Staley lives and works in Watauga County, home to Appalachian State University, where the stereotypical student has always been outdoorsy, politically conscious, and a little bit “granola.”
Young Appalachians Want Better Intergenerational Political Conversations
Many young Appalachians, regardless of later political affiliation, can recall the childhood moments they learned how free they were to voice their own thoughts about contentious topics with family members.
Many young Appalachians, regardless of later political affiliation, can recall the childhood moments they learned how free they were to voice their own thoughts about contentious topics with family members.
A Love Letter to Appalachia at the End of a Long Week
I won’t try to tell you something you already know, something many of you reading this might have taught me.
I won’t try to tell you something you already know, something many of you reading this might have taught me.
For My Indian-American Family, West Virginia Will Always Be Home
I was not born in Charleston and did not grow up there. But I feel a connection to the city, and the Appalachian region where my family lived for more than 30 years.
I was not born in Charleston and did not grow up there. But I feel a connection to the city, and the Appalachian region where my family lived for more than 30 years.
Healthcare Is Human: A Nurse on the Frontlines of an Addiction Crisis
In the beginning, they functioned. And then, the addiction took hold, and its tentacles go everywhere.
In the beginning, they functioned. And then, the addiction took hold, and its tentacles go everywhere.
The Number of White Nationalist Groups in Appalachia Is Rising — And the Surge Could Have Implications for Democracy
With a historic election just months away, these groups are multiplying, mobilizing and making, and in some cases already implementing, plans to undo democracy,
With a historic election just months away, these groups are multiplying, mobilizing and making, and in some cases already implementing, plans to undo democracy,
Front Porch Politics: ‘White Rural Rage’ Gives Voice to My Rage as a Rural Leftist
I’ve been grappling with that question ever since reading “White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy.”
I’ve been grappling with that question ever since reading “White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy.”
Front Porch Politics: GOP Attacks on Appalachian Campus DEI Efforts Are About More Than Universities
Universities are frequently choosing to stand with far-right legislators over their own students.
Universities are frequently choosing to stand with far-right legislators over their own students.
In West Virginia’s ‘Poultry Capital,’ Immigrant Workers Struggle to Find the Help and Support They Need
Thousands of immigrants have worked at Pilgrim’s Pride’s Moorefield poultry plant, the area’s largest employer. After arrival, they have a hard time finding affordable housing, paying rent and understanding complex immigration and benefits systems.
Thousands of immigrants have worked at Pilgrim’s Pride’s Moorefield poultry plant, the area’s largest employer. After arrival, they have a hard time finding affordable housing, paying rent and understanding complex immigration and benefits systems.
From Flooding to Fires: Appalachia’s Recreation Industry Faces Climate Change Challenges
The discussions in some communities, however, have shifted to predicting what long-term effects climate change will have on outdoor recreation that, in many places, has supported a changing economy and how our communities can cope.
The discussions in some communities, however, have shifted to predicting what long-term effects climate change will have on outdoor recreation that, in many places, has supported a changing economy and how our communities can cope.
Pain and Possibility: Reckoning With Historic Inequity on the West Side of Charleston, West Virginia
This once-thriving neighborhood, he notes, was designed to be low income. “Make no mistake about it.”
This once-thriving neighborhood, he notes, was designed to be low income. “Make no mistake about it.”
Gentrification or Revitalization? Investment on the West Side a ‘Litmus Test’ for Inclusive Economic Development
Over the past seven years, about a dozen businesses have moved into renovated storefronts that had been largely empty for more than a decade.
Over the past seven years, about a dozen businesses have moved into renovated storefronts that had been largely empty for more than a decade.
Meet the Filmmakers of ‘O, Pioneer!’, a Documentary Exploring Life in Appalachia During the Pandemic
When we hear the word “pioneer” – especially in the Appalachian context – an image of the mountaineer likely comes to mind.
When we hear the word “pioneer” – especially in the Appalachian context – an image of the mountaineer likely comes to mind.
Ready for a Road Trip? A Guide to the Sights & Bites of Central, Southern Appalachia
It’s easy to get comfortable in Appalachia.
It’s easy to get comfortable in Appalachia.
This Pride, ‘I Love My Hometown Whether It Loves Me Back or Not’
My hometown of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania markets itself as a Victorian-era gem designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
My hometown of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania markets itself as a Victorian-era gem designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
For Tree-Sitter, No Hiding From Heartbreak of Deal to Greenlight Mountain Valley Pipeline
Theresa “Red” Terry never wanted shades on the windows of her white clapboard farmhouse perched on the side of 2,600-foot Bent Mountain.
Theresa “Red” Terry never wanted shades on the windows of her white clapboard farmhouse perched on the side of 2,600-foot Bent Mountain.