Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
“Crafting” a recovery: How art is helping WNC recover from Hurricane Helene
Asheville Citizen Times: Celebrations of Appalachian craft highlight the local culture and have become a part of tourism in the region. Here’s how craft trails are part of the regional economic strategy – and Helene recovery.
ATLANTA
Apalachee school shooter had chaotic childhood, was fixated on mass shooters, psychologist says
Atlanta News First: Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty to all 55 charges in the shooting, which killed teachers Cristina Irimie and Ricky Aspinwall and 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.
BALTIMORE
Canceled federal grants hit teen pregnancy prevention in Baltimore, rural counties
Maryland Matters: The federal government’s abrupt termination of teen pregnancy prevention funding last month means the loss of more than $3 million to Maryland-based programs, which are scrambling to see if they can still offer programming for young people without federal support.
CHICAGO
Illinois sees 16% drop in SNAP enrollment 1 year after food program overhaul
Chicago Sun-Times: About 150,000 people have lost food assistance this year across the state because of expanded work rules. It’s less than expected, but there are signs of growing need as a central safety net program shrinks.
CINCINNATI
In this small Ohio city, volunteers turn old bikes into reliable transportation
Cincinnati Public Radio: Taking the bus or the streetcar to work is a luxury often limited to larger cities. Ohio’s rural areas and small cities have fewer or no options; 25 Ohio counties have no public transit system at all. The Wheelhouse Christian Bicycle Cooperative hopes a different set of wheels can fill the gap.
CLEVELAND
As Flock cameras face vandalism, Lorain police credit them with quick murder suspect arrest
Cleveland.com: Capt. Jacob Morris told reporters that a 16-year-old accused of killing his grandfather Robert Lewis, 67, and stealing his vehicle was captured on camera in multiple cities before another agency stopped the teen suspect on Interstate 480.
COLUMBUS
Somali business owners say they are still being harassed months after viral Medicaid fraud claims
Ohio State Public Radio: They say Somali-owned businesses in Columbus are facing an increase in anti-immigrant and Islamophobic harassment after being targeted by conservative social media influencers, alleging fraudulent use of public money at their facilities.
DETROIT
Michigan Democrats call for end Border Patrol camera agreement
Michigan Advance: A group of 15 Democratic lawmakers in the Michigan House and Senate called on the Michigan Department of Transportation to end an agreement allowing federal agencies to install surveillance technology on state property.
INDIANAPOLIS
Girls flag football moves closer to becoming varsity sport in Indiana
Indianapolis Public Media: Officials with the Indiana High School Athletic Association, the Indianapolis Colts and the National Football League celebrated the milestone on the last day of the National Flag Football Championships in Westfield.
LOUISVILLE
Mitch McConnell shares second photo amid absence, says he will not attend Kentucky political event
Kentucky Lantern: McConnell’s office shared a statement from the 84-year-old senator, along with a new photo of him and his wife, former Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.
MEMPHIS
In Memphis, an ‘anti-crime’ task force quietly turned into an ICE crackdown
WKNO Memphis: When Trump announced an anti-crime task force for Memphis last fall, federal and local officials never mentioned immigration enforcement as a goal. But the influx of federal agents into the city has led to widespread immigration arrests — a majority without criminal convictions
MILWAUKEE
Menasha and Appleton area hit by suspected tornado
Wisconsin Public Radio: A suspected tornado caused severe damage in Appleton and neighboring Menasha. Video and photos posted to social media show widespread damage to homes and buildings, overturned vehicles and downed trees.
MORGANTOWN
WVU to make transformative contribution to health services in Mon County
WAJR Morgantown: The West Virginia University Health System has announced plans to support preventative health care and strengthening programs that assist uninsured residents.
PHILADELPHIA
A corporate landlord in Philly broke the law by using rent-setting software, tenant alleges
Philadelphia Public Radio: A Philadelphia tenant is suing her corporate property manager for allegedly violating a city law that formally bars such companies from price-fixing rental rates, an illegal practice that housing advocates say undermines competition and fairness in the marketplace.
PITTSBURGH
Judge sentences Air Force vet who rammed FBI Pittsburgh gate with car
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: A veteran accused of ramming his car into the security gate at FBI headquarters on the South Side while suffering a mental-health crisis pleaded guilty in federal court.
WHEELING
West Virginia governor says flood recovery efforts will continue
WTRF.com: “From the moment these storms hit, our focus has been protecting lives, restoring critical services and helping our communities recover,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. “Thanks to tireless work of our first responders, state agencies, local officials, volunteers and utility crews, we’ve made tremendous progress. While there is still work to do, we’re moving from emergency response to long-term recovery.”
YOUNGSTOWN
Production ends at Schwebel Baking Company, benefit issues still at stake
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Workers from both unions representing drivers and production and sanitation workers say that issues regarding healthcare, vacation days and severance pay have still not been resolved.
