Can the beauty of the South's landscape compel us to change?

Your source for Southern stories that challenge us and celebrate us.

A new way to tell the story of Louisiana's disappearing coast, women pitmasters reign supreme and pandemic pup returns are increasing ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    Thursday, July 29 Can the beauty of the South's landscape compel us to change? A new way to tell the story of Louisiana's disappearing coast, women pitmasters reign supreme and pandemic pup returns are increasing Welcome to The American South! If you're new here, thank you for subscribing and becoming a part of our community where we focus on producing revelatory journalism about the South. This week we have stories that touch on everything from the environment and women in barbecue to puppy love and what's happening with "pandemic pets" that are returned to the pound. Also, is it as scorching hot where you live as it is in New Orleans right now? Stay cool, stay safe and stay hydrated!  Thanks for reading!  Ashley Hopkinson (The American South) What's the South talking about? • Mississippi Association of Educators calls for mask mandate • KKK leader statue removed from Tennessee Capitol • The true meaning of rodeo for these South Carolina high school athletes  Louisiana photographer aims to portray climate change without the disaster New Orleans-based photographer Virginia Hanusik has been working to photograph Louisiana in a way that portrays the state's climate crisis through a cultural lens. Contributed by Virginia Hanusik Meet Virginia Hanusik, a New Orleans-based photographer who has worked for years to portray the climate struggles of South Louisiana in a way that emphasizes the beauty of the environment. Hanusik's photography seeks to answer a complex question: Can the urgency of climate matters be conveyed in a way that reveres the state's beauty instead of reflecting on its constant losses? 🌎 In our Q&A with Virginia you can learn more about her breathtaking photos and unique approach to addressing climate change in the South. Lead image in newsletter : Virginia Hanusik. Read the full story here In the Southern barbecue world, female pitmasters are rising to the top Helen Turner, owner and pitmaster of Helen's Bar-B-Q in Brownsville, Tenn., was featured in Southern Living magazine as one of the most influential women in barbecue. Robbie Caponetto / Southern Living The ladies of barbecue have arrived! 🔥In a world where smoked meat is often spun as macho and men far outnumber women, these Southern female pitmasters are hovering over the pits, competing, winning and owning their own businesses. "I had people come in, men pretty much, and say can't no woman do this job. But I done proved everybody wrong," says Helen Turner, owner of Helen's Bar-B-Q in West Tennessee. "It makes me feel proud to be a woman pitmaster. Everybody says, 'you're the queen.'" Our story features: Helen Turner, Desiree Robinson, Brooke Lewis, Jiyeon Lee and Melissa Cookston.  Read the full story here  As pandemic eases, once-loved pets being dumped at shelter in 'disheartening' numbers Dogs wait to be adopted at the Montgomery Humane Society in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, July 23, 2021. Jake Crandall/ Advertiser Excerpt Montgomery Humane Society Executive Director Steven Tears said they are asking pet owners to hold on just a few more weeks to reduce the overwhelm at the city's shelter.  "It's disheartening. It's the animal that got them through their tough time. I've been here 16 years. You'd think I'd expect that, but it kind of took me aback. It's tough to watch. A dog that stuck by your side for 18 months… was your buddy, and now all of the sudden you have to go back to work and he or she is disposable again," Tears said.  Read the full story here  Follow The American South: Stay up-to-date on interesting stories from the South on Instagram   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

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