WEST VIRGINIA
===west virginia===
Trump misleads West Virginians regarding drug prices for seniors
Over three-fourths of West Virginians are Christians. And over a fourth go to religious services regularly. Many are older evangelicals. President Donald Trump’s general lack of honesty (and morality) has been clear from the start, and yet nationally 80% of evangelicals support him. Many of these evangelicals are seniors, concerned with drug costs — as well they should be. But Trump is attempting to restrict efforts to reduce their prescription drug costs, which is the opposite of what older West Virginians want. Via a recent executive order, Trump is now trying to do away with a program set up a few years ago by Congress to lower drug costs for seniors. Per one advocacy group, “This (executive order) would permit drug manufacturers to set prices unchecked for an additional four years, boosting industry profits at the expense of Medicare and Part D enrollees.” But he is telling the public the opposite — that the Biden administration is somehow to blame, and he is fixing the problem. (West Virginia Watch 8/6/25) READMORE>>>>>
Over three-fourths of West Virginians are Christians. And over a fourth go to religious services regularly. Many are older evangelicals. President Donald Trump’s general lack of honesty (and morality) has been clear from the start, and yet nationally 80% of evangelicals support him. Many of these evangelicals are seniors, concerned with drug costs — as well they should be. But Trump is attempting to restrict efforts to reduce their prescription drug costs, which is the opposite of what older West Virginians want. Via a recent executive order, Trump is now trying to do away with a program set up a few years ago by Congress to lower drug costs for seniors. Per one advocacy group, “This (executive order) would permit drug manufacturers to set prices unchecked for an additional four years, boosting industry profits at the expense of Medicare and Part D enrollees.” But he is telling the public the opposite — that the Biden administration is somehow to blame, and he is fixing the problem. (West Virginia Watch 8/6/25) READMORE>>>>>
West Virginia, Utah pass laws to protect religious freedom
The governors of West Virginia and Utah have approved measures proponents say are designed to protect religious liberty and free speech, each of which secured bipartisan support from state lawmakers.
West Virginia's Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 503 into law Friday. The legislation aims to protect "freedom of association and nondiscrimination against students and student organizations" on the campuses of public colleges and universities. The bill was approved by the Republican-controlled West Virginia Senate in a 31-1 vote on Feb. 27. The legislation passed by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates in an 88-10 vote on March 9. (Christian Post 3/25/24) READ MORE>>>>>
The governors of West Virginia and Utah have approved measures proponents say are designed to protect religious liberty and free speech, each of which secured bipartisan support from state lawmakers.
West Virginia's Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 503 into law Friday. The legislation aims to protect "freedom of association and nondiscrimination against students and student organizations" on the campuses of public colleges and universities. The bill was approved by the Republican-controlled West Virginia Senate in a 31-1 vote on Feb. 27. The legislation passed by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates in an 88-10 vote on March 9. (Christian Post 3/25/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Judge rules in favor of atheist to have to Religious program removed from West Virginia parole requirements
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) has changed its parole requirements after a judge ruled in favor of an atheist inmate who claimed that he was denied parole because he did not want to participate in a religious program. Andrew Miller, who was incarcerated at Saint Marys Correctional Center for breaking and entering, filed a lawsuit against the WVDCR in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia saying that the state would not accommodate his request for a non-religious substance abuse program. Although Miller was not in prison on a substance-related charge, Miller was enrolled in the program because he is in recovery from addiction and the program was a condition of his parole; the lawsuit said that Miller was denied parole multiple times because of his refusal to do the program.
(Sam Kirk/WTRF 11/16/23)
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) has changed its parole requirements after a judge ruled in favor of an atheist inmate who claimed that he was denied parole because he did not want to participate in a religious program. Andrew Miller, who was incarcerated at Saint Marys Correctional Center for breaking and entering, filed a lawsuit against the WVDCR in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia saying that the state would not accommodate his request for a non-religious substance abuse program. Although Miller was not in prison on a substance-related charge, Miller was enrolled in the program because he is in recovery from addiction and the program was a condition of his parole; the lawsuit said that Miller was denied parole multiple times because of his refusal to do the program.
(Sam Kirk/WTRF 11/16/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Judge rules in favor of atheist to have to Religious program removed from West Virginia parole requirements
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) has changed its parole requirements after a judge ruled in favor of an atheist inmate who claimed that he was denied parole because he did not want to participate in a religious program. Andrew Miller, who was incarcerated at Saint Marys Correctional Center for breaking and entering, filed a lawsuit against the WVDCR in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia saying that the state would not accommodate his request for a non-religious substance abuse program. Although Miller was not in prison on a substance-related charge, Miller was enrolled in the program because he is in recovery from addiction and the program was a condition of his parole; the lawsuit said that Miller was denied parole multiple times because of his refusal to do the program.
(Sam Kirk/WTRF 11/16/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) has changed its parole requirements after a judge ruled in favor of an atheist inmate who claimed that he was denied parole because he did not want to participate in a religious program. Andrew Miller, who was incarcerated at Saint Marys Correctional Center for breaking and entering, filed a lawsuit against the WVDCR in April in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia saying that the state would not accommodate his request for a non-religious substance abuse program. Although Miller was not in prison on a substance-related charge, Miller was enrolled in the program because he is in recovery from addiction and the program was a condition of his parole; the lawsuit said that Miller was denied parole multiple times because of his refusal to do the program.
(Sam Kirk/WTRF 11/16/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
West Virginia GOP majority House OKs religious freedom bill
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s GOP supermajority House of Delegates passed a bill Monday that would create a test for courts to apply when people challenge government regulations they believe interfere with their constitutional right to religious freedom. The bill passed after several Democrats expressed concern that the proposal could be used as a tool to discriminate against LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups. Democratic Del. Joey Garcia also asked whether the proposed law could be used to overturn West Virginia’s vaccine requirements, which are some of the strictest in the nation.
(Leah Willingham/Associated Press 2/26/23)
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia’s GOP supermajority House of Delegates passed a bill Monday that would create a test for courts to apply when people challenge government regulations they believe interfere with their constitutional right to religious freedom. The bill passed after several Democrats expressed concern that the proposal could be used as a tool to discriminate against LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups. Democratic Del. Joey Garcia also asked whether the proposed law could be used to overturn West Virginia’s vaccine requirements, which are some of the strictest in the nation.
(Leah Willingham/Associated Press 2/26/23)
READ MORE>>>>>
Feb 9, 2022: NPR: Students walk out at West Virginia school after Christian revival
Between calculus and European history classes at a West Virginia public high school, 16-year-old Cameron Mays and his classmates were told by their teacher to go to an evangelical Christian revival assembly.
Between calculus and European history classes at a West Virginia public high school, 16-year-old Cameron Mays and his classmates were told by their teacher to go to an evangelical Christian revival assembly.