Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Asheville considers early termination of Flock, but leaves door open for other license plate readers
Blue Ridge Public Radio: Asheville City Council will vote on a resolution that would force an early termination of the police department’s contract with the Atlanta-based company and request the removal of 11 automated license plate readers.
ATLANTA
Democratic lawmakers call for closure of ICE detention center in southwest Georgia
Georgia Recorder: Stewart Detention Center, a facility run by the private prison company CoreCivic, is one of the largest detention centers in the country. At least two people have died after being detained at the facility this year.
BALTIMORE
Maryland has more EV chargers than ever – but they’re not everywhere
Maryland Matters: The median range of EVs has tripled since 2014, and there are nearly 1,700 charging stations in the state for over 150,000 registered EVs (including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles). Additionally, the state government has set widespread EV adoption as one of its climate goals.
Sean Grayson, former sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey, has died
NBC 5 Chicago: The former deputy had been diagnosed with colon cancer prior to the 2024 shooting, and his attorney noted in January that the cancer had advanced to his liver and lungs.
CINCINNATI
Vice President JD Vance visits Middletown for Cleveland-Cliffs announcement
Cincinnati Public Radio: Speaking after a slew of Ohio’s GOP elected officials and candidates, Vance talked up tariffs and other Trump administration economic policies ahead of a contentious midterm season and credited those policies with the steel plant upgrade.
CLEVELAND
Cleveland Museum of Art begins major outdoor restoration of Fine Arts Garden
Ideastream Public Media: The museum will launch a multi-year, $40 million restoration, for which planning started in 2017. Nearly half of the 10-acre garden will be fenced off to prepare for two initial phases, identified as Scopes A and B, that will extend into 2027.
COLUMBUS
Few Ohioans facing higher electric bills will benefit from American Electric Power-data center deal
Ohio State Public Media: American Electric Power of Ohio announced an effort to lower electric bills for Ohioans in partnership with some of the largest data center companies, but very few customers will actually benefit from this plan.
DETROIT
Rising energy costs could shape key Michigan races this November
Detroit Free Press: Rising electric bills, eye-popping gasoline prices and pitched local battles over energy-intensive data centers have put energy affordability at the center of the November election in Michigan.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana lawmakers looking at license plate cameras amid growing privacy worries
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Public backlash over such cameras is intensifying, but Indiana law says little about use of the technology. The cameras are widely used by law enforcement agencies to capture still images of license plates for criminal investigations.
LOUISVILLE
Labor union that supports data centers is giving big to Kentucky governor
Kentucky Lantern: A national labor union that supports building data centers has been pouring contributions into Gov. Andy Beshear’s super PAC this summer. The total of $206,000 makes the IBEW the fourth largest donor to In This Together since Beshear created it shortly after his reelection as governor in 2023.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin’s homeless population may be increasing due to rising housing prices and declining economy
Wisconsin Public Radio: According to a recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report, the state’s homeless population increased to 5,495 this year, a 4.8 percent increase over 2025. It was the fifth consecutive year of increases after years of decline.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship program accepting applications
West Virginia Watch: Despite federal funding cuts affecting state humanities councils across the country, the Folklife Apprenticeship program by the West Virginia Humanities Council will go on this year. The program — which awards stipends to mentors and mentee pairs for a year of learning traditional Appalachian skills — is accepting applications through Sept. 18.
NASHVILLE
Nashville Public Media: Five school districts in Tennessee are being asked to turn over public records regarding their decisions to post the Ten Commandments in schools. The request was made in letters sent by several civil rights groups to the schools districts.
PHILADELPHIA
Women’s pro tennis returns to Philadelphia after more than 20 years
CBS Philadelphia: Professional women’s tennis returned to Philadelphia for the first time in more than two decades, drawing a sold-out crowd to the University of Pennsylvania for the opening day of the Ennoble Care Philly Open.
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh doctors brace for more measles as Pennsylvania cases surge
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “This is going to be something every county has to contend with,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based infectious disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
WHEELING
Wheeling boutique celebrates first year with small business showcase
WTRF.com: Just one year ago today, Peyton Therriault started P-T Bamboo Boutique. It’s an online business that specializes in clothing and items for women and children. To celebrate the milestone, she hosted a small business showcase at the Urban Collective Building in Downtown Wheeling.
YOUNGSTOWN
Panerathon takes over downtown Youngstown for good cause
WYTV Youngstown: The event was on track to raise nearly $700,000 for the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Mercy Health.
