News

A Coal Mine Opens /  by Justin Merriman

A coal miner holds a lump of metallurgical coal from the Middle Kittanning coal seam on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Russ Lambert, 61, of Berlin, Pa., who has been mining for over 37 years, poses for a portrait on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Lambert, a shift foreman, who previously has been mining in Corsa's Quecreek Mine will be working in Corsa's new mine, the Acosta Deep Mine. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal, head engineer of the Acosta Deep Mine for Corsa Coal, stands near the future drift entrance off the high wall of the new mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. The new mine, which is expected to open early June, will create 70 new jobs and should produce 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal a year. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal points to a map showing the Acosta Deep Mine in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa., on March 22, 2017. Justin Merriman | for the Financial Times

A coal miner works at Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania.  Justin Merriman/Getty Images

Workers stand in the pit as construction continues on Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Russ Lambert, 61, of Berlin, Pa., who has been mining for over 37 years, yells to another miner as they work on the construction of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens,Somerset, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Coal Miner Joe Kostyk, 28, of Sidman, Pa., works on the construction of the drift entrance of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A rig drills holes for explosive charges at the Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa., on March 22, 2017.  Justin Merriman for the Financial Times

Coal miners works on the future drift entrance of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on May 18, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bottegal stands on a platform above the pit of the new Acosta Deep Mine on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Friedens, Somerset County, Pa. The platform was constructed for the mine's grand opening ceremony that will be held on Thursday.  Justin Merriman for The Washington Post

A coal truck drives past a Trump sign on May 19, 2017 on Million Dollar Highway in Jenner Township, Pa.  Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

George Critchfield, 59, owner of Critchfield Lumber, stands at his mill on May 19, 2017 in Jenner Township, Pa. The new Corsa Coal Corporation mine has purchased lumber from Critchfield's lumber mill, which borders the new mine site. He is excited about the mine's opening and feels the mine has saved his business. "It's a trickle down effect," he says. "That's what you need, good paying jobs instead of McDonalds and Walmart." Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A sign for the Coal Miner's Cafe sits along U.S. Route 30 on May 18, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Betty Rhoads, who owns the Coal Miner's Cafe with her husband, John, sits at one of the restaurant's tables on May 18, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. "I've seen the good day's of coal," says Rhoads; her father owned several pick and shovel coal mines. "I can remember when there was mines all over these hills," she says. While she's not optimistic about the coal mining industry, Rhoads is happy about the opening of the Acosta Deep Mine. "I want every mine that can reopen to reopen," she says. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

George Barron, 78, stands along Main Street on May 18, 2017 in Acosta, Pa. Barron, having lived in Acosta since 1962, has seen the coal industry come and go. The Somerset Coal Company opened the Acosta mines in 1905 and established the town two years later. Corsa Coal has opened the Acosta Deep Mine just up the road from Acosta. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

Edward Popernack, 84, who worked in coal mines for over 40 years, poses for a portrait at the Coal Miner's Cafe on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Jennerstown, Pa. Popernack's son, Mark, was one of the coal miners rescued from Quecreek Mine after being trapped for 77 hours in July 2002. Justin Merriman for The Washington Post

George Barron, 78, right, watches as Barry Custer, 64, cleans his lawn tractor with his wife, Robbie, 62, and granddaughter Emma Grigg, 7, at his home on May 18, 2017 in Acosta, Pa. "If they put coal miners back to work that be great," Custer, a coal miner with AK Coal Resources, says speaking of the opening of Corsa Coal's new Acosta Deep Mine. "This town was built on coal," he continues, having worked as a coal miner since he was 18. Custer's wife, Robbie's cousin Mark Popernack was one of the 9 miners rescued from the Quecreek Mine in 2002. Justin Merriman for The Wall Street Journal

A person wears a coal pin at the grand opening of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania.  Justin Merriman/Getty Images

President Donald Trump delivers a recorded message at the grand opening of Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania. Justin Merriman/Getty Images

The entrance to the Corsa Coal's Acosta Deep Mine on June 8, 2017 in Friedens, Pennsylvania. Justin Merriman/Getty Images

For the last several months, I've been covering Corsa Coal's new coal mine, the Acosta Deep Mine, in Friedens, Somerset County, Pennsylvania as well as the surrounding communities. The mine, which began production in June, created 70 news jobs and is expected to produce over 400,000 tons of metallurgical coal a year.  You can read about the mine in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Financial Times, and view more images at Getty Images. 

