The Rural Blog

A digest of events, trends, issues, ideas and journalism from and about rural America, by the Institute for Rural Journalism, based at the University of Kentucky. Links may expire, require subscription or go behind pay walls. Please send news and knowledge you think would be useful to benjy.hamm@uky.edu.

The Rural Blog

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Journalism fellowships available for young reporters

Feral hogs are here to stay, but can be controlled

Rural before- and after-school programs face special challenges, primarily lack of funding

NRA: Every school needs federally funded guards

Is rural America politically relevant? It's a fair question, U.S. columnist for The Economist writes

Farmers still get their hands dirty, but increasingly rely on technology; Gannett papers give glimpses

Odor study indicates air pollution from industrial hog farms can increase neighbors' blood pressure

Rural culture of men providing for families might shift as coal's role continues decline in Appalachia

Teens' cigarette use is down 9% since 2010, but more drink, and more 12th graders use pot

Medicaid expansion is a 'rural issue' and could save many lives, health expert says

Study: Climate change has taken hold in the West

Coal poised to beat oil as top world energy source, but U.S. demand and production will drop, IEA says

AEP subsidiary to stop burning coal at power plant in heart of Appalachian coal country

States compost roadkill, as farmers do dead stock

Farm Bill unlikely in debt deal, but what about milk?

NRA says it will make 'meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again'

Newtown Bee editor warns of scams and skimmers, guides us to a bank-operated fund

Paper gives police copy of letter alleging laxity about weapons at school, but honors request for anonymity

Sandy Hook's familiar safety steps likely saved many lives, but deaths show 'grim reality' of school safety

Mississippi River bedrock is being blasted to clear way for barge traffic, which will slow temporarily