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.

Pennsylvanians near East Palestine say they’ve been forgotten across state lines

Oliver MorrisonFebruary 20, 2023

Some Pennsylvanians in Beaver County are worried about the land they grow crops on, the animals they hunt, the fish they eat and their long-term health.

PollutionTransportation

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls on Congress to look at rail safety following East Palestine derailment

Abigail BottarFebruary 18, 2023

DeWine said the railroads should have to notify communities of what's being transported through them.

PollutionTransportation

Episode for February 17, 2023

The Allegheny FrontFebruary 17, 2023

We have the latest developments of the East Palestine train derailment that polluted the area with toxic chemicals. We report on a community meeting where tensions ran high as residents asked questions about air and water quality and health impacts. We ask if stricter regulations could have averted the East Palestine train derailment. Plus, a new memoir shares how the life of an environmental policy expert was informed by the work of a Pittsburgh environmental champion.

Full Episode

East Palestine train wasn’t considered a ‘high hazard.’ Could stricter rules make hazardous material transport safer?

Reid FrazierFebruary 17, 2023

Federal rules and regulatory rollbacks under both the Obama and Trump administrations are under scrutiny for being too lax.

PollutionTransportation

Residents demand answers in East Palestine after train derailment

Julie GrantFebruary 16, 2023

Hundreds of residents crowded into a public meeting Wednesday evening, trying to get answers about the release of toxic chemicals.

PollutionTransportation

The Allegheny Front on CBS News with latest on the train derailment

Reid FrazierFebruary 15, 2023

The Allegheny Front's Reid Frazier was a guest on CBS News discussing the latest on the Ohio train derailment.

PollutionTransportation

Shapiro rips train company for prioritizing track reopening over ‘safer’ approach after derailment

Oliver MorrisonFebruary 15, 2023

He called out the company for making decisions without consulting state and local leaders and for prioritizing its railroad operations over “a safer overall approach.”

PollutionTransportation

screenshot of The Problem with Jon Stewart podcast

The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant on ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’

Julie GrantFebruary 15, 2023

They discuss the Ohio train derailment, the huge profits of the rail industry, and what updates to regulations could help prevent another disaster.

PollutionTransportation

EPA lists additional chemicals released in East Palestine train derailment

Julie GrantFebruary 13, 2023

EPA listed a total of five chemicals that were released when a Norfolk Southern train derailed and told the company it may be liable for cleanup. Residents are back home.

PollutionTransportation

Pittsburgh advocates say a train derailment like the one in Ohio could be catastrophic in the city

Oliver MorrisonFebruary 8, 2023

Critics say ailing infrastructure, population density and lack of information about what's being carried on trains put Pittsburgh neighborhoods at risk.

PollutionTransportation

Full Episodes

Episode for November 22, 2024

Episode for November 15, 2024

Episode for November 8, 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.

Pennsylvanians near East Palestine say they’ve been forgotten across state lines

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls on Congress to look at rail safety following East Palestine derailment

Episode for February 17, 2023

East Palestine train wasn’t considered a ‘high hazard.’ Could stricter rules make hazardous material transport safer?

Residents demand answers in East Palestine after train derailment

The Allegheny Front on CBS News with latest on the train derailment

Shapiro rips train company for prioritizing track reopening over ‘safer’ approach after derailment

The Allegheny Front’s Julie Grant on ‘The Problem With Jon Stewart’

EPA lists additional chemicals released in East Palestine train derailment

Pittsburgh advocates say a train derailment like the one in Ohio could be catastrophic in the city

Support independent environmental journalism

All gifts MATCHED through Dec. 31

DONATE NOW