Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Rep. Chuck Edwards and his wife sell all of their McDonald’s restaurants in Western North Carolina
Blue Ridge Public Radio: GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards and his wife are selling all six of their McDonalds franchises, as the Republican lawmaker faces a tight re-election race in North Carolina’s 11th District.
ATLANTA
Atlanta’s World Cup semifinal match to have heightened security
Atlanta News First: The event is reportedly considered an elevated risk due to the historic tensions between the two rivals. When England played Norway in Miami over the weekend, online videos showed Argentina and England fans clashing.
BALTIMORE
Baltimore City declares Code Red Extreme Heat Alert
WBAL-TV: The health commissioner declares a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert during periods of heat that are severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of vulnerable residents. Once a Code Red Extreme Heat declaration is made, activities are undertaken to encourage safety.
CHICAGO
It could feel like 105 degrees in Chicago this week
Block Club Chicago: The weather won’t be as “oppressive” as what Chicagoans saw earlier in July, but people should still take precautions, according to the National Weather Service.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati Public Schools faces early August deadline for tax levy decision
WLWT Cincinnati: Cincinnati Public Schools board members are under pressure to decide by Aug. 3 whether to propose a tax levy that could raise up to $76 million annually, following a lengthy board meeting.
CLEVELAND
Lab tests skyrocket at Cleveland Clinic amid national Cyclospora outbreak
News 5 Cleveland: As cases of a severe intestinal illness rise across the Midwest, testing for Cyclospora has skyrocketed at Cleveland Clinic, which is one of the region’s largest labs.
COLUMBUS
“Serious questions” on Columbus Flock cameras prompt council hearing
Columbus Dispatch: Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel Remy will hold a hearing on Aug. 10 on the city’s Flock Safety license plate reading cameras after a police audit found thousands of possibly immigration enforcement-related searches of city data.
DETROIT
Michigan Democrats revive push to tax wealthy residents through constitutional amendment
Michigan Advance: State Sen. Stephanie Chang and state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips, both Detroit Democrats, introduced a plan to demand that the wealthiest Michigan residents “pay their fair share” in taxes and to use that revenue to help the state’s families.
INDIANAPOLIS
Indiana families dropped from SNAP as state and federal changes collide
Indiana Public Radio: New state and federal SNAP changes are taking effect, and Indiana public health officials say they expect it will cause more Hoosiers to lose benefits.
LOUISVILLE
Gov. Beshear expands Kentucky’s universal pre-K pilot program
Louisville Public Media: All 4-year-old children in two more Kentucky school districts will have access to pre-K, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced. Across the four districts now included in the program, Beshear said almost 3,000 children will have access to pre-K under the program.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin communities face another round of extreme heat this week
Wisconsin Public Radio: As another heat dome settles across the state, raising temperatures in some places to the high 90s or even 100s, emergency planning groups make sure cooling centers and resources are available
MORGANTOWN
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against West Virginia over voter data
West Virginia Watch: The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division filed the lawsuit against West Virginia and four other states in February. The lawsuit against West Virginia named Secretary of State Kris Warner in his official capacity.
NASHVILLE
Tennessee Republican gubernatorial candidates disagree on death penalty methods
Tennessee Lookout: Sen. Marsha Blackburn supports the electric chair; Rep. John Rose says keep lethal injection; Rep. Monty Fritts says the drawn-out process is a “failure.”
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia closes online sales tax loophole for businesses outside city
NBC 10 Philadelphia: Businesses outside Philadelphia will now collect the city’s 2% sales tax on eligible online purchases, a change expected to generate additional revenue.
PITTSBURGH
Carnegie Mellon University president’s recorded comments reflect campus free speech tensions
Public Source: The university has seen heightened debate over expression since President Donald Trump visited campus in 2025. University President Farnam Jahanian’s comments following that visit come amid renewed campus discussions of The Fence and national concern about academic freedom.
WHEELING
Dangerous heat expected across Ohio Valley; heat index could reach 100
WTRF.com: A heat advisory has been issued for much of the Ohio Valley as dangerous heat and humidity are expected to push heat index values as high as 100 degrees
YOUNGSTOWN
Security increased at Trumbull County Fair after teen fights
WFMJ 21 Youngstown: With 40 more officers than last year the deputies will be patrolling inside the gates and in the parking lots looking for any disturbances, especially teens that have caused problems in the past.
