BOONE, North Carolina, Sept. 28 -- Appalachian State University issued the following news: Studies confirm that staying up to date on vaccinations can significantly reduce older adults' risks of hospitalization or death from the flu and COVID-19. To improve vaccination rates among adults ages 60 and older in 10 Western North Carolina counties, the National Council on Aging has awarded a $481,378 grant to Appalachian State University's Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services. In p  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The Appalachian Regional Commission issued the following news release on Sept. 26, 2023: Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the 40 fellows selected for the 2023-2024 Class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently living and/or working in one of ARC's 13 Appalachian states. The 2023-2024 class comprises a diverse network of professionals representing all 13 Ap  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Sept. 27 -- Ballad Health, a community health improvement organization, issued the following news release: Ballad Health and local orthopedic surgeon group Southern Appalachian Medical Management (SAMM) have teamed up to make a collective $50,000 donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee. This is the second year in a row the health system has partnered with SAMM, which represents local practices, to make a significant donation to Second Harvest Food B  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced new legislation to support American production and increase duties on Russian imports of ferrosilicon, a material that improves the strength and quality of steel that is used in the manufacturing of steel appliances, bridges, automobiles, and more. "We know what a problem far-flung supply chains have become for Ohio companies, and for   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced funding from a variety of federal departments and agencies to support health services, public safety, economic development, transportation, workforce development, logistics research, and environmental protection programs across West Virginia. HHS FUNDING: Senator   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-New York, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced two federal grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board, totaling $100,000. "I'm proud to announce two grants for the development of the Southern Tier through the Appalachian Regional Commission," said Rep. Langworthy. "This investment will provide new opportuni  more

CARTHAGE, Tennessee, Sept. 26 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Nashville District issued the following news release: Cordell Hull Lake recently received a Handshake Partnership Grant in partnership with Smith County Rescue Squad to make improvements to Bear Waller Gap Trail in Defeated, Tennessee. Kenny Claywell, Cordell Hull Lake Resource manager, said volunteers re-marked the 5.5-mile trail on the shoreline of the lake and installed new first aid stations along the trail. The two emergenc  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2023: Environmental and health groups celebrated an important step toward clean air after a federal appeals court today denied the requests of states and industry groups to block the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) "Good Neighbor Rule." The rule, designed to address cross-state air pollution and the adverse health effects of ozone pollution, also called smog, will improve public health and air quality.   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- The Environmental Defense Fund issued the following news release on Sept. 25, 2023: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected an attempt to halt the Good Neighbor Plan - a vital pollution-reduction effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that protects people in downwind states from smog that blows over their borders from power plants, including coal-plant smokestacks, and other industrial sources in neighboring states. "Today's decision is  more

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee, Sept. 26 -- East Tennessee State University issued the following news: From an immersive art exhibit to amplify the voices of the community's population experiencing homelessness to a program linking college students with older adults in rural communities to reduce social isolation, students at East Tennessee State University have many ideas to improve the quality of life for the people of this region. Those ideas and seven others will take center stage at ETSU Elevate  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Virginia, issued the following statement on Sept. 25, 2023: * * * The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) today awarded $700,000 to the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors for the Hurley Waterline Extension Project. The final installment of the 12-phase project, this funding will be used to improve water access to 97 households. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: "I am pleased that these funds from the Appalach  more

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Virginia, Sept. 26 -- Hampden-Sydney College issued the following news: Hampden-Sydney College is thrilled to welcome seven new faculty members from various disciplines for the 2023-2024 academic year. With a combined 28 degrees, these faculty members are ready to contribute their wealth of knowledge and global perspectives to future generations of leaders. Michael Dale is an assistant professor of philosophy. He received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Vassar College,  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials, issued the following news release on Sept. 27, 2023: House Energy and Commerce Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) delivered the following opening remarks at today's legislative hearing on reauthorizing the Brownfields program to improve communities with more economic development, incre  more

