Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Listen: More than 99% of roads damaged by Helene have reopened
Blue Ridge Public Radio: North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson recently visited Chimney Rock for an update on road repairs nearly two years after Hurricane Helene.
ATLANTA
Trump admin’s endangered species rule change could leave Georgia’s wild places unprotected
Georgia Recorder: The change rescinds the definition of “harm” in the Endangered Species Act. Under the new rule, intentionally killing a protected species remains forbidden, but indirectly killing a species by altering or destroying its habitat is not.
BALTIMORE
Maryland records 31 heat deaths in the month, pushing total to second-highest in 15 years
Maryland Matters: Maryland has recorded 38 heat-related deaths so far this year, the second-highest total in the last 15 years, with two months left in the heat season, according to the latest data from the Maryland Department of Health.
CHICAGO
Lollapalooza day 3 brings Olivia Dean, more rain and mud
Block Club Chicago: The scheduled headliners — including Olivia Dean, DJ Trixie Mattel and Jennie — as well as Geese and local DJ Whethan were still on the schedule, but the Sunday (1994), Chezile, Wisp, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and several others were among the acts that got cut.
CINCINNATI
Hundreds show support for Haitians attending ICE meetings in Cincinnati
Cincinnati Public Radio: “Haitians are our neighbors, and the scripture is very clear that we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. That was what Jesus said was the most important thing: to love God and love your neighbor,” said Reverend Amy Snow, a minister serving at Knox Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati.
CLEVELAND
Should Ohio switch to Central time if daylight saving time becomes permanent?
Cleveland.com: Imagine Cleveland in December, with sunrise still more than an hour away as children wait for school buses and commuters head to work. That could become the winter reality under permanent daylight saving time.
COLUMBUS
Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller denies abuse allegations, ignores calls to resign
Ohio State Public Media: Rep. Max Miller took to social media to “firmly dispute” allegations of domestic and child abuse. The U.S. representative, based in Rocky River, spoke on the social platform X for about 18 minutes to lay out the timeline of charges amidst his custody battle with ex-wife Emily Moreno, daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno.
DETROIT
Could wildfire smoke change the flavor of wine grapes in northern Michigan?
Michigan Advance: When grapes get exposed to smoke for an extended amount of time, finished wines can develop what’s known as “smoke taint” — unwanted flavors that have been described as anything from barbecue to burnt bacon.
INDIANAPOLIS
Public march counters pro-deportation event in central Indiana
Indiana Capital Chronicle: About 1,000 Hoosiers supportive of immigrants marched over the weekend — a counter-protest to a pro-deportation event planned for the city with remarks from two statewide elected officials.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky secretary of state ends governor run speculation
Kentucky Lantern: After fueling speculation about a run for governor, Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams said he wouldn’t step into the ring next year and instead was backing U.S. Rep. James Comer.
MILWAUKEE
How the loss of Temporary Protected Status is being felt by Haitian immigrants in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio: Marc Christopher is an immigration attorney and a New London resident representing some of the hundreds of Haitian immigrants in his community who might be affected by the end of their Temporary Protected Status. He said that while the status is temporary, Haiti is still too dangerous for people to return.
MORGANTOWN
Mon General confirms systems hit by phishing attack; says patient information may have been leaked
WAJR Morgantown: The Monongalia County General Hospital Company has confirmed that out its computer systems were recently hit with a phishing attack that may have leaked some of its patients’ data.
NASHVILLE
Nashville teacher fired after creating AI images of students
WKRN Nashville: A four-page termination letter details what Metro Schools said happened over the course of about six months at Big Picture High School. The superintendent also noted the teacher had made “questionable” comments and advances.
PHILADELPHIA
Festival connects thousands of Philadelphians to African culture
Philadelphia Public Radio: The 18th ACANA Festival in Philadelphia celebrated the city’s connection to African culture, both in the people that live here and through the continent’s cultural connections across generations.
PITTSBURGH
Steelers player pulls child out of fan brawl at training camp
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: When a fan brawl broke out over the weekend at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, tight end Pat Freiermuth stepped in to pull a child out of harm’s way.
WHEELING
4th Annual Wheeling Arts Fest Brings Artists and Community Together
WTRF.com: The Wheeling Arts Festival returned for the fourth year, featuring over 40 vendors and everything from paintings and jewelry to pottery and ceramics. The festival brings together artists from across the Ohio Valley and the community for a celebration of art.
YOUNGSTOWN
Beautiful, rare white deer spotted in Youngstown backyard
FOX 8 Cleveland: Albino animals are white because they’ve inherited mutated genes from their parents that keep the body from producing melanin, which determines their skin, fur and eye color, according to National Geographic.
