Sydney Boles

A federal bankruptcy judge has denied a petition from former Blackjewel coal executive Jeff Hoops to liquidate the company. The decision means the reorganization of the company will continue under Chapter 11 bankruptcy as former employees, creditors and state agencies seek to recover millions owed by the company.

Bankrupt coal company Blackjewel is suing its former CEO over alleged self-dealing that led to the company’s demise.

The convoluted bankruptcy of coal company Blackjewel has hit another turn of events as the company’s former CEO moved to liquidate the company. A federal judge granted a motion last week to convert the bankruptcy from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7.

Environmental advocates worry a coal company liquidation plan will leave dozens of coal permits in eastern Kentucky unreclaimed, according to filings in the bankruptcy proceedings of Blackjewel L.L.C.

A group of 14 Appalachian community leaders from Pennsylvania to Alabama have agreed to help journalists gain more perspectives on the full diversity of the region.

Coal miners are among other essential workers who are on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates say more needs to be done to protect the miners.

In Pike County, Ky., coal miners blocked a railroad track, demanding to be paid wages they said they were owed. After three days, they were paid and left the tracks.

In a struggling coal region of Kentucky, moves to fix a notoriously dirty water supply have created a new crisis: Many are now unable to afford their water bills.

Coal miners in Harlan, Ky., are protesting this week after Blackjewel, one of the nation's largest coal companies, declared bankruptcy without enough money to pay workers their final paychecks.

A busload of coal miners from Appalachia are lobbying members of Congress to shore up the black lung disability trust fund, which is billions of dollars in debt.