East Palestine

Many questions still remain one year after the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023.

The Allegheny Front has been covering this disaster since it first happened along with our partners at 90.5 WESA in Pittsburgh and Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland.

Our coverage of the anniversary is supported by the Fund for Investigative Journalism, with special thanks to Pete Carey, retired Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist with the Mercury News California, for his advice and guidance.

Three people unload blue coolers from a van

New studies shed light on the contamination and response to East Palestine derailment

Julie GrantOctober 23, 2024

Four university studies funded by the National Science Foundation find new chemicals, and call for better environmental testing and communication after last year’s Norfolk Southern train derailment.

East PalestinePollutionWaterYour Environment Update

BASF's "ethane cracker" facility in Port Arthur, Texas. An ethane cracker is a petrochemical plant that manufactures the building blocks of plastics. Photo: BASF

New guidelines center the needs of people with disabilities during petrochemical disasters

Kara HolsoppleOctober 2, 2024

In light of the East Palestine train derailment, advocates created guidelines for disabled people, municiplaities and industry in case of emergency.

Climate ChangeEnergyHealthYour Environment Update

Bhopal survivors bring message about chemical exposures to Western Pa., East Palestine

Reid FrazierSeptember 27, 2024

Bhopal survivors address residents exposed to toxic chemicals from the East Palestine derailment and Shell's ethane cracker.

East PalestineHealthPollution

People standing on the sidewalk, one holding a sign that says "Let the Truth Out."

Judge approves $600 million settlement for Ohio derailment but not everyone is satisfied

Julie GrantSeptember 27, 2024

A federal judge approved the settlement between residents and Norfolk Southern for the damage caused by its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

East PalestinePollution

A woman in a blue shirt standing in a school auditorium talking with three women

5 takeaways from the NTSB investigation of Ohio train derailment

Julie GrantJune 27, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board approved the findings of its investigation into a train derailment in East Palestine that released toxic chemicals into the community.

East PalestineTransportation

NTSB set to vote on investigation of Ohio train derailment

Julie GrantJune 21, 2024

On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board will vote on the findings of its investigation. The decision to ‘vent and burn’ vinyl chloride is among the issues.

East PalestineTransportation

EPA, Norfolk Southern reach $310 million settlement for East Palestine derailment

Reid FrazierMay 24, 2024

It includes $235 million for EPA’s past and future expenses for the cleanup of toxic chemicals, with only $15 million assessed as a civil penalty.

East PalestinePollutionTransportation

A Norfolk Southern locomotive crossing over a street

Amid some backlash, lawyers defend $600 million settlement with Norfolk Southern

Oliver MorrisonApril 11, 2024

Some residents said $600 million isn’t enough and wondered if it would cover future health conditions like cancer. They felt it was premature to settle.

East Palestine

Smoke cloud from burning vinyl chloride.

Norfolk Southern announces $600 million settlement in East Palestine train derailment class action

Ideastream Public MediaApril 10, 2024

If approved by the court, the agreement will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius of the derailment.

East Palestine

Private well sampling in East Palestine gets $2 million boost from federal funding

Abigail BottarMarch 21, 2024

Columbiana County will sample 250 residential wells using an independent laboratory and local agency staff, not Norfolk Southern contractors.

East PalestineHealthWater

Full Episodes

Episode for November 15, 2024

Episode for November 8, 2024

Episode for November 1, 2024

2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

Longtime environmental official on Pennsylvania election results: People will need to be ‘as tenacious as the industry’

What can we expect from a Trump administration? Our reporters weigh in.

East Palestine

Many questions still remain one year after the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023.

The Allegheny Front has been covering this disaster since it first happened along with our partners at 90.5 WESA in Pittsburgh and Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland.

New studies shed light on the contamination and response to East Palestine derailment

New guidelines center the needs of people with disabilities during petrochemical disasters

Bhopal survivors bring message about chemical exposures to Western Pa., East Palestine

Judge approves $600 million settlement for Ohio derailment but not everyone is satisfied

5 takeaways from the NTSB investigation of Ohio train derailment

NTSB set to vote on investigation of Ohio train derailment

EPA, Norfolk Southern reach $310 million settlement for East Palestine derailment

Amid some backlash, lawyers defend $600 million settlement with Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern announces $600 million settlement in East Palestine train derailment class action

Private well sampling in East Palestine gets $2 million boost from federal funding

Support independent environmental journalism

All gifts MATCHED through Dec. 31

DONATE NOW