Last week, our colleague Chris Marr was in East Palestine, Ohio.

We were at a park and there was almost nobody there.

I mean, there was a playground with no kids on it.

There were basketball courts, huge ball fields.

So, you know, that kind of emptiness is a bit eerie.

East Palestine is a village of nearly 5,000 people.

And running right through it is a railroad.

On February 3rd, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed.

We are following breaking news as we come on the air this morning.

150 car freight train operated by Norfolk Southern derailed and released toxic chemicals

left.

Residents told it either evacuate or stand doors as that fire still burns.

They're releasing a toxic chemical into the air in hopes of preventing a large explosion

They prevented an explosion, but the smell of chemicals has lingered in the air for weeks.

We could smell pretty strong chemical odor.

You know, people describe it as sort of like nail polish or like an acetone.

In one place it was almost like baby aspirin to me.

We went into a deli and there was a very strong smell of just like post-combustion chemicals

or like a fire smell.

And the owner there had put boxes of baking soda throughout the store to try to tame the

smell or you know clear the air, but it had not worked yet.

Federal agencies are still investigating the accident and assessing the environmental

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