Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
WLOS Asheville: Growers say this year’s crop is looking better than the past couple of seasons, despite weather challenges and a harvest that is arriving earlier than normal.
ATLANTA
Atlanta councilmembers approve up to $36 million in 2028 DNC funding — if city is chosen
Atlanta News First: Under the resolution, approved by the council on Aug. 3, the funding would come from excess amounts of Atlanta’s hotel/motel tax. It also secures MARTA as the convention’s bus provider and allows the mayor and chief financial officer to authorize any other necessary agreements.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore police bodycam footage shows aftermath of ICE arrest outside school
WBAL-TV Baltimore: Baltimore police bodycam footage shows the aftermath of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arresting Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez and his wife, who lack legal immigration status, outside Commodore John Rodgers School in June while their children were in the vehicle.
Chicago mayor wants city council to pause data center expansion
Chicago Sun-Times: Data centers have drawn criticism locally and nationally because of their potential to drain water supplies and hike electric bills. Chicago’s embrace of innovation shouldn’t be at the expense of health or safety, Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
CINCINNATI
Data center in southern Ohio spurs transparency concerns
Cincinnati Public Radio: People worried the city of Trenton was keeping the project a secret. They raised concerns about water use, environmental impacts, noise and light because neither the city or developer had revealed specific plans or studies at that point.
CLEVELAND
Gov. DeWine deploys Ohio National Guard as deadly storms hit state
Cleveland.com: The initial wave of storms, which passed through much of Ohio earlier this week, resulted in one death in Roseville, south of Zanesville, as local fire authorities were prevented by high water from reaching a person in need of emergency assistance, DeWine said.
COLUMBUS
Person dies as high winds knock out power to thousands, cause major damage across central Ohio
Ohio State Public Media: The National Weather Service says a possible tornado may have hit the north side of Columbus when a strong line of storms blew through central Ohio, toppling trees and knocking out power to thousands.
DETROIT
University of Michigan picks site for “high performance computing facility”
Detroit News: The University of Michigan has chosen the site of its $1.25 billion “high performance computing facility” in Ypsilanti Township after months of deliberating between two sites.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis council advances pause on data centers, sends to commission for final approval
Indianapolis Public Media: The council members voted 23-1 to approve the moratorium, sending it to the Metropolitan Development Commission, which could give final approval as early as Aug. 19.
LOUISVILLE
Two public Kentucky universities launch artificial intelligence degrees this fall
Louisville Public Media: Two Kentucky universities have launched degrees in artificial intelligence for the fall semester, responding to workforce changes and student interest as AI becomes more widely used across many sectors. The University of Kentucky and Murray State University are adding the degrees to their selection of computer science education.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin has second largest “brain drain” in the country despite high education attainment
Wisconsin Public Radio: A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum finds that Wisconsin has the second biggest net loss of young, educated workers in the country, surpassed only by North Dakota. And this can have major ripple effects on the state’s overall economic growth.
MORGANTOWN
New generation is the key to keeping West Virginia’s power rates manageable as demand ticks up
WAJR Morgantown: Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy and Infrastructure heard testimony about keeping electricity rates low from FirstEnergy and Appalachian Power.
NASHVILLE
WKRN Nashville: Muslim leaders in Nashville said they are increasing security and urging community members to remain vigilant after a right-wing activist parked a truck displaying an anti-Muslim message outside the Islamic Center of Nashville.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: The event was organized by Our Market Project, a community building and public art project dedicated to preserving the stories of the market’s workers, residents and small business owners.
PITTSBURGH
US Steel’s “ineffective” safety procedures led to deadly 2025 explosion, federal board concludes
WESA Pittsburgh: A federal agency found that U.S. Steel had inadequate protocols for safety and building siting at its Clairton Coke Works, near Pittsburgh, leading to an explosion that killed two workers one year ago.
WHEELING
Rounds of storms bring heavy rain, flooding concerns to Ohio Valley
WTRF.com: Showers and thunderstorms have returned to the Ohio Valley to start the workweek, and the unsettled pattern is expected to stick around for much of the week. Several rounds of storms could bring the potential for severe weather and flash flooding.
YOUNGSTOWN
6-year-old boy dies in Youngstown shooting
WKBN 27 Youngstown: A statement from the police department did not say how the boy was shot, but it did ask that people who have guns make sure they are stored properly and out of reach of children.
