CCTV America On The Road

A team of journalists from CCTV America headed out of the beltway and into Middle America to talk to residents about their concerns and the upcoming midterm elections. From Chicago to St. Louis to Little Rock to Memphis, we're documenting people's stories, what issues matter to them, and why. Follow along with #CCTVOnTheRoad as we head down ROUTE 2014: THE ROAD TO THE U.S. ELECTION. 

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Kentucky explores alternatives to coal

The U.S. State of Kentucky is trying to find ways to move to a cheaper and a more energy efficient way of producing electricity. It's the same problem developing countries around the world face: how to transition from coal to renewable forms of energy like solar and wind. CCTV's Jessica Stone traveled to Kentucky to see what nations can learn from that state's experience.

Kentucky explores alternatives to coalEastern Kentucky's economic lifeblood centers on coal mining. For that reason, it can be tough to convince people there's a better way. Times are tough in that part of the state where the area is shedding coal jobs by the thousands. Some say the time is ripe for change.

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Our Route 2014 series, which takes viewers from Chicago to Kentucky to Tennessee, is also about introducing U.S. elections to China. CCTV America's Mandarin reporting team told stories of middle America to hundreds of millions viewers in China. Senior Mandarin correspondent Wang Guan and photographer Fan Bai looked at issues that mattered to American voters, from health care and income disparity to foreign policy. Watch those stories here.

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Push for minimum wage influences upcoming election

There's a growing fight in the U.S. led by President Barack Obama to raise the minimum wage. A handful of states have the issue on the ballot this year, and in others such as Tennessee, there's a grassroots effort to give people an hourly boost. In our continuing Route 2014 series, CCTV America's Sean Callebs traveled to Memphis, Tennessee where impoverished workers are pushing for a better quality of life.

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American debt for cars, consumer goods, education increase as economy cited important election issue An Associated Press-GfK poll conducted in September and released today found that 91 percent of more than 1,600 adults polled viewed the economy as an important election issue, the highest percentage among several issues including healthcare, Ebola, gay marriage and abortion. The poll results come as the U.S. government released its third quarter GDP report that showed the US grew 3.5 percent between July-September, fueled by stronger business investment, increased exports, and the biggest jump in military spending in five years. CCTV America's Karina Huber reports.

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Growing gap between rich and poor could influence midterm elections

In the United States, the gap between rich and poor is the highest it has been since 1928. This gap is painfully obvious in a state like Arkansas. CCTV America’s Sean Callebs visited Little Rock to speak to residents about their concerns as part of our ongoing series, Route 2014: The Road to the U.S. Election.

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Missouri residents weigh in on US foreign policy

American service members have reported mixed emotions as the last of the coalition bases in Afghanistan are handed over Afghan military. The last two bases, one American, and one British, were turned over to Afghan control last weekend and all NATO combat troops are set to depart Afghanistan by December. The fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan has claimed more than 2,300 American lives, and more than 450 British soldiers.

Even as the U.S. is draws down combat operations in Afghanistan, it remains in a renewed battle in Iraq, and now in Syria in the fight against the Islamic State, or ISIL. Opinions about how the U.S. should fight the terrorist group are wide ranging with just six days to go before an important midterm election.

CCTV America's Sean Callebs speaks to residents Waynesville, Missouri, a small town outside of a the Army training base of Fort Leonard Wood, as part of our ongoing series, Route 2014: The road to the U.S. election.

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Allen Gibson of United Citizens for Coal is a life-long Democrat. But, he said he's voting to keep the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell, in office because he's the only candidate who will stand up for the coal industry in the state.

Gibson blames the Obama administration for the loss of coal jobs in Kentucky.

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The politics of coal in KY. The most expensive US senate race in 2014 @CCTV_America #cctvontheroad pic.twitter.com/RbUuto31p7

— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) October 29, 2014

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Healthcare reform a key election issue in 2014 midterms

The United States remains the only industrialized country without a universal health care system, with tens of millions of uninsured Americans. President Barack Obama led an effort to change that, ultimately passing the Affordable Care Act. But now, more than four years later, some Americans say the law that they thought would help them, has not. 

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Lack of immigration reform could cost Democrats the Latino vote

Candidates in Chicago can almost always count on a strong democratic showing from the Latino community. However, Hispanic voters in the U.S. are threatening to stay away from the polls in frustration with what they say are broken promises from President Obama to reform immigration laws. 

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How can a #coal state move to a #sun state? Coop solar in KY #cctvontheroad @CCTV_America pic.twitter.com/Ta1pM4dsqg

— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV) October 28, 2014

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Marty Wayland of Berea, Kentucky, is a member of the morning coffee mafia at Berea Coffee & Tea and says a lack of education is the biggest problem facing America today.

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Music at the heart of Nashville's booming economy

To find out how U.S. voters are faring ahead of the big election, a team of CCTV America's journalists hit the road and stopped in some all-American cities. In Nashville, Tennessee Sean Callebs found out that the economic beat goes on no matter what's happening in Washington.

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Route 2014: Views on immigration reform in Chicago

CCTV’s Sean Callebs begins his Route 2014 series with a look at the hot-button issue of immigration reform. There are two things candidates in Chicago could almost always count on in November – cold weather and a strong democratic showing from the Latino community. But Hispanic voters in the U.S. are angry, and frustrated with what they say are broken promises from President Obama to reform immigration laws –and make the country a better place for the undocumented workers. Latinos are threatening to stay away from the polls to show Democrats they can’t take their vote for granted.

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A little more than one week from now, voters in the United States will make their decisions for a wide range of political offices. At every ballot box voters will choose who should represent them at the federal level in Washington. Here's a look at how the vote works and why it matters.

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America's midterm elections explained  American voters are just over a week away from casting their ballots in the midterm elections.  Midterms are often seen as a referendum on a President's performance. And that determines how voters decide who's going to represent them at the Federal level, in the Senate and the House. CCTV's Rachelle Akuffo explains.

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CCTV Photographer Don Stanke already the guest of honor at the historic Boone Tavern KY #cctvontheroad @CCTV_America pic.twitter.com/aemtFNlLPw

— Jessica Stone (@JessicaStoneTV)

October 27, 2014