On episode 01 of Grapple, we explore how Mahanoy City transformed from a vibrant coal town into a distressed community struggling with job loss, low home values, blight, and fire. You’ll hear stories about how residents have had to deal with house fires, what’s being done about blight, and poetry that captures the town’s coal mining past.

Check out our photo essay from Mahanoy City: http://bit.ly/2cDiLVh

Grapple is a new podcast that features conversations straight out of America’s distressed cities. The show takes you to communities that were once vibrant but are now struggling with economic decline, urban decay, and shrinking populations. Listen to the trailer and look for new episodes beginning Sept. 21.