Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
As G20 shines global spotlight on Asheville, some residents say Trump has failed to fund recovery
Blue Ridge Public Radio: The gathering at the Omni Grove Park Inn will put a global spotlight on Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. It’s also expected to bring up to $2 million in spending at local businesses.
ATLANTA
Georgia Public Broadcasting: Research from the University of Georgia shows workers that use medical marijuana are less likely to miss work. For decades, the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics have collected detailed but anonymous data on employment.
Learn more about RAFT for America below
Voices: We took to the river to discuss our differences
BALTIMORE
Baltimore launches Hope Lives Here to support people struggling with addition, end overdoses
WBAL-TV Baltimore: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and city leaders talked about how everyone is impacted by the opioid crisis. “I don’t know of a single person who lives in Baltimore who is not affected by the opioid crisis,” Scott said.
Cubs releasing a 17-part ‘bite-sized’ rom-com on TikTok
Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs Productions, the team’s in-house creative arm, developed a 17-part romantic comedy called “Nine Innings to Love.” The entire scripted series, told over the course of one Cubs game, drops this Friday, Sept. 4 only on TikTok.
CINCINNATI
Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio leads fundraiser for devastated Nepal after floods
Cincinnati Public Radio: “When this tragedy happened, we felt like it happened to us, to our own family members, to our brothers and sisters,” said Sudarshan Pyakurel, executive director of Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio.
CLEVELAND
Ohio abortion access grew after 2023 amendment, but researchers say some barriers still stand
Cleveland.com: Ohio’s constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights largely achieved what supporters hoped it would by eliminating requirements that once delayed treatment and expanding access to medication abortions, according to a new study from the nonpartisan Urban Institute.
COLUMBUS
Ohio farmers push back on Trump’s 90-day tariff free imported beef plan
Ohio State Public Media: Ohio’s farmers could be hit hard by President Trump’s new round of 50% tariffs on most goods from Canada that started Aug 22, and Canada’s retaliatory tariffs starting Sept. 8. But they’re also very concerned about another big tariff action that starts today.
DETROIT
Officials remove dangerous chemical from Detroit bookstore
CBS Detroit: A well-known Detroit bookstore closed for about an hour on Monday while authorities retrieved old chemicals, including a bottle suspected to contain crystallized picric acid.
INDIANAPOLIS
FEMA chief wants “timely support” for Indiana storm-damage recovery
Indiana Capital Chronicle: FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton joined Gov. Mike Braun in touring some of the hardest-hit locations in the state after a federal major disaster declaration was approved last week for 21 counties.
LOUISVILLE
Could Trump’s diminished popularity in Kentucky affect how this year’s midterm races are run?
Kentucky Lantern: The president’s growing unpopularity in the Bluegrass state may play into the central Kentucky 6th District Congressional race in the weeks ahead as GOP and Democrats hope to use their messaging to sway voters in a general election.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin Elections Commission assures clerks USPS rule on absentee ballots not in effect
Wisconsin Public Radio: The Wisconsin Elections Commission is advising clerks they are not — for now — affected by a new United States Postal Service rule on absentee ballots created after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on voting by mail.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia SNAP recipients in four counties can temporarily purchase hot food with SNAP benefits
West Virginia Watch: The four counties were among the hardest hit by deadly storms and flooding on July 21-22, when up to seven inches of rain fell in parts of the state. Flash flooding killed two people in Upshur County and damaged countless homes and businesses.
NASHVILLE
Tennessee approves license for nuclear fusion facility in Clinton, Bull Run Energy Complex
Tennessee Lookout: Officials approved an application for the state’s first nuclear fusion site, as Tennessee leaders continue to advance their multi-year plan to make the state an epicenter of a new type of energy technology.
PHILADELPHIA
NBC 10 Philadelphia: Days after Aniyah Monroe shared her story with CBS News Philadelphia, we met with her again. This time, we had a happy ending and a wad of cash.
PITTSBURGH
As summer recess ends, what’s on Pittsburgh City Council’s plate?
WESA Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh’s City Council will reconvene after its month-long annual August recess this week. And as its nine members return, so will several ongoing debates, bills, projects and topics of discussion from the first half of this year.
WHEELING
Wheeling health officials recommend reviewing vaccinations ahead of back-to-school
WTRF.com: As students settle back into the classroom, health officials are reminding families to review their children’s vaccination records and make sure they meet school requirements.
YOUNGSTOWN
Mercy Health Mammography Van to visit Mahoning Valley throughout September
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: The Mobile Mammography Unit looks to bring accessible care to women around the Valley, hoping to bring prevention, early detection, diagnosis and support services to the community.
