From The Well

At the center of the West Virginia state capitol is an area known as “The Well.” It is the informal gathering place for lobbyists, reporters, constituents and lawmakers. Centrally located between the chambers of the House of Delegates and Senate, The Well is often where information is shared, alliances are formed and deals are made.

From The Well

Out-of-state companies, campaign donors make up majority of West Virginia’s medical cannabis growers

Brian Skinner Medical Cannabis

News and Sentinel – By Steven Allen Adams – October 17, 2020 CHARLESTON — After years of delay, West Virginia recently took a big step by selecting the first growers for its medical cannabis program, but West Virginia-based companies were largely left out in favor of out-of-state companies including a political donor. The Office of …Read More

Court Issues Emergency Order Blocking Mountain Valley Pipeline From Stream, Wetland Construction

Brian Skinner Energy & enviroment

West Virginia Public Broadcasting — By Brittany Patterson — October 16, 2020 A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked developers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline from doing construction across streams and wetlands in southern West Virginia and Virginia. The emergency administrative stay was issued Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Environmental …Read More

Weed stocks surge as Kamala Harris vows to decriminalize pot in debate

Brian Skinner Elections, Marijuana policy
Marijuana Flower

Reuters — By Shariq Khan — October 8, 2020 U.S.-listed shares of major cannabis producers surged on Thursday after Democratic vice president nominee Kamala Harris said marijuana would be decriminalized at a federal level in the United States under a Biden administration. During Wednesday night’s debate with Vice President Mike Pence, Harris said she and Democratic presidential …Read More

Monongalia County leaders concerned about local marijuana dispensary rules

Brian Skinner Local Government, Medical Cannabis

WV Metro News — By Mike Nolting — October 15, 2020 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Local and state lawmakers from Monongalia County are concerned about changes to medical marijuana dispensary requirements, with officials arguing the chances could delay or prevent some applicants from receiving approval. State regulations require dispensaries to be at least 1,000 feet from a …Read More

Glenville State College students take part in W.Va. Division of Forestry timber felling and chainsaw safety workshop

Brian Skinner Higher Education

  GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Students within the Glenville State College (GSC) Department of Land Resources’ timber harvesting course had the opportunity to take part in the West Virginia Division of Forestry’s (WVDOF) Timber Felling and Chainsaw Safety Workshop on the College Farm recently. The workshop, organized by WVDOF Service Forester, Jesse King, was led by …Read More

West Virginia’s child obesity rate nearly 20 percent in latest report

Brian Skinner Public Health

WV Metro News — By MetroNews Staff — October 14, 2020  CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Nearly one-fifth of West Virginia children are obese, as experts link obesity to increased risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) latest report released Wednesday, State of Childhood Obesity: Prioritizing Children’s Health During the Pandemic, 19.6% of children …Read More