News of KFTC and our issues
Fancy Farm is no picnic for black voices
August 12, 2013
“The scary thing is that very few people are asking the question about where the black voices are,” said Dr. Ricky Jones, a Pan-African studies professor at the University of Louisville and director of UofL’s Center for Race and Inequality.
Franklin Fiscal Court votes against Bluegrass Pipeline
July 25, 2013
Magistrates passed a resolution Thursday opposing a natural gas liquids pipeline planned to run through Franklin County, citing environmental and safety concerns and unanswered questions from company representatives.
How Beshear can spark a brighter future in Eastern KY
July 14, 2013
In a powerful op-ed piece, Ron Eller and Al Smith call on KY Gov. Steve Beshear to "seize the moment, face the desperate realities in the mountains and spark an effort to bring community leaders together in East Kentucky to seek new directions."
What if Kentucky actually took a leadership role on climate change?
July 13, 2013
Kentucky has plenty of politicians and business executives. But at this critical moment in history, what it really needs are leaders.
Beshear, Rogers should start mending Ky.'s wounds from 'war on coal'
July 7, 2013
The "war on coal" strategy was a dead end for the industry, but much worse for Kentucky. The political atmosphere has been poisoned by the "us or them" mentality fostered by the expensive PR campaign. A rational public conversation about the state's complex energy and economic challenges seems too politically risky.
After decades of decline, black lung on the rise in Eastern Kentucky
July 7, 2013
Black lung – a preventable occupational disease – has been the underlying or contributing cause of death of more than 76,000 miners since 1968, according to figures from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
How a Kentucky school teacher stopped a 756-acre surface mine — for now
June 30, 2013
KFTC member Pam Maggard leads her community in its effort to stop a coal company's plan to blast away more than 750 acres of mountaintop within view of her home, an operation that promises disruptions to the local community and continued assault on their quality of life.
Handshoe comes to capitol for answers
June 26, 2013
His house sits on land owned by his family for more than 200 years, yet Ricky Handshoe says, “I’m basically homeless.”
Handshoe visited the state capitol Tuesday looking for help from Larry Bond, chief of staff to Gov. Steve Beshear, on the same day President Barack Obama said it is time to deal with changes to climate caused by carbon emissions.
Reuben Shemwell, Kentucky Miner, Wins Discrimination Case After Being Sued By Own Employer
June 21, 2013
In a ruling that could have wide implications for coal miners, a federal judge has rebuked a coal company for trying to sue a Kentucky miner who filed a safety discrimination complaint against management. The decision has called the company's lawsuit a form of retaliation …
Utilities Switch Off Investment in Fossil Fuel Plants
June 18, 2013
Decreased demand for electricity, lower carbon prices and the competitiveness of renewable forms of energy are making new fossil fuel plants a bad investment decision in Europe. What does this mean for the United States?
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