Appalachian Voices

“Hosting Pride on our farm in rural Tennessee is like the most perfect act of love I could possibly ever imagine," says singer-songwriter Morgan Isaac Karr, whose stage name is #MORGXN. ✍️: Debra Murray for The Appalachian Voice #Pride #LGBTQ #SmallTownPride

The Trump-Vance administration is delaying new regulations that could limit miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust, even as a new study has found that black lung rates in Appalachia are surging. A new version of the silica rule is expected from the administration soon. https://loom.ly/LfII1wU

Max Posner's photo essay for The Appalachian Voice celebrates the volunteer spirit of one grassroots organization and highlights the resourcefulness, collaboration and hard work of thousands of volunteers, first responders and aid workers across the region in the aftermath of #HurricaneHelene.

Richmonders capped two weeks of statewide action with a march calling on #Virginia leaders to pause new data center approvals. Virginians are demanding protections for water, clean air, the electric grid, and a meaningful voice for communities. #RVA #DataCenters #PausetoProtect

Congress is fast-tracking the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act —a bill that would weaken environmental protections and silence communities while benefiting polluters and data centers. Tell Congress: Protect our environment ⬇️ https://loom.ly/ABaqLKc

☀️ #SwitchTogether #Virginia makes going #solar more affordable. Join other households for discounted rooftop ☀️ & optional battery storage from qualified installers—an average 23% discount. Free to register with no obligation: https://loom.ly/fvUWGTU

It’s #SpookySeason in Appalachia! To us, nothing is scarier than not spotting an endangered creature for over a decade. But don't worry, biologists recently spotted several Indiana bats in North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest! 🦇 ✍️: Matt Dhillon for The Appalachian Voice

#DataCenter impacts don’t stop at county lines. Western #Henrico residents voiced concerns about proposed campuses in neighboring #Goochland County. State lawmakers need to enact strong guardrails to protect communities! Read more: https://loom.ly/1y-Jw84

The 2026 elections are happening now. What's your plan to #vote? 🇺🇸 Early, in-person voting is underway in Central and Southern Appalachia. Go to our website for voting information, including where you can cast your ballot. You can also call a nonpartisan voter hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

#DominionEnergy wants to add 9 GW of methane gas power over 20 years, even as it expands solar. More gas means more pollution & higher bills and decades of fossil fuel dependence. Virginians deserve clean air, healthy communities and affordable energy. https://loom.ly/M-7tN_A

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Davidson County’s Planning Board will consider Duke Energy’s proposal for two methane gas plants, liquefied gas storage and a pipeline under the Yadkin River. Tell county leaders: Reject Duke's plans!. Learn more: https://loom.ly/hwpC8b0

Miners with black lung disease receive a monthly disability benefit, but these payments haven't kept up with the cost of living since they were first enacted over fifty years ago. Tell your members of Congress to support America's miners! https://loom.ly/kF3gdiE

#Virginia residents & advocates will host various events under the "March for a Moratorium" banner next week. People are demanding a pause on #DataCenters & stronger safeguards before additional data centers move forward. RSVP to attend one near you! https://loom.ly/_rSboGg

#DukeEnergy and Piedmont Natural Gas are planning a massive buildout of dirty energy infrastructure in Davie & Davidson counties on the Yadkin River to ultimately power data centers. Tell Davidson County leaders: No dirty energy on the Yadkin River! https://loom.ly/rEs03o8

The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a #haunted tower, making it the perfect location for the nonprofit’s sixth annual #haunt event: Night School. It is open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31. ✍️: Rance Garrison for The Appalachian Voice!

Retired coal miners and advocates visited the U.S. Capitol last week to urge members of Congress to increase black lung disability benefits. The group also called on lawmakers to push for stronger protections against the silica dust that contributes to black lung. https://loom.ly/JXkOV-U

#Virginia’s #datacenters are straining water supplies , hurting air quality and driving up electric bills. This October, join Virginians across the commonwealth in demanding a moratorium on new data center development. #VA #datacenters #Virginia https://loom.ly/_rSboGg

The remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding to Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee this weekend, with impacts possible in neighboring states. Now is a good time to prepare. Flood safety tips: Ready.gov/floods

On Monday, Oct. 12, our offices are closed for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which honors the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Consider going to a celebration in your area, attending an educational event or supporting an Indigenous-led organization or business.

#DukeEnergy is proposing 2 gas plants, an “enhanced” LNG facility, a pipeline & major transmission lines along the Yadkin River to serve data centers. The projects could raise bills, pollute & consume millions of gallons of river water. Learn more: https://loom.ly/qdDzQj0

Gov. Spanberger’s 2026 #Virginia Energy Plan finds that affordable clean energy could save the state billions of 💲 over 20 yrs while keeping ⚡ reliable. It explores more ☀️, demand flexibility programs for large users, & no new gas-fired power plants. https://loom.ly/Xc12gYM

Federal energy policy changes could cost US households $6,500 more thru 2040 and nearly $9,000 more in #Virginia. Rolling back #CleanEnergy investments and relying more on #FossilFuels could raise bills. Families deserve affordable clean energy. https://loom.ly/9AracpE

Some #foraging do’s and don’ts: ✅ Do: Pick up local foraging guidebooks to learn to recognize local plants. ✅ Do: Join a local foraging club or mycological organization. ⛔ Don’t: Harvest more than needed. ⛔ Don’t: Consume any unfamiliar plants without researching. ✍️: Debra Murray

Abandoned mines pose serious risks to communities across the country. Tonight, @ABC News investigates! Watch the full segment on ABC News Live PRIME Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, on Hulu at 8 p.m. and on Nightline at 12:30 a.m. ET. https://loom.ly/c4u8-tw

#TVA was created to serve the people of the Valley. As TVA plans for our energy future, those who pay the bills should have a real say in decisions that affect our communities, our wallets and the environment.

