Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Downtown shootings cast a shadow over Asheville nightlife
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Some people who take part in the city’s nightlife are worried after the three recent deaths in downtown Asheville. The July shootings follow several other incidents
ATLANTA
Atlanta leaders celebrate 2026 World Cup operations
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Leaders pointed to smooth public safety and transportation operations as evidence of a successful event. Remarks were delivered by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness, Atlanta COO LaChandra Burkes, and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.
BALTIMORE
Maryland Green Party announces its general election nominees
Maryland Matters: Running for the state’s highest office will be longtime Green Party activists Andy Ellis and Owen Andrews, for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.
CHICAGO
Girls from across Chicago become firefighters for a day
Chicago Sun-Times: Dozens of girls participated in the Chicago Fire Department’s “Firefighter for a Day” event Thursday morning at the Quinn Fire Academy, 558 W. De Koven St. The girls learned about fire safety, participated in drills and spent time with members of the CFD.
CINCINNATI
Ohio’s Haitians: TPS extended again for Haiti, but only for a few more days
Cincinnati Public Radio: Temporary Protected Status is a legal way immigrants can enter and live in the United States. About 12,000-15,000 Haitians live in Springfield, many of them with TPS. Thousands of Haitians also live in Columbus and Lima.
CLEVELAND
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Acton releases plan of targeted property tax cuts
Ideastream Public Radio: Democratic candidate for governor Amy Acton has released some details about her plans for property tax relief. It’s the first tax-related specifics that Amy Acton has released since April, and it includes rebates and exemptions targeted toward specific groups of homeowners.
COLUMBUS
Ohio State Public Radio: A new Ohio State University research study with the Ohio Restaurant and Hospitality Alliance shows the popularity of weight loss drugs like GLP-1 is changing the way people eat at restaurants. Nearly a quarter of American households report having at least one person using GLP-1.
DETROIT
Climate change worsens wildfire conditions in Michigan
Michigan Public: Michigan was one of the states heavily affected in recent weeks from wildfire smoke coming from Canada. The smoke contained high levels of particulate matter, posing health risks to residents.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana ties extra college funding to degrees completed and workforce outcomes
Indianapolis Public Media: The new formula is a much simpler approach than what was previously in place. Commissioner heard feedback from lawmakers and leaders in businesses, industry and higher education who wanted fewer metics in the formula.
LOUISVILLE
Judge dismisses DOJ’s lawsuit for sensitive Kentucky voter registration data
Kentucky Lantern: A federal judge has dismissed a case from the U.S. Department of Justice against Kentucky election officials that sought to gain access to voter registration data, including sensitive information such as driver’s license and Social Security numbers.
MEMPHIS
Shelby County DA releases video of Burger King worker being killed by DEA agent in Memphis
Tennessee Lookout: None of the videos, which range between 15 seconds and 45 seconds, capture Burger King worker Darrin Pigram reaching for a gun in his waistband, as task force officers alleged.
MILWAUKEE
Democrats file lawsuit challenging guidance on Wisconsin absentee ballots
Wisconsin Public Radio: A group of Democrats is suing the Wisconsin Elections Commission in an attempt to let voters change their absentee ballots before the August primary.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia senators oppose resolution limiting president’s Iran war powers
WV MetroNews: West Virginia’s Republican senators, Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, voted against advancing a joint resolution directing the president to withdraw United States armed forces from Iran unless there’s a declaration of war or authorization to use military force.
PHILADELPHIA
How deaf Philadelphians developed their own sign language “accent”
Philly Voice: University of Pennsylvania researchers say they want to preserve the well-documented cultural phenomenon that is fading from popular use.
PITTSBURGH
FBI Pittsburgh executes search warrants, makes arrests in violent drug trafficking investigation
WTAE: “This investigation over the past several months targeted supply-level narcotics traffickers who provided narcotics to rival street gangs in the city of Pittsburgh, and primarily in the city’s Hill District neighborhood,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec said at a news conference.
WHEELING
2 fatalities confirmed in West Virginia flooding
WTRF.com: A spokesperson for West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has confirmed that two people have died as a result of flooding in West Virginia. Lewis County Commissioner Agnes Queen confirmed that the two people who died were in Upshur County.
YOUNGSTOWN
Ohio leaders stop in Lordstown for tour of manufacturing facilities
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Elected officials, economic development and business leaders from across the state stopped in Lordstown this month to learn about manufacturing and supply chain innovation in the area as part of a tour hosted by the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau.
