Brunch Bill Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

The 10 Biggest Stories from West Virginia's 2016

What were the top stories in West Virginia from 2016? We searched our archives from the past year and compiled this list of the most popular stories.

As we cap off 2016, West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s producers and programs share their most memorable moments of the year. Find each of our Best of 2016 posts at wvpublic.org/term/best-2016.

10. Chlorine Leak from Axiall Corp. Sends Two to Hospital, Evacuates Communities

Two people were transported to hospitals for inhalation injuries, others were treated at the site of a reported chlorine leak in Marshall County.

9. Governor Tomblin Signs Budget that Taps Reserves

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed that took $147.5 million from the state’s $922 million Rainy Day Fund to cover a projected shortfall.

8. Blankenship Gets One Year in Prison, One Year Supervised Release, $250,000 Fine

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was sentenced to the maximum one year in prison and another year of supervised release for his role in a conspiracy at the company to skirt mine safety standards.

7. Ohio Man Arrested in Connection with Huntington Overdoses

An Akron, Ohio man was arrested connection with a rash of overdoses in Huntington. Emergency crews responded to 26 overdoses in a four-hour span and two people died in connection with the same batch of heroin distributed in the city.

6. W.Va. Medicaid Doctors Put on Alert as State’s Cash Flows Dwindle

More than 24,000 doctors across West Virginia who accept Medicaid were put on alert Monday that the state may not be able to “continue to process claims at the same consistent level.”

5. PEIA Board Approves $120 Million in Cuts for Second Time

the state Public Employees Insurance Agency, or PEIA, Finance Board voted unanimously to reinstate benefit cuts, affecting health care costs for some 230,000 West Virginians.

4. Common Core, School Calendar Bills Vetoed

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed two education bills, one that would have repealed Common Core aligned standardized tests in the state and a second that would have allowed county boards to schedule fewer then 180 days in their school calendars.

3. West Virginia Senate Approves ‘Brunch Bill’

Senators unanimously passed a bill that would move the start of Sunday alcohol sales from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m.

2. Election 2016

From the primary elections in May to the general election in November, election stories were constant sources of headlines in 2016. Here were the top posts:

Live Blog: 2016 West Virginia Primary

10 Takeaways from the W.Va. Primary Election

‘Trump Digs Coal’ at Charleston Rally

Election 2016: West Virginia Goes For Trump, Justice Wins, State Legislature Remains with GOP

1. June 2016 Flood

Heavy flooding in West Virginia during June claimed 23 lives, destroyed more than 4,000 homes and businesses and resulted in 10 counties being declared federal disaster area. Through statewide coverage and individual stories, this disaster produced the most compelling stories of 2016

Flooding in Richwood: Image Gallery

Greenbrier Resort Opens Doors to Flood Victims

‘I Almost Gave Up’: Flood Survivor Remembers the Voice Who Saved Her

Inside Appalachia: West Virginia’s 1,000 Year Flood

You’ve now experienced 2016 through West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Make sure to follow @wvpublic on social media and sign-up for our email newsletter to keep up with 2017’s stories.

Wheeling Seeks to Legalize Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales

The Wheeling City Council will ask state officials for permission to legalize the sale of alcohol in the city Sunday mornings.

The Intelligencer reports that council members unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to submit an amendment to the West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board.

The board is expected to consider the matter on Oct. 3. If approved, the city council would then decide on a final ordinance to allow the sale of alcohol for local business with licenses as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays.

A similar measure on the ballot in November also seeks to allow Sunday morning alcohol sales in Ohio County, but the Wheeling City Council seeks to pass its ordinance regardless of measure.

Brunch Bill Passes in Clarksburg, Goes into Effect Sunday

The Clarksburg City Council has passed a “brunch bill” ordinance allowing businesses with an Alcohol Beverage Control Administration Class A license to serve alcohol on Sunday mornings.

Clarksburg City Manager Martin Howe tells local media that under the new ordinance, any establishment within the city limits can begin serving alcohol at 10 a.m. this Sunday. The ordinance was passed Thursday during the City Council meeting.

Previously, alcohol sales were prohibited before 1p.m. on Sunday.

Charleston Votes to Allow Alcohol Sales on Sunday Mornings

The Charleston City Council has passed a bill that will allow the sale of alcohol in the city at an earlier time on Sundays.

The city council voted to pass Bill 7702 on Monday. The bill will allow establishments with on-premises alcohol licenses to sell beer, wine and liquor starting at 10 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Alisa Bailey says the change will help restaurants be more profitable.

An economic impact study prepared by West Virginia State University economics professor Frew Hailou predicts the change will result in an annual revenue increase of more than $876,000 for Kanawha County restaurants and bars.

Martinsburg Joins Shepherdstown in Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales

Restaurants in Martinsburg are now able to sell alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sundays.

The Martinsburg City Council approved a home rule law Thursday night to allow the sale of alcohol at restaurants, wineries, distilleries and private clubs beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

Martinsburg was one of six municipalities in West Virginia that the Municipal Home Rule Board approved this month to change city law to sell alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Lawmakers passed a bill commonly referred to as the ‘brunch bill’ during the 2016 state Legislative session. The bill allows county commissions to put the alcohol time change on the November ballot for a referendum if they choose to do so.

The Berkeley County Commission had already voted to put the referendum on the fall ballot.

Six More W.Va. Cities Approved for 'Brunch Bill' Ordinance

The West Virginia Municipal Home Rule Board has approved six more cities to sell alcohol at restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and private clubs on Sundays before 1 p.m.

Charleston, South Charleston, Bluefield, Martinsburg, Clarksburg, and Lewisburg have all been approved to pass city laws on what’s commonly referred to as the brunch bill.

Shepherdstown was previously the only town or city in the state to have a home rule ordinance allowing the sale of alcohol as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The state Legislature passed a brunch bill this year, but it requires county commissions to put the issue on a referendum. County residents would then be able to vote on the provision in the fall.

Fewer than ten county commissions have passed the county referendum for the November ballot.