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☆ Sweeping changes to America's aging power grid are on their way to help bypass NIMBY roadblocks and state infighting
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

America's power grid is old and stressed. The main problem: It takes way too long to build towering high-voltage power lines that carry electricity across state lines and to hook up new power to the grid. AdvertisementBut upgrading the power grid gets bogged down by several issues. A new rule issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this month is aimed at tackling some of the problems. If the US doesn't invest in regional transmission lines, customers will pay the price in the form of congestion and more life-threatening outages.

Persons: Brett White, Larry Gasteiger, Allison Clements, West Virginia —, Jeffrey Shields, PJM, Shields, Manu Asthana's, Asthana, Mark Christie, Neil Chatterjee, Chatterjee, Christine Powell, Chuck Schumer, Gasteiger Organizations: Service, Business, Energy, Princeton University, Federal Energy Regulatory, Democrat, Sierra Club, Republican, Department of Energy, DOE, FERC, Earthjustice's Clean Energy, University of Chicago, wouldn't Locations: Pine, States, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, California

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty-four Republican-led states filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging a new Biden administration rule that sets tougher standards for deadly soot pollution. The EPA rule “will drive jobs and investment out of Kentucky and overseas, leaving employers and hardworking families to pay the price,” Coleman said. The soot rule is one of several EPA dictates under attack from industry groups and Republican-led states. Soot pollution has declined by 42% since 2000, even as the U.S. gross domestic product has increased by 52%, Regan said. The EPA said it will work with states, counties and tribes to account for and respond to wildfires, an increasing source of soot pollution, especially in the West.

Persons: Joe, General Russell Coleman, Patrick Morrisey, ” Coleman, West Virginia —, Obama, Michael Regan, Regan, ″ Regan, Biden Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Biden, Environmental Protection Agency, West Virginia, EPA, GOP, European Union, Environmental, White House, Industry, U.S . Chamber, Commerce Locations: Kentucky, West Virginia, — Ohio, Indiana, West, United States, China, India, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, U.S, Besides Kentucky, Alabama, Alaska , Arkansas, Florida, Georgia , Idaho , Indiana , Iowa , Kansas , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri, Montana , Nebraska, North Dakota , Ohio , Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota , Tennessee , Utah, Wyoming

☆ Sports Gambling Was a Gateway Drug to Online Gambling and the Lottery
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As the prevalence of online betting grows, there's plenty of revenue to be had. The more people gamble — and the more culturally acceptable gambling becomes — the more possibility gambling addiction becomes a bigger issue. Of course, as fun as sports gambling is — as is gambling in general — it has some serious downsides for society. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million Americans have a severe gambling problem, and another 4 million to 6 million a mild or moderate problem. The more people gamble — and the more culturally acceptable gambling becomes — the more possibility gambling addiction becomes a bigger issue.

Persons: Lia Nower, DraftKings, Jason Robins, iGaming, Robins, DraftKings isn't, —, West Virginia —, Chad Beynon, Benyon, they're, Nower, Chris Grove, Grove, There's, let's, I've, legalizes iGaming, Emily Stewart Organizations: Knicks, Sports, Disney, American Gaming Association, NBA, NFL, Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University, Golden Nugget, Caesars, MGM, Macquarie, Companies, Atlantic City, Acies Investments, EKG Ventures, Vegas, National Council, Business Locations: Washington, Boston, Dublin, — New Jersey , Connecticut, Delaware , Michigan, Rhode Island , Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Atlantic, New Jersey, Jackpocket, America

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Republican David McCormick is expected to announce Thursday that he will enter Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race and make his second bid for the office, this time to take on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey after losing in last year’s crowded Republican primary. McCormick's aides have sent invites to a “special announcement” by McCormick at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. McCormick, 58, was heavily recruited to run again by the party establishment and, thus far, has a clear GOP primary field. He is a stalwart of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party — the son of a former two-term governor and Pennsylvania's longest-ever serving Democrat in the Senate. McCormick, who grew up near Bloomsburg, is the son of Pennsylvania’s first state university system chancellor.

