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VP Kamala Harris says she plans to 'earn and win' Democratic nomination after Joe Biden drops out and endorses her; New Alabama bill threatens voter rights, legal challenge ensues; Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants; Water contamination a concern in Midwest flood aftermath.

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President Joe Biden drops his 2024 re-election bid. He's endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his spot on the ticket, and election experts say they see benefits to this decision.

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It's grass-cutting season and with it, rural lawn mower races, Montana's drive-thru blood project is easing shortages, rural Americans spend more on food when transportation costs are tallied, and a lack of good childcare is thwarting rural business owners.

Concerns voiced about language in WV forest management bill

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Monday, February 26, 2024   

The West Virginia Senate has passed a bill to allow private forest fire management on state lands but environmental groups said they are concerned its "vague" wording could open the door for commercial industries to operate on state-owned property.

Angie Rosser, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, said lawmakers also rejected an amendment to Senate Bill 688 which would have specifically removed state parks and rail trails from being subject to private management.

"We're concerned about the broadness of the application here, and what this could mean for all of our state public lands," Rosser explained. "In particular, state parks and rail trails, where logging is prohibited."

Rosser pointed out the bill, which permits secret, noncompetitive bid contracts from out-of-state interests, could lead to widespread timber harvest. According to the state, last year West Virginia saw 916 fires, which burned more than 11,000 acres. The U.S. Forest Service said standard forest management practices include cutting trees and removing underbrush.

Rosser added West Virginia's state parks were established with conservation of natural assets as a priority, to help maintain the state's outdoor recreation economy.

"We are wanting to bring attention and careful thought to not undermining that primary purpose of conservation and outdoor recreation," Rosser stressed. "Whether it be wildfire management or other, profit-driven economic development, which is also mentioned in the second part of this bill."

According to the Western Chiefs Fire Association, human actions are responsible for nearly 90% of wildfires in the U.S., from discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires or carelessly burning debris, among other factors.


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Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a political event in Grand Rapids, Mich., in early 2024. (The White House/Wikimedia Commons)

Health and Wellness

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Vice President Kamala Harris focused on reproductive rights at a campaign event in Michigan Wednesday. Her remarks come as President Joe Biden has …


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Construction could begin in Minnesota later this year in the final phase of one of the nation's largest solar energy developments, after state …

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More than 2,400 delegates gathered in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention and delegates from around the country, including …

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