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Three Towns in Southwest Virginia Pursue Redevelopment of Blighted Buildings

Paint peels from the sides of a dilapidated brick building.

Brownfields revitalization programs are helping rural Appalachian towns combat blight to rejuvenate their economies.

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How Max Patch Bald is Finally Healing

A couple sits atop the grassy summit of Max Patch, taking in the views under a beautiful blue sky dotted with white cumulous clouds.

After overuse forced the closure of Max Patch Bald, efforts by the U.S. Forestry Service and trail groups to restore the area show dramatic progress.

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Bewitched Botany

Dried stalks and seed pods stand out against trees and a blue sky mottled by clouds.

Discover the sinister beauty of four toxic plants that call the mystical Appalachian Mountains home: pokeweed, dolls’ eyes, climbing nightshade and jimsonweed.

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Fraud Allegations in Ohio Public Lands Fracking Controversy

People stand in a room with a whiteboard covering the wall behind them

As Ohio moves forward with leasing public lands for oil and gas fracking, there are allegations that supporters filed fraudulent letters in favor of these leases — using real Ohioans’ identities without their consent.

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Fate of Mountain Valley Pipeline’s North Carolina extension still unclear

Man and woman sit at table in front of blue backdrop

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper raised concerns about the Southgate project, which has drawn opposition from local governments and elected officials who say it threatens private property rights and tourism efforts.

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Left High and Dry After the Flood

Debris covers one side of a damaged bridge that once connected a blue house to the roadway in the foreground. Receding water reveals badly eroded creek banks.

Gaps in aid and a cumbersome application process are complicating the recovery process for Buchanan County government and residents in the aftermath of flooding that happened in July 2022.

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Clearing the Air on How Wood Pellet Factories Affect Their Neighbors and the Climate

aerial view of the Sampson wood pellet plant

The wood pellet industry is growing in the American South, but communities near wood pellet plants are seeing damages to air and water quality. As new facility proposals from wood pellet companies like Enviva continue, local residents and regional climate activists are speaking out.

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Turning Coal Ash into Art

Woman points to location on a map.

In Walnut Cove — a community whose history has been tainted by coal ash for decades — The Lilies Project has turned coal ash into art, and is expanding to encompass the town’s story beyond coal ash.

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No Easy Answers on Coal Ash Cleanup

10 people raise their fists in front of a bronze statue

To protect groundwater and community health, coal ash ponds must be cleaned up. But, as communities in Tennessee have learned, safely removing the toxic waste brings its own set of challenges.

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Lions and Trails and Foragers, Oh My!

Wild dandelions with bright yellow disk-like petals. Photo courtesy of Ila Hatter.

Dandelions are complex, nutrient-rich plants with a distinct appearance that makes them ideal for novice foragers.

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