RockingChair

Front Porch Blog

Updates from Appalachia

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Aug./Sept. issue of The Appalachian Voice released!

04_AugSept2014_coverThe latest issue of The Appalachian Voice features a wide range of stories. Read about everything from mountain bogs to fracking regulations and opportunities for rural Appalachian women in the online edtition of our bimonthly newspaper.

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Mountaintop removal is the 800-pound gorilla at the SOAR Health Impact Series

SOARHealthMountaintop removal’s health impacts were the number one concern of eastern Kentuckians that participated in the SOAR Health Impact Series, but the topic was barely addressed at a recent SOAR gathering in Hazard. If they hope to soar beyond political rhetoric, Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Steve Beshear must take those concerns seriously, and support more research into the connections between mountaintop removal and health.

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Expecting Justice: The backward priorities of a billionaire coal baron

10320266_723385017709066_821447761059699020_nIn recent years, outstanding violations and unpaid fines have weighed down coal companies owned by West Virginia billionaire Jim Justice and burdened the communities where they operate. But rather than paying his debts, Justice just spent $30 million to build a lavish sports complex on the grounds of the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.

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An Appalachian mother finds inspiration, and inspires

mullinsfamily“Inspiration is something we all can use, especially if it is inspiration to change things for a brighter and cleaner future.” – Rusti Mullins, a mother of two and wife of a former Va. coal miner reflects on her summer traveling with her family on the Breaking Clean Tour.

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An activist is born

An Appalachian Voices intern attends her first-ever environmental rally and finds a sense of belonging among other advocates calling for clean energy and climate action. “It’s one thing to wear the pins and stickers; it’s another thing to feel empowered by your peers to take action and work towards a common goal,” Marissa Wheeler writes.

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