Salem-News.com West Virginia articles

MAPLight.org: Mining Industry Invests in Politicians; Stopped Mine Safety Laws

The recent explosion at the Massey Energy coal mine in West Virginia that killed 29 coal miners has left many bewildered Americans questioning how the federal government could have prevented this tragedy.

(BERKELEY) - A bill to help rescue miners in emergencies and protect miners' safety was defeated in Congress three years ago.

After passing the House, the bill, called the S-MINER Act, died in a Senate committee.

7 Dead, 19 Missing in West Virginia Mine Collapse

Search and rescue efforts are continuing.

(JULIAN, W.Va.) - A mine collapse in West Virgina has claimed a number of miner's lives, while many more remain missing.

It happened around 3:00 p.m. Eastern time at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine in Raleigh County, about 30 miles south of Charleston

Top U.S. Photographer Arrested & Injured by Police for Photographing Santa Claus

Voted the best news photographer in the United States, Scott Rensberg was treated like an animal by police in Charleston, West Virginia.

(CHARLESTON, West Va.) - An award-winning video journalist from Washington was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, for taking pictures of Santa and a choir at a West Virginia mall, and he says the police officer's actions during the arrest nearly dislocated his shoulder.

47-year old Scott Rensberger thought he had the situation under control, but when he went to take a photo of a police corporal named "R.C. Basford", he was suddenly in for a police 'take down' and down to the ground he went.

Arlington Cemetery Makes Historic Exception for World War I Veteran

Frank Buckles apparently doesn't intend to take the offer any time soon. At 107, he still does 50 sit ups a day and lifts weights three times a week.

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - Ken Buckles, Executive Director of Oregon's Remembering America's Heroes, has won a long-fought battle – a battle centered around World War One.

For twelve years, Buckles has been recognizing and honoring American Vets through his program at Milwaukie High School where he is also a teacher. But this time it was personal.