WQBE News

The state’s jobless rate dipped one-tenth of a percentage point to four-point-seven percent in June. WorkForce West Virginia says it’s the lowest rate for the state since 2008. The number of unemployed people fell by 500 last month to just over 37-thousand.

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is appointing a new independent auditor to conduct an audit of all diocese accounts. Criticism continues over allegations against former Bishop Michael Bransfield, who resigned in September amid allegations of financial and sexual misconduct.

A Kanawha County judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit require Governor Jim Justice to live in the Governor’s Mansion. Democratic Delegate Isaac Sponaugle filed the lawsuit, contending that Justice should live in Charleston because the state constitution requires the governor to “reside at the seat of government.”

The West Virginia Senate will reconvene in special session next Tuesday to take up additional bills being introduced by Governor Justice. The House announced earlier this week that it will go into special session on Monday to handle supplemental spending bills than were introduced in last month’s special session.

The American Association of State Troopers’ annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest is under way. You can vote for your favorite online. Currently, Kentucky is in second place, West Virginia is third, and Ohio is fifth. Voting continues through the end of the month.

The case against three former and current Richwood city officials is headed to a grand jury. Mayor Chris Drennen, former Mayor bob Henry Baber, and City Clerk Abigail McClung are accused of misappropriating federal funds intended for flood relief.

A DEA database that tracks the path of every pain pill sold in the U.S. leads to southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky. The data shows nearly 380-million transactions between 2006 and 2012, took the lives of nearly 100-thousand people. An investigation by the Herald-Dispatch and the Gazette uncovered that six drug companies are responsible for distributing 75-percent of the pills.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for most of our area for Friday afternoon and Saturday. The heat index will be near or above 105-degrees, with temperatures in the mid-90’s. A dome of high pressure will take over this afternoon, with temperatures near 90 and even hotter as we head into the weekend.

With the heat index expected to be near or above 105 degrees, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for several counties in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. The watch will be in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. Counties in West Virginia under the advisory are Kanawha, Putnam, Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Roane, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Gilmer, Lewis and Harrison. Actual temperatures will be in the mid 90s, but it will feel like 105 and that increases the risk for heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.

West Virginia State Police, Kentucky State Police, and Ohio State Highway Patrol are competing to see who has the best vehicle. The annual contest is going on now with the American Association of State Troopers and the group’s Facebook page is updated with the latest standings. Of the three offices in our region, Kentucky State Police have the most votes so far and are in the top five overall. At last check, Nebraska State Police were winning with the photo of a Nebraska cruiser parked along a rural road with a tornado in the background. Voting is on through July 30.