Voices from Rural America
As part of America Amplified’s mission to amplify the concerns and aspirations of our country, we are working with four reporters from our partner networks to report from these rural communities.
Sydney Boles: Whitesburg, Kentucky
Station: WMMT of Ohio Valley Resource
Audio Postcard: Storytelling in a Pandemic in Smalltown America
Residents of the small town of Pound, Virginia — home to the Red Fox Storytelling Festival — are using traditional stories to reignite a sense of belonging that’s been hard to foster during the pandemic. This postcard was featured in an episode of our national talk show, “America Amplified: Election 2020.”
October 26, 2020
Meet the Teen Leading This Kentucky Town’s Discussion of Racism in Appalachia
She helped organize a Black Lives Matter protest in a county that 98 percent white. Then a top elected official denounced the movement on Facebook. Here’s what happened.
June 23, 2020
Appalachian Program Feeds Families As The Pandemic Economy Places More In Need
In the span of three weeks, this community figured out how to make and deliver 100,000 meals to people in need. The volunteers even called upon EMS workers for help.
June 9, 2020
Nate Hegyi: Sandpoint, Idaho
Station: Boise State Public Radio of Mountain West News Bureau
For Some In Rural Communities Spared By COVID-19, Sacrifices Stir Resentment
Shutdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have many saying that state government has overreacted.
May 21, 2020
In North Idaho, COVID-19 Restrictions And Social Media Stoke Deep Political Divisions
In Sandpoint, Idaho, a resort town of about 8,700, the pandemic lockdown debate reveals the region’s varying ideologies.
May 8, 2020
Stimulus, Reader Donations Help Idaho Newspaper Temporarily Rehire Staff
The Sandpoint Reader, a free weekly in North Idaho, was down to one employee until it was boosted by donations and stimulus money.
April 13, 2020
Megan Feeney: Union, Nebraska
Station: NET of Nebraska of Harvest Public Media
Nebraska Town Debates History Of Its Founding Father, Whose Statue Will Be Placed Here
The residents of Nebraska City, home of Arbor Day, were eager to house a statue of its founding father when the opportunity came up two years ago. Now, residents are debating what J. Sterling Morton represents in light of national protests about racism.
August 5, 2020
‘It’s Just A Weird Feeling Not Wanting Them To Come:’ Nebraska City’s Tough Start To Its Tourism Season
Due to the pandemic, home of Arbor Day had to cancel an annual celebration that has been central to the town’s cultural identity for more than a century.
June 5, 2020
Savannah Maher: Wind River Reservation, Wyoming
Station: Wyoming Public Media of Mountain West News Bureau
'We Have To Be The Peaceful Ones': Wind River Reservation's Tradition Of Activism Evolves
Riverton is conservative and rural, with a population of about 11,000 people. It's also surrounded by the Wind River Reservation, which has a history of activism and protest. Now Indigenous leaders are looking to evolve their activism tactics.
August 26, 2020
Why The Supreme Court's McGirt Decision Resonates On The Wind River Reservation
Is Riverton, Wyoming, on the Wind River Reservation? The long-festering debate has a new life since a recent Supreme Court ruling stated it takes a clear act of Congress to diminish the boundaries of a reservation. In the Wind River case, the congressional language was not clear.
August 11, 2020
With Economic Engines Stalled By COVID-19, Wind River Faces An Uncertain Future
The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes are dealing with losses of revenue from gaming, oil and gas due to the pandemic.
May 8, 2020