The Latest: Blankenship concedes West Virginia Senate race

Cheryl Dolan of Alum Creek, W.Va, discusses her vote in the West Virginia Republican primary Tuesday, May 8, 2018, outside a polling place in Alum Creek. She said she appreciates the work that state Sen. Richard Ojeda of Logan County did to advance a bill through the West Virginia Legislature last year to make medical marijuana legal.

GOP frets over West Virginia as 4 states decide primaries

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. Voters in the heart of Trump country are ready to decide the fate of Republican Senate candidate Don Blankenship, a brash businessman with a checkered past who's testing the appeal of President Donald Trump's outsider playbook in one of the nation's premiere midterm contests.

In West Virginia, we’re about to find out whether there’s …

Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events Is there such a thing in today's Republican Party as too anti-establishment? Is already being a member of Congress enough to sink your candidacy for Congress? And could a wealth of opportunity for Republicans to unseat Senate Democrats this November actually end up backfiring? Those are the key questions facing the Republicans in divisive congressional and gubernatorial primaries Tuesday in West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina. Democrats have their own intraparty drama that could portend what happens in November, which we'll get to.

Divisive former coal baron at center of party-backed super PAC primary fight

Former coal mogul Don Blankenship is at the center of a party-backed, super PAC , Senate primary fight in West Virginia as groups with obscure names and undisclosed donors spend millions. The proxy fight -- an effort to sway the Republican primary by influencing whether Blankenship makes it onto the ballot in November - has made the Senate bid one of the most expensive races so far this year.

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.

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.

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.

Pence touts tax cuts, slams Manchin in West Virginia

Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit Wednesday to a truck dealership in West Virginia, touting the tax cuts enacted by the Republican-controlled Congress while slamming the state's Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who voted against the plan. Manchin faces re-election this year.