Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Democratic Senate nominee Roy Cooper talks economy, Helene recovery in Western North Carolina
Blue Ridge Public Radio: “We can roll back these tariffs,” Cooper told the crowd, referring to the Trump administration’s tariffs on dozens of countries. “You know, Congress can take back its constitutional authority on trade and tariffs and roll them back and help these small businesses and consumers who are getting the brunt of the cost on this.”
ATLANTA
After years of federal oversight, Georgia’s disability care system faces a new test
Georgia Recorder: The Justice Department has signaled that the federal government no longer plans to enforce a landmark court ruling that has shaped Georgia’s mental health and disability care system for nearly two decades, although the leader of the state agency responsible for disability services says nothing has changed in his mind.
BALTIMORE
Maryland Hispanic student enrollment declines amid immigration fears
Maryland Matters: Hispanic enrollment in Maryland public schools began to decline during the last school year after growing at an average rate of 4.7% a year since pandemic-era lows, according to state data finalized earlier this summer.
Rare black fox, whose coloration is the result of a genetic quirk, makes home in Chicago suburb
Chicago Sun-Times: Most red foxes are, well, red, or probably more accurately, orange or rust-colored. But a small number are all or mostly black, the result of melanin levels that impact pigmentation. A similar creature was spotted two years ago in the far southwest suburbs.
CINCINNATI
Clean-up website matches Revolutionary War-era cemeteries with Ohio helpers
Cincinnati Public Radio: A newly launched website aims to help match some of Ohio’s oldest cemeteries with people who are able to help take care of them. It was created as part of the state’s America 250 celebration.
CLEVELAND
Cuyahoga County’s budget is in trouble. Officials are calling for across-the-board cuts
Cleveland.com: Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and Council President Dale Miller are calling for across-the-board cuts to address a budget crisis and bring the 2027 budget back in line after years of overspending.
COLUMBUS
ICE has begun targeting and detaining Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio
Ohio Capital Journal: United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun targeting and detaining Haitians in Springfield, Ohio after Trump revoked their legal status, with at least 29 detained as of late last week.
DETROIT
Michigan searches for geologic hydrogen, untapped clean energy source with “great potential”
Michigan Public: Geologic hydrogen can form deep underground under the right circumstances, when water interacts with certain kinds of iron-rich rock, for example, or when water molecules are exposed to the radioactive decay of rocks.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana lawmakers looking at license plate cameras amid growing privacy worries
Indiana Capital Chronicle: The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating one of its officers for reportedly accessing the department’s license plate network for personal use, which the Washington Post reports went undetected until one of its reporters discovered it.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky mom advocates for more social media regulations as state leads court case against Meta
Kentucky Lantern: A Kentucky mom is closely watching a court case against Meta that could determine if the social media company knowingly designed addictive products that are harmful to children.
MEMPHIS
Body cam shows federal agent was ‘unjustified’ in Memphis shooting, attorney says
Nashville Public Radio: Body camera footage shows that Jonah Neal did not pose a threat that warranted deadly force when a member of the federal crime-fighting task force in Memphis shot him in late May, according to a lawyer representing his family.
MILWAUKEE
A Wisconsin steam engine will soon run again, completely rebuilt by volunteers
Wisconsin Public Radio: Working as a team, the volunteers run a historic 7-mile working railroad outside Baraboo, complete with cabooses, engines and machine shops. And those volunteers are working on their most ambitious project yet — restoring a century-old steam locomotive to working condition.
MORGANTOWN
Fraud, extortion cases under investigation at West Virginia Universirty
WAJR Morgantown: fficials at West Virginia University have reported at least four cases fraud and extortion since the start of the fall semester. Also under investigation are several “sextortion” complaints, where students are ordered to meet monetary demands or the suspect will distribute private or sensitive material.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia’s Lily Yeh to receive international peace award
Philadelphia Public Radio: Lily Yeh, the founder of the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia, will be awarded the Goi Peace Prize, an international award based in Tokyo, Japan. She will receive the award in November.
PITTSBURGH
Amtrak’s 2nd train from Pittsburgh to New York debuts this fall
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Amtrak’s second round-trip service aboard its Pennsylvanian route — connecting Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and New York City — will begin in mid-November, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
WHEELING
Public hearing planned as questions continue surrounding Silicon Foundry Energy development
WTRF.com: It has been several months since Warwood residents first learned about plans for a data center at the former Centre Foundry site. Since then, additional details have emerged as the proposed development has become the subject of public support and opposition.
YOUNGSTOWN
WTF?! Youngstown native, 49ers owner Jed York arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution
ESPN: According to Columbiana County (Ohio) court records obtained by ESPN, York allegedly responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and “arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140.”
