In Around WV today: Jim Justice's mining equipment is seized after officials said his company failed to pay taxes, a bill to give second chances to people convicted of felonies has stalled, Huntington is "open to all," and more.
n Officials in Tazewell County, Virginia have seized more than $850,000 in mining equipment from one of Jim Justice's mines, according to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Tazewell County Treasurer David Larimer said the property was seized because Justice, who is running for governor in West Virginia, did not pay $850,000 in property taxes due in December.
n "60 Minutes" will air a segment on Sunday about former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's misdemeanor conviction after the Upper Big Branch mine explosion. The Register-Herald reports that the news show interviewed family members of miners who died, jurors, and Stanley Stewart, who survived the explosion.
"Don Blankenship has said this was just an act of God," Stewart said. "That these kinds of things happen in coal mining. Well, you know, Don Blankenship, I'd like to take those words and stuff them right back down his throat because that was not an act of God. That was man-made 100 percent."
n A bill that would allow people who commit nonviolent felonies to expunge their records appears likely to die before the legislative session ends. The Journal reports that after unanimous passage in the Senate, the Second Chance for Employment Act was sent to two committees in the House of Delegates. The first, the House Industry and Labor Committee, is not scheduled to meet again.
n Huntington unveiled the "Open to All" campaign, meant to send a message that the city is welcoming to the LGBT community, on Thursday. The Herald-Dispatch reports that city officials are urging businesses to display "Open to All" stickers and sign a pledge promising that they will not discriminate.
n A Shinnston woman was sent to prison on a felony shoplifting charge, her 29th conviction, according to The Exponent Telegram. Stacy Lorraine Knight tearfully asked the judge for home confinement, but he sentenced her to one to 10 years.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.