Brad McElhinny

1 week ago | wvmetronews.com | Brad McElhinny

Cecil Roberts, the West Virginian who is president of the United Mine Workers union, wound up on the telephone recently with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to express his position that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is essential. Roberts told about the call during a stemwinder to NIOSH supporters during a rally in Washington, D.C., striding in front of dozens of people who gathered.

2 weeks ago | wvmetronews.com | Brad McElhinny

Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s directive to allow religious exemptions to vaccination requirements will be challenged in court. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two parents asking a court to stop state education officials from enforcing Morrisey’s executive order. One of the plaintiffs, Marisa Jackson, is described as a Kanawha mother of a school-aged child who is particularly susceptible to illness if fewer classmates are vaccinated.

2 weeks ago | wvmetronews.com | Brad McElhinny

The U.S. Senate, in legislation that Senator Shelley Moore Capito has long supported, voted to reverse a policy that would have allowed California to require a transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles. The Senate vote effectively blocking a plan by the largest state in America to move toward banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Capito is chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

2 weeks ago | wvmetronews.com | Brad McElhinny

People supporting the continued work of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health rallied at sites including Morgantown and Washington, D.C.“Today as always, Mother Jones said this: “Pray for the dead, fight like hell for the living.’ She also said this: ‘No matter what, you must fight.’ You must fight. You must fight,” said United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts, striding as he gave a stemwinder in Washington, D.C.“If you won’t fight, who will stand up? Fight back.

2 weeks ago | wvmetronews.com | Brad McElhinny

Both of West Virginia’s congressional representatives voted for the big reconciliation bill that narrowly passed earlier today. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now headed to consideration by the U.S. Senate, where it could face changes. The legislation, called the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed in a a 215-214-1 vote. Two Republicans voted against the bill, one voted ‘present’ and two did not vote. All Democrats voted against it.