Civics

Civic-focused stories covering politics, voting rights, public policy, and governance within Appalachia. This category also includes discussions on Black representation in politics and initiatives that encourage civic engagement among Appalachian and Black communities.

WV house committee advances bill that would limit opportunity for low-Income students

House Bill 4587 would prohibit state funds, including student aid, from going to “low-earning” degree programs.

Latest in Civics
WV bill would eliminate the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs and name a building after him

Senate Bill 879, introduced by the only Latino woman in the Legislature, is not the first sign that elected officials want the office gone.

WV lawmakers advance bill to let doctors involuntarily commit someone without contacting the courts

Black people are significantly more likely to be committed to psychiatric hospitals against their will.

As federal judge says third immigrant wrongly jailed in WV, jails overcrowded with ICE detainees

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has partnered with ICE to hold immigrant detainees in West Virginia jails.

WV Senate passes bills banning abortion pills and restricting media reliability monitors
WV lawmakers consider bill to include maternity leave in public school & university leave banks
WV Senate committee advances bill removing curriculum, vaccine and standardized test requirements for private schools

 SB 216 would allow private schools to teach students virtually anything — or nothing at all. It would remove requirements related to instructional hours, curriculum objectives, standardized tests and vaccines.

WV senate advances bill to criminalize sending people abortion pills 

Senate Bill 173 would impose mandatory prison sentences of between three and 10 years on non-medical professionals who prescribe or send abortion medication to West Virginia residents through online services.

WV bill would outlaw and penalize programs offering needle exchange services

HB 4413 would make needle exchange programs illegal in West Virginia. Folks who refuse to follow the law would face up to $2,500 daily in fines. 

Black History Month and the Fight for Black Maternal and Infant Health in West Virginia