In The News
Capito Op-Ed: How local solutions can solve the national opioid crisis
As Eastern Panhandle residents know far too well, West Virginia has struggled with the opioid crisis longer and harder than most other states. While that reality has been tough on our state, it has also helped us become a leader when it comes to fighting back.West Virginians have learned a lot from our struggles with the opioid epidemic. We better understand some of the causes and how we can deal with them. We've seen what is working and what isn't. And we've learned that the ripple effects go f… Continue Reading
10.19.18
Conference Addresses Expanding Aerospace Footprint
HUNTINGTON - Aerospace in West Virginia? Huntington Mayor Steve Williams says when he is asked that question, his answer is always the same. "I say hell yes," the mayor said. "We can get there from here. We can reach the world and change the world from right here in West Virginia." Williams' remarks opened the Next Generation Aerospace Conference in Huntington at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena on Thursday. The inaugural conference focused on developing and creating new business opportunities for… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Federal Agency Approves $7.7M to WV for Broadband, Other Projects
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Tuesday $7,766,842 for West Virginia through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Funding will go to several entities across the state to support economic and workforce development efforts - including broadband expansion, tourism development, and assistance for West Virginians affected by substance abuse, according to a joint news release from the senat… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Capito Announces Millions in Grants for WV
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., joined U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Oct. 10 in announcing that the department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $6.7 million in grants to West Virginia to support local business development and job growth efforts. According to grantee estimates, the projects are expected to create or retain more than 1,430 jobs, while generating $35 million in private investment, Capito said in a news release. "I've always s… Continue Reading
10.16.18
ARC Funding to Aid Economic, Workforce Development Efforts
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded West Virginia more than $7.7 million in funding. Funding will go to several entities across the state to support economic and workforce development efforts, including broadband expansion, tourism development and assistance for West Virginians affected by substance abuse. "Economic development begins at the local level, where community leaders work to advance projects that help create opportunity and growth," said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capi… Continue Reading
10.14.18
Inwood Bypass Nears Completion; Capito Says It Answers Community Call
MARTINSBURG - The saying "all good things come to those who wait" may apply to the Inwood Bypass roadway construction project designed to ease traffic congestion in the area where U.S.11 meets W.Va. 51. With an estimated cost of $12.4 million, Phase One is widening the existing route for W.Va 51 from three lanes to five between U.S. 11 and the railroad crossing, and installing three roundabouts aimed at improving traffic flow. The search for an Inwood traffic remedy started years back when U.S. … Continue Reading
10.13.18
Senator Gives Students Insight into Supreme Court Nomination
MARTINSBURG - Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, visited Martinsburg High School Friday to teach a civics class about the U.S. Supreme Court nomination process. Martinsburg High School's principal, Trent Sherman, invited Capito to visit the school to teach the government course after he met her this fall. Capito began her lecture by introducing herself to the students and providing them with some of her history. Capito, elected to the Senate in 2014, is the first West Virginia woman to serve in … Continue Reading
10.13.18
Capito Visits Local Kids at Boys & Girls Club
MARTINSBURG-For her final stop Friday in the Eastern Panhandle, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., toured the Martinsburg location of the Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle and spent some time with the club's kids. Capito was also joined by Martinsburg Police Chief Maury Richards to discuss the Martinsburg Initiative and the department's partnership with the club. After recent visits with Stacie Rohn, chief professional officer with the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, … Continue Reading
10.13.18
Capito Announces Millions in Federal Grants for WV
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., joined U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Wednesday in announcing that the department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $6.7 million in grants to West Virginia to support local business development and job growth efforts. According to grantee estimates, the projects are expected to create or retain more than 1,430 jobs, while generating $35 million in private investment, Capito said in a news release. "I've always… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Kleeh Confirmed as Federal Judge for West Virginia's Northern District
