W.Va. Coal Plant Project Loses Federal Funding

The U.S. Department of Energy has dropped plans to fund a $416 million power plant that would burn coal and coal waste in western Greenbrier County, The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Developers have for more than five years struggled to come up with private money to match DOE funds, and environmental groups have complained that the project would pollute local air and water," the article said. "DOE spent more than $8 million on project planning, and the West Virginia Economic Development Authority lost $3 million in a loan guarantee approved in 2004 by the Wise administration."

Four Years Later

West Virginians attending the Republican National Convention are contrasting their treatment with what they experienced at the 2004 event, The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Last time, the delegation was assigned a five-star hotel in midtown Manhattan, within walking distance of Madison Square Garden, where they had prime seating on the convention floor," the article said.

But with West Virginia no longer a battleground state (but instead considered safe McCain territory), "This time, they've been relegated to a second-tier hotel in Bloomington, Minn., a good 20 miles away from the convention center in St. Paul, where the delegation's seats are pushed off to the side of the stage."

Quote of the Day

"I don't think she saw me until she hit me. At least I saw the car. It was in slow motion. You realize this is going to happen and it does."

-- First Lady Gayle Manchin, recounting her weekend bicycle mishap to the Charleston Daily Mail.

W.Va. Supreme Court Begins Fall Term (Updated)

The Associated Press highlights some of higher profile cases slated to appear before the justices during the term that begins Wednesday.

"The fall term marks the last few months on the bench for both justices Larry Starcher and Spike Maynard," MetroNews notes in its preview. "Starcher decided not to seek reelection while Maynard was defeated in the May Primary Election."

MetroNews reports further that while not in person, Justice Joseph Albright "planned on participating despite remaining hospitalized after recent esophagus surgery."

Update: Public Broadcasting interviews Ted Olson, the former Bush Administration solicitor general who is now pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to review a ruling by the state justices on conflict-of-interest grounds. With audio.

Update II: AP reports on Wednesday's arguments before the state court in the dispute over the language of Huntington's residency ordinance for city employees.

Covering the Republican National Convention

• MetroNews Talkline is broadcasting daily from Minneapolis-St. Paul, and offers photos and audio along with interviews and other dispatches.

• Political science professor Robert Rupp is again filling in as a special correspondent at the convention for The Intelligencer of Wheeling.

• The Republican Gazette has photos and updates.
  

Health Care in West Virginia

West Virginia's attempt to improve the health of its residents on a statewide scale over the course of this decade "shows a gradual progress in many areas that add up to some good news," but "some of the plan's goals still seem unlikely to be met in the next year and a half," The Associated Press reports.

AP health care writer Tom Breen examines the objectives of the "West Virginia Healthy People 2010" initiative to gauge its progress so far. While obesity is actually down since 2000, and more residents are checking their cholesterol regularly and exercising more, "goals are far from being met in a wide range of other categories, including cigarette smoking, colorectal cancer screening and hypertension rates," Breen found.

The Charleston Gazette, meanwhile, cites a new study to report that "West Virginia has the second-highest percentage of children with chronic health problems in the nation, a troubling statistic that highlights the state's need to expand health coverage for kids."

Quote of the Day

"He's a bully. He treats people terribly."

-- U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, regarding GOP presidential nominee-in-waiting John McCain, at the Labor Day rally at Racine as reported by The Associated Press.

(The West Virginia Democrat prefaced his lengthy attack on his Senate colleague by promising the Boone County crowd that "I will nail him, without mercy.")

Election 2008: Labor Day Roundup (Updated)

• Labor Day marks the traditional start of fall campaigning in West Virginia, and The Associated Press (updated) was among those covering such events as the 70th annual United Mine Workers rally at Racine, Boone County.

• AP also examines Barack Obama's fortunes in the Mountain State, in the wake of his historic nomination at last week's Democratic National Convention.

• One of the Legislature's three black members tells The Register-Herald that "in West Virginia, race is a major handicap for Barack Obama in his quest to woo enough voters." The Beckley newspaper also hears from Gov. Joe Manchin on the subject.

