This week’s Special Session of the Legislature, as called by Governor Manchin, approved a change to the State’s Unemployment Compensation law so unemployed West Virginians could receive jobless benefit payments for a longer period of time.  The law change enables the State to capture federal jobless funds.

 

Dr. Greg Wagner, formerly the head of NIOSH’s division of respiratory disease surveillance has joined MSHA to serve as the political Deputy Assistant Secretary.  During his time with NIOSH, Greg was a vocal advocate for, among other things, the need to reduce miner’s exposure to both coal mine dust and silica.  Greg was one of the principal authors of NIOSH’s criteria document recommending a halving of the respirable coal dust standard and has written extensively on mine worker respiratory disease.  In his new position, which does not require Senate confirmation, Greg will be the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and will serve in that role when required due to the absence of the Assistant Secretary.

In conjunction with the Bluefield Coal Show, there will be a Friends of Coal Golf Classic at the Fincastle Country Club in Bluefield, VA on September 15th.  Contributions will benefit The Wade Center.  The Wade Center exists to promote and nurture the growth of the children, teens and young adults of the Greater Bluefield community through practical programs and mentoring relationships.