CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill to help the state pay long-term health insurance costs for retired workers faces an uncertain fate after the Senate Finance Committee voted the plan down Monday night. Lawmakers have been struggling for over a year to find a way for West Virginia to deal with the $8 billion in long-term retiree health care costs, known as “other post-employment benefits,” or OPEB. The Senate plan, spearheaded by Sen. ... Jump to full article >>

A smoker’s final wish was fulfilled today when his hearse was paraded through the streets bearing the sign Smoking Killed Me. Dick Whittamore’s last request was that the stark message be displayed alongside his coffin and by his gravestone as a warning to others. The signs, printed in the same typeface as the health warnings on a cigarette packet, read Smoking Killed Me, Albert (Dick) Whittamore. Passersby stopped to watch the unusua ... Jump to full article >>