If you were around the KY/VA border on HWY 23 last Friday, you might have heard the sounds of an Appalachian shindig in downtown Pound. Pound, usually known for having almost lost its charter because of widespread corruption, is now showing up as a leader in true community-led revitalization. 1/5
From the conceptualization of the monument through the design and to the construction, Appalachian labor and overlooked narratives have shaped this project and now, future residents, performers, and kinfolks have someplace to gather and play for years to come. 5/5
Last Friday, labor leaders from Pound, United Mine Workers of America, Communication Workers of America, VT students/staff, and musicians all turned out to celebrate the monument. While part of the masonry is unfinished, local kids colored their versions of the stained glass to cover the gaps. 4/5
One of the artists is Dana Jo Cooley, a coal miner’s daughter from Whitwell TN who lost her father in the 1981 No. 21 mine disaster. From deep, personal work to coax out folks’ labor stories to designing/installing stunning stained glass/masonry,Dana Jo centered passion and trust in her process.3/5
In 2024, Pound received $$ from VT’s Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia program and decided to set about building a monument to regional labor. Community members worked with local artists to develop an incredible public stage that will sit on a revitalized former brownfield/landslide site. 2/5
If you were around the KY/VA border on HWY 23 last Friday, you might have heard the sounds of an Appalachian shindig in downtown Pound. Pound, usually known for having almost lost its charter because of widespread corruption, is now showing up as a leader in true community-led revitalization. 1/5
vrha.org/work-for-vrha/ If anyone is interested in furthering a career in medical education in rural areas!
Yesterday, MSHA's silica dust rule was supposed to go into effect for all metal and non-metal mines. A year ago, it should have gone into effect for coal mines. Neither has occurred. MSHA is negotiating with industry to weaken the rule and blaming self-imposed constraints to delay action.
But do the IRB folks ALSO have to sign consent forms since they’re now also participating in the overall work?
Today the President released his FY27 Budget Proposal. It contains harmful cuts to programs important to Eastern Kentucky. Read our Statement:
aclc.org/2026/04/03/a...
The ProPublica union has voted to authorize a strike.
Around 150 journalists, videographers, copy editors and more voted to authorize, with 92% of the union voting yes.
ProPublica allegedly rejected restrictions on replacing jobs with AI, and hasn't met other union concerns.
Another AI-generated grant landed in my inbox today so let’s chat about why, exactly, folks
shouldn’t use AI for project applications. It can be really appealing, esp. in rural areas like SWVA
where there are often few/no paid town employees and leaders play multiple roles within their
community.1/9
#SouthwestVirginia has faced repeated floods in recent years, and there is a great need for better preparation for climate related disasters. That's why we're working with local residents to plan resilience projects and ensure that local voices lead the way. #SWVA
Read more: https://loom.ly/7fgt9oo
A just transition is not going to happen if it’s designed by ChatGPT, regardless of what tech
bros want you to think. A just transition has to prioritize people and creating connections, not just code. 9/9
Think about the loop you might be creating in which you help fuel unsustainable/polluting
infrastructure for data centers while applying for $ to fight those same forces. Think about
partners whose jobs are displaced by AI or who are having to spend effort cleaning up
AI-generated messes. 8/9
If you’re using AI to write environmental justice or community equity-focused projects, I ask that
you take a step back and consider the bigger picture. Think about the local workers, artists,
experts who could be paid for their more effective work during project dev. 7/9
Maybe it doesn’t account for permitting in the budget/timeline or it cites incorrect regulations or it
doesn’t include legal language for subcontracts/ RFPs-whatever the case, fallout from
noncompliance costs far more time, money, and stress than writing the original application
would have. 6/9
AI does not understand compliance. I have now dealt with multiple ChatGPT-generated grants
that simply fail at local, state, and federal compliance standards. 5/9
Who is creating that archive? Not the applicant, with fewer than 3 paid employees and no
humanities training or tech. equipment. Not a contractor, since one wasn’t included in the
AI-created budget. 4/9
AI like ChatGPT is not a search engine. It does not know what things cost and it certainly can’t
tailor budgets and scopes of work to the specific capabilities of unique communities. In one
case, it spat out an application that included the creation of an extensive oral history archive. 3/9
However, I have noticed a biiiig increase in more well-resourced groups, including
environmental and justice focused groups, starting to use this tech and boy, is it causing some
problems. 2/9
Another AI-generated grant landed in my inbox today so let’s chat about why, exactly, folks
shouldn’t use AI for project applications. It can be really appealing, esp. in rural areas like SWVA
where there are often few/no paid town employees and leaders play multiple roles within their
community.1/9
The Interior Department has rescinded more than 80% of its prior rules under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA, one of the country’s foundational environmental laws, requires federal agencies to conduct detailed reviews of how proposed projects could impact surrounding communities,
It’s time for my confession
It’s time for my confession
The coalfields of SWVA are covered in snow and ice so it seemed like a good time to bust out a cozy cookbook and try this lemon cake, make with vanilla tea-infused butter and a cream cheese icing.
The coalfields of SWVA are covered in snow and ice so it seemed like a good time to bust out a cozy cookbook and try this lemon cake, make with vanilla tea-infused butter and a cream cheese icing.
“Everyone deserves a safe community, clean air and water, safety on the job, and the basic constitutional protections at the foundation of our democracy. We urge our country’s leaders to work together to ensure that all of these rights are protected.”
Did #bison live in #Appalachia? 🦬 Indigenous and archaeological records indicate that bison were found in nearly every state. In Letcher County, KY, an Indigenous organization is seeking to reintroduce bison on 63 acres of a reclaimed mountaintop removal coal mine. https://loom.ly/4wf2D3o
The way I absolutely cackled