WASHINGTON - Morgantown attorney Tom Kleeh has been confirmed as a federal judge for West Virginia's Northern District. Kleeh, who previously worked in Steptoe & Johnson's labor and employment group, is replacing senior status judge Irene Keeley. He worked in the firm's Charleston office before moving to the Morgantown location. "Since President Trump nominated Tom, I have been impressed by the amount of support he has received in all corners of West Virginia's legal community," said Sen. Sh… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Kleeh Confirmed as Federal Judge for Northern District of West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney Thomas H. Kleeh has been confirmed by the Senate as U.S. district judge for Northern West Virginia. The vote was 65-30. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., recommended Kleeh for the position and introduced him at his confirmation hearing in April. "I recommended Tom to President Trump because of his exceptional qualifications and his outstanding reputation," Capito said in a statement. "As I've said since he was first nominated, I have no doubt that Tom will be a fair… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Tom Kleeh Confirmed to Replace Senior Status Judge Irene Keeley
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tom Kleeh has been confirmed as a District Judge, replacing senior status judge Irene Keeley. Kleeh, a member of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in the firm's labor and employment group, is a graduate of West Virginia University College of Law. "Since President Trump nominated Tom, I have been impressed by the amount of support he has received in all corners of West Virginia's legal community," Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said. The Senate voted 65-30 to confirm Kleeh, who g… Continue Reading
10.12.18
Senator Capito Visits the Eastern Panhandle
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito stopped by Martinsburg High School where she discussed government with students. Sen. Capito spoke about courts and appeals, and discussed the process of nominating supreme court justices, including the recent justice, Brett Kavanaugh. Students weighed in on the decision surrounding his nomination. "Due to his past experiences Brett Kavanaugh is pretty qualified, but mostly due to what's happened now it's just become such a divisive conflict… Continue Reading
10.11.18
Bipartisan Bill Would Ease Red Tape for Outdoor Recreation
A new bipartisan Senate bill aims to streamline the permit process for the outdoor recreation industry to boost access to public lands. The "Public Land Recreational Opportunities Improvement Act" would help for-profit commercial outfitters, mountain guides and nonprofit youth groups by eliminating some of the federal red tape associated with enjoying and doing business on public lands and directing agencies to issue permits faster. New Mexico Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich and West Virginia Re… Continue Reading
10.10.18
Legislation Introduced to Designate New River Gorge as National Park
Legislation was introduced last week in the U.S. Senate which would change the New River Gorge's designation from the "New River Gorge National River" to the "New River Gorge National Park." The designation currently includes more than 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River. The legislation, aims to encourage tourism and boost the region's economy. "The New River Gorge is a special part of West Virginia and a real source of pride for our state," U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said … Continue Reading
10.10.18
Senator Capito Shares Possible Improvements to Water Infrastructure Projects
WEST VIRGINIA - Senator Capito says she is in favor of America's Water Infrastructure Act because she believes it improves water infrastructure all over the country. Those improvements include increasing water storage and maintaining inland waterways. Sen. Capito also hopes that the improvements will ensure clean drinking water for the eastern panhandle. Now that the bill has passed, she says everyone's focus should be directed at funding the future projects. "It will help us with systems," Cap… Continue Reading
10.09.18
Editorial: Protecting Children
Here is a troubling statistic to consider when discussing the opioid crisis. Of the 800 open child abuse and neglect cases in Mercer County, almost 600 of those investigations include a level of associated drug abuse. Besides that, more than 50 percent of the 700 monthly managed supervised visitations between parents and children in the county have drug endangerment issues. That amounts to more than 350 visitations each month in the county that have to be supervised, according to Mercer County C… Continue Reading
10.05.18
Bipartisan Opioid Legislation Heads to Trump's Desk
HUNTINGTON - In an act of bipartisanship, Congress has sent a comprehensive opioid legislation package to the desk of President Donald Trump. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is a combination of several smaller pieces of legislation sponsored by hundreds of lawmakers, including pieces sponsored by West Virginia's delegation. The bill passed the House of Representatives 393 to 8 last week and the Senate 98-1 Wednesday. A major aspect of the bill, as reported by the Washington Post, is… Continue Reading
10.04.18
U.S. Senate Approves Opioid Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., applauded the final passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which was approved by the U.S. Senate Wednesday afternoon in a 98-1 vote. The bill will now go to the White House for the president's signature. The bill includes a wide range of legislative solutions that aim to strengthen efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. "The SUPPORT Act is a meaningful step in our ongoing effort to combat the opioid… Continue Reading
10.04.18
Bipartisan Opioid Legislation Heads to President's Desk
HUNTINGTON - In an act of bipartisanship, Congress has sent a comprehensive opioid legislation package to the desk of President Donald Trump. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act is a combination of several smaller pieces of legislation sponsored by hundreds of lawmakers, including pieces sponsored by West Virginia's delegation. The bill passed the House of Representatives 393 to 8 last week and the Senate 98-1 Wednesday. A major aspect of the bill, as reported by the Washington Post, is… Continue Reading
