In The News

New legislation was introduced this week to help newborns suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a withdrawal condition often caused by use of opioids and other addictive substances in pregnant women. The Caring Recovery for Infants and Babies (CRIB) Act would recognize residential pediatric recovery facilities as providers under Medicaid, allowing them to bill Medicaid for the services they offer. "Every 25 minutes, a baby suffering from opiate withdrawal is born," said Sen. Shelley... Read More

WASHINGTON — Most of the chairs were empty. Some young staff members sat on the side, whispering to each other. A few shuffled in and out of the narrow wooden doors. But of the 100 wooden desks facing the Senate president’s raised platform, only one was filled. The sole occupant, a tall man in a gray suit, stood up to speak from his desk. He spoke of his state, how the Indian Health Service was failing many Native Americans there, how they needed to fix it. His anecdotes were... Read More

RANSON — Independent Fire Company received grant funds totaling $186,667 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a press release issued Monday. All of the grant money, which the company applied for in January, will be used for replacement air packs, which are breathing devices firefighters use, according to Independent Fire Company President Aaron Watson. U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. announced Assistance to Firefighters Grant... Read More

RANSON, W.Va. — The Independent Fire Co. received $186,667 on Monday through the new Assistance to Firefighters Grant program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin said. “In order to keep our communities safe, West Virginia’s emergency responders must be equipped with the resources needed to help save lives," said Capito, R-W.Va. "This funding will help firefighters respond quickly and efficiently to emergency... Read More

Some major federal funding could be coming our way from our nation's capitol. Two bills are now on the Senate floor that would provide record-setting dollars for VA medical programs and money for infrastructure improvements: the MicCON-VA Appropriations Act and the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Act. The MilCon-VA bill would provide financial support for the Opioid Safety Initiative to help veterans who are at risk for overdoses with pain care, it would aim to add agro-therapy, and... Read More

We all know illegal drug use remains a major issue in North Central West Virginia and much of the Mountain State. While we all are aware of street drugs like heroin, cocaine and marijuana, the illegal use of prescription medication is often more prevalent, but none the less damaging. That’s why we’re pleased to see the Drug Enforcement Agency establish a Tactical Division Squad that will target prescription drug abuse.Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, said in announcing the... Read More

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Additional help is on the way to North Central West Virginia in the continuing fight against opioid abuse in the Mountain State. In conjunction with the cities of Bridgeport and Clarksburg and officials at the state and federal level, West Virginia’s second Tactical Diversion Squad will officially launch in Clarksburg. A TDS combines resources at federal, state, and local levels in an effort to disrupt the supply of controlled substances. Senator... Read More

More than $20 million in grant funding from the federal Department of Health and Human Services has been awarded to 11 West Virginia health centers. U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. announced the grants, which are intended to cover the costs of caring for uninsured or underinsured patients and to attract, recruit and retain medical staff at the state's rural clinics and health centers. "All West Virginians deserve access to primary and... Read More

ELKINS – City firefighters can breathe a little easier thanks to a $200,000 grant for new air packs. U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., announced Tuesday the Elkins Volunteer Fire Department will receive $200,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funds will go toward operations and safety improvements at the station. Chief Tom Meader said the funding will be used to purchase new self-contained... Read More

CLARKSBURG — A new Drug Enforcement Agency Tactical Diversion Squad will soon be formed in the Clarksburg area to target the prescription drug abuse epidemic. In announcing the new tactical diversion squad, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she "believes that the prescription drug problem across the state is ransacking us." "It is ruining lives," Capito said. "The resolution is to work with the DEA to partner with local law enforcement in order to combat this issue."Bridgeport City... Read More

C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc. is among six health centers receiving a portion of more than $5 million announced Monday by U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito. Capito, R-W.Va., and Manchin, D-W.Va., announced a total of $5,285,486 in federal funds for health centers throughout West Virginia. The funding will be used to renovate and update facilities to accommodate more patients and increase access to services. C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., with services provided in Hancock and Brooke counties, will receive... Read More

Six West Virginia health centers will soon receive millions of federal dollars to help fund renovations. Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin announced the funding Monday. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the 5.3 million dollars in grants will help almost 11,000 patients in need. The funding will be used to renovate and update facilities in order to accommodate more patients and increase access to care. Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center, Change, Inc, Minnie... Read More

Some good news out of Washington that could have a real positive effect for those of us living and working in Preston County. On Wednesday, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and Angus King (I-Maine) wrote a bipartisan letter to the USDA requesting that the agency modernize the Community Connect Grant Program with increased broadband speed and service definitions. The USDA’s website says it provides the grants to help rural areas extend access where broadband service is the least... Read More

FAIRMONT — Small businesses from across West Virginia gathered in Fairmont Wednesday afternoon for an awards luncheon. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) West Virginia District Office presented the awards luncheon to celebrate National Small Business Week at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center. “Each year since 1963, the president has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week,” the SBA press release said. “This... Read More

BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) - U.S. Sens. Angus King and Shelley Moore Capito are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase broadband speed definitions for a grant program that serves rural communities. The senators sent a letter to the USDA requesting that the agency modernize the Community Connect Grant Program with increased broadband speed and service definitions. The USDA’s website says it provides the grants to help rural areas extend access where broadband service is the least... Read More

Legislation introduced last week by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., would help to improve care for babies born with a syndrome caused by exposure to opioids during pregnancy. The important measure is the latest legislation introduced by Jenkins dealing with the neonatal abstinence syndrome crisis. Jenkins started working on the NAS crisis about five years ago. In the last few years it has impacted more than 1,000 babies in West Virginia, according to the West Virginia lawmaker. “Two... Read More

Guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of The Register-Herald. Although partisan politics have divided Congress to the disapproval of many Americans, West Virginia’s senators and representatives are working together to combat an issue that has affected many lives. On Wednesday, Sens. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, introduced “Jessie’s Law,” which would require a hospital patient’s history of opioid addiction to be... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) – A West Virginia legislator and a New Hampshire legislator have introduced a bill that would improve "long-term, strategic drug interdiction efforts." U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced legislation to strengthen the National Guard Counterdrug Program. The Shaheen-Capito bill would help local law enforcement and community organizations fight the heroin and opioid pandemic, according to a press release. The program... Read More

HUNTINGTON — West Virginia representatives introduced legislation this week in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives aimed at helping the smallest victims of opioid addiction. The Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act, authored by Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., will expand knowledge of care for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, including the prevalence of NAS in the United States, the number of NAS babies covered by Medicaid, the settings for care for NAS... Read More

Although partisan politics have divided Congress to the disapproval of many Americans, West Virginia’s senators and representatives are working together to combat an issue that has affected many lives. On Wednesday, Sens. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, introduced “Jessie’s Law,” which would require a hospital patient’s history of opioid addiction to be prominently featured in his or her medical records if the patient gives... Read More