Persons: David McCormick, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey, McCormick's, McCormick, Casey, West Virginia —, Republican Sen, Pat Toomey, Donald Trump, Mehmet Oz, John Fettermanbeat Oz, —, Joe Biden, Scranton . McCormick, Pennsylvania’s, George W, ___, Marc Levy Organizations: —, Pennsylvania's, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Heinz, Center, Associated Press, White, West Virginia, Democratic Party —, Star, FreeMarkets, Bridgewater Associates, Twitter Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pennsylvania's U.S, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, — Montana , Ohio, West, Pennsylvania's, Scranton ., Bloomsburg, Connecticut

For a man who routinely seeks the spotlight when faced with politically consequential decisions, this is among the most closely watched dilemmas Mr. Manchin has confronted. “I don’t have a clue what he’s going to do, and I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do,” said Phil Smith, the longtime chief lobbyist for the United Mine Workers of America and a close ally of Mr. Manchin’s. In a brief interview in the basement of the Senate this week, Mr. Manchin said he would make a decision about his future by the end of the year. If he intends to run for re-election, he must inform the state by January. “The bottom line is, I’ve been in West Virginia for a long time and moving in the right direction,” he said.

Persons: Chuck Schumer, Manchin —, West Virginia —, Biden, Manchin, “, ”, Phil Smith, Mr, Manchin’s, I’ve Organizations: West Virginia, Senate, Republican, United Mine Workers of America Locations: New York, West, West Virginia

☆ Tyler Childers Puts His Own Spin on Heartfelt Rural Anthems
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Marissa R. Moss | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Childers grew up in East Kentucky in the shadow of the Baptist Church. At 15, Childers moved to a new school, where he coped with being the new kid by spending his lunch playing guitar. When he sings live, his eyes burn with the ferocity of a preacher, and fans hang on to every word. Childers went from opening shows with his band, the Food Stamps, to headlining the same venues in a little over a year. “There are a lot of artists out there trying to do the work,” Childers said.

Persons: Childers, Truckers, ”, who’d, Ricky Skaggs, Kurt Cobain, Sturgill Simpson, “, Breonna Taylor, —, ” Childers Organizations: Baptist Church, Food Locations: East Kentucky, Kentucky, West Virginia, Nashville

☆ Audio: No Labels leader says it's a 'flip of a coin' whether a Democrat or Republican would be the third party's 2024 presidential candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Centrist group No Labels is preparing to possibly field a third-party candidate in 2024. But it remains unclear whether their candidate would be a Republican or a Democrat. In audio obtained by Insider, one top leader said it would be a "flip of a coin." "The No Labels effort would elect Donald Trump," Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, a Trump critic, recently told The Hill. But historically, the group has been supported by some Republican donors, including those who've also contributed to Trump.

Persons: Jon Hunstman, —, it's, Huntsman, Ryan Clancy, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, West Virginia —, Joe Biden's, Republican —, Donald Trump —, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Mitt Romney, who've Organizations: Republican, Service, Democrat, Republican Gov, Publicly, Democratic, Electoral College, Trump Locations: Wall, Silicon, New Hampshire, Utah, West Virginia

☆ New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu says the 'No Labels' political movement is 'tapping into what America is looking for right now'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The No Labels group on Monday will release a policy document which could be a blueprint for a White House bid. Many Democrats have blasted No Labels' recent activities, saying they could hurt Biden's reelection bid. The group strongly backs the Second Amendment, but also believes in universal background checks and restrictions on semiautomatic rifles. Chris Sununu, who floated a potential 2024 presidential bid but opted out of a campaign, told The Times that No Labels has found a political lane that is appealing to many Americans. "I'll give them credit in that No Labels seems to be tapping into what America is looking for right now," he told the newspaper.

