats by educators to walk out of classrooms beginning Monday, following the lead of teachers in West Virginia who won a 5 Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association teachers union, said Monday's rally could lead to a longer walkout as teachers from across the state press their demands that lawmakers approve more funding for state classrooms.

Don Blankenship, Dead Miners, Humility, and the Limits of Free Speech in West Virginia

Don Blankenship, former coal company executive who was convicted of federal safety violations that led to the deaths of 29 coal miners in 2010, is now running for U.S. Senate. I was sitting at home in West Virginia tonight when a call came in from the U.S. Senate campaign for Don Blankenship.

Striking West Virginia Teachers Revive a Proud Labor Heritage

In West Virginia, striking public school teachers and staff celebrated a victory this week, inspiring educators outside their state to take action for better pay and working conditions. Their nine-day wildcat strike - the longest in recent West Virginia history - put in stark relief another national debate on teachers: President Donald Trump's plan to arm teachers with concealed firearms in the aftermath of the Valentine's Day school massacre in Parkland, Florida.

West Virginia House opposes constitutional abortion rights

West Virginia lawmakers say the main goal of a constitutional amendment they are proposing is to end Medicaid funding for abortions - but opponents say the change could lead to a future ban on abortions altogether. The House on Monday voted 73-25 to pass the resolution, which was approved by the Senate a month ago and will now go before voters in a November referendum.

Twitter CEO asks for help on ‘civility’; YouTube stumbles

Democratic House Majority Leader KC... An effort by Colorado Democrats to expel one of their own over sexual misconduct allegations appeared set to fail Friday amid Republican objections to how the complaints have been handled. Republicans object to how... An effort by Colorado Democrats to expel one of their own over sexual misconduct allegations appeared set to fail Friday amid Republican objections to how the complaints have been handled.

Manchin pledges not to campaign against fellow senators

Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, left, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 22. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, left, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan. 22. WASHINGTON - Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., is encouraging Senate colleagues to join him in a pledge: To "return civility" to politics by pledging not to campaign against each other.

The Latest: Trump accuses FBI, DOJ of favoring Dems

GOP Rep. Mark Meadows is calling for the release of a classified memo on the Russia election probe, claiming there were "poor decisions made at some very senior level positions within the FBI and the DOJ." President Donald Trump walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, in Washington.