WEST VIRGINIA

Teachers say strike will continue

CHARLESTON —Unions representing West Virginia teachers and service personnel said Saturday that they will stay out on strike after the state Senate voted to cut the 5 percent pay raise they had negotiated with Governor Jim Justice. The GOP-controlled Senate voted Saturday evening to approve the lower pay raise, bucking teachers, Justice, and the GOP-controlled House, which approved the 5 percent raise Wednesday. (AP)

NEBRASKA

Contractor for wall facing questions

OMAHA — A Nebraska startup awarded the first border wall construction project under President Trump is the offshoot of a firm that was sued over failure to pay subcontractors and accused in a 2016 government audit of shady billing practices. SWF Constructors won the $11 million federal contract in November as part of a project to erect 30-foot barriers in Calexico, Calif. SWF and its parent, Coastal Environmental Group, declined to answer questions on the past legal problems. (AP)

GEORGIA

Bill seeks to curb immigrant shields

ATLANTA — A bill that would require law enforcement officers and the courts to aid in federal immigration enforcement officials is making its way through the Georgia General Assembly. Supporters say it would make the state safer and help identify people eligible for deportation, but critics question whether it is constitutional and say it unfairly targets immigrant communities. (AP)

ALABAMA

Moore wants help on defense fund

MONTGOMERY — Former US Senate candidate Roy Moore has issued a plea for money to pay legal bills, saying his ‘‘resources have been depleted.’’ On his campaign’s Facebook page, Moore asked for contributions to his defense fund. Moore has sent regular e-mails for the fund since losing the 2017 election to Senator Doug Jones, a Democrat. But he has raised just $32,000 of his $250,000 goal. (AP)