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BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - Federal authorities are hoping you can help them catch a suspect wanted on a federal warrant for distribution of oxycodine. 37-year old Kathy Ann Burchett of McDowell County was chargedMore >> BLUEFIELD (WVVA) - Federal authorities are hoping you can help them catch a suspect wanted on a federal warrant for distribution of oxycodine. 37-year old Kathy Ann Burchett of McDowell County was chargedMore >> LANARK (WVVA) -- The Raleigh County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that occurred in the Lanark area of Raleigh County early Sunday morning. One person was shot and airlifted to a CharlestonMore >> LANARK (WVVA) -- The Raleigh County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that occurred in the Lanark area of Raleigh County early Sunday morning. One person was shot and airlifted to a CharlestonMore >> BECKLEY (WVVA) - A teacher at a Raleigh County school has been terminated amid allegations that she sent inappropriate text messages to a male student. Lori Lester -- a teacher at Trap Hill Middle SchoolMore >> BECKLEY (WVVA) - A teacher at a Raleigh County school has been terminated amid allegations that she sent inappropriate text messages to a male student. Lori Lester -- a teacher at Trap Hill Middle SchoolMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A film that has worried one southern West Virginia community for months will be available to the public through DVD sales and rental downloads July 1. The Charleston Daily MailMore >> CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- A film that has worried one southern West Virginia community for months will be available to the public through DVD sales and rental downloads July 1. The Charleston Daily MailMore >> BRUSHFORK (WVVA) - Five people -- including at least one child -- were injured after a two-car collision at the Route 52-Airport Road intersection in Bluewell Monday morning. The crash occurred aroundMore >> BRUSHFORK (WVVA) - Five people -- including at least one child -- were injured after a two-car collision at the Route 52-Airport Road intersection in Bluewell Monday morning. The crash occurred aroundMore >> ASSOCIATED PRESS-- Small-business owners in the coalfields of Appalachia are complaining about debts owed to them by a West Virginia billionaire who owns dozens of mines. Some of the businesses have filedMore >> ASSOCIATED PRESS-- Small-business owners in the coalfields of Appalachia are complaining about debts owed to them by a West Virginia billionaire who owns dozens of mines. Some of the businesses have filedMore >> PRINCETON (WVVA) -- Grease, Woodstock, and TV variety series stars hit the stage at the Chuck Mathena Center Saturday. Sha na na, the nostalgic rock and roll greasers played the second to the last actMore >> PRINCETON (WVVA) -- Grease, Woodstock, and TV variety series stars hit the stage at the Chuck Mathena Center Saturday. Sha na na, the nostalgic rock and roll greasers played the second to the last actMore >> GREENBRIER COUNTY (WVVA) -- The Greenbrier Sheriff's Department is investigating a drowning at Blue Bend. Lieutenant White with the Sheriff's Department says members of the Greenbrier dive team foundMore >> GREENBRIER COUNTY (WVVA) -- The Greenbrier Sheriff's Department is investigating a drowning at Blue Bend. Lieutenant White with the Sheriff's Department says members of the Greenbrier dive team foundMore >> LEWISBURG, W. Va (WVVA)-- Driving through Lewisburg, you may see something new.It's a flagpole, erected The Seasons nursing home on Flag Day to honor the veterans there as well as those in the community,More >> LEWISBURG, W. Va (WVVA)-- Driving through Lewisburg, you may see something new.It's a flagpole, erected The Seasons nursing home on Flag Day to honor the veterans there as well as those in the community,More >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- It could be even more expensive to pay for college starting next month.Government subsidized student loan interest rates are set to double come July 1st, and for local studentsMore >> FAIRLEA, W. Va (WVVA)-- It could be even more expensive to pay for college starting next month.Government subsidized student loan interest rates are set to double come July 1st, and for local studentsMore >>
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- West Virginia lost more than 1,200 coal mining jobs in the last quarter of 2012, nearly two-thirds of them in strip mining.
Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration data show the number of jobs dropped to 21,400. The Charleston Gazette (http://bit.ly/VVhWJV) says that's based on disclosures that operators file with MSHA.
Production from strip mining was down to 8.1 million tons, half of what it was at the end of 2008.
Analysts say the trend will likely continue because of competition from natural gas and surface mines in Wyoming's Powder River Basin.
The industry often complains about anti-coal environmental regulations.
But the data show employment levels remain as high as they were when the Obama administration began a series of regulatory actions to minimize the environmental harm that coal causes.
