Charleston Daily Mail

Road Kill Compost Costs State Millions

The state has spent $2.6 million and produced only a few truckloads of compost from deer killed on highways in the last three years. So unlike Maryland, West Virginia has no plans to expand the practice.

Bob Graham Seeks Access to His $300,000 Ira

Bob Graham, the former director of the Wyoming County Council on Aging, has gone to court seeking his retirement funds that were frozen by the state after his indictment and conviction. Graham told reporters Wednesday that he feels embattled but vindicated. His 2006 conviction in federal court was overturned on appeal in March and he was released from prison.

Man Paints History On Floodwall: ; 15-Foot Mural in Point Pleasant Depicts Battle Scenes, Shawnee Life

On the Web See more photos of the Point Pleasant mural at www.dailymail.com POINT PLEASANT - For nearly a decade, thousands of people have traveled to Portsmouth, Ohio, each year to see the nearly half-mile of historical murals that are splashed across its floodwall.

Asbestos Removal Goes On and On

For more than 20 years, Kanawha County school officials have been working to rid the school system of asbestos. And the job is far from over. They're not sure how much the work has cost and how much is left to be done, but they keep plugging away.

Consol Certain of Plant's Viability: ; One of the Northern Panhandle Project's Advantages Is Its Relatively Small Size

A Consol Energy Inc. executive said the company is sure a $800 million coal-to-gasoline plant to be built in Marshall County will be economically viable. "We're highly confident that the plant will be viable under any conceivable future energy price scenario," said Paul Spurgeon, Consol's vice president of power development and coal conversion projects.

Funeral Home Closes During Investigation

COLUMBIA, Mo. - A central Missouri funeral home accused of improperly handling bodies has agreed to close for 15 days while a state investigation looks into practices at the facility. Warren Funeral Chapel Inc. agreed during an emergency court hearing Wednesday to shut down effective immediately.

Marshall Professor to Write Bush Book

A Marshall University professor will write a biography of the president. Jean Edward Smith, whose biographies of FDR and Ulysses Grant won both popular and critical acclaim, will write a one-volume biography of George W. Bush to be titled "W," according to a press release from Marshall University.

Goodyear Blimp to Fly Over City This Weekend: ; the Public Can Get a Closer Look at the Airship While It Is Docked at Tri-State Airport

The Goodyear Spirit of Innovation blimp will be floating over Charleston this weekend, and, in a rare event, docked in the state for a short time. The blimp will be over the capital city from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday on its flight from Florida to Huntington.

Software Issues Back Up Bags, Traffic at N.Y. Kennedy Airport

NEW YORK - A software glitch that snarled air traffic and caused baggage pileups at John F. Kennedy International Airport stretched into today, with more flight cancellations expected. American Airlines planned to cancel at least five flights scheduled to depart from Kennedy and said others could be delayed, a day after the malfunction led to headaches and angry passengers.

Alicia Keys Snubs Cigarette Sponsorship in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Philip Morris International has pulled down billboards and posters promoting an Alicia Keys concert in Indonesia's capital after the singer protested the cigarette company's sponsorship. The logo and slogans of A Mild cigarettes, produced by a Philip Morris affiliate, featured prominently in promotional materials for the concert.

Retriever Adopts Tiger Cubs at Zoo

CANEY, Kan. - Oh, my! Three tiger cubs at a Kansas zoo are getting some maternal care from an unlikely source - Isabella the golden retriever. The tiger cubs were born Sunday at Safari Zoological Park but their mother soon stopped caring for them. Isabella had just weaned her own puppies and was able to step in.

Ads Cast Obama As Trivial

AURORA, Colo. - John McCain's presidential campaign released a withering television ad comparing Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, suggesting the Democratic contender is little more than a vapid but widely recognized media concoction. Obama's campaign quickly responded Wednesday with a commercial of its own, dismissing McCain's complaints as "baloney" and "baseless."

Regional Weather

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National Weather

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Nation & World

This NASA image shows what scientists believe to be sea-size bodies of liquid on Saturn's largest moon Titan. Liquid hydrocarbon

Drug Gives Lazy Mice a Workout

NEW YORK - Here's a couch potato's dream: What if a drug could help you gain some of the benefits of exercise without working up a sweat? Scientists reported there is such a drug - if you happen to be a mouse.

44-Pound Cat Needs New Home, Diet

Stinky Gambler Fuming Over N.J. Casino Ejection

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Yes, Michael Wax stank. He's the first to admit it. The 440-pound New York City man said he was playing poker in an Atlantic City casino for 17 hours Tuesday and didn't have time to clean up. He understands why grossed-out gamblers complained about his body odor, but said he didn't deserve stinky treatment from the casino that asked him to leave.

Council Set to Vote On Home Rule Ordinances: ; Members Say They Have Decided to Tackle the Easiest Matters First and Save the Hardest for Later

After months of deliberation, Charleston City Council is ready to vote on the first batch of home rule ordinances. The state has allowed Charleston, Wheeling, Bridgeport and Huntington to take part in a home rule pilot project that allows them more power to manage their own affairs.

County's Clay Center Gift Lets School Groups in Free: ; Table Games Revenue Amounting to $100,000 Annually Will Be Set Aside by Commission

The Kanawha County Commission will give $100,000 a year to the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences so that school groups in the county can get in for free. The money will come from table games revenue from the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center in Nitro, which will soon add table games to its video slots.