Written by Molly Moore
Molly Moore
Molly is passionate about sharing the environmental and cultural stories of our region. She has worked with Appalachian Voices since 2011 and currently serves as AV's Director of Program Communications and Editor of The Appalachian Voice publication.
Summiting Grandfather Mountain
On this classic Western North Carolina hike, hikers can see a fantastic view of the cliffside profile for which Grandfather Mountain is named.
Miners Take Black Lung Demands to D.C.
Approximately 150 Appalachian coal miners, widows and their loved ones visited Capitol Hill in July to demand that Congress reinstate a tax rate on coal companies for black lung healthcare and benefits.
Congressional Support for RECLAIM Act Grows
U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsors for the RECLAIM Act grew after a coalition of coal mine reclamation advocates traveled to the nation’s capital to express their support for the bill that would accelerate the spending of money in the in the federal abandoned mine cleanup fund.
Competitive Electric Cooperative Election in Virginia
Three reform candidates are challenging incumbent Rappahannock Electric Cooperative board members and are pledging to revise co-op policies around transparency and renewable energy if elected in August.
Fire Destroys Office at Highlander Center, White Supremacy Sign Found
The main office of the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in New Market, Tenn., burned down in March. A symbol associated with white supremacy was found spray painted outside the racial, social and economic justice organizing center.
Clinch Coalition Draws Attention to ATV Impacts on Streams
Southwest Virginia environmental watchdog group The Clinch Coalition is expressing concerns about damage to streams and wetlands from some of the Spearhead Trails network’s off-road vehicle trails.
Plans for Development at Tennessee’s Rocky Fork State Park Meet Opposition
Conservation advocates claim that the state’s plans to build build a visitor center, parking lot, bridge and two-lane road at the rustic state park would endanger wildlife habitat.
Solar Discovery in Southwest Virginia
The Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia was recently awarded a “Solar Discovery” prize for identifying solar projects in Virginia’s coalfield counties that would create jobs and benefit local communities.
Justice Coal Companies and Federal Agencies Enter Legal Battles
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s family and their companies are involved in new lawsuits with federal mine safety and reclamation authorities.
