All articles tagged with #appalachia
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.