W.Va., Va. weighing impact of Alpha mine layoffs

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — When 400 Appalachian coal miners learned their lives were turning upside-down with the sudden shutdown of mines in three states, Trent Lucas got relatively good news: He'll still have a job.

The 34-year-old Alpha Natural Resources miner from Wise, Va., will transfer from the now-idled Guest Mountain No. 9 to the Osaka mine, but it's still only a 45-minute commute. His best friend, a mine supervisor, wasn't so lucky. He's among the 150 people for whom Alpha says it has no other positions.