Leann Ray
@leannray.bsky.social
Editor-in-chief of @westvirginiawatch.com. Former news / city / FlipSide editor at the Charleston Gazette-Mail. She/her
Reposted by Leann Ray
Some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, reports @maddyfitz.bsky.social.
Data center growth drives locals to fight for more say • West Virginia Watch
Communities across the country are taking steps to ensure they have a say in where and how data centers are built.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Some state lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation that would accelerate the development of data center infrastructure, reports @maddyfitz.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announcing six total inter-agency agreements signed with other departments that will transfer several of its responsibilities to those agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
BREAKING: Trump administration unveils plan to try to dismantle Department of Education • West Virginia Watch
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:13 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration took major steps Tuesday in trying to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, announcing six total inter-agency agreements signed with other departments that will transfer several of its responsibilities to those agencies, reports Shauneen Miranda.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
US House nears vote requiring release of Epstein files • West Virginia Watch
The House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of files from the case against Jeffrey Epstein.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to pass legislation Tuesday to force the release of unclassified investigative files from the case against convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reports @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
More than 60 members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus Tuesday sent a letter to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raising “extreme concerns” about the treatment of pregnant immigrants in detention, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Members of Democratic caucus press ICE for answers on detainment of pregnant women • West Virginia Watch
Members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus sent a letter to the head of ICE raising concerns about the treatment of pregnant immigrants.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
More than 60 members of the congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus Tuesday sent a letter to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raising “extreme concerns” about the treatment of pregnant immigrants in detention, reports @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles, the company announced Tuesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
WV Toyota plant to add 80 jobs, increase hybrid vehicle production, officials say • West Virginia Watch
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Toyota Manufacturing will add 80 jobs and invest $453 million at its Buffalo, West Virginia plant as it increases production of hybrid vehicles, the company announced Tuesday, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation Monday with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Border patrol agent training facility could expand in Harpers Ferry under Moore’s new bill • West Virginia Watch
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Congressman Riley Moore said he’d introduce legislation Monday with the goal of growing a training center for border patrol agents in Harpers Ferry, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack is pushing lawmakers to increase teacher salaries during the upcoming legislative session, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Treasurer Pack to push for teacher pay raises during West Virginia legislative session • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack is pushing lawmakers to increase teacher salaries during the upcoming legislative session.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack is pushing lawmakers to increase teacher salaries during the upcoming legislative session, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Homicide rates among pregnant women increase with the rate of firearm ownership, according to a state-by-state study published this week in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, reports @nhassanein.bsky.social.
Higher gun ownership rates lead to more gun homicides of pregnant women, new study says • West Virginia Watch
Homicide rates among pregnant women increase with the rate of firearm ownership, according to a study published this week.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Homicide rates among pregnant women increase with the rate of firearm ownership, according to a state-by-state study published this week in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, reports @nhassanein.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
A new federal audit of West Virginia’s overwhelmed foster care system showed the state didn’t comply with the required investigation requirements when responding to reports of child abuse and neglect, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.
Federal audit says WV failed to properly investigate bulk of child abuse and neglect referrals • West Virginia Watch
An audit of West Virginia’s foster care system showed the state didn’t comply with requirements when responding to reports of child abuse.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A new federal audit of West Virginia’s overwhelmed foster care system showed the state didn’t comply with the required investigation requirements when responding to reports of child abuse and neglect, reports Amelia Ferrell Knisely.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The Federal Aviation Administration early Monday lifted an order that airlines cut domestic flights to 40 major U.S. airports, as air traffic control staffing levels improve following the six-week government shutdown, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Trump administration’s FAA chief clears normal operations in the skies post-shutdown • West Virginia Watch
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted an order that airlines cut domestic flights to 40 major U.S. airports.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The Federal Aviation Administration early Monday lifted an order that airlines cut domestic flights to 40 major U.S. airports, as air traffic control staffing levels improve following the six-week government shutdown, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Over the last two weeks, employees with the state’s 24/7 call center spent days, evenings and weekends answering phone call after call from West Virginians in need of groceries while food stamps were delayed, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
West Virginia 211 helpline sees 1,680% increase in calls — mostly for food — during SNAP delay • West Virginia Watch
Over the last two weeks, employees with the state’s 24/7 call center answered phone call after call from West Virginians in need of food while SNAP was delayed.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Over the last two weeks, employees with the state’s 24/7 call center spent days, evenings and weekends answering phone call after call from West Virginians in need of groceries while food stamps were delayed, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Gov. Patrick Morrisey presented at an energy summit in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, on Thursday, where he praised numerous power-related projects that are either underway or soon to be coming in the Mountain State, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Morrisey lauds ongoing and incoming energy projects in WV, promises they will become reality • West Virginia Watch
Gov. Patrick Morrisey praised numerous power-related projects that are either underway or soon to be coming in the Mountain State.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Gov. Patrick Morrisey presented at an energy summit in downtown Charleston, West Virginia, on Thursday, where he praised numerous power-related projects that are either underway or soon to be coming in the Mountain State, reports @caitycoyne.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The record 43-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night scrambled air travel, interrupted food assistance and forced federal workers to go without a paycheck for weeks, reports @fischler.bsky.social and @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Air travel, SNAP benefits, back pay at issue as federal government slowly reopens • West Virginia Watch
The record 43-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night interrupted food assistance and forced federal workers to go pay for weeks.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The record 43-day government shutdown that ended Wednesday night scrambled air travel, interrupted food assistance and forced federal workers to go without a paycheck for weeks, reports @fischler.bsky.social and @ashleymurray.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
More than a dozen people voiced their concerns over the latest proposed health insurance rate hikes for West Virginia state employees during a public hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, Thursday evening, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Dozens turn out for PEIA rate hike hearing in Charleston • West Virginia Watch
More than a dozen people voiced their concerns over the latest proposed PEIA hikes for West Virginia state employees during a public hearing.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
More than a dozen people voiced their concerns over the latest proposed health insurance rate hikes for West Virginia state employees during a public hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, Thursday evening, reports @lorikerseywv.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Most states offering incentives to data centers don’t disclose which companies benefit, according to a new report, reports Kevin Hardy.