• All three candidates for two seats up this year on West Virginia's Supreme Court made their pitches to the state Chamber of Commerce at its annual meeting last week. AP has a report, as does The Register-Herald.

• U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, has coal as the focus of her latest campaign ads, highlighted by the Charleston Daily Mail.
  

• The Daily Mail has a separate item on third-party ads popping up in the Supreme Court and attorney general races.

• (Update) WTRF-TV elicited some positive comments from Manchin regarding John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

• (Update) Manchin's GOP opponent, former state Sen. Russ Weeks, is "critical of the state's role in the $800 million coal to liquid fuel plant CONSOL plans to build in Marshall County," MetroNews reports. With audio.
  

Driver Not Cited in Bike Mishap with W.Va. First Lady

West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin was briefly taken to a hospital Sunday after a vehicle struck her while she and her husband were bicycling near the state Capitol, The Associated Press reports.

The first lady was later released following the morning incident, and the vehicle's driver was not cited, AP reports.

West Virginia at the Republican National Convention

The state GOP has posted its roster of delegates and alternatives to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The convention web site also has a section for West Virginia, but it does not yet appear to list delegates or where they are seated at the Xcel Energy Center.

West Virginians also have yet to appear in the schedule of events for the convention. But that part of the site appears dated, as it lists speakers who have withdrawn amid concens over Hurricane Gustav.

The convention has posted a lengthy memo outlining changes prompted by Gustav.

Election 2008 Roundup

• The Register-Herald of Beckley hears from Barack Obama supporters on such issues as guns, coal, military and foreign policy and southern voters as they tout his chances in West Virginia.

• State Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey tells The Charleston Gazette that either Obama or running mate Joe Biden could headline the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner this fall. (Gov. Joe Manchin had earlier told The Associated Press that he had signed up Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine for the gig -- but back when Kaine considered himself on Obama's veep short list.)

• The Charleston Daily Mail reports that Republican Dan Greear took repeated aim at his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Darrell McGraw, during the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's ongoing annual Business Summit.

• Gov. Joe Manchin has incurred the wrath of the West Virginia State Firemen's Association for failing to attend its recent Charleston convention, "held just a week after the governor traveled to Las Vegas for a national firefighters' function," the Daily Mail also reports.

• Poised to begin accepting public campaign funding next month, presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain came close to outraising Obama among West Virginians in July, AP reports. McCain attracted about $51,800 and Obama around $53,300 from Mountain State residents that month, bringing their in-state totals to $172,700 and $302,500, respectively.

Ask Joe Manchin

From the Democratic National Convention, Gov. Joe Manchin will answer viewer questions on behalf of party leaders this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. (EST) on the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS.

Folks can submit their questions here.

Rockefeller at the Dem Convention

The Democratic National Convention offers both text and video of Sen. Jay Rockefeller's speech there Wednesday.

West Virginia's junior senator told both The Associated Press and The Charleston Gazette beforehand that presidential nominee Barack Obama should not write off the Mountain State.

Update: Rockefeller also spoke to The Journal of Martinsburg, The Register-Herald of Beckley, Public Broadcasting (with audio), MetroNews (ditto) and the Charleston Daily Mail.

Public Broadcasting also has audio of his convention speech.

West Virginia, By The Numbers

• Though it remains well below the national level, median household incomes grew in West Virginia last year at a much higher rate than seen nationally, according to the latest U.S. Census estimates. The 8.3 percent increase equals about $3,129, bringing the median to $40,800 and a 45th ranking. The national median was $49,901, a 2 percent increase.

• The Census also released estimates on poverty rates, which also shows slight improvement for the Mountain State.

• Health insurance coverage estimates rounded out Tuesday's data release from the bureau. Public Broadcasting reports on all three topics (with audio), while The Associated Press focuses on the results for the 13-state Appalachian region.

