Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Western North Carolina has been getting a lot of rain. Does that mean the drought is over?
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The drought might not be totally over yet. Much of the groundwater replenishment went to South Carolina rather than directly to depleted western North Carolina groundwater systems,
ATLANTA
Colin Gray, father of convicted Apalachee school shooter, faces sentencing
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Colin Gray, the father of convicted school shooter Colt Gray, will appear in court to be sentenced for providing the rifle his son used in a school shooting at Apalachee High School.
BALTIMORE
Maryland lawmakers open limited window for public testimony on redistricting
Maryland Matters: Marylanders looking to testify during next week’s special session on congressional redistricting will have their chance Monday afternoon, but speakers will be limited and sign-up must be done in advance.
CHICAGO
Chicago Sun-Times: Analysis shows high schools that enroll mostly Latino students are losing 7% of their classroom teachers, the most pronounced loss under Chicago Public Schools’ proposed budget. The school board is scheduled to vote on the spending plan Thursday.
CINCINNATI
With TPS now expired, Ohio governor and advocates for immigrants await fate of Haitians in Ohio
Cincinnati Public Radio: While around 30,000 Haitians live in central Ohio, there’s been a lot of attention on the Haitian population in Springfield, which numbers between 12,000 and 15,000.
CLEVELAND
“Baseball Art as the Game’s Storyteller” on display in downtown Cleveland
Cleveland.com: The exhibit’s storefront design is composed of about 50 pieces from more than a dozen artists from across the United States and Canada. Its layout allows folks to breeze along and check out the works showing players of different eras in multiple mediums.
COLUMBUS
Ohio State astronomy researchers discover several super-bright quasar lenses
Ohio State Public Media: Scientists in Ohio State’s astronomy department are using artificial intelligence to find star clusters unable to be seen by the human eye and even a few that have never been seen before.
DETROIT
Michigan House Speaker says Republicans open to vetoed bills if Democrats negotiate on priorities
CBS Detroit: Democrats in the Michigan House and Senate have reintroduced a package of nine bills that were vetoed by the governor after spending years in legal limbo.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis homelessness stays flat as unsheltered population falls
Indianapolis Public Media: The number of individuals who were unsheltered in Indianapolis fell by 18% from 2025, when 331 residents were living outside. The number of people living outside had been trending up in Indianapolis following the pandemic.
LOUISVILLE
Rep. Morgan McGarvey calling for release of Louisville ICE detainee with sickle cell anemia
WLKY Louisville: Kentucky Congressman Morgan McGarvey is calling for the release of a Louisville ICE detainee who is suffering from sickle cell anemia. McGarvey’s office says Sarafinah Bukirwa has been in ICE custody since July 22. She is being held at the Grayson County Detention Center.
MEMPHIS
FedEx adding 500,000 sq. ft. ft. addition at Memphis Hub
WREG Memphis: FedEx is planning to add another half-million square feet of space at its Memphis Hub. The expansion to an existing freight canopy is planned at the International Priority Freight Shipment Facility on Sprankel Avenue.
MILWAUKEE
Francesca Hong leads Democratic primary for governor once again in new Marquette poll
Wisconsin Public Radio: Of the respondents in Marquette’s newest survey, 38 percent said they’d vote for Hong on August 11. That’s a 12 point jump from last week’s Marquette results, which included Rodriguez.
MORGANTOWN
WAJR Morgantown: The settlement provides for dismissal with prejudice of the pending claims and counterclaims between the settling parties as well as mutual termination of the existing University Place ground lease and related subleases.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: There are not yet any known local cases of the flesh-eating pests, which typically attack livestock, but an active quarantine order is now in place that limits the movement and importation of farm animals and household pets like dogs and cats into the state from areas with active cases.
PITTSBURGH
Rival lawsuits reveal battle for control of Hill District’s FNB Financial Center
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Two ongoing lawsuits reveal a behind-the-scenes dispute over the future of Pittsburgh’s newest office tower — the FNB Financial Center.
WHEELING
With nod to the past, Wheeling welcomes Future Project
West Virginia Public Broadcasting: The JC Lando redevelopment project features a boutique hotel and more. The $58.7 million project is funded primarily through private investment and includes private residences, restaurants, retail space, conference facilities, and public gathering areas.
YOUNGSTOWN
Northeast Ohio police officer on leave after recent criminal charges
WKBN 27 Youngstown: Ethan Griffith was found guilty in Austintown court of OVI and obstruction. As part of a plea deal, the other charges against him were dropped. He received his sentence, which included fines and one year of probation.
