Check out the latest news, features, opinions, and more from Appalachia, the Midwest, and other Postindustrial Communities.
ASHEVILLE
Blue Ridge Public Radio: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to block new mail-in voting restrictions proposed by the Trump administration, calling the eleventh-hour changes “a recipe for chaos.”
ATLANTA
Youngest mayor in Georgia ousted following misconduct claims
USA TODAY: The Stockbridge City Council, in a 3-0 vote, impeached Jayden Williams, who campaigned for the position while still a student at Clark Atlanta University. He was elected to the seat in Henry County about 10 months ago. The removal took place in the city about 20 miles southeast of Atlanta
BALTIMORE
Maryland mail-in voting protected through November election after Supreme Court ruling
ABC 2 Baltimore: Maryland voters will continue voting by mail under existing rules for the November election after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt a court order blocking a U.S. Postal Service mail voting rule.
Who’s vying to be mayor of Chicago? Here’s a look at the roster of candidates so far
Chicago Sun-Times: For now, 13 candidates are circulating nominating petitions in hopes of gathering the required 12,500 signatures to secure a place on the ballot. Candidates have until Oct. 26 to file their nominating petitions.
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati will get $72 million from railway sale revenue next year
Cincinnati Public Radio: Voters approved the $1.6 billion sale to Norfolk Southern in 2023, replacing a decades-long lease to the railway company.
CLEVELAND
Ohio report cards show schools inched upward in statewide performance for English, math
Cleveland.com: Overall, English and math scores inched up statewide. The rate of chronic absenteeism inched downward and remains far from the state’s goal.
COLUMBUS
Ohio State Marion opens new downtown hub for community problem-solving
Ohio State Public Media: The Ohio State University at Marion is opening a new downtown engagement hub today. The aim is to bring people together to collaborate and work on solutions for the community.
DETROIT
Michigan Public: The two main candidates for Michigan governor are trying to build out their ideas for affordable housing.
INDIANAPOLIS
Why Abe Lincoln in sunglasses will be on Indiana election ballots
Indiana Capital Chronicle: That is the emblem submitted by the Lincoln Party to appear in the section for voters choosing to cast straight-ticket ballots — even though the newly formed party’s only candidate is Greg Ballard running for secretary of state.
LOUISVILLE
Kentucky Gov. Beshear announces state investment to erase $250 million in medical debt
Louisville Public Media: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he is using $2.5 million in state funds to erase medical debt for tens of thousands of Kentuckians through a partnership with Undue Medical Debt. The nonprofit, which has worked with states like Arizona, Illinois and North Carolina, buys bundles of medical debt for less than they’re worth and then forgives them.
MILWAUKEE
Green Bay’s “hidden homeless” maintain hope while living in their vehicles
Wisconsin Watch: The way unhoused people are counted annually makes it difficult to accurately tally people who live in their vehicles. Wisconsin Watch spoke to a family with young children and a woman who use safe parking to learn more about their day-to-day lives, the obstacles they face and what keeps them going.
MORGANTOWN
West Virginia local governments spent most opioid settlement funds on police, jail bills, EMS
West Virginia Watch: West Virginia localities spent nearly $10 million more of the opioid settlement funds they received between 2024 and 2025 than in the year previously, with a bulk of that spending going toward law enforcement, jail bill payments and support for emergency medical services.
NASHVILLE
Spoilers or contenders? Two independent candidates for Tennessee governor try to shake up the race
Tennessee Lookout: David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston are drawing substantial interest as independent candidates for governor in November. Tennessee’s gubernatorial seat is open for the first time in eight years, as Gov. Bill Lee is term-limited.
PHILADELPHIA
Data center growth could mean blackouts in coming years, Pennsylvania utility regulators say
Philadelphia Public Radio: Data center growth will likely increase the risk of electricity outages in the Philadelphia region in the next four years, according to a report released by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh faith groups continue weekly vigils outside South Side ICE office
WESA Pittsburgh: “We just have within our hearts, we can’t be complicit in the injustice,” said Sister Barbara Finch, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph and one of the vigil’s organizers. “So, this is one way of speaking up and to try to encourage people … not only to pray, but use this prayer to go forth and to advocate for justice.”
WHEELING
State, industry leaders react to rollback of greenhouse gas rules
WV MetroNews: “This is going to be framed by the ‘lunatic greenoes’ as an extreme step and it is not that. This is taking us back to an era of rational energy policies,” said West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey.
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown organization to help people register to vote
33 WYTV Youngstown: The Jewish Community Relations Council hosted a voter registration drive. They say most people they met were already registered, but many asked to change their addresses or confirm they were registered in the first place.
