SUMMARY: Black lung cases continue to rise while preventative measures stall out. Despite the 2024 silica rule aimed at reducing miners’ exposure to harmful silica dust, enforcement has been delayed multiple times due to legal challenges. This delay endangers miners, as black lung disease cases increase, with younger patients showing advanced symptoms. Occupational health experts and retired miners emphasize the urgent need for regulation and monitoring, citing decades of known risks since the 1930s. Budget cuts to safety programs worsen the situation. Advocates stress prioritizing miners’ health over profits, hoping for a future where miners can work safely and live fully.

While cases continue to go up, the medical community is also seeing another troubling trend that black lung is affecting miners at a young age in more significant ways due to more silica exposure from smaller coal seams.

FULL STORY: https://wchstv.com/news/local/as-black-lung-cases-continue-to-climb-silica-rule-delay-leaves-miners-vulnerable
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by Ashley Murray, West Virginia Watch
September 8, 2025

WASHINGTON — Thousands marched in Washington, D.C., Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s continued deployment of National Guard troops and the increased federal law enforcement on the streets of the nation’s capital.

The large demonstration, dubbed by organizers as the “We Are All DC” march, trailed down the district’s 16th Street NW toward the White House and came after several days of Trump’s heightened threats to send National Guard troops to Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, New Orleans and other Democratic-led cities.

The district’s Democratic attorney general sued the Trump administration Thursday arguing the ongoing presence of National Guard troops amounts to illegal military occupation.

Guard members from the District of Columbia and seven states had already been deployed in Washington as of this week when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday he would add 300 soldiers and 16 support staff, becoming the eighth state to send troops.

On Friday, Trump added Portland, Oregon, to the list of cities where he wants to deploy the Guard.

Demonstrators carried signs bearing the message “End the Occupation,” “Free DC” and “Get the ICE Out,” in reference to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the district.

Marchers walked down H Street NW in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 6, 2025 during the “We Are All DC” demonstration . (Video by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

Dozens of organizations participated in the march, including labor unions, faith-based organizations, immigration advocates, the League of Women Voters D.C. chapter and the D.C. Democratic Party.

Gail Hansen, 71, of Washington, D.C., said she wants to see a decreased ICE presence.

“I believe in freedom, and I think we’ve all gotta let everybody know that what’s happening on our streets is unacceptable,” Hansen told States Newsroom. “ICE needs to go home. The National Guard needs to go home. FBI needs to get out of our streets. We are doing just fine in D.C.” 

Charlotte Stone, 18, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, held a cardboard sign above her head depicting a caricature of Trump with a Hitler mustache and a message that read “Ignoring it is what the Germans did.”

“I’m disgusted with this country, I’m here with my friends, and we’re freshmen at George Washington University, and we’re disgusted. We need to do something about it,” Stone told States Newsroom.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department released statistics Tuesday claiming overall crime had decreased by 8% in the district over the previous seven days. 

Protesters carry Banksy-style banner depicting a man throwing a sandwich as a nod to former Justice Department employee Sean Dunn, who threw a Subway hoagie at federal agents on Aug. 10 at 14th & U St NW in Washington, D.C. The marchers were part of the “We Are All DC” demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Video by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) 

Trump’s 30-day emergency to federalize law enforcement in D.C. ends Sept. 10. On Tuesday, district Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an agreement with the administration to continue a collaboration between local police and federal law enforcement.

On Saturday morning, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself with a burning Chicago skyline behind him and a message referring to the 1979 Vietnam War film “Apocalypse Now.” 

He wrote on his platform Truth Social, “‘I love the smell of deportations in the morning…’ Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” in reference to his unofficial renaming of the Department of Defense on Friday.

West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post Protesters in D.C. flood the streets demanding an end to Trump’s military deployment appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Left-Leaning

This content primarily highlights protests against former President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly focusing on opposition to the deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement in Democratic-led cities. It features voices critical of Trump and his administration, including references to legal challenges and activist groups aligned with progressive causes. The framing and selection of quotes suggest a perspective sympathetic to the protesters and critical of Trump’s actions, indicating a left-leaning bias.

SUMMARY: WEEKEND WEATHER SEPT 7TH: After a rainy day yesterday, Appalachia is now clear with only a few fair weather clouds. Temperatures are in the low to mid-60s due to a recent cold front, bringing lower humidity around 40-50%. Patchy fog may develop late tonight, especially near rivers, with chilly mornings in the 40s and possibly high 30s by Tuesday. Tomorrow’s highs will reach the upper 60s to low 70s with plenty of sunshine, perfect for outdoor activities. The week ahead remains dry and comfortable, with no rain expected and humidity staying low. Temperatures will normalize by week’s end.

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