News Minute: Here is the latest West Virginia news from The Associated Press - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - With eight in 10 farmers making less than $10,000 a year, West Virginia will never rival big Midwestern factory farms in producing food. But creative collaborations with entrepreneurs are seeding a new local-foods economy that federal officials say could become a model for 12 other Appalachian states, including Virginia.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark R. Warner says he's introduced legislation that would better track the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The multi-year effort to clean up the bay involves at least 10 federal agencies, Virginia, West Virginia, four other states, the District of Columbia and more than 1,000 local governments.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A former hospital executive will soon head West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin named Karen Bowling today to his Cabinet effective July 1.

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - A federal judge has changed her mind about having the West Virginia Supreme Court answer a question on gas drilling laws that could have statewide implications. Richard Cain is suing Exxon Mobile subsidiary XTO Energy over its plans to use the best of his land for as many as 18 well pads.

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