Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
A-B Tech wins $29 million federal grant for WNC Futures Factory
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The proposed WNC Futures Factory is an ambitious 70,000 square-foot facility that aims to create thousands of new jobs, attract new companies to the region and add more than $359 million to the region’s economy by 2035.
ATLANTA
Georgia state agencies told to freeze spending and draft contingency plans
Georgia Recorder: The next budget will be signed by Georgia’s new governor, who could be healthcare executive Rick Jackson, a Republican, or former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, but state agencies must submit their budget request by Sept. 1, giving Kemp some control over the process in his final months in office.
BALTIMORE
Maryland universities launch AI degree programs in response to rapid growth
WBAL-TV: Maryland universities are responding to the growing impact of artificial intelligence by introducing new degree programs to prepare students for careers in this transformative field.
CHICAGO
Illinois SNAP recipients kicked off the federal food program are getting $400 from the state
Chicago Sun-Times: Households eligible for the FRESH program do not have to apply, according to state officials. The funds will be distributed through Link cards, which is how SNAP recipients receive funds to buy groceries.
CINCINNATI
Omega Psi Phi brings largest conclave in fraternity history to Cincinnati this week
ABC 9 Cincinnati: More than 30,000 members, family and guests are descending on Cincinnati this week for the 85th Grand Conclave of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the largest registered conclave in the fraternity’s history.
CLEVELAND
Sen. Bernie Moreno calls for Fauci jailing after expletive-filled Senate confrontation
Cleveland.com: Ohio GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno says he expects the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress next week, following the retired immunologist’s refusal to answer its questions at a Wednesday hearing.
COLUMBUS
Ohio cities brace for possible uptick of ICE activity after protected status ends for Haitians
Ohio Capital Journal: Ohio cities with big Haitian populations are preparing for a possible uptick of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement after temporary protected status for Haitians ended this week.
DETROIT
Opening date announced for high-profile video dome venue Cosm Detroit
Detroit Free Press: Cosm Detroit, an immersive entertainment venue for watching live sports and movies, announced that it will have its public grand opening on Sept. 10, showing an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana expands access to GLP-1s for Medicaid recipients with obesity
Indianapolis Public Media: Indiana is expanding access to GLP-1s — the diabetes and weight loss medications — to members of the state’s Medicaid program. The expansion is part of a federal pilot to allow more Medicaid enrollees to access weight loss medication.
LOUISVILLE
Woman detained by ICE is not getting proper medical care in a Kentucky jail, brother says
Kentucky Lantern: A brother of a woman detained by federal immigration agents in Louisville said she has been denied proper medical care for sickle cell anemia while being held in a Kentucky jail.
MILWAUKEE
Mandela Barnes ends bid for governor, calls for Democrats to unite
Wisconsin Public Radio: In an announcement on social media, former Lt.Gov. Mandela Barnes said it has “become very clear who our nominee is going to be” — an apparent reference to state Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, who has had a commanding lead in recent polls.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia treasurer says it’s ‘unacceptable’ clothing voucher closed amid $370 million surplus
West Virginia Watch: State Treasurer Larry Pack says it’s “unconscionable” that West Virginia’s school clothing assistance program for low-income children has already stopped taking applications due to a funding shortfall.
NASHVILLE
Democratic senator asks Tennessee governor for details about potential federal nuclear partnership
Tennessee Lookout: A Tennessee state senator is asking Gov. Bill Lee to disclose the location of any new nuclear energy and waste sites as part of a potential partnership with the federal government.
PHILADELPHIA
Despite changes at Philly’s President’s House, the city is rich with other stories of Black history
Billy Penn: The Trump administration brought national attention to Philly’s African American history earlier this year when it fought to change how the history of people held as slaves by George Washington on Independence Mall by removing panels on the exhibit.
PITTSBURGH
Chris Deluzio, Ro Khanna meet with UPMC Magee nurses amid contract negotiations
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Around a half dozen nurses from UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital sought support from U.S. Reps. Ro Khanna and Chris Deluzio at a meeting as contract negotiations continue between UPMC and hospital staff.
WHEELING
Justice Bill Flanigan officially sworn in to West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
WTRF.com: During the most recent West Virginia Election back in May, Bill Flanigan defeated incumbent West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Tom Ewing for a seat on the Mountain State’s highest court.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown approves potential site transfer for technology park
Youngstown Business Journal: A proposed industrial park project in the city advanced with approval of an option agreement with the potential developer and the Western Reserve Port Authority.
