What’s new in Postindustrial America?

Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.

ASHEVILLE

Blood donors needed across western North Carolina, American Red Cross says

WLOS Asheville: The organization says donations are needed year-round, but the next few months can bring added challenges. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood approximately every two seconds.

ATLANTA

Georgia renames park named after minstrel songwriter, “father of American music”

Georgia Public Broadcasting: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources removed the name Stephen Foster from a state park, though a spokesman said the name change is unrelated to the 19th century songwriter’s association with racist minstrel music.

BALTIMORE

Maryland Salvadorans in limbo as TPS deadline nears and DHS gives no timeline

WBAL-TV Baltimore: Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, which has been in place since 2001, is scheduled to expire on September 9, leaving around 200,000 Salvadorans across the U.S. in limbo as they wait for guidance from the Department of Homeland Security.

CHICAGO

Open House Chicago returns for 2026 with 20 new sites to visit

Chicago Sun-Times: The festival, now in its 16th year and running Oct. 17-18, is “one of the largest architecture and urban festivals in the world,” according to the Chicago Architecture Center. No prior registration is required, so visitors can show up as they please during open house hours and can start planning their route here.

CINCINNATI

Google to join Ohio State University’s Innovation District with on-campus space

Cincinnati Public Radio: University spokesperson Ben Johnson said the partnership with Google compliments Ohio State’s ongoing AI fluency initiative, which aims to make sure every student understands AI tools and how to best use them in their field of study.

CLEVELAND

Measles outbreak grows in Northeast Ohio

Ideastream Public Media: According to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Health, Geauga County has recorded 32 cases and Ashtabula had another 27. Cuyahoga County recorded three cases, and Trumbull County has had five so far.

COLUMBUS

Columbus teachers union says $50 million in budget cuts are already being felt as more loom this year

Ohio State Public Media: The district voted earlier this year to cut more than 300 positions, including more than 100 substitute teachers. Last year, the district also reduced busing and set in motion plans to close four school buildings.

DETROIT

Michigan rabbis push El-Sayed to change rhetoric on Israel, ensure safety of Jewish community

Michigan Advance: The road ahead for Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed remains lined with speed bumps and fences to be mended, particularly with members of Michigan’s Jewish community who don’t like his rhetoric on Israel.

INDIANAPOLIS

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful celebrates 50 years with major projects, fundraising

Indianapolis Public Media: Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is celebrating 50 years in the city and aims to raise about $4 million through a campaign to fund community-focused projects in Indianapolis. They plan to use that money for a small number of flagship projects as well as funding for upkeep on existing green spaces.

LOUISVILLE

LISTEN: Group pushes open primaries in Kentucky amid independent voter uptick

Louisville Public Media: Registered independents grew at a faster rate in Kentucky in July than Democrats and Republicans combined. That’s about four years after Republicans officially overtook Democrats in the voter tally.

MEMPHIS

Fusion power inches closer as Tennessee issues nation’s first license for “stellarator” machine

Nashville Public Radio: The state issued the nation’s first license for a nuclear fusion power plant this week to Type One Energy. The company envisions bringing a fusion power plant online by 2034 near Knoxville. 

MILWAUKEE

Wisconsin meat processors, farmers want more details on Trump proposals to help US beef industry

Wisconsin Public Radio: They include removing federal wildlife protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves, exploring new regulatory options to enforce country-of-origin labeling on meat products and expanding investigations into anticompetitive practices by the country’s largest meat processors under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

MORGANTOWN

West Virginia to give $2.4 million in rural health funds to expand Ascend to healthcare professionals

West Virginia Watch: The state of West Virginia will allocate $2.4 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funds to expand the Ascend program to recruit healthcare workers throughout the state, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced.

PHILADELPHIA

Pennsylvania Election 2026: What to know about the 1st Congressional District race in Bucks County

Philadelphia Public Radio: Here’s everything voters need to know about the race for the 1st Congressional District seat in Bucks County and part of Montgomery County, from who’s running and what’s at stake to where the candidates stand on key issues and beyond.

PITTSBURGH

Proposed Pittsburgh Airbnb crackdown hits snag

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The decision by the Pittsburgh Planning Commission marked the latest pause in a yearslong effort to clamp down on the companies, which include Vrbo and other sites.

WHEELING

Weirton officials face questions over $39 million water project, possible major rate hike

WTOV Wheeling: City officials said the project was not something the city simply decided to take on. It follows an investigation by the West Virginia Public Service Commission, and city officials said the PSC is requiring the work to be completed within five years.

YOUNGSTOWN

Warren teens detained after arraignments for gunfire outside Canfield Fair

WKBN 27 Youngstown: Two teens from Warren arrested following a gunfire investigation late Sunday outside the Canfield Fairgrounds are being held in detention following their arraignments