West Virginia Watch - Just this month, the state agency that administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program announced the implementation of new restrictions that are expected to take food assistance away from thousands of West Virginians — including older adults between 55-64, veterans, parents of teenagers and former foster youth. Read the full op-ed. More than 60,000…
Tax and Budget
West Virginia MetroNews - It had been almost a decade since Tanya Drummond needed help from her local food pantry. But at the end of last week, Drummond sat on a bench in the intake room alongside her young granddaughter. Read the full article. “Just trying to get a little bit to make it,” said…
K-12 Dive - Declining student enrollment is plaguing public schools at state and district levels nationwide, with the impact being felt from falling birthrates and expanding school choice programs. Read the full article. As preliminary enrollment data for the 2025-26 school year has begun rolling out, school leaders are being forced to plan ahead for…
OBP TV - The Trump administration says it will restart the national food aid program known as SNAP using money from a Department of Agriculture contingency fund but will only pay out half the amount participants would normally receive. Read the full article. In a court filing, officials said depleting that fund means “no funds will remain…
West Virginia Watch, Yahoo News - Gov. Patrick Morrisey probably thought he was doing something good to help people who will not receive their SNAP benefits because of the ongoing government shutdown. Read the full article. The state had found $13 million that “had come in from the COVID era and that had been sitting there” that…
WOAY - Do you have questions about how federal funding changes could impact health care in your community? Read the full article. A community conversation is happening this week in Fayette County focused on how the One Big Beautiful Bill could impact local health care. The free event will take place on Wednesday, November 5, from 5:30…
West Virginia Watch - West Virginians insured through the federal government’s health insurance marketplace should expect some sticker shock when shopping for 2026 plans, but experts say it’s important they follow what’s happening in Washington. Read the full article. Open enrollment for 2026 began Nov. 1 and continues through Jan. 15. West Virginia has the…
WBOY, Yahoo News - With no recent progress on securing additional funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), local organizations across West Virginia are stepping up to ensure no one in the community goes hungry. Read the full article. American Legion Post 31 in Shinnston hosted a free lunch and dinner on Sunday for anyone…
West Virginia MetroNews - West Virginians on expanded enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act are about to get sticker shock. Read the full article. About 50,000 to 60,000 West Virginians will see higher prices as open enrollment begins without an extension of subsidies through the federal government. West Virginia is expected to be…
WTOV9 - The HOPE Scholarship in West Virginia, offering up to $5,400 per student annually, is sparking debate as it impacts public school funding. Read the full article. With nearly $250 million allocated to the scholarship each year, more students are opting for private schools, leaving public schools facing uncertainty. And officials say that's chipping…