Senate confirms new energy regulators, extending Biden's grip on panel that backs renewable energy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's grip on a key federal energy commission will last beyond his first term, giving a boost to the Democrat's push for renewable energy regardless of the election results in November. The Senate ensured that political reality as lawmakers...

Operations of the hotly contested East Coast natural gas pipeline can begin, regulators say

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A hotly contested East Coast natural gas pipeline was given the go-ahead Tuesday to start operating, six years after construction began at more than double its original estimated cost. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the 303-mile...

Joe Manchin isn't a candidate 5 months before the election. But he still has time to change his mind

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Every election cycle, it seems, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia tries to find the best fit for himself, dragging both sides of the political aisle — and an entire home-state electorate — along for a wobbly ride. Five months before the general...

Editorial Roundup: West Virginia

Gazette-Mail. June 4, 2024. Editorial: Manchin’s switch to independent gets a shrug Sen. Joe Manchin announced Friday that he left the Democratic Party, switching his affiliation to independent, to very little public reaction or fanfare. Perhaps...

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia registers as independent, citing 'partisan extremism'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Friday he has switched his registration to independent, raising questions about his political plans since the move could help his chances should he seek elected office again in a state that has turned heavily Republican. ...

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin leaves the Democratic Party and registers as an independent

Senate confirms 200th federal judge under Biden as Democrats surpass Trump's pace

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the 200th federal judge of President Joe Biden's tenure, about a month earlier than when Donald Trump hit that mark in his term, though Trump still holds the edge when it comes to the most impactful confirmations — those to the Supreme Court...

America's debt tops $34 trillion, but a commission to address it appears dead in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — For Mike Johnson it was effectively a Day 1 priority. It's well past time, the newly elected House speaker said in October, to establish a bipartisan commission to tackle the federal government's growing $34.6 trillion in debt. "The consequences if we don’t act...

Can you afford to take care of your children and parents? Biden revives effort to lower costs

WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden runs for reelection, he’s resurrecting proposals to reshape American life from the cradle to the grave by lowering the cost of child care, expanding preschool opportunities and making home aides more available to the elderly. The...

US loosens some electric vehicle battery rules, potentially making more EVs eligible for tax credits

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government on Friday loosened some rules governing electric vehicle tax credits, potentially making more EVs eligible for credits of up to $7,500 but leading critics to accuse the Biden administration of helping China. The Treasury Department announced final...