Justin Hicks

1 month ago | lpm.org | Justin Hicks

HICKS: Stanley, you grew up in West Virginia in a coal mining family and started coal mining when you were 19, back in the late 70s. What do you think drew you to that job? STEWART: You know, it sounds silly to me now, but I was fascinated by going into a coal mine. It was just, just another world… and I knew that it ain't everybody can do this. So, you know, it made me feel a little bit special, although there's nothing really special about being a coal miner.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Justin Hicks

In a carpeted, air-conditioned room at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville, giant robot arms hiss as they plasma cut steel plates and whirr away, rotating heavy beams. This is the American Institute of Steel Construction’s annual conference. It’s billed as the premiere industry event for people who make massive bridges and buildings out of steel. Surrounded by the technology and sales leads, Guillermo González’s mind was miles away.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Justin Hicks

Scott Laney worked at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for nearly 20 years. It’s part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tasked with keeping Americans safe at work. He helped the U.S. government respond to an ebola outbreak in Africa. In central Appalachia, he helped reveal an epidemic of progressive massive fibrosis — an advanced stage of black lung disease. An announcement came last week that Robert F.

1 month ago | lpm.org | Justin Hicks

On the side of the highway in Montcoal, West Virginia a tall rusted steel trestle rises far above the road. At its base, 29 crimson crosses are adorned with shiny black helmets alongside sun-bleached photos of the miners who lost their lives in the deadliest mine explosion of the last 50 years. It’s quiet there, at the entrance to the Upper Big Branch mine except for the occasional dump truck that lumbers by, belching exhaust with a belly full of coal.

2 months ago | lpm.org | Justin Hicks

Monster Rings and Cages in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky is pretty unique. It manufactures boxing rings and cages for fighting sports like wrestling and mixed martial arts. They ship their products all over the world and have made countless fighting rings for movie sets and even Madison Square Garden. Owner Mike Samples is proud of the “Made in the USA” stamp he puts on his products. He gets as much steel from US suppliers as he can, but every now and then some materials come from Canada, too.