Lead Pipe Replacement /  by Justin Merriman

A piece of a broken lead service line, stamped with the date 1899, is removed by Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority at a home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood.  Justin Merriman / for the Wall Street Journal

Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority's Brian Schacht wipes his face as he works to repair a broken lead public service line at a home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Justin Merriman / for the Wall Street Journal

 A broken lead public service line sits on the ground after being removed by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority at a home in Pittsburgh. Justin Merriman / for the Wall Street Journal

Pittsburgh Water and Sewage Authority work to repair a broken lead public service line at a home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Read more about Pittsburgh's lead issues in the Wall Street Journal.

Dezmaire Baker /  by Justin Merriman

Dezmaire Baker, 17, gave birth to her son in eighth grade and is now a sophomore at Woodland Hills High School. Her son, Dorian, has just celebrated his second birthday.

Dezmaire Baker sits on the couch watching her 2-year-old son, Dorian, play at her family's Braddock home. Dezmaire gave birth to Dorian when she was in eighth grade.

Dorian, 2, plays with a flashlight at his Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017.

Dorian Baker, 2, stands in the doorway of his Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017. 

Dezmaire Baker, 17, poses for a portrait at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit in Homestead on Feb. 16, 2017.

Ronnika Baker, 36, holds her grandson, Dorian, 2, in the dining room of their Braddock home on Feb. 28, 2017.

Dorian Baker, 2, lays on the ground and laughs at a family gathering to celebrate his 2nd birthday at his Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Dezmaire Baker, 17, helps her son, Dorian, 2, to ride a scooter along the sidewalk in front of their Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Ronnika Baker, 36, holds her grandson, Dorian, 2, as she sits on the porch of their Braddock home on April 3, 2017.

Dezmaire participates in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Project ELECT Program, which helps low-income pregnant teens and teen parents focus on education, training and employment goals. Here, her son, Dorian, looks out the window at his grandmother, Ronnika Baker, 36, at their Braddock home.

As the family gathered for her son's second birthday, Dezmaire Baker watched after him and stood near the edge of the sidewalk to stop Dorian from running into the street.

Dezmaire gave birth in eighth grade. As a teen mom in Pittsburgh, she’s fighting to beat the odds and graduate. Read her story at PublicSource. 

Monet Spencer /  by Justin Merriman

Monet Spencer, 18, smiles as she is photographed in her Hill District apartment. Spencer was left homeless after her mother passed away in February 2016, leaving her and her twin brother to care for themselves. Spencer now lives on her own, in a subsidized apartment. Spencer attends Brashear High School and was recently accepted to Carlow University.

Monet Spencer, 18, walks from Pittsburgh Miller PreK-5 after tutoring young elementary students on February 13, 2017.  Thirty percent of Spencer's salary from her tutoring job helps pay for her apartment at Action Housing's My Place, which provides housing and intensive case management services to young people who have aged out of the foster care system in Allegheny County and are either homeless or at risk homelessness.

Monet Spencer reads to elementary students at Pittsburgh Miller PreK-5 on Feb. 8, 2017. She tutors at the school Mondays though Thursdays for a job through the Neighborhood Learning Alliance. 

Monet Spencer looks at a game with Tya Carter, 10, as Aminyah Dooley, 5, looks on after an after-school tutoring session at Pittsburgh Miller PreK-5. Spencer earns about $100 every two weeks from the tutoring job. She pays $50 a month in rent.

