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Indiana Michigan Power's Rockport plant in southern Indiana, viewed from the shoulder of U.S. 231 in Spencer County, Indiana.
Curtis Tate
/
WEKU
The Commonwealth
Coal jobs continue to decline, especially in Eastern Kentucky, latest figures show
Curtis Tate
The declines come amid a surge in the growth of solar power and despite Trump administration policies intended to boost coal use.
The Commonwealth
Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom
Lexington/Richmond
Off the Beaten Path with Sam Dick
Eastern Standard
  • In addition to coal, furniture manufacturing was once an economic mainstay in much of Appalachia.
    Shutterstock
    /
    Shutterstock
    Eastern Standard: August 6th, 2026
    Tom Martin
    For much of the twentieth century, communities across Appalachia were sustained not only by coal mining, but also by furniture plants, textile mills, apparel shops, steel, glass, machinery, and other forms of manufacturing.
  • The Comair Flight 5191 sculpture at The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky in Lexington, designed by sculptor Douwe Blumberg, honors those killed in the crash with 49 birds taking flight. Each bird contains mementos from loved ones sealed inside.
    Sheila Kenny
    Eastern Standard: July 30th, 2026
    Tom Martin
    Filmmaker Lanny Brannock discusses his documentary about the August 2006 crash of Comair Flight 5191 at Bluegrass Airport.
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