The Times West Virginian

Metro plan is dead in capital
Despite a new law designed to help metro government come to West Virginia’s largest county, leaders say the idea is dead.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones and Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper say there’s not enough public support to consolidate county and municipal governments so they won’t pursue the issue.
State predicts $100M deficit
Lagging tax revenues are threatening West Virginia state government with a budget deficit, but Gov. Joe Manchin does not yet plan to lay off public workers, ax programs or raise taxes to keep the books balanced.
The latest revenue figures show a $16 million shortfall, which officials expect will widen to around $100 million by the June 30 end of the budget year.
Coal profits mask lack of economic activity
Coal mining companies from Appalachia to Missouri are seeing plenty of rebounding demand, just not here at home.
Fresh from reporting third-quarter earnings, coal producers say booming Asian economies are increasingly hungry for energy even as the hardest-hit mining regions in the U.S. see little prospect for a comeback in coming months.
Manchin gets involved with swine flu efforts
Gov. Joe Manchin is getting involved with the fight against swine flu.
W.Va. gathering online bios for veterans
State archives and history officials are trying to add some details to the 11,427 names carved in the West Virginia Veterans Memorial at the state Capitol.
W.Va. teacher pleads not guilty in sex case
A former Berkeley County teacher has pleaded not guilty to charges she kissed a 14-year-old male student during a lunch break at Musselman Middle School.
Substance abuse costs state’s health system about $116 million
Whenever talk turns to controlling the ever-rising cost of health care, someone is bound to mention the savings that could come from a reduction in largely preventable ailments, like those linked to obesity and smoking.
Less frequently discussed, though, are the preventable ailments stemming from alcohol and drug abuse, which cost West Virginia’s health care system roughly $116 million in 2007, according to a new report.
Convicted woman says torture case ‘did happen’
A woman imprisoned for her role in the 2007 kidnapping and torture of a black woman by seven white men and women in West Virginia said Friday the victim wasn’t telling the truth when she denied this week that the attack occurred.
Frankie Brewster told WCHS-TV in Charleston that multiple crimes were committed against Megan Williams during the attack in rural Logan County, about 50 miles south of Charleston.
Caretaker: Woman has changed her version of torture story before
A black woman who recanted 2007 allegations of being kidnapped and tortured by a group of white people in West Virginia has mental issues and has changed her version of what happened more than once, her caretaker said Thursday.
Valencia Daniels of Columbus said that Megan Williams “goes back and forth, back and forth” about the allegations of being beaten, raped and tortured.

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