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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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Researchers Discuss How Climate Change Impacts Health in Rural Mountain Communities

Researchers discussed how climate change will impact health in rural mountain communities during a recent workshop. Spoiler alert: hotter nights, more mosquito- and tick-borne disease, and effects on mental and maternal health.

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The Beast of Bristol: The Landfill Haunting Residents of the Twin Cities

two people in front of a large guitar statue hold signs about the landfill problems

Terrible, persistent smells from the Bristol landfill have put a damper on quality of life for residents of the Twin Cities. Officials acknowledge the problem, but there’s no clear path forward.

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Striking Alabama Miners Are Done Playing Nice

UMWA Strike

Hundreds of UMWA miners remain on the picket line at the Warrior Met Coal mine.

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Purple Martins: The Neighbors We Didn’t Know We Wanted

purple martins

The migratory purple martin is almost entirely dependent on human-made housing while it lives in Eastern North America during the warmer months.

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Southwest Virginians Share Solar Experiences

Two people and one organization based in Southwest Virginia tell their solar stories.

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