Monet Spencer, 18, left, sits with her best friend, Maya Smallwood, 18, at her North Side home where Maya and her mother took Spencer in to live after her mother died and she was left homeless. 

This is Monet Spencer's home. Here, she's looking through videos on her computer. She uses her phone to connect to the Internet through a hotspot. Spencer and her twin brother were considered homeless after their mother died. Spencer eventually acquired an apartment through ACTION-Housing's MyPlace Youth program. "It was the happiest day of my life," Spencer says about getting her own apartment.

Monet Spencer, 18, plays her flute during her band class at Brashear High School on February 16, 2017.  

Even after losing her mother and becoming homeless, Monet Spencer continued to make it to classes at Brashear High School. She was recently accepted to Carlow University.

Monet Spencer, 18, works on a computer during a study hall at Brashear High School on February 16, 2017.  

Monet Spencer, 18, walks home from her job tutoring at Pittsburgh Miller PreK-5 in Pittsburgh's Hill District on February 13, 2017.  

Monet Spencer, 18, was left homeless after her mother passed away in February 2016, leaving her and her twin brother to care for themselves. Spencer now lives on her own, in a subsidized apartment. Spencer attends Brashear High School and was recently accepted to Carlow University. You can read Monet's story at PublicSource.

Sabrina /  by Justin Merriman

Sabrina Snyder, 9, coaxes her hamster out of its cage in the bedroom of her Brookline home as her bother, Miles, 5, stands by on Monday, January 30, 2017. Sabrina was mauled by a Rottweiler in Aug. 2014, leaving her with several physical injuries as well as emotional scars from the incident. 

Sabrina Snyder, 9, draws as her brother, Miles, 5, and sister, Gabby, 10, look at their pet hamster.

A journal written by Sabrina after she was mauled by a Rottweiler in Aug. 2014.

Sabrina, second from left, sits at her dinner table with her siblings, from left, Miles, 5, Gabby, 10, and McKenzie, 5.

Sabrina sits at the dining room table of her home. 

Sabrina, right, sits on her swing with her sister, Gabby, 10,

Sabrina Snyder, 9, of Brookline was mauled by a Rottweiler in Aug. 2014, leaving her with several physical injuries as well as emotional scars from the incident. Read more about Sabrina and her story in PublicSource.

Trump's America /  by Justin Merriman

A cross painted with "It's not about religion! It's about relationships" stands in a yard along West 6th Street in East Liverpool, Ohio on Sept. 15, 2016.

Courtney Lally, 23, stands with her daughter, Gianna, 2, at her home in  Munhall, Pa., home on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Lally's sister, Jessica Lally, 25, and her boyfriend, Christopher Dilly, 26, were found dead by police after Jessica's 7-year-old daughter alerted a school bus driver that her parents were blue and she was unable to wake them. The two had overdosed on heroin.

Vacant business are reflected in an empty storefront in McKeesport, Pa., on Oct. 25, 2016.

Harrold Nelson, 60, stands in the street in front of his home in McKeesport, Pa., on Oct. 25, 2016. Few homes remain on Nelson's block, many of those that do remain are abandoned.

Donald Trump supporters cheer at a campaign stop at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena on October 21, 2016 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton continue to campaign as Election Day nears. 

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a campaign stop at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena on October 21, 2016 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

Andy Stafford, a vendor from Sarasota, Florida, holds a Trump flag as he sets up his stand in the parking lot of the International Exposition Center prior to a campaign stop by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on October 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. "I'm a Trump lover," says Stafford. 

Students on a bus shout obscenities as they give the middle finger to Trump supporters lined up outside of the Cambria County War Memorial Arena prior to a Donald Trump campaign stop on October 21, 2016 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

A Trump supporters yells at members of the media during Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's campaign stop at the International Exposition Center on October 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Bill Hummel, 69, who has worked as a tow-truck driver since 1959, sits in his tow truck in Youngstown, Ohio on Oct. 26, 2016.

A sign stands in a vacant lot in Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 23, 2016.

