Echoes of Appalachia
“Stories, culture, and memories from the heart of Appalachia.”
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recent posts
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Homelessness in Appalachia Reached a Breaking Point in 2024 and 2025
- Immigrants and Appalachia: The Hidden Story That Built a Mountain Civilization
- Urban Appalachia: Rural Memory Inside the Modern City
- My New Book Has Been Published
- Beyond Appalachia: Venerable Monks, the Walk For Peace, and a Nation Searching for Common Ground
about
Author: Tim Carmichael
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Across the backroads and small towns of rural Appalachia, opportunity is hard to come by, and families are doing their best just to get by. And now, thanks to Tennessee’s school voucher program, they’re being told they have “choice” but it’s a cruel joke. Because for much of rural Appalachia, there is no choice at…
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The opioid crisis remains one of the most devastating public health emergencies in modern American history. With roots dating back to the late 1990s, this epidemic has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and disrupted entire communities. At the heart of the crisis lies the role of pharmaceutical companies, particularly Purdue Pharma, whose aggressive…
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In a stunning move that has gone largely unnoticed in mainstream coverage, President Donald Trump’s proposed discretionary budget includes a jaw-dropping 93 percent cut to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This reduction would slash the agency’s funding from $200 million to just $14 million, effectively crippling one of the most important support systems for one…
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In the hills and hollers of Appalachia, there is a season that never appears on any calendar. It is marked not by the weather but by the clink of Mason jars, the hiss of pressure cookers, and the scent of boiling vegetables drifting from every open window. Folks around here call it canning time, and…
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For generations, Appalachia has been a stronghold for the Republican Party. Election after election, voters in the region have cast their ballots for GOP candidates, believing in promises of economic revival, job creation, and protection of traditional values. Yet, year after year, the reality for many Appalachian communities remains the same: stagnant wages, crumbling infrastructure,…
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In the hollers and winding roads of Appalachia, where coal once reigned and communities often feel forgotten, a political red wave has swept through in recent years, one defined by the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement in 2017 and in 2024 Elections. But as the embers of populist fervor burn, the question remains: Can…
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The Appalachian Mountains, long shrouded in mystery and folklore, have become ground zero for a viral new wave of conspiracy theories that claim the region hides secret alien bases and government coverups. Fueled by viral posts on X (formerly Twitter), amateur UFO hunters, paranormal enthusiasts, and influencers are flooding into rural communities in search of…
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High atop the Smoky Mountains, far from the bustling roads and visitor centers, lies a summit where summer unfurls in rare, blazing colors. Gregory Bald, a rounded, grassy knob standing at 4,949 feet, remains one of the few places in the world where a natural garden bursts to life with fiery azaleas in hues so…
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By any modern measure, the latest sweeping legislation to roll through Washington has inspired hope in some corners and dread in others. Many media outlets focus on the shiny parts—stimulus promises, clean energy projects, and lofty ambitions. Yet in the ridges and hollers of Appalachia, a much different story brews. While others cheer, many mountain…
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Yesterday, Trump’s long-promised “big, beautiful” tax bill passed through Congress with roaring approval from Republicans. It’s being touted by its backers as a win for economic freedom and job growth, but for the average American—especially those in rural and struggling regions like Appalachia—it’s a ticking time bomb. While the wealthy celebrate permanent tax breaks, working…
Echoes of Appalachia 