Last April, an explosion at Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia killed 29 men. According to the federal government, the explosion was an "entirely preventable" tragedy. On Tuesday, the mine's new owners reached a $210 million settlement in connection with the accident. Under the terms of the settlement, the owner of the mine will not be charged with any crimes, but the agreement leaves the door open for individual employees to be prosecuted in the future. But whether anyone will be held accountable, and whether the culture that lead to the lack of safety in the mine will finally change is yet to be seen.

Investigations into last year’s coal mine disaster in West Virginia that killed 29 people have found the mine owner squarely responsible. The former federal mine safety chief Davitt McAteer led the investigation into the worst American mining disaster in 40 years. Jessica Lilly, reporter for West Virginia Public Radio shares the on the community's reaction.

Monday night's explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia, left 25 confirmed dead and four more miners missing underground. Rescue operations were stalled yesterday because conditions were deemed too dangerous. The mine is owned by Massey Energy Company, which was immediately criticized for allowing egregious and numerous safety violations. Massey's CEO, Don Blankenship, responded in an interview with the Metronews radio network in West Virginia, saying, “violations are unfortunately a normal part of the mining process. There are violations at every coal mine in America.”

Jessica Lilly of West Virginia Public Radio joins us for an update on the tragedy at Upper Big Branch coal mine; the morning's headlines.

Massey Energy has been plagued by safety violations over the years, including recent reports of ventilation problems, drill dust violations and inadequate air quality. We look more closely at this mine and the effects of the explosion on the community.