FRANKFORT, Kentucky, Sept. 29 -- The Kentucky Public Service Commission issued the following order (Case No. 2023-00264) on Sept. 28, 2023: * * * In the Matter of: Electronic Application Of East Kentucky Network, LLC For The Issuance Of A Certificate Of Public Convenience And Necessity To Construct A Replacement Tower In Estill County, Kentucky COMMISSION STAFF'S SECOND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO EAST KENTUCKY NETWORK, LLC D/B/A APPALACHIAN WIRELESS East Kentucky Network, LLC d/b/a Appalachi  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, issued the following news release: Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $19,442,500 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the Appalachian and Ohio Railroad, which is based out of Buckhannon, West Virginia. The funding will support a variety of infrastructure upgrades to the railroad, including rehabilitating   more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 29 -- The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation issued the following news release: Mid Atlantic Arts' Central Appalachian Living Traditions program is thrilled to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship in partnership with the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and South Arts. The National Association of Black Storytellers awards the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships to honor, celebrate, and support Black stor  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Carol Miller, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Increasing American Ferrosilicon Production Act in the House of Representatives, which will impose a tariff on Si 75% ferrosilicon, the last remaining Russian ferrosilicon product that is imported into the United States duty free. This bill will encourage U.S.-based producers of ferrosilico  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement issued the following news release: The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards. These projects represent the nation's highest achievements in abandoned mine land reclamation and demonstrate outstanding results in restoring previously mined lands. The awardees have helped to protect  more

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Sept. 26 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued the following news on Sept. 25, 2023: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced that the department was awarded $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) to provide locally-tailored technical assistance and enhanced stakeholder engagement around carbon ma  more

MECHANICSBURG, Pennsylvania, Sept. 29 -- Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, issued the following news release on Sept. 28, 2023: Pennsylvania American Water announced today that an agreement has been reached for it to acquire Appalachian Utilities, Inc. (Appalachian). Under the terms of the transaction, an affiliate of Pennsylvania American Water will merge with Appalachian and, subsequently, Appalachian will merge into Pennsylvania American Water. Appalachian is a pr  more

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Sept. 27 -- The Nature Conservancy issued the following news release: The Nature Conservancy in Vermont is excited to announce the hiring of Eve Frankel as Vermont's next State Director. Frankel has been hired to succeed Heather Furman, who was promoted to lead The Nature Conservancy's Appalachians Program following ten years as Vermont's state director. Frankel has over 20 years of leadership experience in the renewable energy and nonprofit sectors. She joined The Nature   more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release on Sept. 28, 2023: Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.2 million grant to Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc., in Lexington, Kentucky, to bolster the healthcare industry in a region impacted economically by recent flash flooding. This grant will provide hospitals in Har  more

LEXINGTON, Kentucky, Sept. 28 -- The University of Kentucky issued the following news: Leaders from Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) announced a new partnership to address workforce shortages in rural areas of Kentucky and West Virginia. The new initiative, known as the Behavioral Healthcare Rural Workforce Fellow Program, is designed to support workforce development and increase the number of qualified mental and behavioral hea  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $700,000 in federal funding for the Hurley Waterline Extension Project. The funding, courtesy of the Appalachian Regional Commission, will be awarded to the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors for the Hurley Waterline Extension Project, improving water access to 97 households in the area. "For too long members of the Hurley community hav  more

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $700,000 in federal funding for the Hurley Waterline Extension Project. The funding, courtesy of the Appalachian Regional Commission, will be awarded to the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors for the Hurley Waterline Extension Project, improving water access to 97 households in the area. "For too long members of the   more

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Sept. 29 -- The West Virginia University's Health Sciences Center-School of Nursing issued the following news: Resources and support networks are oftentimes shared with students struggling with substance use disorder themselves, but the WVU School of Nursing advising team realized there was a population of students oftentimes falling through the cracks -- students with loved ones suffering from SUD. Cathy Camden, a senior academic advisor, spearheaded the initiative   more