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Huntington, WV, to Receive $12 Million Federal Funding for Homelessness and Mental Health Programs

Huntington, WV, to Receive $12 Million Federal Funding for Homelessness and Mental Health Programs

The city of Huntington, West Virginia, has been selected as one of eight communities nationwide to receive a share of a new $96 million federal program. This initiative, known as the Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support (STREETS) program, is spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Huntington is slated to receive $3 million annually for four years, totaling $12 million. The funding is specifically allocated to establish comprehensive systems of care for individuals experiencing homelessness who also suffer from serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions. Huntington Mayor Patrick Farrell emphasized that this funding will significantly bolster the city's coordinated efforts to address homelessness, addiction, and related challenges. The program aims to foster collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare providers, housing organizations, and community partners to connect individuals with effective treatment an...
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Senator Capito Meets with West Virginia Police Chiefs to Discuss Federal Support

Senator Capito Meets with West Virginia Police Chiefs to Discuss Federal Support

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito recently met with law enforcement leaders from across West Virginia at the West Virginia Chiefs of Police Conference. During the meeting, Senator Capito expressed her appreciation for the challenging and often dangerous work performed by police chiefs and officers. She highlighted her efforts to assist local departments in securing federal funding through the congressional process. This funding is intended to help departments acquire essential resources such as new vehicles, cameras, and advanced technology. Senator Capito emphasized her commitment to ensuring that West Virginia's law enforcement agencies are aware of the available federal support and her dedication to helping them meet their operational needs. Her engagement underscores a focus on bolstering local police capabilities and ensuring their continued ability to provide safety and comfort within their communities.
Cincinnati EnquirerCincinnati Enquirer
Where Ohio's death penalty stands amid Christa Pike's failed execution

Where Ohio's death penalty stands amid Christa Pike's failed execution

A botched execution attempt in Tennessee is drawing renewed attention to the future of the death penalty across the country, including in Ohio.
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Gilead Sciences Seeks Senior Therapeutic Specialist for PBC/HCV in West Virginia

Gilead Sciences Seeks Senior Therapeutic Specialist for PBC/HCV in West Virginia

Gilead Sciences Seeks Senior Therapeutic Specialist for PBC/HCV in West Virginia
Detroit Free PressDetroit Free Press
Man, 25, charged in Detroit after-hours strip club mass killing

Man, 25, charged in Detroit after-hours strip club mass killing

"This is what this case comes down to. Seven people shot, three dead because of a cell phone," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
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Florida Law Expands Use of Social Media in Criminal Gang Trials

Florida Law Expands Use of Social Media in Criminal Gang Trials

A new Florida law, House Bill 429, effective October 1, broadens the criteria for how social media posts can be utilized as evidence in criminal gang trials. The legislation, championed by Rep. Jessica Baker, aims to modernize existing statutes by acknowledging that gangs frequently recruit, organize, and promote criminal activities through social media platforms. A significant change introduced by this law is the reduction of the threshold for determining gang association; previously, an individual needed to be seen with a known gang member four times, but the new law lowers this to two instances. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports 26 active gangs in Jacksonville, with 536 identified members and associates. Jose Cheeseborough, Commander of the Specialized Investigation Section for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, clarified that investigators assess the totality of circumstances rather than relying on a single post. Evidence such as gang signs, flashing weapons, or specific emojis linked to crimin...
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October Begins with Warm Temperatures and Approaching Rain in West Virginia

October Begins with Warm Temperatures and Approaching Rain in West Virginia

The first day of October in West Virginia is experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, with afternoon highs reaching the mid-to-upper 80s. This warm weather pattern is expected to precede a shift, as meteorologist Dillon Gaudet is monitoring chances for rain and thunderstorms moving into Friday. Residents in areas like Huntington, W.Va., are enjoying the warm conditions, which are atypical for early October. The forecast indicates a change in weather patterns, suggesting that the current warm spell will be temporary, making way for more autumnal conditions characterized by precipitation. This weather update provides residents with an outlook for the immediate future, allowing them to prepare for the upcoming change.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Why was Christa Pike set to be executed? Case made her only woman on TN death row

Why was Christa Pike set to be executed? Case made her only woman on TN death row

Christa Pike was a student at the Knoxville Job Corps, a federal job training program, when she brutally killed fellow student Colleen Slemmer in 1995.
Florida Times-UnionFlorida Times-Union
Christa Pike execution botched in 1995 murder of Jacksonville teen

Christa Pike execution botched in 1995 murder of Jacksonville teen

Christa Pike, sentenced to death in the 1995 murder of a Florida woman, was still alive after 2 syringes of lethal injection chemicals, attorneys said
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Lee Ann Poling Joins Peoples Insurance Agency as Commercial Account Executive in Ohio and West Virginia

Lee Ann Poling Joins Peoples Insurance Agency as Commercial Account Executive in Ohio and West Virginia

Lee Ann Poling Joins Peoples Insurance Agency as Commercial Account Executive in Ohio and West Virginia
AP NewsAP News
Former Dallas officer convicted of killing Black man in his apartment granted parole

Former Dallas officer convicted of killing Black man in his apartment granted parole

The former white Dallas police officer convicted of killing a Black man in his apartment that she mistook for her own has been granted parole with three years left on her 10-year sentence
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Florida Amends Criteria for Identifying Criminal Gang Members and Defining Gang-Related Language

Florida Amends Criteria for Identifying Criminal Gang Members and Defining Gang-Related Language

Florida has enacted new legislation that revises the criteria for identifying individuals as criminal gang members and introduces a definition for 'gang-related language.' Under the updated law, a person can be classified as a criminal gang member if they meet at least two specified criteria. These criteria include admitting to gang membership, being identified or claimed as a member by a gang, being identified as a gang member by certain individuals, or associating with known gang members. The law also specifies that time spent with known gang members in a correctional setting counts only if the association is willful. Furthermore, the new law defines 'gang-related language' to encompass verbal or written statements that indicate gang affiliation, support gang activities, or utilize recognized gang codes, symbols, or terminology associated with criminal organizations. This definition extends to communications made online or through social media platforms. These changes are part of a broader set of new Flo...