100 Days in Appalachia

From Flooding to Fires: Appalachia’s Recreation Industry Faces Climate Change Challenges

The impacts of climate change are steadily and exponentially being felt here in Appalachia just as they have across the globe, and environmental activists, scientists and outdoor enthusiasts alike find themselves in a race to counter the climate curve in the region. The discussions in some communities, however, have shifted […]

What My Appalachian Roots Taught Me About Union Organizing

Growing up less than a mile away from the site of the 1892 Homestead strike in Pittsburgh, a steadfast union city, I never thought my first picket line would be in Washington, D.C. On December 7, 2023, I spent my lunch break on the picket line alongside journalists from The […]

Front Porch Politics: An Alabama Democrat’s Roadmap for Defeating Trumpism in Appalachia

You may not have felt it, but last week, Appalachia experienced a political earthquake. The epicenter is Huntsville, Alabama, where Democrat Marilyn Lands won a special election for the seat in Alabama House District 10. The seat was left open after Republican David Cole resigned following his conviction for voter […]

In Clay County, West Virginia, Trump’s inauguration brings hope of coal’s revival — even for youth

Tears of hope welled in the young eyes of Dakota Vaughan as he watched Donald Trump officially become the 45th President of the United States. “This has been five, six months in the coming. I’m ready,” Vaughn said. Anticipation built […]

Why Pittsburgh had two women’s marches: ‘Our Feminism Must Be Intersectional’

On top of a crate nestled in a small children’s wagon, they built their altar. In Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, black femmes honored their ancestors by laying down jewelry, photos and books — spraying them with water, rum, honey, and […]

‘Dreamland’ author Sam Quinones: Appalachia was ‘the canary in our societal coal mine’ for opioids, Trump

Following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, data journalists, political analysts, armchair pundits and average voters all scrambled to find some way of explaining the Washington outsider and billionaire businessman’s surprise victory over favored Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Was it the turnout […]

High school band is mixed on Trump but heads to inauguration

Welcome to the first installment of 100 Days, 100 Voices–a portrait series highlighting diverse voices across Appalachia during the first 100 days of the new administration. It’s fitting to kick off with the Frankfort High School Marching Band as they […]

HuffPost editor: ‘Look to local news’ to understand Appalachia

There’s no singular reason the 2016 presidential election results turned out the way they did. But, within days of the results rolling in, much of the blame was pinned on the media for failing to accurately report the wants and […]