• AP reports on a legislative audit that estimates that the state has saved less than $300,000 in drug costs from the efforts of the four-year-old Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council. State officials dispute some of the findings. The Gazette also has coverage.
  

• AP and The Gazette reported earlier on a uptick in medical malpractice claim filings, citing the West Virginia State Medical Association.
  

Manchin Speaks At Dem Convention

Gov. Joe Manchin addressed the Democratic National Convention during the 7 p.m. (EST) hour. The convention has posted video, while C-SPAN has a link as well.

The Associated Press has an article and text from his prepared remarks. Others with coverage include Public Broadcasting (with audio), MetroNews and MSNBC.

West Virginians at the Democratic National Convention

• MetroNews Talkline is broadcasting from the convention all week, and has posted numerous articles along with audio and photo galleries;

• The Parkersburg News is posting dispatches from a Wood County attendee;

• The Intelligencer of Wheeling has Robert Rupp as its special convention correspondent;

• West Virginia Blue is blogging from the convention, and had photos as well;

• A contributor to the above's coverage is also posting at Wabi-Sabi.

(Will update if more are found.)

Saving Rocky in West Virginia

The West Virginia northern flying squirrel is coming off the federal endangered species list today, but not without some controversey, The Charleston Gazette reports.

"Two of three academic experts brought in by the Interior Department recommended against the delisting," the article said. "Those outside scientists backed wildlife advocates who said the agency had little data to support its claim that the squirrel has recovered."

Taking the squirrel off the list "would remove the general prohibition against killing the squirrels or seriously damaging vital habitat," The Gazette explains. "It would also relieve developers of various projects - from housing developments to wind farms or strip mines - from going through Endangered Species Act reviews or writing habitat conservation plans."

Besides the third academic reviewer, "the U.S. Forest Service backed the delisting, as did West Virginia's Divisions of Forestry and Natural Resources," the article continued. "Plum Creek Timber and the owners of Snowshoe Mountain Resort also submitted letters of support."

The Gazette also has photos, while Public Broadcasting (with audio) and The Associated Press have items as well.

Legislative Interims Roundup

• West Virginia is weighing whether to charge prison inmates for their upkeep by having them " work on-site for private firms at prevailing wages," The Register-Herald of Beckley reports. The article notes that "back in the 1930s, owing to abuses, the federal government ended the concept of letting convicts work for private industries."

• Because more younger members than expected left the state's 401(k)-style retirement plan for its traditional pension program, the state is looking at a $22 million savings from the recent mass transfer, The Associated Press reports. The Charleston Gazette also has a story.
  

• Lawmakers quizzed West Virginia Turnpike officials about the Aug. 5 accident that left hundreds of motorists stranded for hours on the toll road, The Gazette reports.

• AP reports on plans by Kanawha County to return to court over the library funding issue, unhappy with the measure passed by lawmakers last year in response to its initial legal challenge.
  

W.Va. Dispatches from the Dem Convention

• Gov. Joe Manchin talked to The Intelligencer of Wheeling about his plan to focus on the economy when he addresses the convention audience. "Manchin, presently chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, will be among 10 governors slated to speak between 7-8 p.m. Tuesday," the newspaper reports.

• At least one convention delegate from West Virginia is holding out hope that Hillary Clinton somehow steals the nomination from Barack Obama. “Theoretically, she could still win it,” state Sen. Shirley Love, D-Fayette, told The Register-Herald of Beckley. “Probably? No.”

• MetroNews reports that superdelegate and U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., is not expected to make the trip to Denver. It also offers a photo gallery of scenes outside the convention center.
  

Election 2008 Shorts

• With the election less than three months away, The Associated Press peeks into the coffers of the state's main political parties to find some significant disparities;

• The Charleston Daily Mail reports on the pro-choice support enjoyed both by U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-2nd, and her Democratic challenger Anne Barth.

• (Update) After touting friend and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine for the slot, Gov. Joe Manchin tells the Times-West Virginian of Fairmont that he supports the choice of Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., as Barack Obama's running mate.