Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
See 6 WorldAtlas “off-the-beaten-path” travel picks in Western North Carolina
Asheville Citizen Times: Six Western North Carolina towns were described as travel favorites for those looking to explore areas “off the beaten path” in a new list from WorldAtlas.
ATLANTA
Democratic Georgia candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms announces plan to lower grocery costs
Georgia Public Broadcasting: In a grocery store in Lawrenceville, Bottoms proposed a policy that would allow local governments to suspend or eliminate the sales tax on groceries, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.
BALTIMORE
Maryland Supreme Court says redistricting ballot question can go to voters
Maryland Matters: A proposed ballot question that could set new standards for the way congressional maps are drawn in Maryland will go to voters in November, the Supreme Court of Maryland ruled
Chicago Sun-Times: Angela Sedeño, Cindy Eigler and Vero Ortiz help provide mental health services for immigrants. They talk about how President Donald Trump’s mass-deportation campaign changed them and how they cope now.
CINCINNATI
Ohio public universities are ramping up offerings at “intellectual diversity” centers
Cincinnati Public Radio: After a slow start last year, five Ohio public universities say they are ramping up programming and are seeing increased student enrollment at the civic education centers established by Republican state lawmakers.
CLEVELAND
Ohio senator urges feds to ban drive-only licenses for undocumented immigrants
Cleveland.com: U.S. Sen. Jon Husted wants the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation to block states from issuing driver’s licenses to people who cannot prove they are in the country legally.
COLUMBUS
Columbus mayor suspends use of Flock license plate cameras, citing officer’s alleged misuse
Ohio State Public Media: Mayor Andrew Ginther and Police Chief Elaine Bryant said Officer Melvin Tellis has been relieved of duty, but not fired, as the city investigates his use of the cameras. A USA Today database found Tellis searched for a single vehicle’s location more than 200 times using the city’s cameras.
DETROIT
After Gov. Whitmer call, Trump administration lifts halt on invasive carp project
Michigan Advance: More than a month after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers halted work on a critical project aimed at keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes, the stop-work order barring the effort from progressing has been lifted.
INDIANAPOLIS
Thousands of Hoosiers removed from food assistance
Indiana Capital Chronicle: Eighty-two thousand fewer Hoosiers are receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program since Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act took effect last October.
LOUISVILLE
Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin arrested by Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
Louisville Public Media: The former governor had an active bench warrant against him in Jefferson County, where a judge found him in contempt of court for not turning over required financial documents to the court in his divorce and child support case.
MEMPHIS
FedEx Freight executive VP fired due to conduct violation
WREG Memphis: FedEx Freight Holding Company, Inc. terminated Michael B. Lyons, Executive Vice President – Chief Specialized Services and Commercial Officer, over a conduct violation. FedEx Freight said following an internal investigation, the Company determined Lyons no longer met the standards of employment at FedEx Freight.
MILWAUKEE
Wisconsin health officials urge back-to-school shots as measles spreads
Wisconsin Public Radio: As measles continues to spread in southwestern Wisconsin, state health officials are urging families to ensure their children are fully vaccinated before heading back to school.
MORGANTOWN
Sen. Justice says he’s considering challenging Morrisey for governor of West Virginia
West Virginia Watch: Gov. Patrick Morrisey and U.S. Senator Jim Justice, both Republicans, delivered economic-focused remarks at the annual Business Summit while political buzz gets going.
PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia Public Radio: As Labor Day approaches, a new report finds the job market in Pennsylvania is relatively healthy, but hiring growth has slowed, and racial and gender disparities in employment and wages have widened.
Gloria Steinem’s stops in Pittsburgh during her “Life on the Road”
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Born in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem was an avid traveler. In a lecture she gave at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland 1999, Steinem read an excerpt from her then unfinished memoir “Life on the Road,” in which she said much of her childhood was spent driving across the states.
WHEELING
Wheeling native, Miss West Virginia Elizabeth Romanek competing at 99th Miss America competition
WTRF.com: Romanek was crowned Miss West Virginia on June 20 in Martinsburg after competing as Miss Morgantown. She also held the Miss Ohio Valley title in 2025. Romanek was born and raised in Wheeling and graduated from Wheeling Park High School.
YOUNGSTOWN
Storms knock power, leave damage in Mahoning Valley
WKBN 27 Youngstown: FirstEnergy’s outage tracker cites the severe weather as the reason for the outage. “Estimated restoration times will be available once crews assess damage. More specific updates about your outage restoration will be provided as details become available. We appreciate your patience,” the company stated on its website.
