Written by Kevin Ridder
Kevin Ridder
Born in Arizona and raised in Tennessee, Kevin’s love of the mountains drove him to move even further east to Boone, N.C., where he serves as The Appalachian Voice's Associate Editor and a communications associate for the organization.
The Problem with Monopoly Utilities
Much of America’s energy system still runs like it did in the early 20th century, but times are changing.
Battling for Black Lung Benefits
The deadly disease is on the rise, but funding for healthcare will be halved unless Congress acts this year.
Mountain Valley Pipeline Sparks Anger
Pipeline construction crews have upset residents along Mountain Valley’s route by logging near tree-sitters, ignoring a state-issued temporary work suspension and accidentally pelting a family with erosion control pellets.
Seeking Cooperative Change
Jeff Lewis lost the election for Powell Valley Electric Cooperative’s board, but he hopes they will take his concerns to heart.
Legal Challenges Against Pipelines Heat Up
Federal and state courts alike have partially halted the construction of fracked gas pipelines across the region as cases are decided and permits are reevaluated.
Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipeline Challenges Continue
A slew of legal challenges and protestors has suspended construction on the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines.
Logging and Prescribed Burns: Healthy or Harmful?
The use of timber harvests and prescribed burns on national forest land is hotly debated by conservationists and forest users.
Hemp and Medical Cannabis Make Joint Gains
Industrial hemp could soon be legalized nationally under the 2018 Farm Bill, and Virginia could soon have up to five medical cannabis oil dispensaries in the state.
Groups Aim to Reshape Nantahala-Pisgah Plan
Conservationists, recreation enthusiasts, the timber industry and more have played a major part in the U.S. Forest Service’s ongoing effort to make major changes to the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest Management Plan for the first time since 1994.
Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Q&A: Tommy Cabe
Tommy Cabe is the Tribal forest resource specialist…
