Latest news with #Appalachian
Forbes
3 days ago
- Politics
- Forbes
Trump Admin Proposes Rolling Back Coal Mining Safety Protections
Photo by Curtis Wainscott/FPG/On June 12th, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced a proposal to roll back federal guidelines to investigate reports of potential workplace dangers in mines. Mining remains a dangerous occupation for American workers. In 2023, forty people died in mining-related workplace incidents in the United States. Nine of these fatalities were connected to coal mines. Even after a miner retires, he or she may struggle with chronic health issues like black lung, COPD, and lung cancer. Last year, the Department of the Interior amended their policies to require prompt inspections of mining safety concerns are reported. In the past, many miners continued to work for weeks in dangerous conditions even after they had reported hazards or safety violations. Miners or environmentalists reported that some state officials seemed to shrug off reported workplace or pollution violations. Since mining safety investigations were largely left to the states to oversee, citizens who filed complaints were left with little recourse when reports stalled or went unaddressed. In 2024, the Ten-Day Notice rule was amended. Currently, if a state authority fails to promptly address reported safety concerns, OSMRE can initiate a federal investigation. The Ten-Day Notice Rule requires the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) to inform a state regulatory authority about violations of work permits, safety regulations, or other potentially dangerous issues in mining facilities. Then, the state regulatory authority has ten days to respond to the potential violation. The 2024 additions to the Ten-Day Notice Rule aim to hold state officials and mining companies accountable when they are expected to address potential workplace dangers. Adam G. Suess, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, argued that the 2024 amendment created unnecessary restrictions for state officials. "We're cutting red tape, restoring clarity and respecting states' right to lead. Federal oversight doesn't mean federal interference,' Suess said in the June 12th proposal to restrict the Ten-Day Notice Rule. Suess is not the only person who has critiqued the addition of federal inspections to the Ten-Day Notice Rule. In 2024, fourteen attorneys general sued the OSMRE in an attempt to reign in the new safety and reporting guidelines. However, advocates believe that the additions to the Ten-Day Notice Rule save lives and protect the environment. Bonnie Swinford is the Beyond Coal campaign strategist at the Sierra Club. 'Without the Ten Day Notice Rule, toxic spills will fester, dangerous mines will go unrepaired, and at the end of the day, the coal companies responsible will get to wipe their hands and walk away from the messes they created," Swinford said in a press release published in Appalachian Voices. Appalachian coal miners encounter some of the highest levels of injuries and fatalities. Willie Dodson, the Appalachian Voices Coal Impacts Program Manager, echoed Swinford's concerns. 'This rule, in more or less its current form, has helped residents of coal mining communities ensure that their corporate neighbors do not pollute the air and water,' said Dodson. 'The administration's rewrite of this rule will do nothing but eliminate protections for everyday people in order to benefit those who profit from destructive, polluting, reckless coal mining practices.'
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Ohio graduate student says he'll make another bid for governor in 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 26, (AP): An Ohio State University master's student said Wednesday that he's making an independent bid for governor in 2026. This marks Timothy Grady's second go at the office. The 28-year-old who says he advocates "new economic thinking' and systemic political change ran what he describes as a "largely satirical' write-in campaign in 2022. He earned the endorsement of performance artist and activist Vermin Supreme and finishing fourth of six candidates with 574 votes. This time, he's entering a race that includes billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is backed by Trump and the state Republican Party, Appalachian entrepreneur Heather Hill, and Democrat Amy Acton, a former state health director who led Ohio through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grady said in a news release that he is "still not the candidate Ohioans deserve,' but, "In the current field, I can confidently say I'm the best candidate for the job, because our toxic politics otherwise keeps good people out.' A native of northern Ohio's Richland County, Grady is working toward a master's of public administration at the university's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He recently chaired and led a reorganization of the Ohio chapter of the Forward Party, a centrist political movement founded by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
4 days ago
- Politics
