Century Closing

After a concerted effort from Gov. Joe Manchin, West Virginia's congressional delegation and other officials to keep it going, "Century Aluminum of West Virginia's Ravenswood smelter is closed and a majority of its 651 remaining employees will be laid off by Feb. 20," The Associated Press reports, citing the company's parent.

Others with coverage include The News and Sentinel of Parkersburg, The Charleston Gazette and Charleston Daily Mail, MetroNews (with audio), and Public Broadcasting (also with audio). Several note the attempts by government officials to stave off closure, with some also observing possible aid to Century's workers from the pending federal stimulus package.