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This year, Southerly committed even more deeply to community engagement and residents telling their own stories. Here's a look at what we did—it's always amazing to see these listed out each December.
Created a suite of disaster resources
Continued our partnership with Enlace Latino NC
When a fertilizer plant caught fire in Winston-Salem, the city had no plan to alert Spanish-speaking residents. They relied on community members and immigrant advocates to translate emergency information. We spoke to residents about their efforts. Léalo en español.
A series on biogas development in eastern N.C
North Carolina residents, researchers, and farmers say the rapidly growing industry distracts from a massive hog waste problem—and the public health risks that it causes. (Fun fact: This series was just nominated for SELC's 2023 Phil Reed Environmental Writing Award!)
What started as a series on biogas—and community efforts to slow it down to ensure it's safe and effective—turned into a major community-led project by EJCAN, our local partner. Check out the brochure we created and they distributed here.
Launched our community reporting fellowship
Our biggest accomplishment this year was a 12-week fellowship! Read more about it and what our fellows created here.
Launched a documenters program, SWLA Journal
Documenters in Calcasieu Parish publish meeting notes and information on budgets and public records relevant to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. We've published dozens of notes since September!
As you might imagine, we need some rest. Southerly will be back online Jan. 10—in the meantime, wishing everyone a happy new year and time well spent with friends and family. Grateful for each and every reader, donor, and contributor!
In community,
Lyndsey Gilpin
Founder, Executive Director
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2022 community reporting fellowship projects
By Lyndsey Gilpin and Tajah McQueen
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In their own words, the fellows describe their experience and final projects.
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“ We just have to do all that we can to offer people the opportunity and the hope that will keep them here. At the same time, if someone feels it’s in their better interest to go somewhere else, then I wish them well. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to try to build a place where other people will want to come. Because this is the place to be.
—
Gerry Roll
executive director of Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
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Can community gardens bring rural and urban farmers together after disasters? Q&A with Sprout NOLA’s Terence Jackson
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‘Another layer to the inequality that exists’: Q&A with N.C. disaster response organizers
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HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR WORK
We believe our journalism can help make the South more informed, healthy, equitable, and beautiful. If you do too, there are numerous ways you can support our work.
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STORIES + NEWS WORTH YOUR TIME
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Puerto Ricans bring major climate case against oil companies
The racketeering legislation (1970 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act ) used to bring down mob bosses, motorcycle gangs, football executives and international fraudsters is being used in a lawsuit brought by Puerto Rico residents against fossil fuel companies including Exxon. It's the first climate-related case for this law. Read all the details in The Guardian.
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Electricity rate hikes across the region
Georgia's Public Service Commission approved a $1.8 billion rate increase requested by Georgia Power. From Georgia Public Broadcasting: It will "raise the average residential customer’s bill by $3.60 per month starting Jan. 1. That’s down significantly from the $14.90 monthly increase customers would have seen next year under the original front-loaded three-year request the company proposed in June. North Carolina will review a rate hike for Duke Energy next May, according to Charlotte Business Journal. The utility proposed a 17.7% rate hike on May 1.
In more utility news, according to a Floodlight/NPR investigation, "six news outlets in Florida and Alabama have received about $900,000 from electricity industry consultants, their clients and associated entities." Read the story here.
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Remembering those who died cleaning up coal ash in Tenn.
Today is the 14th anniversary of the massive Kingston coal ash spill in Tennessee. Cleanup workers and their families have been fighting for medical cost coverage and money for pain and suffering, from TVA and the company that handled cleanup of the spill for nearly a decade. Over 50 have died and many more are sick. The families say they have never even gotten an apology.
We encourage you to revisit our 2020 story: ‘They deserve to be heard’: Sick and dying coal ash cleanup workers fight for their lives
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