Thursday - February 5, 2026
News Tipoffs - West Virginia Editors Newsletter for Thursday January 08, 2026 ( 18 items )  

AG Hilgers Claims Victory as New Federal Dietary Guidelines Reject Push to Demote Beef
LINCOLN, Nebraska, Jan. 7 -- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued the following news release: * * * AG Hilgers Claims Victory as New Federal Dietary Guidelines Reject Push to Demote Beef * Lincoln Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers today announced a major policy victory for the State of Nebraska following the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. The final guidelines reject proposals to move beef and other animal-based proteins to the bottom of the federal   more

Americans for Tax Reform: Gov. Morrisey Unveils Tax Cutting Agenda for West Virginia
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary on Jan. 7, 2026: * * * Gov. Morrisey Unveils Tax Cutting Agenda for West Virginia By Dennis Hull After three consecutive years of substantial tax cuts in West Virginia, including legislation that put the income tax on the path to zero, Governor Patrick Morrisey urged the legislature to continue the state's historic progress with another 5 to 10% reduction to the income tax. "Cutting the income tax is probably the  more

Americans for Tax Reform: State Ingredient Bans Are Hurting Consumers and Manufacturers
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Americans for Tax Reform posted the following commentary: * * * State Ingredient Bans Are Hurting Consumers and Manufacturers By Isabelle Marchese America doesn't suffer from a lack of food regulations. It suffers from too many. State ingredient laws are increasingly driven by trends rather than sound science. This growing patchwork of state regulations is fragmenting the market, restricting consumers, raising costs, and discouraging innovation. The Make American Heal  more

Attorney General Brenna Bird Supports New WOTUS Rule
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 7 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Brenna Bird Supports New WOTUS Rule * Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has joined a letter to the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers in support of a new federal "Waters of the United States" ("WOTUS") Rule. The letter also suggests changes to the rule to protect the states' role in environmental protection.  "After fighting and winning against the Biden administ  more

Capito: How West Virginia Stands to Benefit from the Rural Health Transformation Program
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Capito: How West Virginia Stands to Benefit from the Rural Health Transformation Program * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced last week that West Virginia is set to receive nearly $200 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program, authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, deliv  more

ESPN presents over 260 women's college basketball matchups across networks, Jan. 7-13
BRISTOL, Connecticut, Jan. 7 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN presents over 260 women's college basketball matchups across networks, Jan. 7-13 * * ESPN networks to feature 15 ranked teams * Sunday's ESPN tripleheader features No. 22 North Carolina at Notre Dame (1 p.m. ET), No. 2 Texas at No. 12 LSU (3 p.m.) and Duke at Stanford (5 p.m.) ESPN's industry leading coverage of women's college basketball rolls on this week w  more

Five Visionary Leaders Join NCCU Foundation Board of Directors
DURHAM, North Carolina, Jan. 7 -- North Carolina Central University issued the following news: * * * Five Visionary Leaders Join NCCU Foundation Board of Directors * In a move to strengthen philanthropic leadership, Chancellor Karrie Dixon has appointed five new members to the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, all committed to advancing student opportunities. The NCCU Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, secures and manages privat  more

Ga. A.G. Carr Leads 23-State Coalition in Support of FCC's Proposal to Combat Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons and Jails
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 8 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release: * * * Carr Leads 23-State Coalition in Support of FCC's Proposal to Combat Contraband Cell Phones in Prisons and Jails Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin are leading a 23-state coalition in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of a proposal that would allow States to use jamming technology to combat contraband cell   more

Highmark Health Plan members to receive 100% coverage for diagnostic breast studies and MRIs
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Jan. 7 [Category: BizInsurance] -- Highmark, a health insurance company, issued the following news release: * * * Highmark Health Plan members to receive 100% coverage for diagnostic breast studies and MRIs * New Policy Eliminates Out-of-Pocket Costs, Bolstering Early Detection Efforts Across Four States PITTSBURGH (January 7, 2026) Highmark Inc. today announced a significant enhancement to its health plans, effective Jan. 1, 2026, ensuring all diagnostic breast   more

