Surprise Tax Form Is Latest Insult for Victims of East Palestine Train Derailment

DARLINGTON, Penn.—Kim Nalesnik was shocked to receive a 1099-MISC tax form from Norfolk Southern railroad. She never worked there, but her household received $2,500 from the company in 2023. A Norfolk Southern train derailed in neighboring East Palestine, Ohio, in February last year, spilling 1.1 million pounds of toxic vinyl chloride. Adding to the disaster, officials started a controlled release and burn from overturned rail cars days later, creating a fireball and large plume of black smoke filled with chemicals that could be seen for miles. Locals say the smoke dropped poisons into their land and water and that they are still feeling the effects a year later. ...