Jim Justice

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This '60-Pound Brown Watermelon' Isn't Welcome on Senate Floor

Gov. Jim Justice brings Babydog everywhere, but he's reportedly been warned about voting chamber

(Newser) - West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, elected last week as the state's newest US senator in the place of Joe Manchin, goes everywhere with Babydog, an English bulldog that Justice affectionately calls his "60-pound brown watermelon." But sources tell Axios that on Tuesday, ahead of orientation on Capitol...

West Virginia Is Buzzing About 'Babydog'

Gov. Jim Justice's dog joins Abraham Lincoln, Civil War soldiers in new mural

(Newser) - The English bulldog had never featured prominently in West Virginia history. It has now. Gov. Jim Justice's 4-year-old pure breed Babydog joined the ranks of Abraham Lincoln, Civil War soldiers, and odes to Appalachian folk music in new murals under the golden dome of the state Capitol last week,...

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Running for Manchin's Seat

Manchin has not yet announced whether he will run for reelection

(Newser) - West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice announced Thursday that he is running for Democrat Joe Manchin’s US Senate seat in 2024, setting up what could be a hard-fought campaign between two of the state’s most prominent politicians, the AP reports. Justice, an ultrawealthy businessman who is barred from...

Bette Midler Swings Back at West Virginia's Governor

Jim Justice said she, other critics can kiss his bulldog's 'hiney'

(Newser) - Update: Bette Midler took to Twitter to respond to West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice's suggestion that she and any other critics kiss his bulldog's "hiney." The actress tweeted Friday, "BTW, here are the state rankings of all the areas and agencies for which the...

3 Md. Counties Want to Defect. This Governor Has 'Open Arms'

W. Va.'s Jim Justice says his state would welcome Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties

(Newser) - West Virginia must just have something that Maryland doesn't. Three counties in the latter state are now vying to join the former, and West Virginia's governor is all for it. WSAZ reports that lawmakers from Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties—located in the most western part of Maryland,...

Governor Gets Trapped in Malfunctioning Elevator

West Virginia's Jim Justice was stuck for around 30 minutes

(Newser) - A malfunction caused West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice to become trapped in the elevator at the governor's residence Thursday, his office said. The Republican governor was stuck for about 30 minutes after the malfunction as mansion staff, state police, and other state government personnel worked to open the elevator,...

State's New Incentive to Get People Vaccinated: Money

West Virginia offering $100 bond to young people

(Newser) - With fewer West Virginians receiving a coronavirus vaccine lately, the state has come up with another way to make it worth their while. Anyone age 16 to 35 who gets the vaccination will receive a $100 savings bond, CNN reports. West Virginia's vaccination rate has fallen since leading the...

West Virginians Urge Virginia Counties to Secede

'We saw their way of life under attack and we wanted to offer assistance'

(Newser) - In what they acknowledged is a long-shot bid, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. urged unhappy Virginia counties Tuesday to secede and join a neighboring state where Democrats aren't in charge. Both Justice, a Republican in a state where the GOP dominates the...

37 Fired Over Nazi Salute in Photo of Corrections Cadets

Instructor 'reveled in' gesture, report found

(Newser) - West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has fired an entire class of cadets at the state corrections academy for taking part in an extremely ill-judged graduation photo. In the photo—which was included in graduation packs—most of the cadets can be seen making an apparent Nazi salute, NBC reports. It...

WVa. Teachers: No Raise? No School; Strike Goes On

State Senate votes to reduce pay raise to 4%; unions say stick to the 5% deal

(Newser) - Unions representing West Virginia teachers and service personnel say they will stay out on strike after the state Senate voted to cut the 5% pay raise they had negotiated with Gov. Jim Justice. In a joint statement Saturday, the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia, West Virginia Education Association, and the...

W. Va. Lawmaker on Teacher Strike: 'I Don't Like Feeling Bullied'

Strike now in day 7

(Newser) - West Virginia public school students were home again Friday, with classrooms closed for a seventh straight class day as teachers fought for pay raises. The state Senate's GOP majority refused Thursday to take up legislation to give them a 5% pay raise after four years without one. The Republican-controlled...

Teachers Again Close Every West Virginia Public School

Statewide strike now impacts a third school day

(Newser) - A teacher's strike is keeping public schools closed for a third day in West Virginia. The state Department of Education's website shows all school districts are closed in all 55 counties Monday morning. Gov. Jim Justice has signed teacher pay raises of 2% next year and 1% the...

Governor Switches Sides at W. Va. Trump Rally

'I can't help you anymore being a Democrat governor'

(Newser) - Thursday was not a great day for the Democratic Party in West Virginia: Gov. Jim Justice joined President Trump at a rally and declared that he is becoming a Republican . "I can't help you anymore being a Democrat governor," Justice told the cheering crowd at the Huntington...

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