Just two months after construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline began, regulators cited the project for failing to control erosion at two work sites.A notice of violation, filed April 3 by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, marks the first such action related to work on a natural gas pipeline that opponents have predicted will cause widespread environmental damage.The notice was included in a status report filed this week by Mountain Valley with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the lead agency overseeing construction of the 303-mile pipeline through the two Virginias.“We expected this, frankly,” said David Sligh, conservation director of Wild Virginia, one of the organizations critical of a massive buried pipeline being built by a partnership of five energy companies.“We have all along doubted that they would be faithful to the requirements they are supposed to be held to,” Sligh said. “I think it’s a cautionary … [Read more...] about Mountain Valley Pipeline cited for environmental violations in West Virginia
West virginia public service commission
Teacher victory: Kentucky House overrides tax increase veto
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- With the chants of hundreds of teachers ringing in their ears, Kentucky House lawmakers voted Friday to override the Republican governor's veto of a two-year operating budget that increases public education spending with the help of a $480 million tax increase. The vote came as thousands of teachers rallied inside and outside the Capitol, forcing more than 30 school districts to close as Kentucky continued the chorus of teacher protests across the country. The rally took on a festival-like atmosphere as some teachers sat in lawn chairs or sprawled out on blankets. Crosby Stills, Nash and Young's hit "Teach Your Children" bellowed from the loudspeakers. "I don't want to be out of my classroom. I want to be in my classroom instructing future citizens, but I'm afraid that spending at the state level is getting worse and worse, and we need those dollars for a 21st century education," said Stephanie Ikanovic, who has been a teacher for 21 years. The two-year … [Read more...] about Teacher victory: Kentucky House overrides tax increase veto
New Amtrak policy could put the brakes on 611 excursions
A corporate decision by Amtrak could halt the Norfolk & Western Class J 611 steam engine in its tracks, and raises questions as to whether the restored historical treasure will pull excursions again.Virginia Museum of Transportation executive director Lisa Sphar said the museum continues to hope that the Roanoke-made 611 will have a season of excursions in the fall. “We continue to work with our friends and partners in the industry to look at options for continuing operations and remain hopeful for 611's future.”In late March, Amtrak implemented a ban on trips by special trains like the 611. Museum officials learned of the new policy after sending a proposed excursion schedule to Amtrak. “When this announcement came out, we were in the 11th hour,” Sphar said. “It took us by surprise as well as everybody else.”Sphar noted that Amtrak is allowing some exceptions. The company has not yet given a direct answer to the museum’s proposal.The … [Read more...] about New Amtrak policy could put the brakes on 611 excursions
Child Advocates Ask FTC to Investigate YouTube
Read carefully through the fine print of YouTube's terms of service and you might notice that you've affirmed you are old enough to watch it. "If you are under 13 years of age, then please do not use the service," the terms say. "There are lots of other great web sites for you." It's a warning that goes unheeded by millions of children around the world who visit YouTube to watch cartoons, nursery rhymes, science experiments or videos of toys being unboxed. In a formal complaint being filed Monday, child advocates and consumer groups are asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and impose potentially billions of dollars of penalties on Google for allegedly violating children's online privacy and allowing ads to target them. Top News: Conor McGregor Arrested After Backstage Melee Julio Cortez/AP "Google profits handsomely from selling advertising to kid-directed programs that it packages," said Jeff Chester, director of the Center for Digital Democracy, one of the … [Read more...] about Child Advocates Ask FTC to Investigate YouTube
Firing of Chattanooga pastor draws locals into United Methodist fight over sexuality [video]
![Firing of Chattanooga pastor draws locals into United Methodist fight over sexuality [video]](https://res.cloudinary.com/demo/image/fetch/w_340,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://media-cdn.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2018/04/07/1523155243_04xx18x00_Pastor_05_t1070_h40a5b2f1ea552b483ad3d5dd07084117e4adb7fa.jpg)
Anna Golladay poses for a portrait outside of St. Marks United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Golladay served as a pastor at St. Marks until she was fired in February for officiating a same-sex marriage, which is not allowed by the United Methodist Church's laws. Golladay continues to be involved at St. Marks, which belongs to the Reconciling Ministries Network and advocates for LGBTQ church members. Anna Golladay poses for a portrait outside of... Photo by Doug Strickland /Times Free Press. Anna Golladay stumbled upon St. Marks for the second time during Holy Week, before Easter in 2012. It just happened to be the closest United Methodist church to her home on Chattanooga's North Shore. Golladay — a lifelong United Methodist, like her father and his father and his father before that — wasn't looking for a new church home that Maundy Thursday six years ago. Since moving to Chattanooga in 2010 to take a job at Top … [Read more...] about Firing of Chattanooga pastor draws locals into United Methodist fight over sexuality [video]