Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Asheville City Council candidates weigh in on the use of police surveillance tools
Blue Ridge Public Radio: This election season, the Asheville Police Department’s use of license plate readers and the Real-Time Intelligence Center have become controversial issues. Some residents want the city to abandon these systems or pause their expansion for further review.
ATLANTA
Shooting plot at Cherokee High School foiled, 3 arrested
Atlanta News First: The investigation began after the FBI flagged threatening social media posts to Cherokee County School District police. On Oct. 19, district police contacted the Canton Police Department, which opened an investigation.
BALTIMORE
Prince George’s Council gives final OK to funding for Sphere project
Maryland Matters: The Prince George’s County Council gave final approval Tuesday to a deal committing the county to financing up to $215 million to help bring the proposed $1.4 billion Sphere entertainment venue to National Harbor.
Newly launched Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute aims to lead way for transplant innovation
Chicago Sun-Times: The Northwestern Medicine Transplant Institute, which so far has raised about $26 million in philanthropic funding, will bring together four of Northwestern’s existing programs, which include the Northwestern Medicine Organ Transplant Centers, the Northwestern Medicine Center for Transplant Innovation,
CINCINNATI
Design for Cincinnati’s first bus rapid transit route is nearly complete
Cincinnati Public Radio: “We are looking to finish up by the end of this year and then begin the review process on that 90% design between Metro and the city,” Metro Bus Rapid Transit Design Director Sharyn LaCombe told a City Council committee.
CLEVELAND
More leadership changes for Cleveland International Film Festival
Ideastream Public Media: The Cleveland International Film Festival welcomes new leadership this week, continuing a post-pandemic trend of transition. Attorney, actor, filmmaker and former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones is the new board chair.
COLUMBUS
History of the midterms: Where will Ohio stack up in 2026?
Ohio State Public Media: In 2010, under Democratic President Barack Obama, Democrats lost 63 House and six Senate seats. Obama called the election results a “shellacking” during a post-midterm press conference.
DETROIT
JD Vance joins Rogers, James, Barrett for “Midterm Rally” in Howell
Detroit Free Press: Vice President JD Vance spoke to an excited crowd Oct. 27 at the Spencer J. Hardy Airport in Howell, encouraging attendees to vote and lend support to Michigan Republicans running for various positions Nov. 3.
INDIANAPOLIS
Republican cash advantage showing up with late spending in Indiana legislative races
Indiana Capital Chronicle: The October spending surge that is approaching $2 million ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day is centered on a cluster of House and Senate districts across the northern suburbs of Indianapolis, while also reaching into northwest Indiana and a perpetually close Bloomington-area House race.
LOUISVILLE
Even with a GOP supermajority, some of KY’s legislative races have competitive spice
Kentucky Lantern: In addition to a constitutional amendment and local races, voters will decide who will represent them in the Kentucky General Assembly for the next two- and four- year terms.
MILWAUKEE
Oshkosh teacher, former “employee of the year,” detained by ICE
Wisconsin Public Radio: Wendy Mendez moved to Wisconsin from Costa Rica in 2020 with her husband and two sons. She is a Spanish teacher at Vel Phillips Middle School, and was recognized as an “employee of the year” by the Oshkosh Area School District last year.
MORGANTOWN
6 West Virginia statehouse races to watch next week
West Virginia Watch: With polling heavily in Democrats’ favor throughout the nation, even ruby red West Virginia is seeing some healthy competition in the 2026 midterm election. While Democrats and Republicans aren’t known for agreement, their respective party chairs both believe there are at least six races to keep an eye on in the election on Nov. 3.
NASHVILLE
4 tales from Tennessee election history to read during early voting that may surprise you
Nashville Public Radio: Early voting has begun for the November in election in Tennessee. And to mark the occasion, the NashVillager Podcast is rounding up some of the most influential election stories from our state’s history.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: The U.S. Department of Justice announced it will send election monitors to Philadelphia as well as Allegheny, Luzerne and Lehigh counties, according to a letter sent to state officials. The agency did not specify exact locations.
PITTSBURGH
Pennsylvania becomes first state to offer a doula training apprenticeship program
WESA Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania has launched the nation’s first apprenticeship program to train doulas to support their clients before, during and after childbirth. The Pennsylvania Statewide Registered Doula Apprenticeship Program will formalize doula training across the state and increase the maternal healthcare workforce.
Weirton ranks #3, Wheeling #27 as best places to retire in United States
WTRF.com: The weight of each category was based on a survey of people ages 45 and older. Affordability received more weight in the 2027 rankings to reflect concerns about the cost of retirement.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown arts center hosting spooky event for families
WKBN 27 Youngstown: The LOOP Youngstown Arts + Culture Center is hosting an event it calls “Spooky Loop.” There will be several organizations and local artists showing off their workspaces and, of course, plenty of crafts and candy.
