Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
North Carolina Congressman-elect Jamie Ager outlines Helene recovery push ahead of swearing-in
WLOS 13 Asheville: Just days after flipping a longtime Republican congressional seat, Democrat Jamie Ager is looking ahead to Washington, where he says securing Helene recovery funding for western North Carolina will be his top priority.
ATLANTA
Voices: Here’s why the midterm election blowout is actually good for Republicans
Jay Bookman writes for Georgia Recorder: “The GOP needed to be slapped across the face and told to snap out of it. It needed to be kicked in the butt, and kicked hard. The party that once liked to think of itself as the grownup party needed to be sent to its room without supper and have its car keys and phone taken away.”
BALTIMORE
Fresh off reelection win, Gov. Moore names new chief of staff
Maryland Matters: Fresh off his reelection victory Tuesday, Gov. Wes Moore announced the departure of chief of staff Lester Davis and named Emmanuel “Manny” Welsh to replace him.
Downtown “Cultural Stadium” idea picks up steam with new leadership, $2 million funding
Chicago Sun-Times: Former Democratic State Rep. Donna Lasinski is taking the helm of a Loop revival project with some ambitious proposals — like concerts on Lower Wacker Drive and architecturally significant public toilets.
CINCINNATI
Ohio receiving $8 million in GM settlement over data privacy
Cincinnati Public Radio: The allegations stem from the Smart Driver program, which it initially marketed as a way for drivers to monitor their driving behavior. The Smart Driver program was operated by General Motors subsidiary OnStar, and allowed drivers to check their own data through a smartphone app.
CLEVELAND
Amy Acton makes first move as governor-elect as administration job hunt ramps up
Cleveland.com: Acton’s team also launched a website, Govelectacton.com, where Ohioans can apply for jobs in the incoming administration, get updates on the changeover and read about her policy priorities, according to a news release.
COLUMBUS
Gov. Mike DeWine won’t back GOP efforts to dilute Acton’s power
Columbus Dispatch: Gov. Mike DeWine hinted Nov. 5 that he won’t support an effort by the GOP-controlled Legislature to dilute the governor’s power before Amy Acton takes office in January.
DETROIT
Voices: Queer Michigan history was made in the midterms this year
Katherine Dailey writes for Michigan Advance: “As Democrats nationwide and across Michigan celebrated historic victories in the 2026 midterm elections, history was also made by a number of LGBTQ+ Michiganders.”
INDIANAPOLIS
Gov. Braun: Election results a “wake-up call” for GOP
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Braun, who is expected to announce his re-election campaign Nov. 16, repeatedly blamed the GOP’s losses on national issues rather than a referendum on his administration, saying voters were preoccupied with inflation.
LOUISVILLE
These maps show how Kentucky Democrats flipped a deep red congressional district
Louisville Public Media: Few believed Democrats had a good chance of flipping central Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District at this point last year, as President Donald Trump had won these counties by 15 percentage points in the 2024 election.
MILWAUKEE
Infant’s death linked to measles outbreak in southwest Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsin health officials reported the death of an infant related to the ongoing measles outbreak in southwestern Wisconsin. It’s the first measles-associated death in the state in more than 35 years, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
MORGANTOWN
Democrat Mat Anderson wins West Virginia House District 50 seat, formerly held by Pritt
West Virginia Watch: A Democrat will fill the West Virginia House of Delegates seat formerly held by disgraced former Republican lawmaker Elliott Pritt.
NASHVILLE
Tennessee voters adopt three constitutional amendments
Tennessee Lookout: Tennessee voters soundly approved three constitutional amendments that limit access to bail, expand victim rights and prohibit a statewide property.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia’s got taste! These 8 restaurants made OpenTable’s top 100 list
NBC 10 Philadelphia: The City of Brotherly Love’s dining scene is getting national recognition, with eight restaurants making OpenTable’s list of the top 100 restaurants in America for 2026. The restaurants span several Philadelphia neighborhoods, from Bella Vista to Center City and Society Hill.
PITTSBURGH
Think tank warns Kroger’s takeover of Giant Eagle would harm consumers, union workers
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: A new study from a Washington, D.C., think tank asks regulators to block grocery titan Kroger’s $1.65 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle, saying the deal would increase prices and customer surveillance and harm unionized workers.
West Virginia sues Snapchat after teen sextortion deaths
WTRF.com: West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey has filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc., alleging Snapchat misled families about child safety while exposing young users to sexual exploitation, harmful content and features designed to increase use.
YOUNGSTOWN
Persayus Way Project to hold meeting about Youngstown private prison
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: The meeting is part of Persayus’ Prison Accountability & Correctional Reform Initiative, which advocates for transparency and accountability in corrections. According to Persayus CEO Million Perry-Phifer, the primary goal of the initiative is to advocate for the state of Ohio to cancel its contract with CoreCivic, the company that owns the prison.
