Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Tonight
Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Updated: July 13, 2025 @ 4:19 pm
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during a news conference on the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.Â
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during an event announcing proposed changes to SNAP and food dye legislation on March 28, 2025, in Martinsburg, W.Va.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during a news conference on the FDA's intent to phase out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the nation's food supply at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.Â
Jose Luis Magana | AP Photo
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during an event announcing proposed changes to SNAP and food dye legislation on March 28, 2025, in Martinsburg, W.Va.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has formally asked the federal government to disallow the stateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s food assistance program from paying for soda. Morrisey submitted a request for a waiver to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to make the change, the governor announced in a video message Tuesday.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFor a long time IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve talked about the fact that SNAP ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” the N should stand for nutrition,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWell, now itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to, even more than youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve seen in the past. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re promoting healthy bundles. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fresh produce and lean meat, and good opportunities for some hot foods for West Virginians for some products that youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve never been able to have before.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Morrisey first announced the SNAP proposal with federal Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., of states prohibiting SNAP from covering soda.
In addition to prohibiting the purchase of soda, the waiver would allow recipients to use SNAP to purchase some hot foods served from grocery store delis, a spokesman for Morrisey said. Those foods do not include those that are breaded, deep-fried, or ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œsmothered in cream sauces,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ deputy press secretary Drew Galang said. Eligible food items would include rotisserie chicken, meatloaf, barbeque ribs, pulled pork or BBQ brisket, shepherdÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s pie and pot roast, among others.
The SNAP changes are part of a statewide health initiative Morrisey called the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFour Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Other pillars included prohibiting the sale of certain food dyes in the state, and the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMountaineer Mile,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ challenge to walk at least a mile a day.
Legislation similar to the SNAP change was but went nowhere. would have required the state to submit a SNAP waiver so that the program could disallow coverage of soda and candy. Opponents of the bill expressed concerns it would hurt local grocery stores, particularly near the state border, by causing SNAP recipients to use their assistance to buy the sweets in stores across state lines.
One in six West Virginians, or approximately 277,000 residents, rely on the for food assistance, according to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. The program is paid for by the federal governmentÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Department of Agriculture and administered through the state.
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