Rural Remix

Once upon a time, it was not unheard of for a voter to cast a Republican vote for president and a Democratic vote for a down-ballot candidate like a congressman or state representative – or vice versa. In the 1970s and 80s, an estimated 25% of voters split their ballots this way.Now, this type of voter is rarer than ever because of the political polarization that defines modern-day American politics. This week, Daily Yonder reporter Claire Carlson discusses the decline of the split ticket voter and what it might mean for Montana’s Senate race.

In the newest episode of the Backroad Ballots podcast, we asked our staff what they are paying close attention to between now and the election. Host Olivia Weeks interviewed Daily Yonder publisher Dee Davis, and Daily Yonder reporters Claire Carlson and Sarah Melotte about election denial, how Democratic policy affects rural America, campaign communication, whether rural voters are truly over represented in the Electoral College and Senate, how Hurricane Helene could disrupt voting infrastructure in North Carolina, and more. 

This week, Daily Yonder reporter Claire Carlson talks about the dangers of misinformation in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton. As Claire points out, a lot of the misinformation comes from climate change deniers.

We bring you a special Keep it Rural this week. Claire speaks with her colleague, Daily Yonder reporter Sarah Melotte about the devastating hurricane Helene. Sarah is currently unable to get to her home in Bakersville, North Carolina. She lives in the western part of the state where roads in and out are completely flooded. Claire talked with her about what it’s been like to see her community reeling from a hurricane, and what it all means for rural Appalachia.  If you have reporting ideas about Hurricane Helene or want to share your experiences, email Sarah Melotte at sarah@dailyyonder.com To contribute to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, visit: Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina: https://homewardboundwnc.org/The World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/All Hands and Hearts: https://www.allhandsandhearts.org/

Daily Yonder reporter Claire Carlson talks about some of the hidden and not so hidden benefits of rest stops on American highways.

Salmon have always had a perilous journey returning home to spawn. Daily Yonder reporter Claire Carlson explains how climate change has made their mere existence perilous.

The opening discussion from this year's Rural Assembly Everywhere, Lead for America Co-founder Benya Kraus and Wahpetunwan Dakota artist, writer, and midwife Autumn Cavender — in conversation about what it takes to nurture thriving communities

Four experienced arts administrators discuss agency in storytelling and community voice. • Francisco Guajardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas; • Madeline Matson, Executive Director of the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Washington; and • Gwendolyn Trice, founder and Executive Director of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center (MHIC), a museum located in Joseph, Oregon.• Stephen Gong, executive director of the Center for Asian American Media

This week on Keep it Rural, Daily Yonder reporter Claire Carlson talks about how in rural communities, where access to resources and support is already limited, the aftermath of disasters often brings a second wave of hardship.

This conversation was originally recorded for the Rural Assembly Everywhere virtual event. In this episode, Center for Rural Strategies President Dee Davis sits down with political scientists Kathy Cramer, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Hahrie Han from Johns Hopkins University. They discuss the challenges facing American democracy, rural resentment and economic populism, and what it means to rebuild trust in struggling communities.