Written by Dan Radmacher
Dan Radmacher
Dan is Appalachian Voice's Media Specialist. Previously, he worked as an opinion journalist for newspapers in Illinois, West Virginia, Florida and Virginia, and then as a communications consultant for a number of environmental nonprofit organizations.
Blackjewel’s Catastrophic Bankruptcy and the Collapse of the Mine Cleanup System
Blackjewel’s bankruptcy demonstrates how the mine cleanup system is coming undone — and how nearby residents bear the burden when coal companies fail to repair their damage.
Virginia Gold Rush
Residents fear a dangerous open-pit gold mine will open in Buckingham County before the Virginia General Assembly acts.
Reinventing Museum Offerings During COVID
Museums throughout the region have found creative ways to connect with the public during COVID, both online and offline. And as many museums resume in-person operations, some are planning to keep these popular new programs.
Appalachian Election Workers Manage New Processes, Safety Protocols
There seems little question that the 2020 general election is the most challenging to run in American history. Across Appalachia, those responsible for running the elections appear to be rising to the challenge.
High Stakes for Appalachia in the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census will determine how approximately $1 trillion in federal funding is distributed over the next 10 years, as well as which states will gain or lose congressional representatives.
Remaking Downtowns
Communities across Appalachia are striving to bring new energy to downtowns that have suffered from population decline or the loss of once-dominant industries.
Fracked and Overwhelmed
As fracking and related infrastructure expand, so does the industry’s impacts on local residents.
Water Systems: The Invisible Infrastructure
Most Americans don’t think twice about the ability…
Mountain Wind
While the Southeast currently has the least amount of installed wind energy in the United States, Virginia could soon see its first wind farm.
Youth Build Turbines for KidWind Challenge
Groups of kids all over the nation gather to see who can design and build the best wind turbine. Southwest Virginia’s Off the Grid team won nationals earlier this year.
