Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
North Carolina Republicans search for new nominee after Rep. Chuck Edwards withdraws
WLOS Asheville: After Rep. Chuck Edwards announced his withdrawal from his re-election campaign, the Republican Party of North Carolina (NCGOP) said it will work to select a new nominee for the state’s 11th Congressional District race.
ATLANTA
U.S. State Department announces new system to spread life-saving food made from Georgia peanuts
Georgia Public Broadcasting: The Georgia manufacturer of an emergency food meant to help severely malnourished kids may soon see an infusion of new orders under new spending by the U.S. State Department.
BALTIMORE
Governor signs Maryland redistricting amendment as voters prepare for November showdown
WBAL-TV Baltimore: Gov. Wes Moore signed a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting during a ceremonial bill signing, setting the stage for Maryland voters to decide its fate in November.
CHICAGO
Chicago Sun-Times: It’s a rare agreement between the Democratic governor and Trump, who railed against Chevron and Exxon Mobil for earning high profits amid the Iran war and said they should “give some of that back to the public.”
CINCINNATI
$57 million affordable housing project faces pushback on Cincinnati’s West Side
Local 12 Cincinnati: “Concentrated poverty is not the answer. We have been told that by our city leaders,” said concerned resident Sue. “Please give Westwood and Price Hill a chance to make a development that truly helps our families.”
CLEVELAND
Cleveland.com: The Democratic candidate for governor would allow new projects only on brownfields or previously developed industrial sites and require them to cover all electricity, gas and water costs, use union labor, disclose information to communities and meet environmental standards.
COLUMBUS
Columbus City Council, Our City Our Say organizers weighing compromise for council reform
Ohio State Public Media: The Our City Our Say coalition wants only voters within each of Columbus’ nine city council districts to be able to vote for their representative. Currently, every Columbus voter gets to vote for each council member.
DETROIT
Jocelyn snags Michigan governor’s endorsement, positioning herself as a party unifier
Michigan Advance: The day after Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took home a resounding primary victory in her bid to be Michigan’s next governor, the woman who she hopes to succeed, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, came out to endorse her at a campaign event in Lansing.
INDIANAPOLIS
Thousands of Indiana families got childcare help, but the waitlist still tops 29,000
Indianapolis Public Media: Indiana has issued 3,240 new childcare vouchers to families since April — the state’s first wave of new approvals since it froze voucher enrollment in December 2024 due to a loss of pandemic-era funding.
LOUISVILLE
Over 200,000 Kentuckians are facing food insecurity
Louisville Public Media: Feeding America, a hunger relief organization, recently released the annual Map the Meal Gap study. It showed that, for the first time, Kentucky has over 200,000 residents facing food insecurity.
MEMPHIS
Memphis advocates call on private airport to stop servicing ICE detention flights
Tennessee Lookout: Volunteers with Vecindarios 901, a Memphis mutual aid organization that coordinates a “rapid response” network to help immigrants impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said they have tracked 51 flights since March transporting detainees from Wilson Air Center.
MILWAUKEE
Conservative groups sue to stop online sports betting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio: The challenge argues a 1993 amendment bans state lawmakers from authorizing new forms of gambling, and the sports betting law only benefits members of tribal nations.
MORGANTOWN
Flock opposition continues in West Virginia’s Monongalia County
WAJR Morgantown: Resident Logan Wheatcraft told the commission the recent arrest of a second suspect in connection with Flock camera damage should demonstrate the level of opposition some constituents have. He said commissioners are forcing members of the public to live in a surveillance state while ignoring the opposition.
PHILADELPHIA
How the costly digital age is leaving behind Pennsylvania.’s rural, underfunded schools
Philadelphia Public Radio: Students in remote school districts like Otto-Eldred are using failing, outdated technology. In some cases, it’s costing them their futures.
PITTSBURGH
Allegheny County warns 26,000 residents could lose Medicaid under federal rules
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Allegheny County Executive’s Office expects new federal Medicaid rules taking effect next year to leave roughly 26,000 Allegheny County residents without health coverage, increasing financial pressure on hospitals and the region’s behavioral health system.
WHEELING
West Virginia Disability Resource fair set for August in Wheeling
WTRF.com: This free accessible community event will connect individuals with disabilities, caregivers, family members and support professionals with local organizations offering valuable programs, services and opportunties.
YOUNGSTOWN
Guarded Secrets: Youngstown’s private prison
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: The Northeast Ohio Correctional Center has sat behind the trees on Hubbard Road in Youngstown for almost 30 years. Privately owned by CoreCivic, one of the largest for-profit corrections companies in the United States, it can hold 2,016 inmates and employs hundreds of people.
