Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
G20 arrives in Asheville, bringing money, attention and frustration
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The economic forum, which runs Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, welcomes finance ministers, central bank governors, roughly 200 journalists and a slew of Fortune 500 executives from the world’s leading economies.
ATLANTA
Dozens of threatened plant and animal species could gain state protection in Georgia
Georgia Recorder: Georgia is set to update its list of protected plants and animals for the first time in two decades, and the number of protected species is set to grow by more than 100. On the bright side, 40 species were removed from the list because survey data showed their populations have recovered.
BALTIMORE
Anne Arundel County judge set to rule on lawsuit aimed at blocking redistricting ballot questio
WBAL-TV Baltimore: The plaintiffs — the Maryland Freedom Caucus, the conservative Oversight Project and two Republican state senators — argued almost two dozen points to make their case in a high-stakes Hail Mary attempt.
O’Hare to the Loop in 15 minutes? This company thinks it can finally bring fast rail to Chicago
Chicago Sun-Times: The key to success, owners of the proposed O’Hare Flyer say, is using newly freed-up freight railroad land at a Union Pacific yard on the Near West Side.
CINCINNATI
Adams County residents fear environmental and utility costs of possible data center
Cincinnati Public Radio: Adams County officials say Amazon Web Services is evaluating 1,000 acres in Sprigg Township for a data center. The site is minutes away from downtown Manchester and includes a former Dayton Power & Light landfill.
CLEVELAND
Cleveland Hopkins Airport’s aging gate equipment is getting a $26 million overhaul
Cleveland.com: Travelers at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport could soon see an upgrade at the gate after Cleveland City Council approved a plan to replace up to 12 aging passenger bridges at an anticipated cost of $26 million.
COLUMBUS
Hopewell Earthworks: Forced out, almost forgotten: How tribes are reclaiming their earthworks
Ohio State Public Media: High above the Little Miami River in Lebanon, Ohio, long, curving earthen walls stretch across the Fort Ancient site. They look like defenses, but the walls don’t protect anything and the gateways weren’t built for battle. Whatever this place was, it wasn’t a fort, and the real story is far more interesting.
DETROIT
Michigan Public: When Azizullah received notice from the Department of Homeland Security to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in December, he feared the worst.
INDIANAPOLIS
Gary residents turn to prayer as power outage stretches into third week
Indianapolis Public Media: Dozens of people without power gathered to listen to pastors and others speak. Though the evening was full of dance and prayer, frustrations continue to mount in Gary, where residents say there is a lack of urgency and transparency from utility provider Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
LOUISVILLE
Horse electrocuted at Kentucky State Fair following electrical concerns reported in 2023
Louisville Public Media: Ahead of this year’s World Championship Horse Show at the Kentucky State Fair, a horse died by electrocution in its stall. Two years prior, event organizers were warned they needed to fix electrical issues to maintain horse safety.
MILWAUKEE
New central Wisconsin nature preserve opens along protected trout stream
Wisconsin Public Radio: A new 30-acre nature preserve in northern Marathon County is now open to the public, giving visitors access to a protected stretch of trout stream, forest and wetlands.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia Watch: Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed William “Bill” Vest of Oak Hill, West Virginia, to fill the House of Delegates seat previously held by Del. Elliott Pritt, who was indicted last week on three federal charges, including the alleged sexual exploitation of a child.
NASHVILLE
National safety group offers reward after fatal teen shooting in Nashville
Nashville Public Radio: The fatal shooting of a Nashville 16-year-old has drawn the attention of a national anti-violence group, including heightened reward money for information.
PHILADELPHIA
Pennsylvania attorney general sues Snapchat for its addictiveness and disappearing messages
Philadelphia Public Radio: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is suing Snap Inc., alleging the company misleads parents about mature content on Snapchat while using features designed to keep children compulsively engaged with the social media platform.
PITTSBURGH
Police say escalating crime spree culminated with daylight assaults in Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Police are blaming a 19-year-old Munhall man for a monthslong crime spree through Pittsburgh, the Mon Valley and the South Hills that they say began with petty offenses over the winter and culminated last week in brazen daylight assaults in the Downtown Cultural District.
WHEELING
Dolly Parton’s positive impact on West Virginia children will not be forgotten
WTRF.com: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey is remembering Dolly Parton for her music, charity work and support of children following her death at age 80. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, children across West Virginia have received free books each month.
YOUNGSTOWN
Cannabis dispensaries bring high tax revenue to the Valley
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: “Being a smaller city, the amount of revenue that we’re getting from the dispensary is very significant,” said Catherine Cercone Miller, mayor of Struthers. “It’s something that will help with our general fund, and just overall help the city.”
