Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Four hospital systems propose competing expansions in Asheville’s Buncombe County
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Mission Hospital, AdventHealth, UNC Health West and Novant Health are all competing for state approval to add up to 92 beds to their new or existing facilities.
ATLANTA
Atlanta left off the shortlist of 2028 DNC host cities
Georgia Recorder: The announcement came as a disappointment to many Atlanta Democrats, who were hoping to break the nearly four-decade hiatus since the city last hosted the convention in 1988. Georgia has never hosted a Republican national convention.
BALTIMORE
Report: Sail 250 Maryland draws 600,000 to Inner Harbor, boosts business
WBAL-TV Baltimore: The weeklong event featured tall ships lining Baltimore’s waterfront and top air teams performing in the skies, attracting large crowds to the Inner Harbor and surrounding areas.
As Trump pushes sweeping changes to mail voting, here’s where things stand in Illinois
Chicago Sun-Times: In Illinois, there have been no major changes to voting — though voters are confused about their rights, including whether they need to bring proof of citizenship to the ballot box.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati Public Radio: The building at 2000 Dunlap Street is a block away from a streetcar stop and a couple blocks from Findlay Market. It offers studio and one-bedroom apartments with private bathrooms and kitchens. Click through the gallery below to see more:
CLEVELAND
Feds sue Ohio chinchilla breeder, say more than 1,100 animals kept in “inhumane” conditions
Cleveland.com: Federal animal inspectors accused an Ohio chinchilla breeder of hiding some 800 chinchillas at his Hancock County property that investigators said lived in “inhumane” and “dire” conditions.
COLUMBUS
Springfield mayor says ICE officials are now targeting Haitians living in the city
Ohio State Public Media: Springfield Mayor Rob Rue says Immigration Customs Enforcement officers are active in the city. In the statement, Rue said the city does not direct or control ICE activity and that the city is focused on the safety and well-being of everyone in the community.
DETROIT
Proposed repeal of “Roadless Rule” could open Michigan national forests to logging, roadbuilding
Michigan Advance: Thousands of acres of currently protected national forest land in Michigan could be opened to road construction and logging under a proposal from the U.S. Forest Service to rescind a 25-year-old rule.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana seeking federal storm assistance at time when Trump wants to scale it back
Indiana Capital Chronicle: While state officials continue compiling details about recent storm damage across Indiana, Gov. Mike Braun said he is confident that the state can help pay recovery costs regardless of whether additional federal assistance is approved.
LOUISVILLE
Louisville Planning Commission looks to strengthen data center restrictions
Louisville Public Media: The board that vets Louisville’s zoning rules asked city planners to make changes to their proposed data center regulations rather than approve the current draft.
MILWAUKEE
After 31 years in prison for a crime committed at age 15, Wisconsin man seeks a commutation
Wisconsin Examiner: Michael Maldonado, 47, a resident of the Kettle Moraine Correctional Institute who has been incarcerated for 31 years for a crime he committed when he was 15, will be one of 12 applicants considered by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ Commutation Advisory Board.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Watch: Instead, the portion of funds previously sent to the First Foundation for distribution — 72.5% of all money earned through settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors — will now be sent directly to the state’s general revenue fund to be used by the Legislature and disbursed among localities.
NASHVILLE
ICE changes location of Tennessee call center site
Tennessee Lookout: The planned call center is intended to function as a 24/7 support center for local law enforcement across the county who have entered into cooperative agreements with ICE.
PHILADELPHIA
WTRF?! Masked man accused of terrorizing people in Center City Philadelphia identified
ABC 6 Philadelphia: An arrest warrant has been issued for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes. “You think it’s funny to scare people? Well, get ready to get scared by us because we got the handcuffs, we got the jail cell, we got the Philly jury that’s going to tell you it’s not funny at all,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner.
PITTSBURGH
Uh-Oh… Probe of Pittsburgh contracts shows millions of dollars might be unaccounted for
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said the ongoing investigation into City of Pittsburgh contracts issued during the administration of former Mayor Ed Gainey shows that potentially millions of dollars is unaccounted for — and may have been spent on “personal stuff.”
WHEELING
9 best places to call home in West Virginia in 2026
World Atlas: In West Virginia, an ordinary paycheck still buys a house with a yard. The statewide median sale price sat at $266,533 in May 2026. That figure stretches remarkably far in a state this rich with history and mountains. Towns like Wheeling deliver low prices alongside real culture and easy trailheads.
YOUNGSTOWN
Historic Youngstown auditorium receives grant for roof replacement
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: The Youngstown Foundation announced $986,000 in grants awarded to various organizations, including Stambaugh Auditorium for roof replacements.
