Leann Ray

For those on bsky, you can find me @leannray.bsky.social 🦋

@LoriKerseyWV SAY IT TO MY FACE, LORI

Greetings from day 50 of the WV legislative session. By now, tempers are a little short. Everyone is just a little sick of seeing each other everyday. But enough about the press room.

Attention candidates! If you would like to be included in West Virginia Watch's 2026 Voter Guide, please email info@westvirginiawatch.com with the subject “voter guide” to receive a link to the application form.

All 3 WV Watch girlies on the front page of the Times West Virginian today 💪🏼 @caitycoyne @LoriKerseyWV

This week's commentary: Governor Morrisey and the National Guard deployment in DC. wvmetronews.com/2025/12/02/gov…

NYTimes: Specialist Beckstrom’s father said his daughter was unlikely to recover. “I’m holding her hand right now,” Gary Beckstrom said when reached by phone. “She has a mortal wound. It’s not going to be a recovery.” nytimes.com/live/2025/11/2…

Always telling when politicians ignore local media during a major event but go live on cable news.

We are now receiving conflicting reports about the condition of our two Guard members and will provide additional updates once we receive more complete information. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the entire Guard community.

It is with great sorrow that we can confirm both members of the West Virginia National Guard who were shot earlier today in Washington, DC have passed away from their injuries. These brave West Virginians lost their lives in the service of their country. We are in ongoing contact with federal officials as the investigation continues. Our entire state grieves with their families, their loved ones, and the Guard community. West Virginia will never forget their service or their sacrifice, and we will demand full accountability for this horrific act.

Denise and I are devastated by the news that two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot earlier today in Washington, DC. According to reports on the ground, one did not survive the attack and the other was taken to a nearby hospital. We are in direct contact with our Guard and other officials, and are working to obtain the most accurate information as quickly as possible. Our prayers are with these brave service members, their families, and the extraordinary men and women of our Guard who put themselves on the line every day. West Virginia stands united behind them. We will do everything in our power to support their families as they endure this unimaginable loss and will not rest until justice is served.

West Virginia Watch Christmas tree in downtown Charleston!

Great reporting from @caitycoyne in Tucker County -- ‘I hope the rest of WV is watching’: Tucker County residents worry about construction of an off-the-grid natural gas power plant between Thomas and Davis to, eventually, power an enormous data center westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/10/i-h…

New ~ Child hunger is a problem in West Virginia: roughly one in five kids don’t have enough food. Around 40% of SNAP recipients in the state are children, whose benefits didn’t show up Nov. 1. Here's how communities are rallying to feed kids. westvirginiawatch.com/2025/11/05/del…

WH press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifies that Trump admin is complying with court order and will still issue partial SNAP benefits after mass confusion among officials/lawmakers who interpreted his post as cutting off even partial benefits politico.com/news/2025/11/0…

New: Three West Virginia jails are being used to house the country’s immigrant detainees in a deal with ICE that has made the state’s corrections division more than $333,000 so far this year. Inmates are moved to accommodate ICE detainees. westvirginiawatch.com/2025/10/02/wes…

I’m in Beckley this morning for a hearing in a legal battle about the state’s school vaccination law.

OPINION: Becoming an Organ Donor: A Life-Saving Choice for West Virginia By Dr. Tom Takubo wvpress.org/opinion/opinio…

Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is among many in the Epstein files. wsj.com/politics/justi… via @WSJ

I asked Sen Jim Justice (R-WV) about Alaska but not West Virginia getting a break on Medicaid cuts in the big bill

@PerryB_Photo @WarsWV I emailed the museum earlier in the week, but I just gave them a call!

@Leann_Ray Hit up Kenzie at @WarsWV and she will hook you up, I'm sure!

Has the WV Department of Arts, Culture & History recently updated their website, or have they scrubbed all of their information on the Mine Wars? I've followed several links in the past week, and they're gone. wvculture.org/HiStory/labor/… wvculture.org/history/journa…

@stevenadamswv OMG thank you!

@Leann_Ray I did find this 2021 link through Wayback but everyone since doesn't appear to be working. web.archive.org/web/2021050615…