Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Esther Manheimer leans on experience in bid for a fourth term as Asheville mayor
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Before Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer ever ran for public office, she advised the people who held it. As an attorney, one of her first jobs was providing legal advice to the North Carolina General Assembly. The experience made her see elected officials differently.
ATLANTA
Report: Harmful ‘forever chemicals’ found across Georgia water systems
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Several water systems in Georgia have tested positive for contamination with PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals” that can last decades in the environment. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have historically been used in the manufacturing of products that are non-stick, water- and oil-repellent and in things like firefighting foam and sewage from airports.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore voters to decide on baby bonus program for new parents
WBAL-TV Baltimore: The initiative builds on a two-year pilot program in which 200 families were selected to receive $1,000 per month following the birth of their child. According to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, the financial assistance had a significant impact on participants’ lives.
Chicago Sun-Times: The projected costs were revealed in expert testimony filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission, and it also showed the utility has only collected about $721 million in deposits from data center developers.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati developer looks to sell two historic properties
Cincinnati Public Radio: Two historic Cincinnati properties in Evanston are going up for auction — the former Hoffman School and St. Mark Church. A potential deal to sell the property to the Desales Community Urban Development Corporation emerged and was then quickly shelved this summer.
CLEVELAND
Amy Acton’s odds of winning Ohio’s governor’s race soar in prediction markets amid attack ad uproar
Cleveland.com: Democrat Amy Acton’s odds of winning this year’s Ohio governor’s race have shot to record highs in prediction markets amid a bipartisan uproar over GOP rival Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother.
COLUMBUS
Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother
Ohio State Public Media: Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy.
DETROIT
Justice Dept. to send election monitors to seven Michigan communities
Michigan Advance: Federal monitors will observe voting in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids and four other communities as state officials stress election security and voter protections.
INDIANAPOLIS
New signs along Indianapolis Cultural Trail aim to help people find nearby attractions
Indianapolis Public Media: Kären Haley, director of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, says the trail is a vital part of downtown Indianapolis. “The cultural trail on Washington Street, it connects the IRT, to the Eiteljorg, to the State Museum, to the Symphony,” Haley said.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky voters will decide whether to amend constitution to limit governor’s clemency powers
Louisville Public Media: Spurred by the controversial pardons of former Gov. Matt Bevin, Kentucky voters will decide whether to amend the constitution to limit a governor’s clemency power at the end of their term.
MEMPHIS
After Christa Pike’s failed execution, some Americans think Tennessee should try again
Nashville Public Radio: One in three Americans support attempting to execute Christa Pike again, according to a new poll. The Tennessee Department of Correction tried and failed to carry out Pike’s death sentence late last month. She was convicted in the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin Public Radio: Cyclotrons speed up charged particles by spinning them into a circular path. The speed and radius increase with each rotation, creating a spiral. Once the particles reach a high enough energy, they spiral outside of the cyclotron — creating a beam that is directed at a target. When the beam hits the target, it causes a nuclear reaction.
MORGANTOWN
Voices: West Virginia can’t invest its way out of losing coverage
Ellen Allen writes for West Virginia Watch: “The Rural Health Transformation Program is providing our state nearly $200 million in federal funding for 2026, with additional funding available through 2030. The program promises to expand access, strengthen the healthcare workforce, improve technology and modernize how rural health care is delivered.”
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: Data centers are front and center in the battle for control of Pennsylvania’s legislature, which the Democrats have not held since 1994.
PITTSBURGH
Pennsylvania school cellphone ban heads to Gov. Shapiro’s desk
WESA Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania students may soon be banned from using their cellphones during the school day after the state Senate approved legislation Wednesday requiring districts to adopt “bell-to-bell” policies.
John Marshall launches construction pre-apprenticeship program
WTRF.com: John Marshall High School is adding a pre-apprenticeship program to its two-year carpentry Career and Technical Education program. The school says it is the first program of its kind offered at a West Virginia high school.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Police Department welcomes six new members to the force
WKBN 27 Youngstown: Of the six new officers sworn in during a ceremony in the Community Room of the Covelli Centre, only one has previous law enforcement experience. Three of them had completed the city’s cadet training program, and three of them are Youngstown residents.