Littler Issues Commentary: DOL Clarifies Application of Minimum Wage and Tips Under the FLSA's Commissioned Employee Overtime Exemption
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Jan. 8 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following commentary on Jan. 7, 2026: * * * DOL Clarifies Application of Minimum Wage and Tips Under the FLSA's Commissioned Employee Overtime Exemption At a Glance * Federal minimum wage controls FLSA Section 7(i)'s pay threshold. For purposes of the federal commissioned-employee overtime exemption, employers may rely on the federal minimum wage--rather than a higher state or local minimum wage--when determining whether an  more

Movement matters: Light activity led to better survival in diabetes, heart, kidney disease
DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 7 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Heart Association posted the following news release: * * * Movement matters: Light activity led to better survival in diabetes, heart, kidney disease * Research Highlights: * Light physical activity was associated with lower risk of death for adults in stages 2, 3 and 4 of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a health condition that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity. * A one hour increas  more

Private Equity Health Care Acquisitions - November 2025
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 7 [Category: Business] -- The Private Equity Stakeholder Project issued the following news: * * * Private Equity Health Care Acquisitions - November 2025 * In light of continued investor interest in healthcare and the risks associated with private equity ownership of healthcare companies, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project is tracking private equity-backed healthcare acquisitions. Below is a list of private equity healthcare buyouts, growth investments, and add-on  more

Senator Justice Highlights Rural Health Benefits From Recently Announced Rural Health Transformation Program
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Sen. Jim Justice, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Justice Highlights Rural Health Benefits from Recently Announced Rural Health Transformation Program West Virginia is set to receive nearly $200 million after Senator Justice and Senate Republicans inserted language into the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to deliver on healthcare promises for Americans * Following the work of Senator Justice and his Senate Republican colleagues, West Vi  more

Senators Justice, Hyde-Smith, Bennet, Warnock Introduce the Roll-Over Prevention & Safety Act
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- Sen. Jim Justice, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Senators Justice, Hyde-Smith, Bennet, Warnock Introduce the Roll-Over Prevention & Safety Act Recently, Senator Jim Justice introduced the Roll-Over Prevention & Safety Act. A bipartisan effort alongside U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to protect American farmers: "I know the needs of our farmers because I am one, which is why we must do   more

W.V. A.G. McCuskey Urges Federal Agencies to Restore State Authority Over Water Regulation
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 8 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General McCuskey urges federal agencies to restore state authority over water regulation West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey spearheaded a 20-state coalition of attorneys general to send a formal comment letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. General William H. "Butch" Graha  more

West Liberty University Awarded Momentum Initiative Grant to Support Justice-Involved and At-Risk Youth
WEST LIBERTY, West Virginia, Jan. 8 -- West Liberty University issued the following news: * * * West Liberty University Awarded Momentum Initiative Grant to Support Justice-Involved and At-Risk Youth West Liberty University has been awarded a Momentum Initiative Grant (MIG) from the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) to support Hilltopper Pathways: Out of School Reentry and Support Program. The grant, totaling $249,397, will support a university-anchored initiative designed to serve justic  more

West Virginia Set to Argue Landmark Boys in Girls' Sports Case Before the U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Female Athletes
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 8 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release: * * * West Virginia set to argue landmark boys in girls' sports case before the U.S. Supreme Court to protect female athletes West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is preparing for a landmark argument in front of the United States Supreme Court to protect female athletes and ensure fairness and safety in women's and girls' sports. On January 13, 2026, the Supreme   more

WVU to Induct 4 Into Academy of Distinguished Alumni
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Jan. 8 -- West Virginia University issued the following news: * * * WVU to induct 4 into Academy of Distinguished Alumni A distinguished cohort of four West Virginia University graduates will be inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in recognition of their groundbreaking achievements in business, communications and education. This year's inductees, Michael J. Florio, Nitin N. Kumbhani, Mary Ellen Mazey and Morris Morrison, will be celebrated during a ce  more