Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Hiker rescued after 50-foot fall at Norther Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain
WLOS Asheville: A hiker was rescued after falling 50 feet at Grandfather Mountain, the North Carolina Emergency Management announced.
ATLANTA
Voices: Years of low-key “grunt work” are paying off for Sen. Ossoff
Jay Bookman writes for Georgia Recorder: “Good work deserves reward. But Ossoff has gained a reputation, among Republicans as well as Democrats, as someone who is reachable and effective. And people have noticed.”
BALTIMORE
When data centers come knocking, Maryland counties should have a “wish list,” officials say
Maryland Matters: “Use the time that you have bought yourselves with your local moratorium, talk to other communities that have figured this out,” said Ian Ullman, deputy director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “And make your wish list. This is the time.”
Northwestern University says African Studies program isn’t closing, but staff told otherwise
Chicago Sun-Times: Northwestern University is changing the status of its African Studies program — described as the oldest of its kind in the country — raising questions about how changes will impact everything from its funding to staff.
CINCINNATI
Springfield’s $1.3 billion data center brings economic hope — and environmental skepticism
Cincinnati Public Radio: While the company and economic development leaders see a big opportunity for job growth for the Clark County city, the new project has also been met with some resistance. This includes concerns about energy use, diesel generators and more.
CLEVELAND
Drought, floods and freezes force Ohio farmers to rethink how they grow your food
Cleveland.com: How Ohio farmers adapt to the changing climate of one of the nation’s top 15 agricultural states will shape the future of everything: from peaches, cherries and maple syrup to wine grapes, sweet corn and tomatoes.
COLUMBUS
“Union County” film casts a new light on addiction recovery and rural Ohio
Ohio State Public Media: Many films have set out to capture the crisis of drug or alcohol addiction. But far fewer have focused on the long, uneven process of recovery. “Union County,” turns the lens on that often-overlooked journey.
DETROIT
Ages of 5 people killed in northern Michigan shootings released by law enforcement
CBS Detroit: The Michigan State Police have released the ages of the five people killed and a sixth who was injured in a series of shootings in the northern part of the state last week.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana governor seeks federal emergency declaration after storms batter state
Indiana Capital Chronicle: The request, submitted through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, seeks federal support for emergency response costs. That could include expenses associated with water rescues, restoring electricity and other immediate work in affected communities, according to the governor’s office.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky county’s data center moratorium doesn’t include a small city considering huge project
Kentucky Lantern: The Mercer County Fiscal Court passed a one-year moratorium on data center construction, the latest turn over months of tumultuous debate in the rural county over whether the community should welcome a hyperscale data center project.
MILWAUKEE
Universities of Wisconsin to ask for $330 million to invest in state’s workforce, healthcare
Wisconsin Public Radio: The university system is seeking $240 million for programs that it says would train 300,000 workers and create 2,500 new businesses. Another $90 million would go to expand programs for healthcare professionals.
MORGANTOWN
Governor extends state of emergency for 12 West Virginia counties affected by July storms
West Virginia Watch: “West Virginians have made tremendous progress cleaning up and recovering from these storms, but there is still a lot of work ahead in some of our hardest-hit communities,” Gov. Partrick Morrisey said.
NASHVILLE
Nashville Democrat challenges sanctions for redistricting protest
Tennessee Lookout: A Tennessee senator is threatening legal action after Republican leadership sanctioned her for protesting redistricting. Lawyers for Democratic State Sen. Charlane Oliver sent a letter to Senate leadership, arguing that the sanctions against her are unconstitutional.
PHILADELPHIA
After deadly earthquake, Philadelphia’s Colombian community mobilizes recovery efforts
Philadelphia Public Radio: Local organizations and businesses are collecting boxes of food, diapers, and other supplies for communities devastated by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
PITTSBURGH
Workforce development programs train next-generation tradespeople in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: A group of eight trainees with backgrounds in the arts, cooking, and welding spends 25 hours a week, paid $20 an hour, learning from a textbook and gaining hands-on experience in manufacturing, welding, electricity, heavy equipment, and cementing.
WHEELING
WTRF.com: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is criticizing the WNBA, after the league formed a new task force to consider changes to transgender eligibility requirements. The task force stopped short of enacting any new eligibility requirements and will be keeping the current rules in place.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown’s Latin food fest brings together old friends and cultures
WKBN 27 Youngstown: The American Hispanic Civic and Cultural Organization provides services to multicultural families in the area — including youth programs, mental health services, food pantries, and more.
