In The News

As a small, rural state, West Virginia faces challenges to economic growth and stability, but probably none more daunting that the lack of broadband internet service.The issues, long talked about and partially addressed, linger on seven years after the federal government allocated $126.3 million in stimulus money to improve the state’s broadband network.What happened from there has been controversial, with various people and companies sparring over whether the funding was used properly.... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Capitol Hill, one local West Virginia senator is working to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program -- otherwise known as CHIP.CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.Senator Shelley Moore Capito says she helped implement the program when she was in West Virginia's State Legislature and continues to be an avid supporter of the program.She says a healthier child makes for a healthy... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) – U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) is urging lawmakers to act swiftly to extend funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by the end of the year.In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Capito, a West Virginia Republican, outlines her support for the program and how she helped implement the program in West Virginia when she was a state legislator.CHIP benefits 9 million children throughout the country each year.That number... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has announced U.S. Service Academy nominations for 31 qualified high school seniors from 18 counties in West Virginia.Nominees were selected by a board chosen by Capito that reviewed each application, interviewed candidates and made recommendations.“Nominating young men and women to our nation’s prestigious service academies is one of the most important responsibilities I have as a United States Senator,” Capito... Read More

Would you consider yourself better off if, at the stroke of a pen, someone increased your take-home pay by nearly $2,000 a year? Of course you would.Most Americans would be very grateful if the federal government stopped digging so deeply into our pockets. On average, Uncle Sam takes about $5,680 a year from every man, woman and child in the country annually through income taxes.Members of the U.S. House of Representatives approved a tax reform bill last week. Now, the ball is in the... Read More

The memorandum of understanding signed last week between the Mountain State and China Energy is being called the biggest single investment in the history of West Virginia. One thing is certain. The economic impact from the proposed $83.7 billion investment will be far-reaching and positive for the entire state.The agreement calls for shale gas development and chemical manufacturing projects in the Mountain State. The memorandum of understanding was signed by West Virginia State Commerce... Read More

With tax reform in the news and Thursday’s release of the Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Americans are trying to understand how changes to the tax code will affect their families. The Senate’s plan would grow the economy while simplifying the tax code and reducing marginal rates.Using the Tax Foundation’s Taxes and Growth (TAG) macroeconomic model, our analysis found that “the plan would significantly lower marginal tax rates and the cost of capital,... Read More

CHARLESTON - West Virginia lawmakers and officials agreed Thursday that an agreement with China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd. for the company to invest $83.7 billion in shale gas development and chemical manufacturing in West Virginia will be an economic boon the likes of which the state has never before seen."This is a great day for the state of West Virginia," said West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice in a news release. "I've been saying for the last couple months that the tides are turning in West... Read More

WHEELING — The $83.7 billion a Chinese firm plans to spend developing West Virginia’s shale natural gas resources exceeds the total value of all goods and services produced in the state each year.That investment also would be more than double the approximately $35 billion total that West Virginia University Energy Institute Director Brian Anderson estimates drillers, frackers, processors and pipeliners have spent in the Mountain State since the Marcellus and Utica shale boom began... Read More

GREEN BANK, W.Va. – The National Science Foundation is evaluating options for West Virginia's Green Bank Observatory, ranging from collaboration with outside partners to continue its science and education mission to demolishing it.Options include collaborations to operate it as a technology and education park, mothballing the facilities and continuing support.The observatory, located by the Monongahela National Forest, includes a 100-meter-diameter single-dish radio telescope,... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDTV) – Senator Shelley Moore Capito is urging folks all across the state to take the West Virginia Speed Test.The test, which is hosted by the Broadband Enhancement Council, will help find out which internet connections are up to speed. On Monday, 5 News covered Senator Capito's announcement in Buckhannon of a grant that will bring high speed connectivity to parts of Barbour, Randolph, and Upshur counties.Senator Capito says if we can bring better internet service... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) says she’s confident the Senate can pass a tax reform bill by the end of the year.“I think we’re as united as I’ve seen us and that to me is why I think the aspirations to have this passed in the next several weeks are very much on target,” Capito said during a Tuesday morning press conference in Washington.Capito joined Republican senators and tax reform advocates for a press conference to... Read More

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing a $3 million grant to provide broadband internet access to hundreds of unserved and underserved West Virginians.The check was awarded to the Central West Virginia Development Association for a project that will provide broadband to more than 3,600 households, businesses and community facilities in Barbour, Randolph and Upshur counties.“When I think about West Virginia, I think about a place and a people who are... Read More

BUCKHANNON, W. Va. (WDTV) – The digital divide is a problem that many of our counties continue to face with several residents and businesses having no access to high speed internet. Thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, thousands will soon be brought up to speed.The USDA is investing $3 million in infrastructure projects to bring broadband to more than 3,600 households and communities. Senator Shelley Moore Capito joined Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the... Read More

MARTINSBURG — The Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center will use a chunk of its three-year federal grant of nearly $300,000 to hire a recovery network coordinator, according to Berkeley County officials.The grant money is part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act allocated by the U.S. Department of Justice last month.The RRC network coordinator position has already been approved by the Berkeley County Council, according to Kevin Knowles, Community Recovery Service Coordinator... Read More

CHARLESTON — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will be hosting a final round mobile office dates throughout West Virginia. Members of Senator Capito’s staff are working these stations to provide constituents one-on-one assistance with casework and other issues they may be experiencing with federal agencies.The dates and locations are as follows:11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Frankfort District Senior Center, 10 Summit Drive, Short Gap; 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.... Read More

West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has been joined by Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto in the introduction of the "Code Like a Girl Act," bipartisan legislation that will create two National Science Foundation grant programs to encourage young girls to pursue careers in computer science. A companion bill, H.R. 3316, was introduced by Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.Capito said the tech industry provides many opportunities for students and workers to... Read More

HUNTINGTON - Working while you learn can be beneficial for both the student and the business, especially when the skills the student is learning match the job opportunity.Rachel Enyart is one of those students looking to earn wages while completing her tech degree at Mountwest Community and Technical College."I start my final semester at Mountwest Community and Technical College in January," she said. "Now, thanks to the Learn and Earn program, I will be able to work for a technology company in... Read More

Cupcakes were passed around the crowd on the New River Gorge Bridge Saturday at the 38th annual Bridge Day in celebration of the bridge's 40th birthday. Folks from all over the country came to celebrate the bridge's birthday, including West Virginia representatives and even workers involved in the construction of the bridge many years ago.The New River Gorge National River's Superintendent Lizzie Watts said the birthday celebration was a way to honor all those involved in the building of... Read More

On Monday, ground was broken on a 900-square-foot expansion and renovation at the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center. The expansion will double the center’s space and is expected to be complete next spring.The $750,000 being spent is well worth it. For many visitors to the state, it’s their first stop.“First impressions are important,” said Annette Gavin, Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO, at a groundbreaking ceremony held Monday.Indeed they are.In addition... Read More