All articles tagged with #appalachia
Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel, 'Partita,' explores the tension between rural conservatism and urban idealism through a pianist’s past. Critics are divided: some praise its emotional depth, while others criticize its lack of political nuance.
A rare inherited mutation called EGFR T790M is now linked to a dramatically higher lung-cancer risk, especially among people who never smoked and are from Southern Appalachia (notably Tennessee and Alabama). The gene makes lung cancer roughly 62-fold more likely in never-smokers and about 10-fold more likely in smokers, ranking among the strongest cancer-risk mutations identified. Researchers trace the mutation to ancestors from the British Isles who settled in Appalachia 200–225 years ago, highlighting a regional genetic factor in cancer risk and the potential need for targeted screening.
Fallout 76 reveals The Slasher update, arriving Sept. 15, introducing a pint-sized killer to Appalachia, with Breaking News broadcasts, new infestations, grave-digging missions, and ongoing lead updates. The update also launches Season 26: Beware the Blood Moon, letting players earn S.C.O.R.E. Tickets to redeem creepy rewards like the Batty Skirt, Blood Moon Power Armor Paint, Creepy Cultist Well, and the Blood Moon Weather Control Station.
Dolly Parton built a regional economic powerhouse around Dollywood in Sevier County, Tennessee, transforming a skeptical project into a tourism juggernaut that now draws about 4 million visitors annually and employs around 4,500 people. The park’s expansion into hotels, restaurants, and attractions helped boost the local economy, with direct economic impact cited at about $1.8 billion per year and total county tourism spending around $3.9 billion in 2024, along with significant state and local tax revenue. Parton’s Dollywood Foundation also funded scholarships and wildfire-relief efforts, weaving community uplift into her widely beloved business empire.
Thousands of mourners gathered at Dollywood to pay tribute to Dolly Parton after her death at 80 from cancer, with fans arriving in sequined outfits and leaving flowers and notes at a memorial wall, as park leaders vowed to carry forward her legacy and celebrate her impact on Appalachia and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
NSF will fund about $321 million to the RETI Engine led by West Virginia University with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University and 60 partners to build a regional energy-innovation hub in Appalachia. The project includes up to $160 million from NSF and $161 million from industry and partners over a decade, aiming to spur energy resilience, grid management, AI-enabled tech, storage, and advanced manufacturing, with projected impacts of ~21,000 jobs, 150 startups, and over $1 billion in regional growth.
Recent progress in reducing opioid overdose deaths in Appalachia, driven by treatment and harm reduction programs, faces potential setbacks due to proposed federal and state funding cuts by the White House and Republicans, which could undermine ongoing efforts and reverse gains in combating the epidemic.
The Santa Train, a cherished tradition since 1943, brings holiday joy to Appalachian communities in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. This year marks its 82nd run, distributing over 15 tons of gifts to children along a 110-mile CSX rail line. The event, supported by volunteers and CSX employees, embodies the spirit of Christmas, fostering community bonds and creating lasting memories for generations. Special events, like a holiday party in Erwin, Tennessee, extend the train's reach, spreading cheer beyond its usual route.
Documentary filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon explores the socioeconomic relationship between Appalachia and its central resource, coal, in her new film "King Coal." Through intimate and philosophical storytelling, Sheldon captures the decline of the coal industry and its impact on the region's communities. The film highlights the intergenerational perspectives of Central Appalachians, including Sheldon's coal miner grandfather, as they grapple with the loss of their once-dominant industry and search for a new direction. Sheldon also focuses on the role of children in shaping the future of Appalachia and challenges the myths surrounding coal's significance.
Tyler Childers releases the music video for his new song "In Your Love," which tells the story of a gay romance between two male coalminers in 1950s Appalachia. The video, directed by Bryan Schlam and starring Colton Haynes and James Scully, aims to provide representation in country music and challenge stereotypes about rural and LGBTQ+ communities. The video captures the men falling in love, facing the violent reactions of their co-workers, and starting a new life together. The release of "In Your Love" also announces Childers' upcoming album, Rustin' in the Rain, inspired by Elvis Presley and set to be released on September 8.
Photographer Mark Laita has documented the lives of the Whittakers, known as "America's most inbred family," who reside in the rural mountain town of Odd, West Virginia. The family communicates only in grunts and barks at passersby, and some members have physical and mental aberrations due to inbreeding. Laita's goal is to shed light on the poverty in the area and has set up a GoFundMe to help the family with living expenses and home improvements. Despite their communication limitations, the Whittakers seem to comprehend Laita's questions, and he claims that they face a really rough life.