Coal miners, their families and medical professionals headed to Washington, D.C., last week to urge lawmakers to support regulations for silica dust. The group also called on members of Congress to raise the black lung disability benefit payment. https://loom.ly/lxlynDg

“Every dollar they save on utilities goes back into their mission,” — Jason Prince, Founder and CEO of Giraffe Financial. Read how the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund and Giraffe Financial are helping Appalachian organizations turn tax incentives into long-term savings: https://loom.ly/ydbjwN0

#DominionEnergy’s #FossilFuel dependence is costing #Virginia customers. Regulators approved a plan adding $10.23/month to a typical bill for 7 years — on top of rising costs. #VA deserves affordable clean energy, not more coal and methane gas. https://loom.ly/j4a9V9s

“It just seemed like all of a sudden it was just spreading like wildfire,” says Larry Johnson, who’s worked as a doctor in Owen County since 2001. ✍️ @liamniemeyer.bsky.social for @kentuckylantern.com.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new rule that could strip protections from streams and wetlands across #Appalachia. Submit a public comment by Friday to help protect our waterways and the communities that depend on them! https://loom.ly/71c4hp4

When extreme weather hits, keeping the 💡's on helps keep a community fed. Beacon of Hope Food Pantry in Marshall, #NC, installed a microgrid w/ 56 solar panels & energy storage to keep critical services running during outages. Proud to support this important effort! https://loom.ly/e-aGyMY

Virginia’s Buffer Summit & Celebration is heading to Southwest Virginia! 🌳 Join our friends at the @James River Association and other streamside restoration partners from across the commonwealth on Wednesday, October 14, at Hungry Mother State Park. 👉 To register: https://loom.ly/EsTMEXY

Solar customers across the Tennessee Valley who produce clean energy should receive fair credit for the energy they send back to the grid! ⚡ Visit our website to learn about the Rooftop Solar Rate program today!

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Read or listen to this story in The Appalachian Voice.

Our national forests are treasured spaces that also keep our air and water clean and protect us from the worst impacts of climate change. Right now, they need our help. 💔 Sign our petition to tell the Forest Service to keep the Roadless Rule. The comment period closes on Oct. 6.

The Senate’s permitting deal seeks to expedite permitting for energy projects — but it’s also a boon for coal, oil and gas. Whether it helps wind and solar depends on whether the Trump-Vance administration stops blocking renewables. https://loom.ly/8xS3cVg

Coal miners, their families & medical professionals from #Kentucky, #Pennsylvania, #Virginia and #WestVirginia gathered in the nation’s capitol yesterday to meet with senators & representatives to advocate for improving #BlackLung benefits & protections. https://loom.ly/2lVx6RA

Today we joined dozens of Natl. Black Lung Association members in DC to bring coal communities’ voices to lawmakers. We’re talking about rising #BlackLung, stronger silica dust protections & barriers to benefits. Black lung is at a 50-year high. Miners deserve better. appvoices.org/actions/blac...

KY Gov. Andy Beshear is urging Congress to support the Support Our Miners Act, which would increase black lung disability benefits and establish annual cost-of-living adjustments. Black lung rates are at a 50-yr high. Congress should support miners who powered our country. https://loom.ly/95doXNs

#HurricaneHelene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in WNC. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy —and isn’t over for others. Read or listen to Alice and Gary Stevens' story in The Voice. ✍️: Abby Hassler

Read or listen to this story in The Appalachian Voice about what happens when a rural county loses its only 24/7 emergency care provider in East Tennessee. #UnicoiCounty #HurricaneHelene ✍️: Gerald Witt

Black lung disease among U.S. coal miners has reached its highest level in decades, while miners who are sick or disabled are facing years-long battles to receive federal benefits. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/20/us-coalminers-black-lung-disease

"The people TVA serves deserve honest planning, cleaner energy and accountability," said Angie Mummaw, Tennessee Field Organizer with Appalachian Voices.

Have you signed up to receive The Appalachian Voice newsletter? If not, you’re missing out on stories that highlight the people, challenges and beauty of Appalachia. ​💚 🔗 Subscribe today: https://appvoices.org/voice/subscribe/

What does it mean to #GiveLikeDolly? Showing up for your neighbors. Investing in your community. Protecting the place you call home. 🦋 Consider donating to help us protect our “Tennessee mountain home” and beyond. 🔗 https://donate.appvoices.org/give/551720#!/donation/checkout

Earlier this year, the Tennessee Valley Authority scrapped plans to retire its aging Kingston and Cumberland coal plants. Keeping those plants online past their original retirement dates would cost about $1.37 billion. More from Mariah Franklin for Knoxville News Sentinel.

Black lung disability payments haven't kept up with inflation. A new bill — the Support Our Miners Act — aims to fix this by increasing the disability benefit and tying it to inflation. Tell your lawmakers: America's miners with black lung disease deserve a raise! https://loom.ly/xkMG16s

“The opposition to this prison has held off construction for nearly 20 years,” says Artie Ann Bates of Concerned Letcher Countians. “Letcher County already has a lot of issues — flooding, lack of fire and EMS services, and more. Having a prison would only make those issues more complicated.”

#NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson urges regulators to create a separate electricity rate for data centers, pause new methane gas plant approvals, and increase transparency around large-customer contracts and Duke Energy demand forecasts. https://loom.ly/XFaqYyc

The #Monongahela National Forest in #WV is a national treasure. But the Forest Service wants to close a portion of it to public use so that a coal company can haul coal through it, putting waterways and sensitive species at risk. Tell the U.S. Forest Service: Protect the Mon!