Tag: Elections

Indiana Bank Sues Justice-Owned Coal Company, Seeks $4.5 Million

1st Source Bank, of South Bend, Indiana, filed a complaint this week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

An Indiana bank that’s a creditor of Bluestone Resources, a coal company owned by the family of Gov. Jim Justice, has sued Bluestone in federal court for breach of contract.

1st Source Bank, of South Bend, Indiana, filed a complaint this week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. 1st Source seeks $4.5 million in damages.

The complaint accuses Bluestone of defaulting on loan agreements and also seeks attorney’s fees and possession of collateral.

According to the complaint, that collateral consists of “equipment owned by Bluestone Coal” and three properties that are part of the Wintergreen Ski Resort near Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bluestone, based in Roanoke, Virginia, was ordered by a federal judge last month to surrender a helicopter to partially settle a $13 million debt owed to another creditor, Caroleng Investments.

Court filings revealed Caroleng to be an offshore shell company incorporated in the Caribbean tax haven of the British Virgin Islands.

1st Source had also claimed a senior interest in the Bell Textron Canada helicopter. Caroleng and 1st Source reached an agreement last month for the sale of the helicopter. The judge must still approve the sale.

Justice, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate this year, faces new questions about his businesses and numerous lawsuits seeking repayment of what his companies owe creditors.

The Role Of Corridor H In W.Va. — And Its Importance

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 571, creating an Advanced Energy and Economic Corridor Authority for Corridor H. Curtis Tate spoke with Economic Development Secretary Mitch Carmichael about the importance of Corridor H to the state. Before that discussion, though, they talked about some breaking news about a steel plant in the Northern Panhandle.

In the House, there was a lengthy, emotional, life and death debate over the pros and cons of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide.

In the Senate, the chamber focused on voting, with three out of five bills relating to voting or voter ID. Briana Heaney has the story.

Also, whether or not to teach middle schoolers about fentanyl and overdose-reversing medicine sparked discussion in the House Education Committee, while Senate Education modified a House bill on special education. Chris Schulz has more.

Finally, West Virginia State University is one of the state’s two HBCU’s, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It was WVSU Day at the Capitol, where school leadership worked the shoe leather, as they say, to see big dollar budget legislation passed.

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The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Senate Revisits County Commission Vacancy Protocol After Jefferson County Controversy

The West Virginia Senate is currently discussing amendments to state protocol for filling county commission vacancies, following a controversy in Jefferson County late last year.

On Tuesday, the West Virginia Senate discussed amendments to state protocol for filling county commission vacancies, following a controversy in Jefferson County late last year.

From Sept. 7 to Nov. 31, 2023 two members of the Jefferson County Commission — Jennifer Krouse and Tricia Jackson — refused to attend meetings. This was due to a disagreement over which candidate would fill a vacant seat, and the protocol for how they would be selected.

During this time, they continued to receive pay from their positions on the commission, MetroNews previously reported.

In late November, a judge required the two commissioners to resume attending meetings, but they continued to express concern over the procedure.

Counsel for the Senate Government Organization Committee explained that these events led to the creation of Senate Bill 542, which would update protocol for filling vacant seats on five-person county commissions, like the one in Jefferson County.

Under the bill, five-member commissions unable to agree on an appointee would create a list of eligible candidates and strike names from the list one at a time.

Commissioners would take turns striking names in a predetermined order based on the political party of the vacating commissioner and the tenure of voting commissioners.

Ultimately, the last remaining person on the list would fill the vacant commission seat under the new bill.

The Senate Government Organization Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the Senate floor with the recommendation that it be passed. Before passage, it will undergo further discussion from the full Senate.

Election Integrity And How Businesses In East Palestine Are Staying Afloat, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, it’s been a little more than a year since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. While there’s been much attention paid to the environmental fallout, many local business owners say they’ve struggled to keep their businesses afloat.

On this West Virginia Morning, it’s been a little more than a year since a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. While there’s been much attention paid to the environmental fallout, many local business owners say they’ve struggled to keep their businesses afloat.

Reporting from East Palestine, WESA’s Oliver Morrison checked in to see how business is faring one year later.

Also, in this show, 90 bills to-date have been introduced into the West Virginia Legislature on elections. For The Legislature Today, Briana Heaney spoke with Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, and Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, in a noisy capitol rotunda studio to hear what some of these bills may do.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas is our news director and producer.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

State Lawmakers Talk Election Fraud, Integrity

On this episode of The Legislature Today, 90 bills to-date have been introduced this year between the Senate and the House about election laws. Briana Heaney spoke with Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, and Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, to get their perspective.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, 90 bills to-date have been introduced this year between the Senate and the House about election laws.

We’ve heard a lot since the 2020 general election about potential voter fraud, although numerous courts have ruled there was no election fraud that would have changed the outcome of that election. Secretary of State Mac Warner has also said there was also no major election fraud in West Virginia. He has prosecuted a handful of people for election violations in the last few years.

Briana Heaney spoke with Del. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, and Sen. Jack Woodrum, R-Summers, to get their perspective.

In the House, eight bills advanced from third reading to the Senate. Two of the proposals help further protect the environment and one takes telehealth a step further with a proactive technological approach to medical care. Randy Yohe has the story.

In the Senate, the chamber approved five bills, sending them to the House for consideration. The Senate advanced 12 other bills. Briana Heaney has more.

Finally, advocates and recovery experts filled the Capitol rotunda on Monday to educate lawmakers about substance use disorder. Emily Rice has the story.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Primary Election Candidate Filing And Health-Focused New Year’s Resolutions, This West Virginia

On this West Virginia Morning, candidates for local, state and federal offices can file for the May 14 Primary Election until midnight on Saturday, Jan. 27, and we talk with registered dietician and WVU Extension specialist Gina Wood about more sustainable changes to have a larger impact on your health in the long-term.

On this West Virginia Morning, we’ve heard political campaign rhetoric for a while now, but as of Monday, West Virginia’s official candidate filing period is now underway. Candidates for local, state and federal offices can file for the May 14 Primary Election until midnight on Saturday, Jan. 27.  As Randy Yohe discovered, the decision to run for political office comes with rules, responsibilities – and reflection.

Also, in this show, many people plan to start a diet as their New Year’s resolution, but studies have shown that restrictive diets have high rates of failure. Chris Schulz spoke with registered dietician and WVU Extension specialist Gina Wood about more sustainable changes to have a larger impact on your health in the long-term.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Eric Douglas produced this show.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

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