Listen to Grapple: The end of coal country and what it means

Under President Donald Trump, there’s been a lot of talk lately about whether the coal industry can come back. And while there’s still coal mining happening in Pennsylvania, it’s not what it used to be.

Under President Donald Trump, there’s been a lot of talk lately about whether the coal industry can come back. And while there’s still coal mining happening in Pennsylvania, it’s not what it used to be. In the beginning of the 20th century, communities like Mahanoy City in Northeastern Pennsylvania were thriving thanks to the industry. But today, Mahanoy City has transformed from a vibrant coal town into a distressed community struggling with job loss, low home values, blight, and fire. The residents who still live there have stories to tell about what they’re grappling with. On Episode 01, you’ll hear about how residents have had to deal with house fires, what’s being done about blight, and poetry that captures the town’s coal mining past.

On Episode 02, you’ll come away with a broader context for what’s happened to Mahanoy City. We’ll dig deeper into the loss of coal with Planet Money co-founder Adam Davidson, and also hear from The New York Times’ Mid-Atlantic bureau chief Sheryl Gay Stolberg about how other coal regions are creating new economic opportunities.