North Carolina woman faces federal indictment in W.Va. identity theft scam of auditor’s office

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A North Carolina woman is charged with running an identity theft scheme that netted nearly $2 million from West Virginia’s state government.

Police: W.Va. handyman led cops to bodies before suicide, may be linked to 5 deaths, 4 arsons

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A man who led authorities to two bodies with a package of handwritten notes and a two-hour audiotape killed himself Tuesday as deputies knocked on his motel room door to arrest him on murder and arson charges.

W.Va. girl, 11, allegedly threatens 7-year-old sister with gun to force her to play with her

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Police said an 11-year-old girl threatened her 7-year-old sister with a gun to force the younger child to play with her on Monday at her grandmother’s residence. Police said the girl also pointed the .38-caliber pistol at her grandmother. The child surrendered the gun after the grandmother made several demands for it.

Alpha Natural to buy Foundation Coal for about $1.4B creating one of biggest US coal producers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Alpha Natural Resources said Tuesday it plans to buy rival Foundation Coal for about $1.4 billion in an all-stock deal that would create the nation’s third-largest coal producer.

WVa gov. calls in 300 National Guard troops to aid flood victims in southern coalfields

GILBERT, W.Va. — The National Guard is helping residents in West Virginia’s southern coalfields recover from weekend flooding that destroyed at least 300 buildings, knocked out power and caused mudslides that flushed trash, debris and at least one mobile home downstream.

WVa gov. calls in 300 National Guard troops to aid flood victims in southern coalfields

GILBERT, W.Va. — The National Guard is helping residents in West Virginia’s southern coalfields recover from weekend flooding that destroyed at least 300 buildings, knocked out power and caused mudslides that flushed trash, debris and at least one mobile home downstream.

W.Va. company moves to buy The Greenbrier; owner says he’ll seek bankruptcy dismissal

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia company has acquired The Greenbrier and plans to ask a bankruptcy court to dismiss the resort’s case.

Severstal announces plans to idle plants in W.Va., Ohio, bringing total layoffs to 3,100

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Russian-owned steelmaker Severstal lnternational said Thursday it is idling mills West Virginia and Ohio because of the continuing slump in the steel industry.

W.Va. firm stakes claim to fabled Greenbrier resort; Marriott says it had contract 1st

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia coal and agriculture company said Thursday it has the rights to The Greenbrier, a once posh playground for the prominent and rich.

Coal producer Alpha’s stock soars on higher first-quarter profit

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shares of coal producer Alpha Natural Resources Inc. jumped nearly 19 percent Wednesday on a stronger than expected first-quarter profit.

Obama’s education secretary seeks parents’, educators’ comments on No Child Left Behind law

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is committed to the testing and school accountability at the heart of the No Child Left Behind law championed by former President George W. Bush, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.

Lady Luck: W.Va. woman wins 5 lottery cash prizes since September, including $100,000

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Brenda Bailey is on a roll. Since September, the 59-year-old South Charleston woman has won five West Virginia Lottery cash prizes, totaling $167,600. All of Bailey’s winnings came from the Lottery’s instant games. Her latest win is her biggest — the $100,000 top prize in the Price is Right game.

Massey says Blankenship, others take 10 percent pay cut to reduce expenses

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy says CEO Don Blankenship and four other executives are taking 10 percent pay cuts.

Marshall tailback, defensive back suspended after being arrested on drug charges

BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. — Two Marshall University football players have been suspended after being arrested on drug charges in western West Virginia.

Forest Service closing caves, mines on federal lands to control spread of bat fungus

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Forest Service is closing thousands of caves and former mines in national forests in 33 states in an effort to control a fungus that has already killed an estimated 500,000 bats.

Unions approve contracts with The Greenbrier in W.Va.; bankruptcy court must OK it

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Unions representing more than 1,100 workers at The Greenbrier have ratified new contract agreements that freeze wages and were viewed as key to the southeastern West Virginia resort’s pending sale.

Forest Service prepares to close caves, mines on federal lands to control spread of bat fungus

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to close thousands of caves and former mines in national forests in 33 states in an effort to control a fungus that has already killed an estimated 500,000 bats.

Coal producer Massey plans average 6 pct pay cuts amid weak coal prices

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Massey Energy Co. shares soared nearly 24 percent Wednesday after the coal producer announced plans to slash wages and benefits for all of its employees by about 6 percent on average to lower costs amid weak coal demand.

Coal producer Massey plans 6 pct average pay cut amid slumping coal prices

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy’s shares are up more than 24 percent after it announced plans to slash wages and benefits for all employees about 6 percent in the face of declining demand and prices.

Coal producer Massey plans 6% average pay cut

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy’s shares are up more than 22 percent after it announced plans to slash wages and benefits for all employees about 6 percent in the face of declining demand and prices.

WVa mother accused of trying to sell 5-month-old son for $10,000 to get money for apartment

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia mother was in jail Friday, accused of trying to sell her 5-month-old son for $10,000 to get money for a new apartment.

Coal producer Consol Energy reports higher 1Q profit, trims production plans

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Consol Energy Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter earnings more than doubled on higher prices and increased natural gas output, though it further trimmed 2009 coal production plans.

Federal panel says safety lapses led to explosion that killed 2 at WVa Bayer CropScience plant

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Safety lapses that led to a runaway chemical reaction caused a fatal blast at a Bayer CropScience chemical plant last August, federal investigators said Thursday.