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
Georgia health department reports 25 cases of measles so far this year
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Symptoms of the highly contagious virus usually appear about a week after infection, with a breakthrough rash of tiny, red or red-brown spots that develops, usually at the head/hairline, and spreads downward over the face, neck, torso, arms, legs and feet.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore County teachers union pickets over workload and substitute shortage in contract talks
WBAL-TV Baltimore: “I think it’s really important to understand that educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions,” said Kelly Olds, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County.
Bridgeport Bears? Chicago firm releases plans for glitzy new domed stadium at Sox park site
Chicago Sun-Times: All of the chatter comes as Canal Edge LLC — a company owned by White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia — released plans in September for a mixed-use development called The Railyards, which would move the Chicago White Sox to the South Loop.
CINCINNATI
Amid concerns over disruptions at the polls, nonpartisan groups plan for vigilance on Election Day
Cincinnati Public Radio: The NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and Common Cause Ohio all say they will be vigilant throughout early voting and on Election Day, as national anxiety rises over mail-in voting and federal officers at the polls.
CLEVELAND
Cleveland.com: Council President Blaine Griffin, who voted in favor of the payment, said he was concerned that the city’s failure to meet what he believes is its obligation under the lease could lead to expensive legal bills costing the city more money than the repairs.
COLUMBUS
Ohio-based Wendy’s receives $1.4 billion purchase offer from Nelson Peltz
NBC4 Columbus: After a years-long decline in shares for Wendy’s, a group of investors spearheaded by billionaire and activist investor Nelson Peltz offered $1.4 billion Wednesday to buy the burger chain, which is headquartered in Dublin, according to filing records.
DETROIT
Polymarket agrees to stop offering sports contracts in Michigan
Detroit News: Prediction market giant Polymarket will stop offering new sports betting-like contracts in Michigan under an agreement with state gambling regulators.
INDIANAPOLIS
Federal election monitors won’t enter Indiana polling sites, officials say
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Up to 12 are expected to come to central Indiana’s Marion County, with another dozen going to Lake County near Chicago — heavily blue areas that host the state’s only Democratic representatives in Congress.
LOUISVILLE
Streamer Hasan Piker files $72.5 million defamation case against Kentuckian Scott Jennings
Kentucky Lantern: Attorneys for Piker argued Jennings “falsely told a nationwide podcast audience that Hasan Piker was ‘out there calling for Black voters to be lynched.’” The claims stem from an edited video Jennings shared on his show and on social media in August.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin Public Radio: The final Marquette University Law School poll ahead of Wisconsin’s Nov. 3 election shows Democrat David Crowley leading Republican Tom Tiffany by 7 percentage points in the race for Wisconsin governor.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia University Police search 2 fraternity houses amid hazing allegations
WBOY 12 Morgantown: Officers with the WVU Police Department served search warrants Monday to two fraternity houses, Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Kappa Alpha, following ongoing allegations of hazing.
NASHVILLE
In Tennessee, church mobilization efforts send message that voting rights attack is unacceptable
Tennessee Lookout: Leaders of historically Black congregations in Nashville and Memphis describe successes and limits of voter education and awareness before midterms.
PHILADELPHIA
Pennsylvania Election 2026: Made a mistake on your mail ballot? Here’s how to fix it
Philadelphia Public Radio: If a voter submits a flawed mail ballot, counties must notify voters that it will be rejected, per a 2025 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.
PITTSBURGH
RIP: Remembering Pittsburgh’s legendary local musician Donnie Iris
WESA Pittsburgh: Iris and his rock band The Cruisers headlined the inaugural concert at Citizens Live at the Wylie on Sept. 28, then announced on Oct. 9 the Wylie performance would be Iris’ last. Iris was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 but returned to performing the next year.
Groundbreaking marks start of construction for Wheeling Gateway Center
WTRF.com: The building is planned to be around 23,000 square feet and features the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s future offices, a restaurant and bar experience, and a visitor and heritage prototype.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown-area Saint Joseph Hospital to close its labor & delivery unit in December
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Saint Joseph Hospital in Warren has announced that it will permanently close its labor & delivery unit. According to Mercy Health, the closure is part of an effort to expand labor & delivery services at Saint Elizabeth Hospital’s Boardman campus.
