Poisoned water, a black lung epidemic, & flash flooding
When I arrived back in Louisville after six days in Eastern Kentucky, I forgot I was allowed to drink water from the faucet. So thirsty, I…
Holly Beach, light pollution, & America’s dumping ground
I sat on the shore of Holly Beach, Louisiana, watching the tide creep up the sand. The distant offshore oil rigs, which shined brighter than the…
The Mighty Mississippi’s troubles, rural LGBTQ rights, & another oil spill
Mississippi’s Big Sunflower River flows 250 miles before it hits the Yazoo River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The area surrounding Big Sunflower is…
Attacks on science, Appalachia’s new prison, & the Florida torreya
When people agree to participate in research studies, they often only do so with the promise of confidentiality. Some fear backlash from local government: in rural…
The future of fishing, Tennessee’s natural burials, & the women rebuilding Puerto Rico
While I was on vacation in Clearwater, Florida years ago, I almost learned how to fish. A friend of mine adored the sport. He sat for…