Ohio graduate student says he'll make another bid for governor in 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio State University master's student said Wednesday that he's making an independent bid for governor in 2026. This marks Timothy Grady's second go at the office. The 28-year-old who says he advocates 'new economic thinking' and systemic political change ran what he describes as a 'largely satirical' write-in campaign in 2022. He earned the endorsement of performance artist and activist Vermin Supreme and finishing fourth of six candidates with 574 votes. This time, he's entering a race that includes billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is backed by Trump and the state Republican Party, Appalachian entrepreneur Heather Hill, and Democrat Amy Acton, a former state health director who led Ohio through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grady said in a news release that he is 'still not the candidate Ohioans deserve,' but, 'In the current field, I can confidently say I'm the best candidate for the job, because our toxic politics otherwise keeps good people out.' A native of northern Ohio's Richland County, Grady is working toward a master's of public administration at the university's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He recently chaired and led a reorganization of the Ohio chapter of the Forward Party, a centrist political movement founded by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ohio graduate student says he'll make another bid for governor in 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio State University master's student said Wednesday that he's making an independent bid for governor in 2026. This marks Timothy Grady's second go at the office. The 28-year-old who says he advocates 'new economic thinking' and systemic political change ran what he describes as a 'largely satirical' write-in campaign in 2022. He earned the endorsement of performance artist and activist Vermin Supreme and finishing fourth of six candidates with 574 votes. This time, he's entering a race that includes billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is backed by Trump and the state Republican Party, Appalachian entrepreneur Heather Hill, and Democrat Amy Acton, a former state health director who led Ohio through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grady said in a news release that he is 'still not the candidate Ohioans deserve,' but, 'In the current field, I can confidently say I'm the best candidate for the job, because our toxic politics otherwise keeps good people out.' A native of northern Ohio's Richland County, Grady is working toward a master's of public administration at the university's John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He recently chaired and led a reorganization of the Ohio chapter of the Forward Party, a centrist political movement founded by former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Americans moan, groan about 'oppressive' heat wave on social media
Everyone's feeling the heat. A sweltering and record-setting heat wave, which extends from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to the East Coast, has made enjoying the summer, a time of leisure and fun, all but impossible. Heat warnings, most of which were issued over the weekend, remain in effect across much of the country. Relief for certain regions is imminent or has already occurred, but most people, particularly those who reside in the Mid-Atlantic and eastern Ohio Valley, will have to contend with "several consecutive days of oppressive heat," according to a June 23 forecast by the National Weather Service. While there's very little to do but watch and essentially wait for the heat to pass, some can't help but gripe about the unpleasant (and dangerous) weather. It's become, for lack of a better term, a talking point on social media in recent days as we all try to keep cool alone, but together. Here's how some Americans are feeling about the heat. When will the heat wave pass? It all depends on where you live. Some regions, including Iowa, Wisconsin, northern Michigan, the rest of the Great Lakes, northern New England and most of the Northeast, including Boston and New York City, will see relief in the coming days. The worst of the heat, though, is expected to last through either Wednesday, June 25 or Thursday, June 26 in the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian region. As for the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valley, it will be both uncomfortably hot and muggy through the rest of the week. Internet reacts to US heat wave The heat is making (some) Americans go feral. Many have taken to social media to not only talk about the weather, but also to post weather-related content, specifically pictures or memes. Regular social media users, federal and state agencies and even politicians are all offering their "hot" takes in light of all the unpleasant weather. Here's what folks all over the country are saying about the heat. Change is in the air in NYC today…And also it's hot as hell out!#DontRankCuomo Hello, New York City stay inside. It is simply too hot and I'm worried about your health. Heatstroke is no joke. DC sunsets that almost make the heat wave worth it I don't know who needs to read this but it's perfectly acceptable to run through the neighbour's sprinkler at 8am to help cool off during this heatwave. Well, well, well. If it isn't our old nemesis deadly heatwave. Baby, I live in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's 94°F outside. Your heatwave sound like light jacket weather. 'How are you handling the heat wave?'Me: the idea that british heat waves are more special than the rest of the world is so deranged like a lot of places in the US also don't have central air conditioning in their homes ???? Even a Dairy Queen Blizzard doesn't stand a chance against a Virginia heat wave. me with this heat wave This heat wave is 𝗻𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗸𝗲.If you feel close to heat exhaustion, 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 find the closest Mexican restaurant and order their largest 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮, STAT. its a severe heat wave in my state... wym it might hit 110 today...? it's gonna be HOT today Feelin' hot hot hot! No matter the time of year or activity, it's important to stay hydrated and drink before you feel thirsty. The amount of water you need may increase if you are doing a strenuous activity like hiking or doomscrolling. It's so hot out that people are swimming in the Charles River today. days like today confirm for me that it is much better for it to be very cold out than very hot out When it's 99 degrees outside so you go to hot yoga to cool off because it's only 95 degrees Contributing: Doyle Rice and Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