A Trump supporter shows off his t-shirt as he stands in line outside of the Cambria County War Memorial Arena prior to a Donald Trump campaign stop on October 21, 2016 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

A billboard advertising protection for people losing their homes stands above a small car dealership in Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 23, 2016.

A crew works at a demolition site of a historic building in East Liverpool, Ohio on Sept. 15, 2016.

A painting sits in a window in Downtown, Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 23, 2016.

A supporter of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens on as he speaks during a campaign stop at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena on October 21, 2016 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 

A Trump sign sits in a window in Youngstown, Ohio on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016.

Sam Cappelli of Boardman, Ohio watches the demolition of a historic building in East Liverpool, Ohio on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is on a television at the Golden Dawn in Youngstown, Ohio on Oct. 26, 2016.

Phillip Naples stands behind the bar at the Golden Dawn in Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 19, 2016.

East Liverpool, Ohio sits on the edge of the Ohio River on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.  The town, once a bustling steel and pottery town, now has a population of about 11,000 people and like many towns across the United States is facing a growing opiate problem.

Antonio Lake, 6, walks in front of a Trump sign in Youngstown, Ohio on Nov. 23, 2016.

Jean Barefoot, 58, reflects on the loss of her daughter, Jessica Lally, to a heroin overdose as she stands near her Munhall, Pa., home on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Lally was found by police after her 7-year-old daughter alerted a school bus driver that her parents were blue and she was unable to wake them.

Tom Brophey, 77, sits in his barber shop along West 6th Street in East Liverpool, Ohio on Sept. 15, 2016.  Brophey, who worked in the Crucible Steel plant, opened his barber shop after losing his job in the mill in 1982. "Everyone knows there's a problem, but no one knows how to fix it," he says speaking of the heroin problem the town faces. "Drugs are the economy now. It's like an infection. It spreads," he says.

Carl Venzeio, 77, a self-proclaimed supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, stands in front of his trunk in Youngstown, Ohio on Oct. 26, 2016.

Steps lead to a vacant lot where a home once stood in McKeesport, Pa., on Oct. 25, 2016.

A giant statue of Donald Trump stands in a yard of a home along Route 982 just up the road from the Tin Lizzy, a 266-year-old tavern in Youngstown, Pa., on Sept. 26, 2016.

A closed sign hangs in front of a flag in a storefront in East Liverpool, Ohio on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.

I spent quite a bit of time traveling through West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania documenting the presidential election, communities struggles with the opioid epidemic, and life in America's Rust Belt. The images were published a variety of publications including STAT, The Daily Mail, The New York Post, The Dallas Morning News, The Washington Post, The Chicago Sun Times, The Times of Oman, The Boston Globe, The Oregonian, Forbes, Folha de S. Paulo, BBC and many others. 

Guantanamo Bay /  by Justin Merriman

The sun rises above empty guard towers, above part of camps that are no longer used at Guantanamo Bay's Camp Delta on Aug. 13, 2016.

Detainees pray in a communal area of Camp 6, one of the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay on Aug. 13, 2016. Camp 6 holds the majority of the remaining 61 detainees at the detention facilities on the U.S. Naval base Guantanamo.

A couple of images from my visit to Guantanamo Bay detention camp in August of 2016.  You can read more about my visit in my stories "An inside look at Gitmo as detention facility faces uncertain future" and "GITMO procedures challenge military 'transparency.'"

Indigenous PeopleS' Day /  by Justin Merriman

Vanessa German of Homewood, center, joins a march celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in Oakland on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. 

Rhianna Powell, 23, of the South Side, holds a sign during the rally at the statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park.

Johnny Creed Coe, a Native American and traditional sun dancer, burns sage during the rally at the statue.

Johnny Creed Coe burns sage.

Jayne May-Stim, 19, of Greenfield reacts to a speaker at a rally for Indigenous Peoples Day at the statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The rally called attention to "Indigenous Peoples' Day," a day many mark to honor the culture and history of Indigenous people rather than Columbus.