Persistent black lung, scourge of coal, found in autopsies of Massey miners

For more than a quarter-century, government efforts to end black lung have hit brick walls

Legislative maneuver bars regulators from implementing or enforcing a proposal to reduce miners' exposure to coal dust

Government experts are considering ways to step up coal mine dust enforcement after a CPI-NPR investigation.

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis leaves behind a department advocates say increased enforcement but left worker safety rules unfinished.