Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Health is urging residents to take proactive measures as COVID-19 cases rise in the state. In collaboration with the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the U.S. Postal Service, COVIDtests.gov has reopened, allowing households across West Virginia to order four additional free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests. These tests are particularly important as the holiday season approaches.

Small business owners urge Congress to make tax deduction permanent

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) recently held a press conference in Washington D.C. as part of its 2024 Small Business Tax Deduction Summit.

Senator Capito announces funding for health education and treatment projects

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced four Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These funds are aimed at enhancing health education and treatment facilities in West Virginia.

West Virginia DoHS announces supplemental payments for energy assistance recipients

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) has announced a supplemental payment for Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) recipients.

Bipartisan resolution introduced for National Recovery Month

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Angus King have introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate September as National Recovery Month. The initiative aims to bring attention to substance use disorder and the necessary recovery efforts.

VA provides 479 home loans in West Virginia totaling $133.4 million in Q2

By Mountain State Times | Sep 28, 2024

The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) issued 479 home loans totaling $133.4 million in West Virginia during the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Republican senators urge action on unaccompanied migrant children program

By Mountain State Times | Sep 27, 2024

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia has joined 42 Republican colleagues in a call to address issues within the Biden-Harris administration's unaccompanied migrant children program. Led by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the group sent a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to collaborate with Congress to address abuses in the program and halt what they describe as a cover-up by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Senator Capito welcomes new U.S. citizens at Charleston ceremony

By Mountain State Times | Sep 27, 2024

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participated in a naturalization ceremony held in Charleston, West Virginia. The event took place on September 27, 2024, where Capito delivered remarks to 55 new U.S. citizens and their families. The ceremony also featured Frank Volk, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Inflation in West Virginia outpaces national average as of August 2024

As of August 2024, West Virginia experienced a 21.7% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, compared to the nationwide trend of a 20.3% increase.

Senate passes Capito's Rural Broadband Protection Act

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, announced that her Rural Broadband Protection Act has passed the Senate unanimously. The bill will now proceed to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Capito urges DHS to address communication failures after near-assassination attempt

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito has addressed a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Acting United States Secret Service (USSS) Director Ronald L. Rowe, Jr., raising concerns about communication breakdowns detailed in a bipartisan interim report by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC).

West Virginia Department warns residents about rise in bee sting incidents

The West Virginia Department of Health has issued a warning about an increase in emergency room visits due to bee stings. This rise is notable compared to last year, and officials are advising residents to be cautious as wasps, including yellow jackets and hornets, become more aggressive. Recent drought conditions are believed to have exacerbated this behavior.

VA provides 341 home purchase loans in West Virginia in Q2

There were 341 VA home purchase loans issued in West Virginia in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024 totaling $98.2 million, according to figures provided by the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

West Virginia hosts Pediatric EMS Symposium focusing on child care and responder mental health

The West Virginia Department of Health will host the West Virginia EMS for Children Pediatric Symposium from September 30 to October 2, 2024. The event will take place at the Boy Scouts of America’s Summit Bechtel Reserve in Mount Hope. The symposium aims to advance emergency medical care for children in West Virginia.

Senator Capito comments on passing of continuing resolution

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a statement following her vote to pass a continuing resolution aimed at preventing a government shutdown.

Senator Capito announces funding boost for health facilities across West Virginia

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), has announced eight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These awards aim to enhance education and research programs, facility construction and renovations, and healthcare treatment resources in West Virginia.

Capito announces additional $45 million funding for West Virginia's opioid response

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced $45,774,615 in funding for West Virginia from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. Since the SOR grant program's inception in 2018, Capito has secured over $200 million for West Virginia to combat the opioid epidemic.

Senate passes WILD Act; moves to House