Jun 25 Economy New Economic Data Show Appalachia’s Struggles Amid Coal’s Decline An annual report from the Appalachian Regional Commission shows that while Appalachia is seeing some economic improvement, the heart of the region and its coal-producing communities are still struggling. Several counties in the Ohio Valley are moving in a negative direction in this year’s report. The ARC report evaluates the Appalachian region using county-level data […] By Becca Schimmel Jun 25 Economy New Economic Data Show Appalachia’s Struggles Amid Coal’s Decline Becca Schimmel
Jun 21 Health “They Are Invisible.” Rural Homelessness, Made Worse By Opioid Crisis, Presents Special Challenges Charles “Country” Bowers takes long, quick strides down a worn dirt path and is soon in front of a thicket of bushes made deep and tall by spring rains. He’s leading me on a tour of camps made by homeless people in wooded corners of Fayette County, Kentucky. He stops and lifts a hand to […] By Mary Meehan Jun 21 Health “They Are Invisible.” Rural Homelessness, Made Worse By Opioid Crisis, Presents Special Challenges Mary Meehan
Jun 19 Energy & Environment Trump Administration Replaces Obama-Era Climate Change Rule On Power Plants The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday released its long-awaited final replacement for the Obama administration’s signature climate change regulation, which sought to limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants by one-third by 2025. The Trump administration’s Affordable Clean Energy rule, or ACE, tasks states with developing plans that rely on the use of efficiency technologies […] By Brittany Patterson Jun 19 Energy & Environment Trump Administration Replaces Obama-Era Climate Change Rule On Power Plants Brittany Patterson
Jun 19 Energy & Environment As Congressional Panel Focuses On Black Lung, Miners Health Advocates Urge Stronger Health Protections A Congressional panel heard testimony and had some sharp questions Thursday about the epidemic of black lung disease among Appalachian miners. Labor leaders are calling on federal regulators to strengthen protections for miners and several lawmakers wanted to know why the country’s top mine safety agency is not doing more in response to the dramatic […] By Sydney Boles Jun 19 Energy & Environment As Congressional Panel Focuses On Black Lung, Miners Health Advocates Urge Stronger Health Protections Sydney Boles
Jun 14 Health Country Closures: Rural Communities Adapt As More Hospitals Shut Down Casey Ellis grew up just a few houses away from the Owen County Hospital in Owenton, Kentucky, so he knows the essential role a rural hospital plays in a small town. Ellis is Judge Executive of Owen County, a job his grandfather and great-grandfather had before him. So he also knows how hard it is […] By Mary Meehan Jun 14 Health Country Closures: Rural Communities Adapt As More Hospitals Shut Down Mary Meehan
Jun 13 Economy Feds Cite Environmental Challenges, Stall East Kentucky Prison Project A federal agency confirmed Wednesday plans to withdraw its commitment to build a new prison in eastern Kentucky. “Given new information received, additional analysis should be undertaken to determine if there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns on the proposed action,” the BOP said in the email to the Ohio Valley […] By Sydney Boles Jun 13 Economy Feds Cite Environmental Challenges, Stall East Kentucky Prison Project Sydney Boles
Jun 11 Energy & Environment Coal Companies Belonging To WV Gov. Justice’s Family Agree To Pay Overdue Taxes In KY Coal companies controlled by the family of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice have agreed to a settlement covering millions of dollars in overdue property taxes in four eastern Kentucky counties: Harlan, Knott, Magoffin, and Pike. Checks totaling $1.2 million from Justice entities began rolling in last week, county officials said. According to state officials, the […] By Brittany Patterson Jun 11 Energy & Environment Coal Companies Belonging To WV Gov. Justice’s Family Agree To Pay Overdue Taxes In KY Brittany Patterson
Jun 7 Energy & Environment As Calls For Action On Black Lung Disease Grow, Regulators Show Little Indication Of Change Harold Sturgill was disabled by black lung disease when he was 58 years old. Now he advocates for disabled miners. “When it comes to the mining companies, and it comes to the worker, it’s still all about production,” Sturgill said. “They could care less about me, how much dust I suck in, or how long […] By Sydney Boles Jun 7 Energy & Environment As Calls For Action On Black Lung Disease Grow, Regulators Show Little Indication Of Change Sydney Boles
Jun 5 Energy & Environment Federal Prosecutors Say WV Gov. Justice Responsible For Fines Against Family Company Federal prosecutors on Tuesday said they will seek a court ruling to hold West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his son, Jay Justice, personally accountable for a $1.23 million civil fine imposed on one of the family’s coal businesses, Justice Energy Company, Inc. In a court filing, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West […] By Brittany Patterson Jun 5 Energy & Environment Federal Prosecutors Say WV Gov. Justice Responsible For Fines Against Family Company Brittany Patterson