Ralph Davis: Exploring Appalachia’s Future

By Kimber Ray | December 10, 2013 |

By Nolen Nychay In his 21 years of journalistic work at publications such as the Jackson County Sun, Paintsville Herald and Floyd County Times, Ralph Davis developed a close relationship with the small communities of eastern Kentucky and the rural lifestyle the region prides itself on. When Davis began work on his master’s thesis in…

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A Finite Frontier: Facing the Future of Central Appalachian Coal

By Molly Moore | October 19, 2012 |

By Brian Sewell On Sept.18, Appalachian coal mining giant Alpha Natural Resources announced it would idle eight mines and lay off 400 employees in the first phase of a “strategic repositioning” plan designed to meet the evolving demands of a changing global coal market. According to Alpha, the plan aims to enhance the company’s position…

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After Coal: Welsh and Appalachian Mining Communities

By Molly Moore | September 13, 2012 |

What happens to a community historically centered around coal mining when the coal runs out? The story of fossil fuels is a story of booms and busts, and reports indicate that Central Appalachia is on the brink of the greatest bust yet. Central Appalachian coal is running out — the U.S. Energy Information Administration anticipates…

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