WVCBP in the News

May 13, 2020 by WVCBP
Gov. Justice: ‘Stop the Politics’

Weirton Daily Times - Gov. Jim Justice made his feelings known Tuesday about those pushing for spending part of the state’s $1.25 billion coronavirus relief package and those pushing him to keep unemployment benefits flowing to those being called back to work. Read article. “Let’s please stop the politics, please,” Justice said. “That’s all there…

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April 29, 2020 by WVCBP
88 Tested So far Out of Thousands at W.Va. Jails and Prisons

Beckley Register-Herald - The West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety released Monday the number of inmates tested for COVID-19 at West Virginia jails and prisons, as well as those in community corrections and juvenile services programs. Read article. That number is 88, according to a new page on the state’s coronavirus.wv.gov website, under…

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April 21, 2020 by Seth DiStefano
Advocates Call for Streamlined School Food Distributions

WV Metro News - Since the closure of public schools in West Virginia in the middle of March, food distributions to students who rely on school meals have taken various forms in the Mountain State’s 55 counties. Read. The disparities are a problem for some food security advocates. “When school is in session, West Virginia…

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April 16, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Ohio Valley Continues Unprecedented Surge Of Unemployment

Ohio Valley Resource - Unemployment insurance claims are still reaching unprecedented levels across the Ohio Valley region. Read. At least 287,576 people in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia joined those seeking help during the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. That’s in addition to the roughly 755,000 claims form the three states in the…

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April 9, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Unemployment Claims In Ohio Valley Surge Again, Up Another 355,000

Ohio Valley Resource - Claims for unemployment insurance once again surged around the Ohio Valley as nearly 355,500 people in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia sought help last week amid the economic calamity caused by the coronavirus pandemic. That’s in addition to the roughly 400,000 unemployment claims from the three states the previous week. The…

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April 4, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Newly Unemployed in WV Left to Wait, Wonder When Help Will Arrive

Charleston Gazette-Mail - More than a tenth of the state’s civilian labor force, or 90,000 people, filed for unemployment benefits last month as the coronavirus dealt a crushing blow to an already ailing West Virginia economy. Read. With layoffs and business closures mounting and state unemployment officials working with the feds on claims, some people…

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April 2, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Ohio Valley Unemployment Claims Soar To Nearly 400,000 Amid Pandemic Shutdown

Ohio Valley Resource - Claims for unemployment insurance soared around the Ohio Valley region as nearly 400,000 people in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia sought help amid the economic freeze associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Read/listen. The new numbers come from data released Thursday morning by the U.S. Department of Labor showing more than 6.6…

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April 1, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
West Virginia Unemployment Filings Blow Past 90,000

WV Metro News - West Virginia has been slammed with more than 90,000 initial unemployment claims as businesses shut down and shed employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Read/listen. To demonstrate the fast and furious pace of the filings, state Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch described more than 80,000 filings this morning on MetroNews’ “Talkline.” An hour…

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March 27, 2020 by Sean O'Leary
Stimulus Bill Includes Additional Unemployment Pay

WCHS/WVAH — There's some relief on the way. Read/watch. The federal government passed its stimulus bill Friday, hoping to ease financial stress across the country. This coming on the heels of West Virginia hitting its largest number of unemployment claims ever. The relief bill will add $600 to regular unemployment benefit payments through the end…

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March 26, 2020 by Kelly Allen
Report: WV Population ‘Most at Risk in U.S.’ for Coronavirus

West Virginia Public News Service - With Gov. Jim Justice issuing a stay-at-home order this week to battle COVID-19, a new report warns West Virginia has one of the nation's most vulnerable populations for contracting the deadly virus. Read article. The Kaiser Family Foundation study says the Mountain State's rapidly aging population makes it much…

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