An organ sits inside of an abandoned Pittsburgh church covered by years of dust and dirt.
Rustbelt
Pittsburgh's Strip District /
Stephanie Strasburg and I recently took our Pittsburgh Filmmakers documentary photography class for a photo walk through Pittsburgh's Strip District. These are a few of the images that I made on the walk.
John James /
Detroit businessman and Iraq war veteran, John James, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 in Detroit, Mich. Read more about John James rise in Michigan in the Washington Examiner.
Along the Promenade /
Daren Johnson, 64, busks on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017 along the promenade of the Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall in Winchester, Va. Johnson, a retired school teacher and former supporter of Hillary Clinton, is exhausted by recent elections, but will vote in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Being uninsured and relying on a free healthcare clinic he cares deeply about the state of healthcare in America. Read more about this story in The New York Post.
Staughton Lynd /
Staughton Lynd, 87, a formidable figure in the ’60s social justice movement, sits in the basement of his Niles, Ohio home on Sept. 6, 2017. Lynd, the Manhattan-born academic from Harvard, immediately became part of the fabric in the working-class community as a labor lawyer after Black Monday, the day when Youngstown Sheet and Tube abruptly furloughed 5,000 workers in one day. Read more about Lynd and Black Monday in the New York Post.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao /
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao poses for a portrait at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao speaks with people at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A computer screen shows software that allows an autonomous vehicle to travel a road course at University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao speaks at the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao visits the University of Michigan's North Campus' MCity, a full-scale simulated city test course for autonomous vehicles, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Read more about the secretary's visit at the Washington Examiner.
Trump Signs /
Leon Moyer, 60, owner of JL Signs stands in front of his business on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2017 in Ruffs Dale, Pa. Moyer has continued to make and sale pro-Trump signs and bumper stickers long after the election has passed. Read more about Moyer in the New York Post.
Shooting of a Judge /
William 'Thuggy' Robinson sits on the porch of his longtime-friend Nathaniel "Snake" Richmond on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Steubenville, Ohio. Richmond was shot and killed Monday in front of the Jefferson County courthouse after he ambushed Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., and open fired on him. Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
A photo of Nathaniel "Snake" Richmond sits on a table on his porch on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Steubenville, Ohio. Richmond was shot and killed Monday in front of the Jefferson County courthouse after he ambushed Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., and open fired on him. Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
Sheriff Fred Abdalla sits in his office as he discusses the shooting of Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Steubenville, Ohio. Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
A statue stands on top of the Jefferson County courthouse in Steubenville, Ohio on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
A memorial sits at the site where an April 2015 fire took the lives of Mae Etta Richmond, 70, and Te'on Dillard, 2, along Wellesley Avenue in Steubenville, Ohio on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017. The fire was part of a wrongful death suit that Nathaniel Richmond filed on behalf of his mother, Mae Etta and had pending before Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. Richmond was shot and killed on Monday after he ambushed the Judge Bruzzese outside of the Jefferson County courthouse.
Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
Curtis Golsby stands in front of the home of Nathaniel "Snake" Richmond, after Golsby was released from the Jefferson County jail on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Steubenville, Ohio. Golsby was with Richmond when he went to the Jefferson County courthouse and ambushed Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr., and open fired on him. Richmond was shot and killed during the incident. Justin Merriman for DailyMail.com
Nathaniel 'Snake' Richmond was killed after he waited for Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese, Jr. to arrive at the courthouse on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. When Richmond saw the judge he exited his car and opened fire, wounding the judge. The judge and a probation officer returned firing, killing Richmond, 51. Read more about this story at Daily Mail.
Coal-Fired Power Plant /
Steam rises above the stacks of the Cheswick Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, in Springdale, Pa., just north of Pittsburgh.
A Coal Mine Opens /
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 /
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.
EPA's Scott Pruitt Visits Coal Mine /
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Donnie Claycomb, 27, of Limestone, West Virginia., who has been mining for 6 years, stands in front of an American flag prior to an event with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Miner's tags hang on a board at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the mine on Thursday and spoke with miners. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Terry Ramer, 32, of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania., stands near the portal to the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the mine and spoke with miners on Thursday. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Matt Wolfe, 32, of Blacksville, West Virginia, who has been mining for 10 years, waits for the arrival of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt holds up a miner's helmet that he was given after speaking with coal miners at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miners wait for the start of an event with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the mine and spoke with miners at the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
SYCAMORE, PA - APRIL 13: Coal miner Jaden Fredrickson, 26, of Cheat Lake, West Virginia, waits for the arrival of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt who visited the Harvey Mine on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pennsylvania. The Harvey Mine, owned by CNX Coal Resources, is part of the largest underground mining complexes in the United States. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)
EPA Administer Scott Pruitt visited CNX Coal Resources' Harvey Mine, part of the largest underground mining complex in the United States, and spoke with miners on April 13, 2017 in Sycamore, Pa. You can view the images at Getty Images.