Kentucky

Coal production rose in Appalachia in 2021, according to federal data, but employment declined.

This week on Inside Appalachia, we’re visiting the Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky, whose cultural archives were damaged by historic flooding.

On this West Virginia Morning, Inside Appalachia producer Bill Lynch talks with Robert Gipe and Amanda Slone, two writers who were at the annual Appalachian Writers' Workshop in Kentucky during recent, devastating flooding. Also, in this show, Jessica Lilly tells us about the “Courage in the Hollers: Mapping the Miners’ Struggle for a Union" event that will take place in Matewan this weekend.

Our first stop this week is in Charleston, West Virginia where we’re sitting down with the inimitable Dolly Parton. She recently visited W.Va. to celebrate her children’s book program, Imagination Library. We’ll also talk to the owner of a Charleston abattoir who developed a butchering apprenticeship program.

Families living below a strip mining operation in Breathitt County, Kentucky are suing two coal companies, arguing that they contributed to flood damage on their homes and properties.

On this West Virginia Morning, there is a traditional music competition that goes back nearly 1,000 years to Wales. Immigrants brought the tradition to southern Ohio, where it has endured for generations. We learn how youth are keeping it alive. Folkways reporter Capri Cafaro has this story.

Gov. Andy Beshear pointed to signs of progress Thursday as federal emergency personnel respond to requests for assistance in flood-ravaged eastern Kentucky, but stressed it's “still not enough” as people work to recover from the disaster that swept away homes and inundated communities.

On this West Virginia Morning, three weeks ago, eastern Kentucky was hit by devastating floods. The Federal Emergency Management Authority and the Small Business Administration are on the ground trying to help restore the hard-hit region. WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Patrick Boland from FEMA and Laurie Dana from the SBA about what is going on in the region.

Mountain Eagle has covered Letcher County, Kentucky for more than a century. When historic flooding hit about two weeks ago, the paper’s small staff did what it’s always done: tell the stories of the region and the people who live there. WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf stopped by its office in Whitesburg. Also, in this show, reporter Randy Yohe talks with an expert about the current and future state of construction in West Virginia.

On this West Virginia Morning, the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky caused loss of life and untold property damage. It may have also cost the Appalachian region something else, part of its history. Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Melissa Helton at the Hindman Settlement School in Hindman Kentucky about the flood and the struggle to save some of Appalachia’s past.