Appalachia’s Black Lung Epidemic

Government regulators could have stopped it, but didn't.

Pieter Henket Bringing magical fables from the Congo to life The traditional fables and fairy tales from the Republic of Congo are collected in a new book, Congo Tales: Told By The People Of Mbomo. Over the course of three years, Dutch film producer Eva Vonk, along with a local radio producer and a community activist, gathered tales from all over the Mbomo district in the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world. Protecting such a remote ecosystem and the people who live there is Vonk’s artistic aim. The series features beautiful, painterly photos that have a touch of otherworldly magical realism. Narong Sangnak/AP Who knew the Miss Universe pageant could have so much drama? This year’s contest had its first trans woman contestant (Miss Spain), Miss USA issued an apology for an Instagram post some considered condescending and xenophobic, and Miss Sierra Leone arrived in Bangkok too late to compete. "I'm showing that trans women can be whatever they want to be: a teacher, a mother, a doctor, a politician and even Miss Universe," Miss Spain Angela Ponce said recently. Rich-Joseph Facun for NPR An epidemic is killing thousands of coal miners in Appalachia. Regulators could have stopped it, but didn’t An investigation by NPR and Frontline into an increase of black lung disease among coal miners found the government received multiple warnings and had opportunities to protect them. According to an NPR review, federal enforcement does not directly address silica dust, which is far more dangerous than coal dust alone. "We failed," said a former mine safety regulator who reviewed the findings. Stuart Ramson/AP Remembering the great Nancy Wilson Tim Owens, lead producer of NPR’s beloved documentary series, Jazz Profiles, took a look back at the creation of the long-running show, working with Wilson, who died earlier this month, and some of her favorite episodes. "Jazz Profiles remains the most comprehensive history of jazz ever recorded. At her 80th birthday celebration, Nancy told me that it was one of her proudest achievements in a long and storied career." Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Democrats, you’ve been warned: Too much cultural sensitivity could backfire in the 2020 primaries A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll has found that 52 percent of Americans are largely against the country becoming more politically correct and are upset that there are too many things people can't say anymore. "Do you step on the accelerator on the impeachment stuff," a pollster said, "or do you stay with things like the environment, women's issues, health care, gun control — substantive issues that have been moving independents to Democrats' side?" You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002