Summary: <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/ohio-train-derailment.html"><span>Two weeks ago</span></a><span>, a train carrying toxic chemicals through a small town in eastern Ohio derailed in a fiery crash and flames and black smoke filled the sky.</span><span> </span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/02/05/1154718234/mechanical-defect-ohio-train-derailment"><span>Federal investigators have said</span></a><span> the derailment was caused by a mechanical issue with a rail car axle.</span></p> <p>But rail companies have used their<span> </span><a href="https://www.levernews.com/there-will-be-more-derailments/">influence</a><span> </span>to<span> </span><a href="https://www.levernews.com/rail-companies-blocked-safety-rules-before-ohio-derailment/">lobby against federal regulations</a><span> </span>that could have made an event like this less possible — including mechanical safety upgrades for trains carrying hazardous chemicals and what chemicals are even classified as hazardous. With such trains<span> </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/11/ohio-train-derailment-wake-up-call">criss-crossing thousands of miles</a><span> </span>across the U.S., the event in Ohio is a warning for the country.</p> <p><a href="https://www.levernews.com/">The Lever,</a><span> </span>a national<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/levernews">reader-supported</a><span> </span>investigative journalism outlet, recently investigated the rail industry's <a href="https://www.levernews.com/rail-companies-blocked-safety-rules-before-ohio-derailment/">lobbying against proposed federal regulations</a>. We speak with reporter<span> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/matthewccook5?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Matthew Cunningham-Cook</a>.</p> <p> </p>
