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Manchin keeps pressure on White House as last hope for Democrats to keep West Virginia blue

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Manchin keeps pressure on White House as last hope for Democrats to keep West Virginia blue



As Democrats seek to maintain control of the White House and their slim majority in the Senate, the Biden administration is facing some of its fiercest opposition from one of its own: West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin.

Because of their tight majority in the upper chamber, Manchin has emerged as one of the party’s most crucial holdout votes over the last two years, forcing Democrats into lengthy negotiations and compromises to get the centrist on board with their agenda. However, that delicate dance has become more precarious in the last few months — especially as Manchin has grown increasingly frustrated with the Biden administration’s climate policies.

RENTS ROSE AGAIN IN JULY, PUTTING UPWARD PRESSURE ON INFLATION

As a result, Manchin has rebelled against his Democratic counterparts in recent months, stonewalling confirmation hearings for Richard Glick, the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, over complaints the agency has helped to advance the Biden administration’s aggressive climate policies. The delay has left FERC without a Democratic majority, leaving the panel deadlocked until the West Virginia senator agrees to let the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee move forward.

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“I’m so absolutely in disagreement with how they’re trying to promote an energy policy,” Manchin said earlier this month. “It’s just not all about, ‘All green and clean.’”

Manchin has also expressed opposition to how the Biden administration has implemented its signature Inflation Reduction Act, a milestone piece of legislation that the West Virginia senator helped pass the Senate last year. Now, Manchin is threatening to withhold support on key appointments to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department until changes are made.

The Biden administration has sought to smooth over those relations, telling reporters earlier this week that the White House is “working in good faith” to implement the law as intended by Congress.

“We’re trying to implement it based on what the Congress passed,” John Podesta, a senior Biden adviser, told reporters. ”Now, he has disagreed a little bit with some of those interpretations, but I think we are operating in good faith to get guidance out as quickly as possible.”

To make things more complicated, all this comes as Manchin has publicly flirted with the idea of running for president on a third-party ticket — leaving open a crucial Senate seat and posing a serious challenge to Biden as he seeks reelection.

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Manchin has not said whether he intends to run for reelection next year, nor has he indicated plans to launch a White House bid. However, the West Virginia senator is being eyed as a top contender for the No Labels group, which is planning to launch a third-party ticket to provide an alternative option in the case of a Trump-Biden rematch.

Should Manchin run for president, that could open another challenge for Senate Democrats as they seek to hold on to their slim majority as the centrist senator is seen as the party’s best chance to cling to the crucial seat.

The West Virginia Senate race is expected to be one of the most competitive elections of the 2024 cycle, making it one of only three races to be deemed a “tossup” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. If Manchin runs for a second bid, he is considered one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents as he would be running in a state that Biden lost by nearly 40 points in 2020.

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Although Manchin has not revealed his future plans, the West Virginia Democrat has expressed confidence in a victory regardless of the war he wages.

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I’ve been in races to win. If I get in the race, I’m gonna win,” Manchin said last month. “I haven’t made a decision.”





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West Virginia

West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program applications now open

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West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program applications now open


BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – Applications are now open for the 2024/25 West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program.

This program supports traditional artists and their apprentice in a year-long apprenticeship in a variety of traditional art forms.

Apprenticeships may include those in traditional music, dance, foodways, storytelling and more in any cultural community in the state, officials said.

Artists and apprentices must apply for the funds together.

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West Virginia Folklife will award $3,000 to support the teaching artist and $800 to the apprentice. They may also request an additional $400 to cover expenses such as documentation or public presentation supplies, necessary tools and/or travel.

Applications for the program opened July 1st and will close on August 26th. Winners will be notified in October of this year.

To apply, visit https://wvfolklife.org/folklife-apprenticeship-program/.



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Skydivers celebrate 4th of July

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Skydivers celebrate 4th of July


CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Skydivers were jumping out of planes to the sounds of an eager crowd, waiting for them to do it again. It’s just the way the West Virginia Skydivers celebrate the 4th of July.

For skydiver Todd Crawford, he said skydiving is symbolic of Independence Day.

“One of the things that we think is most important about freedom is that really kind of embodies that is the spirit of aviation and the freedom it all symbolizes,” Crawford said.

Crawford and other divers with the West Virginia Divers kick off the night by jumping out a plane, holding both the American and the West Virginia State flag.

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“We absolutely love doing this, this is what we all love, I’m all about it,” Crawford said.

The night, also brought some to tears in the past since the event not only has skydivers but, one of the jumps includes the flags and the Star Spangled Banner.

“It’s pretty exceptional,” said Christy Boster. “It’s really cool when they play the national anthem and they come down with the flag. It means a lot especially being a mom to two service members, and my husband was also in the service so it’s extra special on the Fourth of July.”

Boster was at the event, watching her son and husband take to the sky and making the holiday extra special.

“It is absolutely a blast. I love it, this is my place to come. I just, think it’s laidback, but also there’s a lot of people here but, it’s very laidback. You’ll see kids running around, dancing, having a good time,” Boster said.

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Kids running to candy after the plane passes over a field for kids to take part made the day special, too.



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Entry deadline approaching for State Fair of West Virginia

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Entry deadline approaching for State Fair of West Virginia


Entry Deadlines for the 99th Annual State Fair of West Virginia are quickly approaching, with livestock due by midnight on July 6, 2024 and home, arts and garden by midnight July 12, 2024.

“Seeing the hard work exhibitors put into their entries and projects is always a highlight of the State Fair,” CEO Kelly Collins stated. “From the quilts, art, food, flowers, and vegetables in the West Virginia Building, to livestock exhibits in the barns, it is a tradition we hope to continue to grow for years to come.”

All entry information and registration can be found by visiting www.statefairofwv.com/competitions or by calling 304-645-1090. No late entries will be accepted.

The 10-day State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating 99 years on Aug. 8-17, 2024. The State Fair of West Virginia, with a $16.9 million economic impact on the state of West Virginia, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Join the conversation by using #sfwv2023!

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