Most states don’t disclose which companies get data center incentives, report finds • West Virginia Watch
Most states offering incentives to data centers don’t disclose which companies benefit, according to a new report.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Most states offering incentives to data centers don’t disclose which companies benefit, according to a new report, reports Kevin Hardy.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending package that reopens the government and funds most of it through January.
US House expected to clear bill reopening the government after record-shattering shutdown • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:56 AM
The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signed a spending package that reopens the government and funds most of it through January.
Reposted by Leann Ray
A miner missing in a flooded West Virginia coal mine was found dead Thursday morning, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
Missing West Virginia coal miner found dead in flooded Nicholas County mine, governor says • West Virginia Watch
A miner missing in a flooded West Virginia coal mine was found dead Thursday morning, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A miner missing in a flooded West Virginia coal mine was found dead Thursday morning, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The Trump administration will release full benefits for most participants in the nation’s major federal nutrition program within 24 hours of the reopening of the federal government, a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson said Wednesday, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Trump administration to mostly pay full SNAP benefits 'within 24 hours' of shutdown end • West Virginia Watch
The Trump administration will release full benefits for most participants in SNAP within 24 hours of the reopening of the federal government.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The Trump administration will release full benefits for most participants in the nation’s major federal nutrition program within 24 hours of the reopening of the federal government, a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson said Wednesday, reports @fischler.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia’s food stamp recipients will have their full November benefits on their cards either today or first thing Friday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Thursday.
WV SNAP recipients will get full benefits Thursday or Friday, Morrisey says • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia’s SNAP recipients will have their full November benefits on their cards either today or first thing Friday, Morrisey said.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:03 PM
West Virginia’s food stamp recipients will have their full November benefits on their cards either today or first thing Friday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Thursday.
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia schools continue to lose students, a continuing problem that has contributed to a wave of proposed school closures and consolidations around the state, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
West Virginia’s public schools enrollment continues to decline, down 2.5% since last year • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia schools continue to lose students, a problem that has contributed to a wave of proposed school closures and consolidations.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
West Virginia schools continue to lose students, a continuing problem that has contributed to a wave of proposed school closures and consolidations around the state, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
COMMENTARY: At least 5 lawsuits are underway in West Virginia challenging the state mandate requiring vaccination of schoolchildren, which permits no religious exemptions. Protection of religion from government intrusion is a fundamentally serious matter, not a culture war issue, writes Neal Barkus.
Making sense of the religious exemption dispute in West Virginia • West Virginia Watch
No fewer than five lawsuits are underway in West Virginia challenging the state mandate requiring vaccination of schoolchildren.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
COMMENTARY: At least 5 lawsuits are underway in West Virginia challenging the state mandate requiring vaccination of schoolchildren, which permits no religious exemptions. Protection of religion from government intrusion is a fundamentally serious matter, not a culture war issue, writes Neal Barkus.
Reposted by Leann Ray
The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown once President Donald Trump signs the legislation.
westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/12/r...
westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/12/r...
US House expected to clear bill reopening the government after record-shattering shutdown • West Virginia Watch
The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The U.S. House plans to approve a stopgap spending bill Wednesday evening that will end the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown once President Donald Trump signs the legislation.
westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/12/r...
westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/12/r...
Reposted by Leann Ray
Lee Zeldin, administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency, came to West Virginia on Wednesday to learn more about the Mountain State, reports caitycoyne.bsky.social
EPA head visits West Virginia to talk economy, manufacturing and energy • West Virginia Watch
Lee Zeldin, administrator for the federal EPA came to West Virginia on Wednesday to learn more about the Mountain State.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Lee Zeldin, administrator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency, came to West Virginia on Wednesday to learn more about the Mountain State, reports caitycoyne.bsky.social
Reposted by Leann Ray
West Virginia public schools say they need around $252 million for school safety upgrades, including security cameras, weapon detection systems and resource officers, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
WV school safety requests reach $252M for weapon detection systems, security cameras and more • West Virginia Watch
West Virginia public schools say they need around $252 million for school safety upgrades, including security cameras and resource officers.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:41 PM
West Virginia public schools say they need around $252 million for school safety upgrades, including security cameras, weapon detection systems and resource officers, reports @amelianews.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leann Ray
Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown, amid a confusing mess of contradicting guidance from the Trump administration and a flurry of court orders in two cases at every level of the federal judiciary.
The shutdown tug-of-war over SNAP benefits: a timeline • West Virginia Watch
Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown.
westvirginiawatch.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Payments for November for the nation’s main food assistance program have been delayed during the government shutdown, amid a confusing mess of contradicting guidance from the Trump administration and a flurry of court orders in two cases at every level of the federal judiciary.