Persons: Sen, Joe Manchin, Jon Huntsman Jr, Biden's, Democratic Sen, West Virginia —, Joe Biden's, Huntsman, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, —, Donald Trump's, Chris Sununu Organizations: Democrats, Service, The New York Times, Saint Anselm College, Democratic, Republican Gov, New Hampshire Republican Gov, Times Locations: New Hampshire, Wall, Silicon, Manchester, N.H, West, Utah, China, Russia, America

☆ The Labor Department only fines businesses on average $8,500 when a worker dies from a heat-related illness
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Katie Hawkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The average federal fine for a US employer, when a worker dies from heat-related illness, is $8,539.98. The three-year average of heat-related worker deaths has doubled since 1990, a 2021 report from NPR and Columbia Journalism Investigations revealed. According to federal data reported between 2017 and 2022, the Department of Labor fines businesses governed by federal OSHA regulations an average of just $8,539.98 if an employee dies because of heat-related illness. Gleason also noted that federal OSHA fines for worker deaths are significantly smaller than that of other federal agencies. "The average Environmental Protection Agency penalty is 10 times that of federal OSHA for a worker that dies," Gleason said.

Persons: Eugene Gates Jr, Felipe Pascual, Richard Gleason, Gleason, West Virginia —, Thomas Linkous, — Farrell, — Organizations: Service, NPR, Columbia, Investigations, US Postal Service, University of Washington, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Department, Labor, OSHA, Environmental, Agency, The Department Locations: United, Wall, Silicon, United States, Dallas, Houston, West Virginia, Wisconsin, California, Washington, Oregon

☆ The US wants to cut carbon emissions from power plants. Here are the 15 states where coal is king.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden administration proposed steep pollution cuts by coal- and gas-fired power plants. Most US electricity comes from fossil fuels — the sector creates 25% of the nation's emissions. Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel, and plants have been closing over the past decade. Most of the country's more than 3,400 fossil-fuel power plants would have to nearly eliminate their planet-warming greenhouse-gas emissions by 2040 under a proposal announced by the Environmental Protection Agency last week. Coal plants could also opt to shut down in the first half of the 2030s to avoid meeting most or even all pollution caps.

Persons: Biden, it's Organizations: Service, Environmental, Agency, EPA, Biden, US Energy Information Administration, West Virginia —, Missouri —, Wyoming, Kentucky —, Utah —, Indiana —, Dakota —, Nebraska —, Montana —, Wisconsin —, Colorado —, Mexico —, Arkansas —, Michigan —, Minnesota — Locations: Mexico

☆ Republicans want to push Manchin out of a reelection bid because they think he's the last Democrat who can win in deep red West Virginia: 'You can't say that it's impossible for him to win'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Republicans are looking to nudge Joe Manchin out of a Senate reelection bid in 2024. Still, Republican leaders aren't dismissing Manchin, as he has withstood the GOP lean of the state. And the state Senate and state House of Delegates, which had robust Democratic majorities just over a decade ago, now have GOP supermajorities. But if Manchin does run, Republicans should expect a tenacious campaigner who has shown that he won't be outworked. "He has that Clinton-esque ability to make everybody feel like he's your friend and he's listening to you and he's concerned about you," Hickey told Politico.

☆ 2 Wisconsin Republicans want 14-year-olds to be allowed to serve alcohol in restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New proposed legislation would make it legal for kids as young as 14 to serve alcohol in Wisconsin. The move comes amid a seeming broader push by Republicans nationwide to roll back child labor laws. In the memo this week, Stafsholt and Green cited "workforce issues" stemming from underage employees only being allowed to do "part of their job," if they aren't allowed to serve alcohol, according to the outlet. A wide-reaching Iowa bill would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol in restaurants as long as their parent signs off on it. Only two other states in the country — Maine and West Virginia — allow teenagers that age to to serve alcohol, according to The National Institutes of Health.

