Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
One of North Carolina’s oldest rodeos is back in action after Hurricane Helene
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Western North Carolina isn’t exactly a place known for its rodeo culture. Yet, tucked away in the hills of Marshall, a tradition of steer wrestling, barrel racing and other daring, cattle-related pursuits has persisted for more than 60 years.
ATLANTA
Anatomy of a secret Coastal Georgia data center deal
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Although Georgia law allows government agencies to conduct confidential business meetings, approval for deals that affect public revenue must occur in public.
BALTIMORE
Poll: Moore enjoys comfortable early lead against Cox in governor’s rematch
Maryland Matters: Gov. Wes Moore leads Republican challenger Dan Cox by 27 points in the early going of their gubernatorial rematch, according to a new poll.
Colleges scramble after court strikes down in-state tuition for Illinois undocumented students
Chicago Sun-Times: Thousands of immigrant students who attended high school in Illinois may soon have to pay more expensive out-of-state tuition rates for college — a change that could jeopardize their access to higher education.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati-area communities cleaning up damage, without power after storms
WLWT Cincinnati: Residents are stepping in to help each other during this challenging time. Neighbors with chainsaws are working to clear a massive tree blocking an entire street and to remove a smashed car trapped under the debris.
Abandoned stairs on Pittsburgh’s North Side (Image by Postindustrial)
CLEVELAND
Lawsuit accuses U.S. Rep. Max Miller, attorney of releasing nude photo of 2-year-old daughter
Cleveland.com: U.S. Rep. Max Miller’s ex-wife filed a lawsuit against him and his attorney, accusing them of posting a nude photo of Moreno and Miller’s 2-year-old daughter. The image of the girl was included in a Dropbox folder that Miller released on his X account earlier this month, according to the lawsuit.
COLUMBUS
Columbus mayor declares emergency as Ohio’s governor assesses severe storm’s impact
Ohio State Public Media: Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared an emergency in the city following recent severe storms that damaged much of Ohio’s capital city and left one person dead in southeast Ohio and several prisoners injured in Lorain County.
DETROIT
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gives green light to Line 5 tunnel
Michigan Advance: Canadian energy company Enbridge has secured another permit needed for its Line 5 tunnel project, moving the effort closer toward construction after another critical permit was struck down less than two weeks earlier.
INDIANAPOLIS
Purdue buys Kurt Vonnegut Museum in latest move to expand Indianapolis presence
Indianapolis Public Media: Purdue University this week announced it has finalized plans to acquire the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, which has sat on Indiana Avenue since 2019. The university said it plans to use the museum to help enrich its museum studies program.
LOUISVILLE
ICE to outfit agents with electric shock gloves from Kentucky company in $20 million no-bid contract
Kentucky Lantern: The devices the department is seeking are called “G.L.O.V.E,” which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. One review says the products “quickly and safely allow an officer to overcome the resistance of a non-compliant subject.”
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin Democrats preach unity as Hong endorses Crowley
Wisconsin Public Radio: State Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist from Madison, was favored by most political observers to win. Polls showed her with a commanding lead.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia on track to start Medicaid work requirements Jan. 1, lawmakers told
West Virginia Watch: An initial analysis by the West Virginia Department of Human Services showed that about 33,000 state Medicaid recipients are not currently meeting federal work or volunteer requirements taking effect in January, and are not automatically exempted from them, lawmakers were told.
NASHVILLE
Company behind data center near Nashville Zoo sues Metro Nashville
WKRN Nashville: The company behind a controversial proposed data center next to the Nashville Zoo is suing the Metro Nashville government over its move to stop the tech company from building the data center.
PHILADELPHIA
Here’s how Philly street artists are embracing LeBron James
Billy Penn: It’s been less than a month since James made the announcement that he would be coming to City of Brotherly Love. Like any positive local sports development, the news sparked a nearly euphoric city-wide mood. All fans can do now is trust the process.
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh set to become rare disease research hub with $25 million investment
WESA Pittsburgh: “Rare diseases represent one of the greatest unmet challenges in medicine, affecting millions of families while receiving only a fraction of the attention and resources devoted to more common conditions,” said Sam Reiman, Director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
WHEELING
Wheeling Capitol Theatre unveils new mural in green room
WTRF.com: The mural was crafted by Monica Duymich of IKAROS ART, and it will now be seeing by every performer that graces the stage. She grew up in the Wheeling area, and says it was an honor to do this for her hometown.
YOUNGSTOWN
Columbiana County rescue team in Ohio’s flood-ravaged counties
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: Volunteers from Columbiana County are helping in a flood-ravaged region of Ohio. The Calcutta Fire Swift Water Rescue Team was deployed to Perry County at the request of the Crooksville Fire Chief.
