Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Will a logging project save the Blue Ridge Parkway from fire — or imperil it?
Asheville Watchdog: The Trump administration’s desire to reinvigorate the domestic timber industry has led close observers of land management agencies to worry that, for industry interests, the dead tree is propping open a doorway: A salvage-logging operation to remove dead trees might necessitate removing more valuable live ones, and once that path is breached, it’s easier to go back for more.
ATLANTA
Special election to fill late Georgia congressman’s seat advances to an August runoff
Georgia. Recorder: Marcye Scott, the daughter of the late Congressman David Scott, fell short of winning a special election to finish her father’s term in office and will face former Gwinnett County School Board chair Everton Blair in a runoff next month.
BALTIMORE
Maryland geothermal energy program faces delays amid cost concerns
Maryland Matters: A 2024 state law required the state’s two largest gas utilities to propose plans for installing the underground energy systems at a few pilot sites. But it also allowed them to pass the costs for the projects onto all of their customers, so long as they got approval from Maryland regulators at the Public Service Commission.
CHICAGO
Chicago mayor explains why he hasn’t decided whether to seek a second term
Chicago Sun-Times: A day before driving his oldest son to college, an emotional Brandon Johnson said he would like to “hold on to this moment for a little while longer” — both as father and as Chicago’s mayor — before deciding whether to seek a second term.
CINCINNATI
Analysis: Ramaswamy now says it’s “incorrect” he wants to close some Ohio colleges
Cincinnati Public Radio: It’s reminiscent of early in Vivek Ramaswamy’s candidacy when he had to walk back his idea of a 365-day school year for Ohio’s public elementary and secondary schools.
CLEVELAND
Democratic candidate for Ohio governor debuts her first ad
Ideastream Public Media: The Democratic candidate for Ohio governor is out with her first ad, months after her Republican counterpart went on the airwaves with his. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton’s debut ad of the campaign talks about being homeless as a child.
COLUMBUS
Ohio pastors aiding Haitians say ICE will use ‘carrot and stick’ approach after end of TPS
Ohio State Public Radio: A group of pastors in Springfield say federal immigration officials have met with them to talk through how the agency will handle Haitians in the city after the Trump administration ended temporary protected status.
DETROIT
70 ex-students say nearly 50 adults sexually abused them at Michigan school
Detroit Free Press: Nearly 50 adults in leadership roles at a prestigious music, arts and education campus tucked away in northern Michigan are accused of sexually abusing and exploiting at least 70 students over the course of several decades, according to the findings of a long-awaited independent investigation.
INDIANAPOLIS
Voter subpoenas denied in recount of narrow Indiana Senate Republican primary
Indiana Capital Chronicle: The Indiana Recount Commission rejected a request to question voters under oath about how they cast their ballots in what is now a three-vote margin from May’s Republican primary for a state Senate seat.
LOUISVILLE
Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin fails to appear in court again after multiple no-shows
WLKY Louisville: Former Gov. Matt Bevin did not appear in court despite a bench warrant for his arrest and a judge’s order requiring all parties to attend in person. Jonah Bevin, who initiated the case seeking back child support from his adoptive parents, was also absent.
MEMPHIS
Tennessee Congressional candidates file final disclosure before primaries
Tennessee Lookout: In the newly drawn U.S. Congressional District 9, where both parties have competitive primaries, Memphis Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson and Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor have the most cash left among the pool of candidates running on each side.
MILWAUKEE
Francesca Hong has defined Wisconsin’s Democratic primary for governor
Wisconsin Public Radio: Hong’s approach has won her a passionate following of supporters who say they’re inspired by her atypical journey into politics, her authentic vibe and an organic approach to campaigning.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Watch: Dominion Energy, a Virginia-based company, is proposing to construct a new natural gas-fired power plant in Grant County, which would be connected to the existing coal-fired plant near Mt. Storm, according to a Tuesday news release from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker needs to do more to enforce “ICE Out” legislation, activists say
Philadelphia Public Radio: A dozen representatives from more than 60 organizations called on Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration to implement and enforce “ICE Out” legislation passed by City Council in April.
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center is set to build a hybrid quantum-classical computer designed to help scientists explore the future of supercomputing.
WHEELING
West Virginia governor reacts to state delegate’s arrest, resignation
WTRF.com: David Pritt has resigned from his position in the West Virginia House of Delegates following his arrest last week for allegedly enticing a minor.
YOUNGSTOWN
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: “In Youngstown right now we have truly about 30 teaching vacancies,” Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said. “We have other support positions, coaches, those types of things but teaching vacancies we’re looking at about 30 right now,” he said.