☆ Senate votes to roll back Biden administration clean water rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate has approved a resolution to overturn a Biden administration rule that would expand federal protections for the country's waterways, a measure Republicans have criticized as overbearing and burdensome to business. The vote comes after the Biden administration last year issued a rule that more broadly defined which types of waterways in the U.S. are eligible for federal water quality protections under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The White House said the revised rule is based on definitions that were in place before 2015, when the Obama administration sought to expand federal protections. The Biden administration argued that rolling back the rule would make federal regulations unclear for businesses and farmers and that increased uncertainty would threaten economic growth for agriculture, and local economies. However, a federal judge this month paused the Biden administration's waterway protections in Texas and Idaho, marking a victory for Republican challengers.

☆ Republican senators could be stuck in the minority 'for the rest of the decade' if GOP doesn't flip chamber in 2024, campaign chair warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The head of the Senate GOP's campaign arm spoke this week about the stakes of the 2024 Senate races. Sen. Steve Daines said his party could be in the minority for the "rest of the decade" if they don't win in 2024. "We either deliver a majority in '24, or we are in the minority as Republican Senate for the rest of the decade," said Daines. In addition to those states, the GOP has potential pick-up opportunities in swing states like Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Yet despite a general geographical advantage in the Senate, Republicans have struggled to attain a lasting majority.

☆ Biden used first veto to save a 401(k) investment rule. Here's what it does
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

watch nowFew 401(k) plans — about 5% — offer an ESG fund, according to PSCA survey data. The [Biden] rule doesn't force you to consider ESG. Under the Biden rule, employers must still consider ESG factors within the context of what is in investors' best interests. "The [Biden] rule doesn't force you to consider ESG," Chao said. The Biden administration issued the final text of its investment rule in November, shortly before Republicans assumed control of the House.

☆ Get paid up to $10,000 to move? That's great for remote workers, but economists say it's not a good investment for the cities footing the bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-19 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

The more than 2,000 people who received Tulsa Remote grants have a median income of more than $85,000. For starters, he found the income generated by recipients of the Tulsa Remote program was just a sliver of the $80 billion the 468,000-plus workers in the Tulsa metro area generated in 2021. A Brookings Institution analysis of the Tulsa Remote program published in September found that the program was generally effective at bringing high-skilled labor to the area. He compared the impact of the incentive program to the opening of a Honda manufacturing plant in Greensburg in 2007. A previous audit from Hoffer's office in 2019 identified two major flaws in the Think Vermont program.

Regan, who has spent the past year visiting communities struggling with water infrastructure crises — including in Alabama, Mississippi and West Virginia — acknowledged that the need is much greater. Engineers also had the forethought to build separate waste and drinking water infrastructure in Baltimore. Weather events routinely overwhelm the system, causing sinkholes that can lead to water main breaks and sewer backups in homes. Blue Water Baltimore filed a federal lawsuit against Baltimore in late 2021 over the issue. Two separate sinkholes, caused by the collapse of a stormwater tunnel and a leaking water main, led chlorination levels in the water system to drop.

Speaking to reporters this week, Brown reaffirmed that he intends to seek a fourth term. Jai Chabria, Vance’s chief campaign strategist, said he expects the “floodgates to open” with candidates eager to take on Brown. Dolan’s pitch to county chairs this week leaned into frustrations that Republicans have vented toward Trump after disappointing midterm results. For Brown, this year’s midterm elections in Ohio have yielded a more unpleasant set of questions than the last. “He is a different beast than Tim Ryan, because Tim Ryan was a Xerox of a Xerox of Sherrod Brown,” Chabria said.

The rise comes as other respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are also spreading early and rapidly. Common winter viruses tend to peak in December and January — not October and November — though it's unclear how the early and intense spread of respiratory viruses will ultimately play out this season. It's the first time since the beginning of the Covid pandemic that run-of-the-mill respiratory viruses are again circulating widely. Other respiratory viruses, including rhinoviruses and enteroviruses, are also circulating widely, and could account for some of those illnesses. "We'll probably start seeing cases rise on the West Coast in the coming weeks," said Dr. Meredith McMorrow, a pediatrician and team lead for Enhanced Surveillance Platforms at the CDC.

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