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On Feb. 3, a nearly two-mile long freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 4,700 people.
The railroad company and local officials decided to do a chemical burn to neutralize the cargo, but as a giant plume of black smoke settled over the town, residents’ anger about the handling of the accident has intensified.
On today’s episode

Emily Cochrane, a national correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed that the Transportation Department impose stricter rules for freight rail.
The derailment of a second train in Ohio — despite assurances that no hazardous materials had leaked — sharpened the questions about rail safety.
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Emily Cochrane contributed reporting.
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