Over the past few years, catastrophic floods have washed out parts of Appalachia and devastated communities. A team of Washington Post journalists explored why Appalachia has been hit so hard by flooding in a story published late last year. Journalist Brady Dennis joins Inside Appalachia host Mason Adams to discuss their investigation.
Miner Killed In Nicholas County To Be Laid To Rest
Rescuers found the body of mine foreman Steve Lipscomb six days after an accident left him trapped in the Rolling Thunder coal mine in Nicholas County. Eric Douglas/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
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Steve Lipscomb, 42, of Elkview, West Virginia, died in a mine accident in Nicholas County. He was trapped helping the men on his crew escape after a wall in the Rolling Thunder mine was compromised, causing the mine to flood. His body was recovered last Thursday.
A preliminary accident report from the Mining Safety and Health Administration lists the accident as an inundation.
Steve Lipscomb
Courtesy of Hafer Funeral Home
A memorial service to honor Lipscomb’s life will be held on Nov. 22, 2025, at Herbert Hoover High School.
Lipscomb graduated from Hoover in 2001, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams.
Just after 9/11, Lipscomb enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was among the first wave of Marines to enter Fallujah, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was awarded a Purple Heart for his actions after being severely injured by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq.
He began his underground mining career in 2006 with Massey Energy (Alpha Natural Resources) working his way up to become a foreman in 2015.
The American Lung Association released its annual report giving West Virginia Ds and Fs. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Elizabeth Hensil, the director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association, to better understand what the grades mean.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia, accounting for about 4,200 deaths annually. The American Lung Association released its annual report grading West Virginia with Ds and Fs. We spoke with Elizabeth Hensil, the director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association, to better understand what the grades mean.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia, accounting for about 4,200 deaths annually. And about 20% of West Virginia adults smoke.
How important is habitat for survival? We listen to The Allegheny Front’s latest story on what’s happening with federal efforts to limit protections for endangered species. Also, following a major winter storm, West Virginia officials are warning of frigid temperatures for much of the week.