-
1-10 years in pen. Defense asked for home confinement. Judge: betrayed public trust. Mayor alderson Travis Copenhaver asked higher sentence. Convicted words for mayor as she exited. Monroe CountyMore >> UNION (WVVA) - A woman convicted of embezzling funds from the town of Alderson will spend the next 1-10 years in prison. Jacalyn Ann "Jackie" Villars, former employee of the Town of Alderson, learnedMore >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- A man is charged with arson after a fire at a Greenbrier County gas station.State Police said Cory Bowyer of Ronceverte set fire to a truck while pumping gas around 5 PM SundayMore >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- A man is charged with arson after a fire at a Greenbrier County gas station.State Police said Cory Bowyer of Ronceverte set fire to a truck while pumping gas around 5 PM SundayMore >> PARRIS ISLAND, SC (WVVA) -- In early May, a WVVA crew traveled to Parris Island with a group of West Virginia educators to learn what it takes to make a U.S. Marine. The journey started before off theMore >> PARRIS ISLAND, SC (WVVA) -- In early May, a WVVA crew traveled to Parris Island with a group of West Virginia educators to learn what it takes to make a U.S. Marine. The journey started before off theMore >> WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va (WVVA)-- 3 New Jersey men are arrested after a disturbance at the Greenbrier Resort Casino.Police said in a criminal complaint that resort security asked Sean, Martin, andMore >> WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va (WVVA)-- 3 New Jersey men are arrested after a disturbance at the Greenbrier Resort Casino.Police said in a criminal complaint that resort security asked Sean, Martin, andMore >> BLUEFIELD Va. (WVVA) - The above slideshow was submitted to WVVA News via Facebook by Shirley Blackmon Grim. Shirley says this black bear visited her backyard on Sedgewood Street in Bluefield, Va., TuesdayMore >> BLUEFIELD Va. (WVVA) - The above slideshow was submitted to WVVA News via Facebook by Shirley Blackmon Grim. Shirley says this black bear visited her backyard on Sedgewood Street in Bluefield, Va., TuesdayMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County pill dealer who sold approximately 250 powerful prescription painkillers over a two-year period pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges, announced U.S. AttorneyMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Fayette County pill dealer who sold approximately 250 powerful prescription painkillers over a two-year period pleaded guilty today to federal drug charges, announced U.S. AttorneyMore >> BOISSEVAIN (WVVA) - A teenager was killed over the weekend after the dirt bike he was riding collided head-on with a truck. The accident happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday on route 657 near BoissevainMore >> BOISSEVAIN (WVVA) - A teenager was killed over the weekend after the dirt bike he was riding collided head-on with a truck. The accident happened around 4 p.m. on Saturday on route 657 near BoissevainMore >> MCDOWELL COUNTY (WVVA) - The McDowell County Sheriff's Department is investigating a murder that occurred in the early morning hours. Further details are not available this time. The Sheriff's DepartmentMore >> MCDOWELL COUNTY (WVVA) - A man is behind bars in McDowell County -- accused in the murder of an Avondale man. Wesley Payne, 54, of War has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of DonaldMore >> BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA)- A charity event in Beckley is working to raise money for the Women's Resource Center. The Chair-ity Auction will take place in Lewis Automotive Showroom in Beckley on May 17th.More >> BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA)- A charity event in Beckley is working to raise money for the Women's Resource Center. The Chair-ity Auction will take place in Lewis Automotive Showroom in Beckley on Friday. TheMore >>
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Black lung diagnoses have doubled in the last decade, and a new investigation blames a combination of factors, including operators who cheat the system and lax enforcement by regulators.
Experts have warned of the disease's resurgence since 1995.
But an investigation by National Public Radio, the Center for Public Integrity and the Charleston Gazette concludes that all the systems designed to protect coal miners have failed.
That includes federal lawmakers, who won't pass regulations to toughen 1969 standards for coal dust.
The reports say the number of advanced black lung cases has quadrupled since the 1980s in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia and southwestern Virginia.
Scott Laney of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says it's a public health epidemic, with a disease that shouldn't be occurring.
