CNN reports: “Environmental activist Erin Brockovich was in Kingston, Tennessee, on Thursday to speak with residents affected by a massive spill of coal sludge from a nearby coal-fired plant. . . . Brockovich, who said she was invited to the community by residents, planned to meet with them Thursday night.”

On the other hand WBIR reported that she came “with a law firm she consults for.” Call me a cynic, but I’m going with the “drumming up lucrative litigation business” theory here . . . .

UPDATE: Brockovich isn’t getting a very warm reception from the commenters to this News-Sentinel report on her visit.